By Luke Luedy

After Christ’s disciples lowered his body from the cross, what became of the instrument of execution? And are there any lasting pieces of it today?

This article will explain exactly that.

Crossed Out

Historians and scholars refer to the wooden cross Christ was crucified on as the “True Cross.”

Many of the latter widely believe that St. Helena was heavily involved with the True Cross, at least in the years following Christ’s death.

St. Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine, a Roman ruler who became the first of his kind to convert to Christianity and legalize the religion throughout the Roman empire.

According to the Catholic Education Research Center, a website that aims to spread Catholic information, Helena scoured the Middle East to discover where Christ died in the year 324.

Two years later, Roman excavators discovered the area after demolishing a paganistic temple built by Constantine’s predecessor. They then proceeded to build holy shrines over the sacred land. Today, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre sits in that very spot.

From there, certain legends emerged after Helena discovered three wooden crosses. Some tell that the Romans identified the True Cross after supposedly healing a terminally ill woman. Others claim that Helena embedded the nails of the cross into Constantine’s helmet and saddle, to aid hm in battle.

And while the past has tangible, if not murky, pieces of information regarding the True Cross, the present does not.

Today, pieces of the True Cross, considered relics by the Catholic Church, are supposedly across the world. It is nearly impossible for one to discern fake from genuine pieces of the cross, due to its antiqueness.

In fact, there exists such a great deal of these fragments that John Calvin, a French reformer credited with the rise of Reformed Christianity, even commented on the massive amount. Calvin said that there exists enough wood from all the supposed relics to fill a ship.

Regardless, here is a quick list of several churches and institutions that house supposed pieces of the True Cross. This article does not intend to confirm nor deny the validity of any of the following fragments.

Rome, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem

Despite the name indicating Jerusalem, this church is located in Rome, Italy. This church holds pieces of the cross directly from the shrines built by Helena.

Texas, Shrine of the True Cross

Formerly named St. Joseph’s Church, this church in Dickinson obtained a piece of the cross in 1936, from the previously listed church.

New York, Most Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church

With over hundreds of relics within their church, Most Holy Redeemer’s website states that the True Cross is within that collection as well.

Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Built in the fourth-century, this church already holds a great deal of significance to the Christian faith. Its location marks the area in which Christ was both crucified and buried. Inside the church, it houses a piece of the True Cross.

Pittsburgh, Saint Anthony’s Chapel

Located within Troy Hill, this church from 1880 boasts having one of the largest collections of holy relics in one area, second to the Vatican. A shard of the True Cross is held within the center of its altar.

Greater Whole

With nearly eight billion people occupying planet Earth currently, it’s easy for one to feel overlooked. In the background, another cog in the machine. That no matter how much we raise our voice, nobody will listen.

Regardless, religious or not, we are all part of something bigger, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

The pieces of the True Cross, whether genuine or fake, speak to an aspect of the human condition: to belong. That no matter where in the world those pieces are, they all form a collective whole, both in the actual cross and in Christianity.

Like those fragments, we too can be apart of something. What that is depends.

While it may not be as large as being substantial relics of a major religion, we can make differences on others. Even just doing acts of kindness for the people already in our lives, no matter how many that may be, can make a great change. Or other small deeds, for those in our communities, or workplace, or wherever.

In short, it bears repeating: you’re not alone.