The third episode of Mysteries of the Faith focuses on the Holy cross, which acts as a symbol of faith for many. Religious relics are believed to have a huge responsibility as they have a direct connection with God. The mini-docu series is responsible for a widespread showcase of believers and their unwavering faith in spirituality. This episode explores how the custodian of an important Christian relic wants to showcase it to the world so that spirituality can be spread among all. The series streaming on Netflix brings to the forefront many aspects of religion that have not been witnessed by many. What is the purpose of the splinter being shown to as many people as possible? We are yet to find answers to many questions through this episode.
Spoilers Ahead
How Did The Holy Cross Reach Brazil?
As per Canon Claudio Dos Santos, the custodian of the relic of the Holy cross in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, it is a mystery as to how and why the Holy cross was brought over the seas until it reached Brazil. He also says that as the custodian of the relics, he has a huge responsibility. Dr. Robert Cargill, an associate professor of classics and biblical studies, stated the story behind the Holy cross and how it was brought overseas. About 300 years after the death of Jesus on the cross, the 80-year-old Empress Helena set out on a journey of 2000 miles. Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, was an ardent Christian and wanted to visit Jerusalem as a pilgrim. She wanted to see and feel everything on her pilgrimage that was related to Jesus. In 326 AD, Helena had left Rome to visit Jerusalem, and on reaching Jerusalem, she had made her men dig up the earth, resulting in her finding three crosses. She laid the same dead body on each of the three crosses, and on touching one of the three crosses, the body miraculously sprung back to life. The historian Nicola is of the opinion that Empress Helena, upon finding the cross, displayed her interest in Christian relics, resulting in her sending that piece of wood back to Constantine. Splinters of wood started being handed out as gifts all across the globe by the believers.
How Did The Wooden Splinters Affect Many Across The Globe?
The Holy wooden splinters have affected many believers all across the globe. Jason Horowitz, the Rome correspondent for the New York Times, said that several splinters have been spread across Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and others. Emma Southon says that it is quite empowering to own a piece of the true cross as a believer. In 1725, Bishop Antonio de Guadalupe left Lisbon and embarked on a two-month journey to find and collect the splinters of the Holy Cross to spread them among people globally. In Rome, there are certain fragments of the true cross that have been found much closer to the center of the Catholic church. The believers are of the opinion that the Holy cross is a symbol of faith. Rosa Rodrigues, another believer, is of the opinion that the Holy splinter is rarely seen by people all across Brazil. She believes that seeing the relic will touch people’s hearts and bring peace to them. Professor Luiz Antonio Cruz De Souza said that the pieces of wood have influenced the lives of thousands over many years all across the world. Rio de Janeiro is also a part of the history of the Holy Cross, as Brazil is known as the island of the Holy Cross. He also laid out the theoretical perspective that the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1500s had resulted in them settling there. Rio was initially a very small town with few financial resources, but with the influx of gold, a lot more population was drawn to the town.
What Is The Significance Of Titulus Crucis?
The Holy Cross Basilica held three relics on display that were said to have been found by Helena on her pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Don Alessandro Pugiotto, the custodian of the Holy Cross Relics of the Holy Cross Basilica, talks about the Titulus Crucis, which is considered to be one of the greatest gifts of Christianity. It reminds us of the fact that the gospel is not fictitious and is very much alive. It was a small sign that was affixed to the top of Jesus’ crucifixion cross. When Jesus was crucified, a small board was hung on top of the cross, stating his crime, to prevent onlookers from doing the same thing. Jesus had been mocked in the Titulus, calling him the king of the Jews. Romel Almoneda is a staunch believer and sacristan of the Basilica of the Holy Cross who has also worshiped the Titulus for the past 15 years. He says that he regularly goes into the Chapel of St. Helen, where the soil from the cross’ location in Jerusalem was brought by Helen. She had put the soil in her chapel to ensure that a part of Jerusalem was present there.
What Does Canon Claudio Want?
Canon Claudio intends to take the splinter of the Holy cross to places that he has never been to. He wants to ensure that everyone can get to see it it, as it will ensure that they are more closely connected with God himself. He believes that this is a form of evangelizing, as it helps people connect with God better. Luciany, a staunch believer, is seen promoting the cross, as she believes that God is her protector. She says that she had been praying to God throughout the pandemic. She says that it was a miracle that nobody in her building fell sick. Canon Claudio, on the other hand, is seen taking the relic around as he says that Jesus had come to purge our sins, and that is why we should have the utmost belief in him. He said that being a believer and a priest brought joy to his life and heart. He is seen wiping away tears of joy, stating that he felt lucky to have been chosen by God. He thought that it was a great opportunity for him to take the relic around and show it to as many people as possible. He believes that the more people see the relic, the more drawn they are to God.
Final Thoughts
The beliefs of many believers in the series are presented in a manner that almost points its fingers at the non-believers and makes them want to switch. The beliefs of Canon Claudio, along with those of other believers, have been highlighted, which show that the relics are to be showcased to as many people as possible so that they feel more connected to the omnipotent. The grandiosity of the Holy splinter has been presented effectively throughout the episode. The narrative has been well-knit here, with backing from many experts in the field of theology. Many would choose to believe in the importance of the relics, while others would ignore them. The series, however, keeps it open to the audience to estimate the importance of the relics in real life. However, the series lacks the point of view of the non-believers. A space for their opinions in contrast with those of the believers would have made the series more compact.
