The Sacred Reed of the Lord from the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi in Thessalonikitranslated

Archim writes. Dimitrios Tziafas, High Priest Commissioner - Preacher I.M.Th.

The Sacred Reed of our Lord Jesus Christ is among the precious sacred relics associated with His Immaculate Passion. It is about the reed that the Roman soldiers gave to Christ during His mockery in the Praetorium, using it as an ironic royal scepter. A piece of this sacred relic has been kept for centuries in the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, among its important respects.

The incident is described in the Gospel according to Matthew (27,27-30). The soldiers of the ruler led Jesus to the Praetorium, clothed Him in a red chlamys and placed a crown of thorns on His head. Then, after giving Him a "reed on His right hand", they knelt before Him and mocked Him saying: "Hail, King of the Jews". Then, after spitting on Him, they took the reed and beat Him on the head. The event is also witnessed by the Evangelist Mark (15,16-20).

The honor towards the relics of the Divine Passion had a special place in the Byzantine ecclesiastical tradition. In Constantinople, the imperial church of Our Lady of Pharos was an important place…