In a world where many themes... some tragic, others bittersweet, and a few... too few moments are poignantly laced together with love and laughter, we are forced into decisions which may at times appear to neglect the more important for the least. This page could follow innumerable tangental discussions regarding this Century... our Century's darkest hours. This page is dedicated to a dear couple: F.R. & Ana Gilbert, who were humiliated, starved, and left for dead... Survivors who withstood Great Evil.
Yet today, I'm reminded of a number of wonderful friends... cherished friends discovered along the Net -- who, like the Gilberts, are survivors in their own terrible struggles to breathe free. I dedicate this page also to you. As a daily symbol recalling the inestimable value of life... a necktie hand-made and given me by the Gilberts hangs on my bedroom door. I intend to remember and never forget. For many, a costly price was exacted from Jew and Christian alike, men and women, young and old who answered Hitler and his insanity... by giving their lives.
This essay touches on that Great Evil... through the theme of a very unusual book: The Spear of Destiny, Trevor Ravenscroft -- Sometimes called The Spear Longinus thought to have been the very Spear belonging to the Roman Centurian who pierced the side of Christ while he hung on the cross. This ancient Sword has an unusual history connected with it having been the possession of such notables as Herod the Great, Constantine, Justinian, Emperor Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Kaiser Wilhelm, the Hapsburg Emperors, and Adolph Hitler. Ravenscroft describes how these men sought to possess it under the belief that whoever held the Spear, held the balance of world power. (p 121) This is only a partial list of the "Who's who" of European history who sought this Spear.
Heinrich Himmler, of Nazi-Gestapo fame, studied its dark history. Hitler, well-known for his interest in artifacts and religious relics, viewed the Spear as his most prized possession. Hitler recounted his first sight of the Spear, "I knew with immediacy that this was an important moment in my life....I stood there quietly gazing upon it for several minutes quite oblivious to the scene around me. It seemed to carry some hidden inner meaning which evaded me, a meaning which I felt I inwarldly knew yet could not bring to consciousness.... I felt as though I myself had held it in my hands before in some earlier century of history -- that I myself had once claimed it as my talisman of power and held the destiny of the world in my hands. What sort of madness was this that was invading my mind and creating such turmoil in my breast?". (p 8-9)
Dr. Walter Stein recalling the fateful events of Hilter's visit to the Treasure House in Vienna in September 1912 stated, "At that time when we first stood side by side in front of the Spear of Destiny it appeared to me that Hitler was in so deep a condition of trance that he was suffering almost complete sense-denudation and a total eclipse of self-consciousness." During a Press interview, Adolf Hitler confessed that he moved "like a sleep-walker where Providence dictates." (p 65)
Not until April 30, 1945, did the United States briefly become caretaker of the Spear of Destiny. Though American politicians and senior level military officers seemed little interested in the Spear Longinus, it was General Patton who appears to have been completely fascinated at the sight of the Spear of Destiny. Patton had its history traced as well as its authenticity confirmed. Only until the final decision came from General Eisenhower, was the complete Hapsburg regalia including the Spear Longinus returned to the Hofburg Treasure House where it remains today.
Mein Vater from R. Wagner's Parsival
Richard Wagner, one of Hitler's favorite Nationalistic composers whose very music was born out of socialistic concepts, underscoring and promoting that militant ideal which assisted in bringing Nazis to power. Wagner, in his opera Parsival centered his theme around the Spear of Longinus as a result of his studies of the Heilige Lance in the Treasure House of the Hofburg. (p 120)
It might sound strange, but I wonder about the history connected with the Spear of Destiny. But then, General George Patten did, too!
Check out The Los Angeles Central Library
And Related Links:
Read more about the Holy Lance in: The Malleus Maleficarum
The Museum of Tolerance -- an On-line tour sponsored by the Simon WWiesenthal Center, Los Angeles
Gordon, of Lake Elsinore, does it again! Check out this: Hitler and the Holy Lance
Also found by Gordon... (he finds the best links!): The Sestina of the Legionary
Bryan, Palmdale, California recommends Celtic Christianity - Celtic Art
ABC Bücherdienst - Heilige Lanze HELP! I know this is noo longer an active link.
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