Holy Lance

COLLECTOR COINS 2013

Nominal Value	Metal and Stamp	Wight gr	Diametr	Circulation	Edge	Quality
1000 dram	silver 925	25,0 g	27,0 x 47,0 mm	2500 pcs	ribbed	proof

With the issuance of this collector coin, new series titled Treasures of Etchmiadzin started as part of the international numismatic program "History of Armenia", which includes the series Cross-stones of Armenia and Armenian Monasteries and Churches. The Holy Lance is the spear with which a Roman legionary centurion Longinus pierced the side of Jesus Christ. As the Gospel of John says, "one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water" (John 19:34). The history goes that the mixture of blood and water dripping out of Christ's wounds spattered on the eyes of Longinus and treated them, restoring his eyesight. That's why he converted into a Christian, long preached in the Middle East with the Holy Lance. St Thaddeus, one of the 12 apostles of Christ, brought the Holy Lance to Armenia in 30s of the first century AD. The Holy Lance has since been one of the sacred relics of Christianity. Originally, it was kept in different places of worship in historical Armenia, and since the 13th century, in Ayrivank monastery (which was called Geghardavank afterwards). This sacred relic kept in Ayrivank made the monastery one of the most significant places of pilgrimage in medieval times. There is an ample of evidence that in Armenia and neighboring countries the Holy Lance was used in order to bless the land and the people and to safeguard them from wars and disasters. In 1760s, the Holy Lance was brought to Etchmiadzin and it is still there, in the museum of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, packed in the silver icon with foldable side flaps. The Holy Lance is one of the three main shrines sanctified by the Holy Myrrh. Obverse of the coin depicts the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia and reverse depicts the Holy Lance in the silver icon with foldable side flaps.

The design of the coin and the informational booklet are created with assitance of the Holy Etchmiadzin's specialists. Minted in the Mayer Mint, Germany. In circualtion since 24. 12. 2013.