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Glossary

Instruments of the Passion

The instruments of the Passion are a set of objects used to symbolise the Passion, that is the sufferings and death of Jesus. They include:

CUP: a symbolic cup, for his suffering, also the cup in which his redeeming blood is caught COLUMN: to which Jesus was tied while flogged CROWN OF THORNS: put on him mockingly by the soldiers CROSS: on which he was crucified SPONGE: from which he drank vinegar while being crucified LANCE: with which he was pierced during the crucifixion NAILS: with which his hands and feet were fastened to the cross