Holy Nails

E377573

The Holy Nails are revered Christian relics believed to be the nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, traditionally associated with Empress Saint Helena’s discovery of the True Cross.

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All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Holy Nails canonical 1

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Christian relics
relics of the Passion
alternativeNumberTraditions four
associatedBelief a nail fragment is set in the Holy Lance
a nail is enclosed in the Iron Crown of Lombardy
associatedEvent Crucifixion of Jesus
associatedFigure Constantine I
surface form: Constantine the Great

Empress Helena
Jesus Christ
associatedObject Treasury of the Holy Lance and Nails, Vienna
surface form: Holy Lance (Vienna)

Iron Crown of Lombardy
believedToBe nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus
cultType relic cult
devotionalPractice pilgrimage to churches claiming possession of the nails
feastContext veneration connected with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
historicityView authenticity disputed by historians
iconography often depicted as three nails with the cross
languageName French: Saints Clous
Italian: Santi Chiodi
Latin: Clavi Domini
Spanish: Santos Clavos
linkedLegend Helena casting a nail into the sea to calm storms
Helena having nails forged into Constantine’s bridle
Helena having nails forged into Constantine’s helmet
liturgicalUse displayed for public veneration on certain feasts
majorRelicLocation Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
surface form: Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Rome

Orléans Cathedral
surface form: Holy Cross Cathedral, Orléans

Milan Cathedral
Monza Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Paris treasury (historically)
Treasury of the Holy Lance and Nails, Vienna
medievalSignificance important in imperial and royal regalia
numberTraditionally three
partOf Instruments of the Passion
relatedDoctrine Catholic teaching on relics
communion of saints
religiousTradition Christianity
symbolism Christ’s kingship and victory over death
redemption
suffering of Christ
theologicalStatus objects of veneration, not worship
traditionalDateOfDiscovery 4th century
traditionalDiscovery the True Cross
surface form: Helena’s discovery of the True Cross
traditionalPlaceOfDiscovery Jerusalem
veneratedIn Eastern Orthodox Christianity
surface form: Eastern Orthodox Church

Oriental Orthodoxy
surface form: Oriental Orthodox Churches

Roman Catholicism
surface form: Roman Catholic Church

some Anglican and Lutheran traditions

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.