about the nails....

[primuspilus]

I put this topic in here because Im sure lots of Roman Catholics will like their say.

I want to know if the Orthodox have a teaching on where the nails were placed on our Lord. In the middle of the hands/feet, or in the wrists/ankles?

Also, I've heard the Roman Catholics are pretty stern on this...is that true?

PP

[Melodist]

I put this topic in here because Im sure lots of Roman Catholics will like their say.

I want to know if the Orthodox have a teaching on where the nails were placed on our Lord. In the middle of the hands/feet, or in the wrists/ankles?

Also, I've heard the Roman Catholics are pretty stern on this...is that true?

PP

I think the difference should be held to be about as important as the difference about whether Christ's feet were side by side or crossed over each other.

That being said, everything (scripture, hymns, prayers, iconography, etc) in Tradition (east and west) depicts the nails going through the palms.

Historical evidence of how the Romans cunducted their crucifixions and anatomical evidence of how much weight can be held by dertain parts of the body seem to suggest a possibility of the wrists.

I find it best to just hold the tradition just as we have received it and not change it according to the (scientific) wisdom of men on this point.

[Scotty]

Its four wounds either way (five if you count the side).  I can see how three nails would be symbolic, but I don't think any Roman Catholic would really throw a fit if it were actually done with four nails, and likewise to the Orthodox/Byzantines with three nails.

[LBK]

Do a search on Triclavianism. This controversy did not touch Orthodoxy.

[Wyatt]

The nails could have very well went through the palms rather than the wrists because the crucifixion is sometimes portrayed with Jesus' arms also being bound to the cross with a rope before the nails are ran through the palms. That would eliminate the whole how-much-weight-can-the-palms-withstand controversy.

[JLatimer]

The nails also could have been driven through the palms at an angle so that they would come out at the wrists.

[Shanghaiski]

The nails could have very well went through the palms rather than the wrists because the crucifixion is sometimes portrayed with Jesus' arms also being bound to the cross with a rope before the nails are ran through the palms. That would eliminate the whole how-much-weight-can-the-palms-withstand controversy.

Also, the Romans (as shown on the Eastern crosses) employed a footrest which allowed the person crucified to support himself to take a breath. This, in typical Roman fashion, prolonged the suffering before death.

[Papist]

Also, the writs can be seen as a part or base of the hand. In any event, it doesn't really matter one way or another.

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