Nails with which Our Saviour was fastened to the Cross, and which according to tradition were found by Saint Helena. It is not certain whether there were three or four, more probably four. Saint Ambrose and others record that Saint Helena had one nail converted into a crown for Constantine and another one into a bridle for his horse. It is probable that the iron crown of Lombardy, preserved at Monza, is identical with this crown. The holy nails venerated in more than 30 places of Europe are imitations, some of which may contain filings of the true nails.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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