Types of crosses for wear. Cross. crucifixion. the meaning of Christ's death on the cross. the difference between the orthodox cross and the catholic
Christianity for more than two thousand years of its existence has spread throughout all the continents of the Earth, among many peoples with their own cultural traditions and characteristics. So it's no surprise that one of the world's most recognizable symbols, the Christian cross, comes in such a variety of shapes, sizes, and uses.
In today's material, we will try to talk about what crosses are. In particular, you will learn: are there "Orthodox" and "Catholic" crosses, can a Christian treat the cross with contempt, are there crosses in the shape of an anchor, why do we also honor the cross in the shape of the letter "X" and much more interesting.
Cross in the church
First, let's remember why the cross is important to us. The veneration of the cross of the Lord is connected with the redemptive sacrifice of the God-man Jesus Christ. Honoring the cross, an Orthodox Christian pays homage to God Himself, who incarnated and suffered on this ancient Roman instrument of execution for our sins. Without the cross and death there would be no redemption, resurrection and ascension, there would be no dispensation of the Church in the world and no opportunity to follow the path of salvation for every person.
Since the cross is so revered by believers, they try to see it as often as possible in their lives. Most often, the cross can be seen in the temple: on its domes, on sacred utensils and vestments of clergy, on the chest of priests in the form of special pectoral crosses, in the architecture of the temple, often built in the form of a cross.
Cross outside the church
In addition, it is common for a believer to expand his spiritual space to the whole life around him. A Christian sanctifies all its elements, first of all, with the sign of the cross.
Therefore, in the cemeteries above the graves there are crosses as a reminder of the future resurrection, on the roads there are worship crosses that sanctify the path, on the bodies of Christians themselves there are wearable crosses, reminding a person of his high calling to follow the path of the Lord.
Also, the shape of the cross among Christians can often be seen in home iconostases, on rings and other household items.
pectoral cross
The pectoral cross is a special story. It can be made from a wide variety of materials and have all sorts of sizes and decorations, retaining only its shape.
In Russia, people used to see the pectoral cross in the form of a separate object hanging on a chain or rope on the believer's chest, but in other cultures there were other traditions. The cross could not be made of anything at all, but applied to the body in the form of a tattoo, so that a Christian could not accidentally lose it and so that it could not be taken away. This is how the Christian Celts wore the pectoral cross.
It is also interesting that sometimes the Savior is not depicted on the cross, but an icon of the Mother of God or one of the saints is placed on the field of the cross, or even the cross is turned into a kind of miniature iconostasis.
On the "Orthodox" and "Catholic" crosses and contempt for the latter
In some modern popular science articles, one can come across the assertion that an eight-pointed cross with a short upper and oblique short lower additional crossbars is considered “Orthodox”, and a four-pointed cross elongated downwards is “Catholic” and the Orthodox, allegedly, refer or in the past referred to it with contempt.
This is a statement that does not stand up to scrutiny. As you know, the Lord was crucified precisely on a four-pointed cross, which, for the above reasons, was revered by the Church as a shrine long before the Catholics fell away from Christian unity, which occurred in the 11th century. How could Christians despise the symbol of their salvation?
In addition, at all times, four-pointed crosses were widely used in churches, and even now on the chest of Orthodox clergy you can find several possible forms of the cross - eight-pointed, four-pointed and figured with decorations. Would they really wear some kind of “non-Orthodox cross”? Of course not.
eight pointed cross
The eight-pointed cross is most often used in the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches. This form recalls some additional details of the death of the Savior.
An additional short upper crossbar denotes a titlo - a tablet on which Pilate wrote the guilt of Christ: "Jesus the Nazarene - the king of the Jews." On some images of the crucifixion, the words are abbreviated and it turns out "INTI" - in Russian or "INRI" - in Latin.
The short oblique lower crossbar, usually depicted with the right edge raised up and the left edge lowered down (relative to the image of the crucified Lord), denotes the so-called “righteous measure” and reminds us of the two thieves crucified on the sides of Christ and their posthumous fate. The right one repented before death and inherited the Kingdom of Heaven, while the left blasphemed the Savior and ended up in hell.
St. Andrew's Cross
Christians revere not only a straight, but also an oblique four-pointed cross, depicted in the form of the letter "X". Tradition tells us that it was on a cross of this form that one of the twelve disciples of the Savior, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, was crucified.
The "St. Andrew's Cross" is especially popular in Russia and the Black Sea countries, since it was around the Black Sea that the missionary path of the Apostle Andrew passed. In Russia, the St. Andrew's Cross is depicted on the flag of the navy. In addition, the St. Andrew's cross is especially revered by the Scots, who also depicted it on their national flag and believe that the Apostle Andrew preached in their country.
T-shaped cross
Such a cross was most common in Egypt and other provinces of the Roman Empire in North Africa. Crosses with a horizontal beam superimposed on a vertical post, or with a crossbar nailed just a little below the top edge of the post, were used to crucify criminals in these places.
Also, the “T-shaped cross” is called the “cross of St. Anthony” in honor of the Monk Anthony the Great, who lived in the 4th century, one of the founders of monasticism in Egypt, who traveled with a cross of this shape.
Archbishop's and Papal Crosses
In the Catholic Church, in addition to the traditional four-pointed cross, crosses are used with the second and third crossbars above the main one, reflecting the hierarchical position of the bearer.
A cross with two crossbars means the rank of cardinal or archbishop. Such a cross is sometimes also called "patriarchal" or "Lorraine". The cross with three bars corresponds to papal dignity and emphasizes the high position of the Roman pontiff in the Catholic Church.
Cross of Lalibela
In Ethiopia, church symbols use a four-pointed cross surrounded by a complex pattern, which is called the “Lalibela cross” in honor of the holy negus (king) of Ethiopia, Gebre Meskel Lalibela, who ruled in the 11th century. Negus Lalibela was known for his deep and sincere faith, the help of the Church and the generous work of alms.
Anchor cross
On the domes of some churches in Russia, you can find a cross that stands on a crescent-shaped base. Some mistakenly explain such symbolism by the wars in which Russia defeated the Ottoman Empire. Allegedly, "the Christian cross tramples on the Muslim crescent."
In fact, this shape is called the Anchor Cross. The fact is that already in the very first centuries of the existence of Christianity, when Islam had not yet arisen, the Church was called the “ship of salvation”, which delivers a person to the safe haven of the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, the cross was depicted as a reliable anchor on which this ship can wait out the storm of human passions. The image of a cross in the form of an anchor can be found even in the ancient Roman catacombs where the first Christians were hiding.
Celtic cross
Before converting to Christianity, the Celts worshiped various elements, including the eternal luminary - the sun. According to legend, when St. Patrick Equal-to-the-Apostles enlightened Ireland, he combined the symbol of the cross with the earlier pagan symbol of the sun to show the eternity and importance for every new convert of the Savior's sacrifice.
Christ is a reference to the cross
During the first three centuries, the cross, and even more so the Crucifixion, were not depicted openly. The rulers of the Roman Empire opened the hunt for Christians and they had to identify each other with the help of not too obvious secret signs.
One of the hidden symbols of Christianity closest to the cross in meaning was "chrism" - the monogram of the name of the Savior, usually made up of the first two letters of the word "Christ" "X" and "R".
Sometimes the symbols of eternity were added to the "chrism" - the letters "alpha" and "omega" or, alternatively, it was made in the form of an St. Andrew's cross crossed out with a cross line, that is, in the form of the letters "I" and "X" and could be read like "Jesus Christ".
There are many other varieties of the Christian cross, which are widely used, for example, in the international award system or in heraldry - on the coats of arms and flags of cities and countries.
Andrey Segeda
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The domes of Orthodox churches are crowned with crosses. Believers wear crosses on their chests to always be under the protection of God.
What should be the correct Orthodox pectoral cross? On its reverse side there is an inscription: "Save and save." However, this attribute is not a talisman that can protect against all misfortunes.
The pectoral cross is a symbol of the "cross" that God gives to a person who wants to serve Him - in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Whoever wants to follow Me, turn away from yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8, 34).
The person who wears the cross, thereby gives a guarantee that he will live according to the commandments of God and endure all the trials that will fall to his lot.
Our story about what to be guided by when choosing an Orthodox pectoral cross will be incomplete if we do not turn to history and talk about the festival dedicated to this Christian attribute.
In memory of finding in 326 in Jerusalem, near Golgotha, where Jesus Christ was crucified, the Orthodox Church celebrates a holiday called the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. This holiday symbolizes the triumph of the Church of Christ, which has gone through a difficult path of trials and persecution and has spread throughout the world.
According to legend, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, Queen Helena, went in search of the Cross of the Lord to Palestine. Excavations were carried out here, as a result of which the cave of the Holy Sepulcher was found, and not far from it three crosses were found. They were alternately placed on a sick woman, who, thanks to the touch of the Cross of the Lord, was healed.
According to another legend, a deceased person, who was carried by a funeral procession, resurrected from contact with this cross. However, it is not known exactly how the cross on which Christ was crucified looked. Only two separate crossbars were found, and next to it was a tablet and a foot.
Part of the Life-Giving Tree and nails were brought by Empress Helen to Constantinople. And Emperor Constantine erected in 325 in Jerusalem a temple in honor of the Ascension of Christ, which included the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha.
The cross began to be used as a symbol of faith thanks to Emperor Constantine. As church historian Eusebius Pamphilus testifies, “Christ, the Son of God, appeared in a dream to the emperor with a sign seen in heaven and commanded, having made a banner similar to this one seen in heaven, to use it to protect against attacks by enemies.”
Constantine ordered to place images of the cross on the shields of his soldiers and installed in Constantinople three commemorative Orthodox crosses with golden inscriptions in Greek “IC.XP.NIKA”, which means “Jesus Christ the Conqueror”.
What should be the correct pectoral cross?
There are various graphic types of crosses: Greek, Latin, the cross of St. Peter (an inverted cross), the Papal Cross, etc. No matter how different branches of Christianity differ from each other, this shrine is revered by all confessions.
But if in Catholicism Jesus Christ is depicted sagging in his arms, which emphasizes His martyrdom, then in Orthodoxy the Savior appears in strength - as a conqueror, calling the whole Universe into His arms.
The palms of Jesus on the Orthodox cross are usually open; the figure expresses peace and dignity. In Him are embodied His most important hypostases – Divine and Human.
The attribute of the Catholic crucifixion is the Crown of Thorns. In the Orthodox pictorial tradition, it is rare.
Also in Catholic images, Christ is crucified with three nails, that is, the nails are driven into both hands, and the soles of the feet are put together and nailed with one nail. In the Orthodox crucifixion, each foot of the Savior is nailed separately with its own nail, and in total four nails are depicted.
The canon of the image of the Orthodox crucifixion was approved back in 692 by the Tula Cathedral and remains unchanged to this day. Of course, Orthodox believers should use crosses that are made in accordance with the Orthodox tradition.
I must say that the dispute about what should be a Christian cross of the correct form - eight-pointed or four-pointed - has been going on for a long time. In particular, it was led by Orthodox believers and Old Believers.
According to Abbot Luke,
“In the Orthodox Church, its holiness does not depend on the shape of the cross, provided that the Orthodox cross is made and consecrated precisely as a Christian symbol, and not originally made as a sign, for example, of the sun or part of a household ornament or decoration.”
What form of the pectoral cross is considered correct in Orthodoxy?
The Orthodox Church recognizes both four-pointed, and six-pointed, and eight-pointed types of crosses (the latter, with two additional partitions - tilted to the left side for the legs and a crossbar at the head, are used more often), with or without the image of the crucified Savior (however, such a symbol cannot be 12-pin or 16-pin).
The letters ІС ХС are a christogram symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ. Also, the Orthodox cross has the inscription "Save and save."
Catholics also do not attach much importance to the shape of the cross; the image of the Savior is not always found on Catholic crosses.
Why in Orthodoxy is a cross called a pectoral?
Only clergymen wear crosses over their clothes, and ordinary believers should not wear crucifixes for show, thereby demonstrating their faith, because such a manifestation of pride is not befitting for Christians.
It must also be said that an Orthodox pectoral cross can be made from different materials - gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber, decorated with ornaments or precious stones. Most importantly, it must be consecrated.
If you bought it in a church shop, you don’t have to worry about it: already consecrated crosses are sold there. This does not apply to products purchased in jewelry stores, and such crosses will need to be consecrated in the temple. During this ceremony, the priest will read prayers calling to protect not only the soul, but also the body of a believer from evil forces.
In Christianity, the veneration of the cross belongs to Catholics and Orthodox. The symbolic figure adorns the domes of churches, houses, icons and other church paraphernalia. The Orthodox cross is of great importance for believers, emphasizing their endless commitment to religion. No less interesting is the history of the appearance of the symbol, where the variety of forms reflects the depth of Orthodox culture.
The history of the emergence and meaning of the Orthodox cross
Many people perceive the cross as a symbol of Christianity.. Initially, the figure symbolized the murder weapon in the executions of Jews in ancient Rome. In this way, criminals and Christians who had been persecuted since the reign of Nero were executed. A similar type of killing was practiced in ancient times by the Phoenicians and migrated through the colonists - the Carthaginians to the Roman Empire.
When Jesus Christ was crucified on a pillar, the attitude towards the sign changed in a positive direction. The death of the Lord was the atonement for the sins of the human race and the recognition of all nations. His suffering covered people's debts to the Father God.
Jesus carried a simple crosshair up the mountain, then the foot was attached by the soldiers when it became clear to what level the feet of Christ reach. In the upper part there was a tablet with the inscription: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews", nailed by order of Pontius Pilate. From that moment, the eight-pointed form of the Orthodox cross was born.
Any believer, seeing the holy crucifixion, involuntarily thinks about the martyrdom of the Savior, accepted in deliverance from the eternal death of mankind after the fall of Adam and Eve. The Orthodox cross bears emotional and spiritual load, the image of which appears to the inner gaze of the believer. As Saint Justin stated: "The cross is a great symbol of the power and authority of Christ." In Greek, "symbol" means "connection" or the manifestation of an invisible reality through naturalness.
Inoculation of symbolic images was difficult in Jewish times with the emergence of the New Testament church in Palestine. Then adherence to legends was honored and images considered as idolatry were forbidden. With the increase in the number of Christians, the influence of the Jewish worldview declined. In the first centuries after the execution of the Lord, the followers of Christianity were persecuted and performed rituals in secret. The oppressed situation, the lack of protection of the state and the church was directly reflected in the symbolism and worship.
The symbols reflected the dogmas and formulas of the Sacraments, contributed to the expression of the word and were the sacred language of the transmission of faith and the protection of church teaching. That is why the cross was of great importance for Christians, symbolizing the victory of good and over evil and bestowing the eternal light of life over the darkness of hell.
How the cross is depicted: features of external manifestation
There are different types of crucifixes, where you can see simple forms with straight lines or complex geometric shapes, complemented by a variety of symbolism. The religious load of all structures is the same, only the external design differs.
In the Mediterranean eastern countries, Russia, in the east of Europe, they adhere to the eight-pointed form of the crucifix - Orthodox. Its other name is "The Cross of St. Lazarus".
The crosshair consists of a small upper crossbar, a large lower crossbar and an inclined foot. The vertical crossbar, located at the bottom of the pillar, was intended to support the legs of Christ. The direction of the slope of the crossbar does not change: the right end is higher than the left. This position means that on the day of the Last Judgment, the righteous will stand on the right hand, and sinners on the left. The kingdom of heaven is given to the righteous, as evidenced by the right corner raised up. Sinners are thrown into the lowlands of hell - indicates the left end.
For Orthodox symbols characteristic is the monogram mark, mainly at the ends of the middle crosshairs - IC and XC, denote the name of Jesus Christ. Moreover, the inscriptions are located under the middle crossbar - "Son of God", further in Greek NIKA - translated as "winner".
The small crossbar contains an inscription with a tablet, made by order of Pontius Pilate, and contains the abbreviation Inci (ІНЦІ - in Orthodoxy), and Inri (INRI - in Catholicism), - this is how the words "Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews" are designated. The eight-point display with great certainty conveys the instrument of death of Jesus.
Construction Rules: Proportions and Dimensions
The classic version of the eight-pointed crosshair is built in the correct harmonious proportion, which means that everything embodied by the Creator is perfect. The construction is based on the law of the golden section, which is based on the perfection of the human body and sounds like this: the result of dividing a person’s height by the distance from the navel to the feet is 1.618, and coincides with the result obtained from dividing the height by the distance from the navel to the top of the head. A similar ratio of proportions is contained in many things, including the Christian cross, the photo of which is an example of construction according to the law of the golden section.
The drawn crucifix fits into a rectangle, its sides are given in relation to the rules of the golden ratio - the height divided by the width is 1.618. Another feature is that the size of the span of a person’s arms is equal to his height, so the figure with outstretched arms harmoniously lies in a square. Thus, the size of the middle intersection corresponds to the span of the Savior's arms and is equal to the distance from the crossbar to the beveled foot and is characteristic of the growth of Christ. Such rules should be taken into account by everyone who is going to write a cross or apply a vector pattern.
Pectoral crosses in Orthodoxy are considered to be worn under clothing, closer to the body. It is not recommended to flaunt the symbol of faith, putting it on over clothes. Church products have an eight-pointed shape. But there are crosses without upper and lower crossbars - four-pointed, such are also allowed to be worn.
The canonical version looks like eight-pointed items with or without the image of the Savior in the center. The custom of wearing church crosses made of various materials on the chest arose in the first half of the 4th century. Initially, it was customary for followers of the Christian faith to wear not crosses, but medallions with the image of the Lord.
During periods of persecution from the middle of the 1st to the beginning of the 4th century, there were martyrs who expressed a desire to suffer for Christ and put a cross on their foreheads. According to the distinctive sign of the volunteers, they were quickly calculated and martyred. The formation of the Christian religion introduced the custom of wearing crucifixes, at the same time they were introduced into the establishment on the roofs of churches.
The variety of forms and types of the cross does not contradict the Christian religion. It is believed that every manifestation of the symbol is a true cross, carrying life-giving power and heavenly beauty. To understand what are Orthodox crosses, types and meaning, consider the main types of design:
In Orthodoxy, the greatest importance is given not so much to the form as to the image on the product. Six-pointed and eight-pointed figures are more common.
Six-pointed Russian Orthodox cross
On the crucifix, the sloping lower bar acts as a measuring scale that evaluates the life of each person and his inner state. The figure in Russia has been used since ancient times. By 1161, the six-pointed worship cross introduced by Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk dates back to 1161. The sign was used in Russian heraldry as part of the coat of arms of the Kherson province. In the number of its ends was the miraculous power of the crucified Christ.
eight pointed cross
The most common type is a symbol of the Orthodox Russian Church. Otherwise called - Byzantine. Eight-pointed was formed after the act of crucifixion of the Lord, before that the form was equilateral. A feature is the lower foot, in addition to the two upper horizontal transverse.
Together with the Creator, two more criminals were executed, one of whom began to mock the Lord, hinting that if Christ is true, then he is obliged to save them. Another condemned objected to him that they were real criminals, and Jesus was falsely condemned. The defender was on the right hand, so the left end of the foot is raised up, symbolizing elevation above other criminals. The right side of the crossbar is lowered, as a sign of the humiliation of the rest before the justice of the words of the defender.
Greek cross
Also called "korsunchik" Old Russian. Traditionally used in Byzantium, it is considered one of the oldest Russian crucifixes. Tradition says that Prince Vladimir was baptized in Korsun, from where he took out the crucifix and installed Kievan Rus on the banks of the Dnieper. The four-pointed image has been preserved to this day in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, where it is carved on a marble slab of the burial of Prince Yaroslav, who was the son of St. Vladimir.
Maltese cross
Refers to the officially accepted symbolic crucifixion of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem on the island of Malta. The movement openly opposed Freemasonry, and, according to some information, participated in the organization of the murder of Pavel Petrovich, the Emperor of Russia, who patronizes the Maltese. Figuratively, the cross is represented by equilateral rays, expanding at the ends. Awarded for military merit and courage.
The figure contains the Greek letter "Gamma" and resembles in appearance the ancient Indian sign of the swastika, meaning higher being, bliss. It was first depicted by Christians in the Roman catacombs. Often used to decorate church utensils, gospels, embroidered on the clothes of Byzantine church ministers.
The symbol was widespread in the culture of the ancient Iranians, Aryans, and was often found in China and Egypt in the Paleolithic era. The swastika was revered in many areas of the Roman Empire and ancient Slavic pagans. A sign was depicted on rings, jewelry, rings, signifying fire or the sun. The swastika was churched by Christianity and many ancient pagan traditions have been rethought. In Russia, the image of the swastika was used in the decoration of church items, ornaments and mosaics.
What does the cross on the domes of churches mean?
Domed crosses with a crescent decorated cathedrals since ancient times. One of these was the Cathedral of St. Sophia of Vologda, built in 1570. In the pre-Mongolian period, an eight-pointed dome shape was often found, under the crossbar of which there was a crescent moon turned upwards with its horns.
There are various explanations for this symbolism. The most famous concept is compared to the ship's anchor, which is considered a symbol of salvation. In another version, the moon is marked by a font in which the temple is clothed.
The value of the month is interpreted in different ways:
- Bethlehem font, which received the baby Christ.
- Eucharistic chalice containing the body of Christ.
- Church ship driven by Christ.
- The serpent trampled down by the cross and placed at the feet of the Lord.
Many people are concerned about the question - what is the difference between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox. In fact, it's quite easy to tell them apart. In Catholicism, a four-pointed cross is provided, on which the hands and feet of the Savior are crucified with three nails. A similar display appeared in the III century in the Roman catacombs, but still remains popular.
Features:
Over the past millennia, the Orthodox cross has invariably protected the believer, being a talisman against evil visible and invisible forces. The symbol is a reminder of the Lord's sacrifice for salvation and the manifestation of love for humanity.
The history of the appearance of the cross in Orthodoxy is very interesting. This ancient symbol was revered even before the advent of Christianity and had a sacred meaning. What does the Orthodox cross with crossbars mean, what is its mystical and religious meaning? Let's turn to historical sources to learn about all types of crosses and their differences.
The symbol of the cross is used in many world beliefs. Only 2000 years ago it became a symbol of Christianity and acquired the value of a talisman. In the ancient world, we meet the symbol of the Egyptian cross with a loop, expressing the divine principle and the principle of life. Carl Gustav Jung refers the emergence of the symbolism of the cross in general to primitive times, when people made fire with the help of two crossed sticks.
Early images of the cross can be found in a wide variety of forms: T, X, + or t. If the cross was depicted as equilateral, it symbolized 4 cardinal points, 4 natural elements or 4 Heavens of Zoroaster. Later, the cross began to be compared with the four seasons of the year. However, all the meanings and types of crosses were somehow correlated with life, death and rebirth.
The mystical meaning of the cross at all times has been associated with cosmic forces and their currents.
In the Middle Ages, the cross became strongly associated with the death and resurrection of Christ, acquired a Christian meaning. The equilateral cross began to express the idea of the divine presence, power and strength. It was joined by an inverted cross as a symbol of the denial of divine authority and adherence to Satanism.
Saint Lazarus Cross
In the Orthodox tradition, the cross can be depicted in different ways: from two crossed lines to a complex combination of several crossbars with additional symbols. All types of Orthodox crosses carry the same meaning and meaning - salvation. The eight-pointed cross, which is also common in the countries of the eastern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, has become especially widespread. This eight-pointed symbol has a special name - the cross of St. Lazarus. Often this symbol depicts the crucified Christ.
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross is depicted with two transverse bars at the top (the upper one is shorter than the lower one) and the third one is inclined. This crossbar carries the meaning of the foot: the feet of the Savior rest on it. The slope of the foot is always depicted in the same way - the right side is higher than the left. This has a certain symbolism: the right foot of Christ rests on the right side, which is higher than the left. According to Jesus, at the Last Judgment, the righteous will stand on his right hand, and sinners on his left. That is, the right end of the crossbar symbolizes the path to heaven, and the left end symbolizes the path to the hellish abode.
The small crossbar (upper) symbolizes the tablet above the head of Christ, which was nailed by Pontius Pilate. It was written in three languages: Nazirite, king of the Jews. This is the meaning of the cross with three crossbars in the Orthodox tradition.
cross calvary
There is another image of the eight-pointed Orthodox cross in the monastic tradition - the schema cross of Golgotha. He is depicted above the symbol of Golgotha, on which the crucifixion took place. The symbol of Golgotha is depicted with steps, and under them is a skull with bones. On both sides of the cross, other attributes of the crucifixion can be depicted - a cane, a spear and a sponge. All these attributes have a deep mystical meaning.
For example, a skull with bones symbolizes our ancestors, on whom the sacrificial blood of the Savior was glassed and washed from sins. Thus, the connection of generations is carried out - from Adam and Eve to the time of Christ. It also symbolizes the connection between the Old Testament and the New.
A spear, a cane and a sponge are another symbol of the tragedy at Calvary. The Roman warrior Longinus pierced the ribs of the Savior with a spear, from which blood and water flowed. This symbolizes the birth of the church of Christ, like the birth of Eve from Adam's rib.
Seven-pointed cross
This symbol has two crossbars - the top and the foot. The foot has a deep mystical meaning in Christianity, as it binds both testaments - the Old and the New. The foot is mentioned by the prophet Isaiah (Is. 60, 13), the psalmist in Psalm No. 99, and you can also read about it in the book of Exodus (see: Ex. 30, 28). The seven-pointed cross can be seen on the domes of Orthodox churches.
Seven-pointed Orthodox cross - image:
Six-pointed cross
What does the six-pointed cross mean? In this symbol, the lower sloping crossbar symbolizes the following: the raised end has the meaning of liberation through repentance, and the lowered one means unrepentant sin. This form of the cross was common in ancient times.
Cross with crescent
On the domes of churches you can see a cross with a crescent at the bottom. What does this church cross mean, does it have a connection with Islam? The crescent was a symbol of the Byzantine state, from where the Orthodox faith came to us. There are several different versions of the origin of this symbol.
- The crescent symbolizes the manger in which the Savior was born in Bethlehem.
- The crescent symbolizes the cup in which the body of the Savior was.
- The crescent symbolizes the sail under which the ship of the church sails to the kingdom of God.
Which version is correct is not known. We know only one thing, that the crescent was a symbol of the Byzantine state, and after its fall it became a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.
The difference between the Orthodox cross and the Catholic
With the acquisition of the faith of their ancestors, many newly minted Christians do not know the main differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox. Let's designate them:
- There is always more than one crossbar on an Orthodox cross.
- In the Catholic eight-pointed cross, all the crossbars are parallel to each other, and in the Orthodox, the lower one is oblique.
- The face of the Savior on the Orthodox cross does not express torment.
- The legs of the Savior on the Orthodox cross are closed, on the Catholic one they are depicted one above the other.
The image of Christ on the Catholic and Orthodox cross attracts special attention. On the Orthodox we see the Savior, who gave mankind the way to eternal life. The Catholic cross depicts a dead man who has undergone terrible torment.
If you know these differences, you can easily determine whether the symbol of the Christian cross belongs to a particular church.
Despite the variety of forms and symbols of the cross, its strength lies not in the number of ends or the crucifix depicted on them, but in repentance and faith in salvation. Any cross carries life-giving power.
The cross is the most recognizable symbol of Orthodoxy. But any of you have seen many types of crosses. Which one is correct? You will learn about this from our article!
Cross
Varieties of the cross
“The cross of every form is the true cross,” taught St. Theodore the Studite back inIX century. And in our time it happens that in churches they refuse to accept notes with four-pointed "Greek" crosses, forcing them to correct them for eight-pointed "Orthodox". Is there any one, “correct” cross? We asked the head of the icon-painting school of the MTA, associate professor, abbot LUKA (Golovkov) and a leading specialist in stavrography, candidate of art criticism Svetlana GNUTOVA to help sort this out.
What was the cross on which Christ was crucified?
« Cross- this is a symbol of the Passion of Christ, and not only a symbol, but an instrument through which the Lord saved us, - says hegumen Luke (Golovkov). “Therefore, the Cross is the greatest shrine through which God’s help is accomplished.”
The history of this Christian symbol began with the fact that the holy Empress Helen in 326 found the Cross on which Christ was crucified. However, what exactly he looked like is now unknown. Only two separate crossbars were found, and next to it was a tablet and a foot. There were no grooves or holes in the crossbars, so there is no way to determine how they were attached to each other. “There is an opinion that this cross could also be in the form of the letter “T”, that is, three-pointed,” says leading specialist in stavrography, candidate of art criticism Svetlana Gnutova. - The Romans had at that time the practice of crucifying on such crosses, but this does not mean that the Cross of Christ was just like that. It could be both four-pointed and eight-pointed.
The discussion about the "correct" cross did not arise today. The dispute about which cross is correct, eight-pointed or four-pointed, was led by Orthodox and Old Believers, and the latter called the simple four-pointed cross "the seal of the Antichrist." St. John of Kronstadt spoke in defense of the four-pointed cross, dedicating his Ph.D. thesis to this topic (he defended it in 1855 at St. before the child? And this well-known form of the cross, this most ancient shrine of faith, the seal of all the sacraments, like something new, unknown to our ancestors, which appeared yesterday, our imaginary Old Believers suspected, humiliated, trampled down in broad daylight, spewing blasphemy against the fact that from the very the beginning of Christianity and hitherto served and serves as a source of sanctification and salvation for all. Honoring only the eight-pointed, or three-pointed cross, that is, a straight shaft and on it three diameters arranged in a known way, they call the seal of the Antichrist and the abomination of desolation the so-called four-pointed cross, which is the true and most commonly used form of the cross!
St. John of Kronstadt explains: “The “Byzantine” four-pointed cross is actually a “Russian” cross, since, according to Church Tradition, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir brought from Korsun, where he was baptized, just such a cross and was the first to install it on the banks of the Dnieper in Kyiv. A similar four-pointed cross has been preserved in the Kiev Sophia Cathedral, carved on the marble board of the tomb of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, son of St. Vladimir. But, protecting the four-pointed cross, St. John concludes that one and the other must be venerated equally, since the form of the cross itself has no fundamental difference for believers. Hegumen Luke: “In the Orthodox Church, its holiness does not depend on the shape of the cross, provided that the Orthodox cross is made and consecrated precisely as a Christian symbol, and not originally made as a sign, for example, of the sun or part of a household ornament or decoration. The rite of consecrating crosses became obligatory in the Russian Church for this, as well as icons. It is interesting that, for example, in Greece, the consecration of icons and crosses is not necessary, because Christian traditions in society are more stable.”
Why don't we wear the sign of the fish?
Until the 4th century, while the persecution of Christians continued, it was impossible to openly make images of the cross (including so that the persecutors would not abuse it), so the first Christians came up with ways to encrypt the cross. That is why the very first Christian symbol was the fish. In Greek, "fish" is Ίχθύς, an acronym for the Greek phrase "Iησοvς Χριστoς Θεov Υιoς Σωτήρ" - "Jesus Christ God's Son Savior." The image of two fish on the sides of a vertical anchor with a cross-shaped top was used as a secret "pass-password" to Christian meetings. “But the fish has not become the same symbol of Christianity as the cross,” hegumen Luke explains, “because the fish is an allegory, an allegory. The Holy Fathers at the Fifth-Sixth Trulli Ecumenical Council of 691-692 directly condemned and banned allegories, since this is a kind of “children's” image that only leads to Christ, in contrast to the direct image of Christ himself - our Savior and the Cross of Christ - the symbol of His Suffering . Allegories left the practice of the Orthodox Church for a long time and only ten centuries later began to re-penetrate the East under the influence of the Catholic West.
The first encrypted images of the cross itself were found in the Roman catacombs of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The researchers found that on the tombs of Christians who suffered for their faith, they often painted a palm branch as a symbol of eternity, a brazier as a symbol of martyrdom (this is the method of execution that was common in the first centuries) and a christogram - a letter abbreviation of the name Christ - or a monogram consisting of the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet Α and Ω - according to the word of the Lord in Revelation to John the Theologian: “Az, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 1, 8). Sometimes these symbols were drawn together and arranged in such a way that the image of a cross was guessed in them.
When did the first "legal" cross appear
The Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine (IV) “appeared in a dream to Christ, the Son of God, with a sign seen in heaven and commanded, having made a banner similar to this one seen in heaven, to use it to protect against attacks by enemies,” writes church historian Eusebius Pamphilus. “This banner happened to be seen by us with our own eyes. It had the following appearance: on a long spear covered with gold there was a transverse rail, which formed a sign of the cross with the spear, and on it the first two letters of the name Christ, combined together.
These letters, later called the monogram of Constantine, the king wore on his helmet. After the miraculous appearance of St. Constantine ordered to make images of the cross on the shields of his soldiers and installed in Constantinople three commemorative Orthodox crosses with a golden inscription in Greek “IC.XP.NIKA”, which means “Jesus Christ the Conqueror”. He installed the first cross with the inscription “Jesus” on the triumphal gates of the city square, the second one with the inscription “Christ” on a Roman column, and the third one with the inscription “Conqueror” on a high marble pillar in the city’s bread square. With this began the universal veneration of the Cross of Christ.
“Holy images were everywhere so that, more often visible, they would encourage us to love the Archetype,” explains Abbot Luke. “After all, everything that surrounds us affects us in one way or another, good and evil. A holy reminder of the Lord helps the soul to aspire in thought and heart to God.
As St. wrote about these times. John Chrysostom: “The cross is everywhere in glory: on houses, in the square, in solitude, on roads, on mountains, on hills, on plains, on the sea, on ship masts, on islands, on lodges, on clothes, on weapons, at banquets, on silver and gold vessels, on precious stones, on wall paintings ... so vied with each other they admire this amazing gift.
It is interesting that since the opportunity to legally make images of the cross appeared in the Christian world, encrypted inscriptions and Christograms have not disappeared, but migrated, as an addition, to the crosses themselves. This tradition also came to Russia. From the 11th century, under the lower oblique crossbar of the eight-pointed cross-crucifixion, which was installed in temples, a symbolic image of the head of Adam, who, according to legend, was buried on Golgotha, appears. The inscriptions are a brief commentary on the circumstances of the crucifixion of the Lord, the meaning of His death on the cross, and are deciphered as follows: "M.L.R.B." - “the place of the frontal was crucified”, “G.G.” - "Mount Golgotha", The letters "K" and "T" mean a spear of a warrior and a cane with a sponge, depicted along the cross. The inscriptions are placed above the middle crossbar: "IC" "XC", and below it: "NIKA" - "Winner"; on the plate or near the inscription: “SN BZHIY” - “Son of God”, “I.N.Ts.I” - “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews”; above the plate there is an inscription: "ЦРЪ СЛАВЫ" - "King of Glory". "G.A." - "Head of Adam"; moreover, the bones of the hands lying in front of the head are depicted: right on the left, as during burial or communion.
Catholic or Orthodox Crucifixion?
“The Catholic Crucifixion is often written in a more naturalistic way,” says Svetlana Gnutova. - The Savior is depicted sagging in his arms, the image conveys the martyrdom and death of Christ. In ancient Russian images, Christ is depicted as Risen and Reigning. Christ is depicted in power - as a conqueror, holding and calling the whole Universe into His arms.
In the 16th century, the Moscow clerk Ivan Mikhailovich Viskovaty even spoke out against crosses, where Christ is depicted on the cross with clenched into a fist, and not open palms. “Christ stretched out his hands on the cross to gather us together,” hegumen Luke explains, “so that we rush to heaven, so that our aspiration will always be towards the heavenly. Therefore, the cross is also a symbol of gathering us together so that we can be one with the Lord!”
Another difference between the Catholic Crucifixion is Christ Crucified with three nails, that is, the nails are driven into both hands, and the soles of the feet are put together and nailed with one nail. In the Orthodox Crucifixion, each foot of the Savior is nailed separately with its own nail. Abbot Luke: “This is a fairly ancient tradition. In the 13th century, custom-made icons for the Latins were painted in Sinai, where Christ was already nailed with three nails, and in the 15th century such Crucifixes become the generally accepted Latin norm. However, this is only a tribute to tradition, which we must respect and preserve, but not look for any theological load here. In the Sinai Monastery, the icons of the Lord crucified with three nails are in the temple and are revered on a par with Orthodox crucifixes.
Orthodox cross - Love crucified
“The iconography of the cross is evolving like any other iconography. The cross can be decorated with ornaments or stones, but in no way can it become 12-pointed or 16-pointed,” says Svetlana Gnutova. “The variety of forms of the cross in the Christian tradition is a variety of glorification of the Cross, and not a change in its meaning,” explains Abbot Luke. - Hymnographers glorified the Cross with many prayers, just as icon painters glorify the Cross of the Lord in different ways. For example, an image of a tsata appeared in icon painting - a royal or princely pendant in the shape of a crescent, in our country it is usually used on the icons of the Virgin and Christ, - it soon appeared on the cross to emphasize its royal significance.
Of course, we need to use the crosses that are written in the Orthodox tradition. After all, the Orthodox cross on the chest is not only the help that we resort to in prayers, but also the evidence of our faith. Although, I think we can accept images of crosses of ancient Christian denominations (for example, Copts or Armenians). Catholic crosses, which after the Renaissance became too naturalistic in form, do not coincide with the Orthodox understanding of Christ Crucified as the Conqueror, but since this is an image of Christ, we must treat them with reverence.
As St. John of Kronstadt: “The main thing that should remain in the Cross is Love: “The Cross without love cannot be thought and imagined: where the cross is, there is love; in church you see crosses everywhere and on everything so that everything reminds you that you are in the temple of Love, crucified for us.
