Among all Christians, only Orthodox and Catholics venerate crosses and icons. They decorate the domes of churches, their houses, and wear them around their necks with crosses.
The reason why a person wears pectoral cross eh, everyone has their own. Some people pay tribute to fashion in this way, for others the cross is a beautiful piece of jewelry, for others it brings good luck and is used as a talisman. But there are also those for whom the pectoral cross worn at baptism is truly a symbol of their endless faith.
Today, shops and church shops offer a wide variety of crosses of various shapes. However, very often not only parents who are planning to baptize a child, but also sales consultants cannot explain where the Orthodox cross is and where the Catholic one is, although it is, in fact, very simple to distinguish them. In the Catholic tradition - a quadrangular cross with three nails. In Orthodoxy there are four-pointed, six- and eight-pointed crosses, with four nails for the hands and feet.
Cross shape
four-pointed cross
So, in the West the most common is four-pointed cross. Starting from the III century, when such crosses first appeared in the Roman catacombs, the entire Orthodox East still uses this form of the cross as equal to all others.
Eight-pointed Orthodox cross
For Orthodoxy, the shape of the cross is not particularly important; much more attention is paid to what is depicted on it, however, eight-pointed and six-pointed crosses have gained the most popularity.
Eight-pointed Orthodox cross most corresponds to the historically accurate form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified. The Orthodox cross, which is most often used by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches, contains, in addition to a large horizontal crossbar, two more. The top one symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ with the inscription “ Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"(INCI, or INRI in Latin). The lower slanting crossbar - the support for the feet of Jesus Christ symbolizes the “righteous measure”, which weighs the sins and virtues of all people. It is believed that it is tilted in left side, symbolizing that the repentant thief crucified according to right side from Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the thief, crucified on the left side, with his blasphemy of Christ, further aggravated his posthumous fate and ended up in hell. The letters IC XC are a christogram symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov writes that “ when Christ the Lord carried a cross on His shoulders, then the cross was still four-pointed; because there was still no title or footstool on it. There was no footstool, because Christ had not yet been raised on the cross, and the soldiers, not knowing where Christ's feet would reach, did not attach footstools, finishing it already at Golgotha". Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, at first " crucified Him"(John 19:18), and then only " Pilate wrote an inscription and placed it on the cross"(John 19:19). It was at first that the soldiers divided “His garments” by lot. those who crucified Him"(Matthew 27:35), and only then" they placed an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews"(Matt. 27:37).
Since ancient times, the eight-pointed cross has been considered the most powerful protective tool against various kinds of evil spirits, as well as visible and invisible evil.
six pointed cross
Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially during the times of Ancient Rus', was also six-pointed cross. It also has an inclined crossbar: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper end symbolizes liberation through repentance.
However, all its strength does not lie in the shape of the cross or the number of ends. The cross is famous for the power of Christ crucified on it, and this is all its symbolism and miraculousness.
The variety of forms of the cross has always been recognized by the Church as quite natural. According to the expression of the Monk Theodore Studite - “ a cross of any form is a true cross"and has unearthly beauty and life-giving power.
« There is no significant difference between the Latin, Catholic, Byzantine, and Orthodox crosses, or between any other crosses used in Christian services. In essence, all crosses are the same, the only differences are in the shape“says Serbian Patriarch Irinej.
Crucifixion
In Catholic and Orthodox Churches Special significance is attached not to the shape of the cross, but to the image of Jesus Christ on it.
Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant, and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear.
Yes, we know that Christ died on the cross. But we also know that He later resurrected, and that He suffered voluntarily out of love for people: to teach us to take care of the immortal soul; so that we too can be resurrected and live forever. In the Orthodox Crucifixion this Paschal joy is always present. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches out his arms, Jesus’ palms are open, as if he wants to hug all humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is not a dead body, but God, and his whole image speaks of this.
The Orthodox cross has another, smaller one above the main horizontal crossbar, which symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ indicating the offense. Because Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ; the words “ Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews» in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. In Latin in Catholicism this inscription looks like INRI, and in Orthodoxy - IHCI(or INHI, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”). The lower oblique crossbar symbolizes a support for the legs. It also symbolizes the two thieves crucified to the left and right of Christ. One of them, before his death, repented of his sins, for which he was awarded the Kingdom of Heaven. The other, before his death, blasphemed and reviled his executioners and Christ.
The following inscriptions are placed above the middle crossbar: "IC" "XC"- the name of Jesus Christ; and below it: "NIKA"- Winner.
Greek letters were necessarily written on the cross-shaped halo of the Savior UN, meaning “truly Existent”, because “ God said to Moses: I am who I am"(Ex. 3:14), thereby revealing His name, expressing the originality, eternity and immutability of the being of God.
In addition, the nails with which the Lord was nailed to the cross were kept in Orthodox Byzantium. And it was known for sure that there were four of them, not three. Therefore, on Orthodox crosses, Christ’s feet are nailed with two nails, each separately. The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed to a single nail first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.
Orthodox Crucifix Catholic Crucifix
IN Catholic Crucifixion The image of Christ has naturalistic features. Catholics depict Christ as dead, sometimes with streams of blood on his face, from wounds on his arms, legs and ribs ( stigmata). It reveals all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but this image dead person, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The crucifixion in Orthodoxy symbolizes this triumph. In addition, the Savior's feet are nailed with one nail.
The meaning of the Savior's death on the cross
The emergence of the Christian cross is associated with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, which he accepted on the cross under the forced sentence of Pontius Pilate. Crucifixion was a common method of execution in Ancient Rome, borrowed from the Carthaginians - descendants of Phoenician colonists (it is believed that the crucifix was first used in Phenicia). Thieves were usually sentenced to death on the cross; many early Christians, persecuted since the time of Nero, were also executed in this way.
Roman crucifixion
Before the suffering of Christ, the cross was an instrument of shame and terrible punishment. After His suffering, it became a symbol of the victory of good over evil, life over death, a reminder of God’s endless love, and an object of joy. The incarnate Son of God sanctified the cross with His blood and made it a vehicle of His grace, a source of sanctification for believers.
From the Orthodox dogma of the Cross (or Atonement) undoubtedly follows the idea that the death of the Lord is a ransom for all, the calling of all peoples. Only the cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus Christ to die with outstretched hands calling “to all the ends of the earth” (Isa. 45:22).
Reading the Gospels, we are convinced that the feat of the cross of the God-man is the central event in His earthly life. With His suffering on the cross, He washed away our sins, covered our debt to God, or, in the language of Scripture, “redeemed” (ransomed) us. The incomprehensible secret of the infinite truth and love of God is hidden in Calvary.
The Son of God voluntarily took upon himself the guilt of all people and suffered for it a shameful and painful death on the cross; then on the third day he rose again as the conqueror of hell and death.
Why was such a terrible Sacrifice needed to cleanse the sins of mankind, and was it possible to save people in another, less painful way?
Christian teaching about death on the cross The God-man is often a “stumbling block” for people with already established religious and philosophical concepts. Like many Jews and people Greek culture Apostolic times seemed contradictory to the statement that the omnipotent and eternal God descended to earth in the form of a mortal man, voluntarily endured beatings, spitting and shameful death, that this feat could bring spiritual benefit to humanity. " This is impossible!“- some objected; " It is not necessary!"- others stated.
St. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: “ Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of the word, so as not to make the cross of Christ abolish. For the word about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and destroy the understanding of the prudent. Where is the sage? where is the scribe? where is the questioner of this century? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into foolishness? For when the world through its wisdom did not know God in the wisdom of God, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For both the Jews demand miracles, and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a stumbling block, and for the Greeks foolishness, but for those who are called, Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God"(1 Cor. 1:17-24).
In other words, the apostle explained that what in Christianity was perceived by some as temptation and madness, is in fact a matter of the greatest Divine wisdom and omnipotence. The truth of the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior is the foundation for many other Christian truths, for example, about the sanctification of believers, about the sacraments, about the meaning of suffering, about virtues, about feat, about the purpose of life, about the upcoming judgment and resurrection of the dead and others.
At the same time, the atoning death of Christ, being an event inexplicable in terms of earthly logic and even “tempting for those who are perishing,” has a regenerating power that the believing heart feels and strives for. Renewed and warmed by this spiritual power, both the last slaves and the most powerful kings bowed in awe before Calvary; both dark ignoramuses and the greatest scientists. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles personal experience They were convinced of the great spiritual benefits that the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior brought them, and they shared this experience with their disciples.
(The mystery of the redemption of mankind is closely connected with a number of important religious and psychological factors. Therefore, to understand the mystery of redemption it is necessary:
a) understand what actually constitutes the sinful damage of a person and the weakening of his will to resist evil;
b) we must understand how the devil’s will, thanks to sin, gained the opportunity to influence and even captivate the human will;
c) you need to understand mysterious power love, its ability to positively influence a person and ennoble him. At the same time, if love most of all reveals itself in sacrificial service to one’s neighbor, then there is no doubt that giving one’s life for him is the highest manifestation of love;
d) one must rise from understanding the power of human love to understanding the power of Divine love and how it penetrates the soul of a believer and transforms his inner world;
e) in addition, in the atoning death of the Savior there is a side that goes beyond the human world, namely: On the cross there was a battle between God and the proud Dennitsa, in which God, hiding under the guise of weak flesh, emerged victorious. The details of this spiritual battle and Divine victory remain a mystery to us. Even Angels, according to St. Peter, do not fully understand the mystery of redemption (1 Peter 1:12). She is a sealed book that only the Lamb of God could open (Rev. 5:1-7)).
In Orthodox asceticism there is such a concept as bearing one’s cross, that is, patiently fulfilling Christian commandments throughout the life of a Christian. All difficulties, both external and internal, are called “cross.” Everyone carries their own cross in life. The Lord said this about the need for personal achievement: “ He who does not take up his cross (deviates from the feat) and follows Me (calls himself a Christian) is unworthy of Me"(Matthew 10:38).
« The cross is the guardian of the entire universe. Cross the beauty of the Church, Cross of the kings power, Cross true statement, Cross is an angel's glory, Cross is a demon's plague", states absolute Truth luminaries of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross.
The motives for the outrageous desecration and blasphemy of the Holy Cross by conscious cross-haters and crusaders are quite understandable. But when we see Christians involved in this heinous deed, it is all the more impossible to be silent, for - according to the words of St. Basil the Great - "God is given up in silence"!
Differences between Catholic and Orthodox crosses
Thus, there are the following differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox:
Catholic cross Orthodox cross
- Orthodox cross most often has an eight-pointed or six-pointed shape. Catholic cross- four-pointed.
- Words on a sign on the crosses are the same, only written on different languages: Latin INRI(in the case of the Catholic cross) and Slavic-Russian IHCI(on the Orthodox cross).
- Another fundamental position is position of the feet on the Crucifix and number of nails. The feet of Jesus Christ are placed together on a Catholic Crucifix, and each is nailed separately on an Orthodox cross.
- What is different is image of the Savior on the cross. On the Orthodox cross, God is depicted, who opened the way to eternal life, and on the Catholic one, a person experiencing torment.
Material prepared by Sergey Shulyak
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 the Monk Theodore the Studite back inIX century. And in our time, it happens that churches refuse to accept notes with four-pointed "Greek" crosses, forcing them to correct them for eight-pointed "Orthodox" ones. Is there 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 Luka (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 Queen 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, along with a sign and a footstool. There were no grooves or holes on the crossbars, so there is no way to determine how they were attached to each other. “There is an opinion that this cross could have been in the shape of the letter “T,” that is, three-pointed,” says leading specialist in staurography, candidate of art history Svetlana Gnutova. - The Romans at that time had the practice of crucifying people on such crosses, but this does not mean that the Cross of Christ was exactly like that. It could be four-pointed or eight-pointed.”
The debate 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." Saint John of Kronstadt spoke in defense of the four-pointed cross, devoting 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 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 among broad daylight, spouting blasphemy against that which, from the very beginning of Christianity and until now, has 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 Kiev. 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, defending the four-pointed cross, St. John concludes that both should be revered equally, since fundamental difference the form of the cross itself does not exist 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. This is why the rite of consecration of crosses became obligatory in the Russian Church, just like icons. It’s 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 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 the Savior." The image of two fish on either side of a vertical anchor topped with a cross was used as a secret “password” for Christian meetings. “But the fish did not become the same symbol of Christianity as the cross,” explains Abbot Luke, “because the fish is an allegory, an allegory. The Holy Fathers at the Fifth-Sixth Trullo Ecumenical Council of 691-692 directly condemned and prohibited allegories, since this is a kind of “educational” 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 Passion . Allegories disappeared from the practice of the Orthodox Church for a long time and only ten centuries later they began to re-enter the East under the influence of the Catholic West.”
The first encrypted images of the cross itself were found in Roman catacombs of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Researchers found that the tombs of Christians who suffered for their faith often featured 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 - an 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: “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
To the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Constantine (IV), “Christ, the Son of God, appeared in a dream with a sign seen in heaven and commanded, having made a banner similar to this seen in heaven, to use it for protection from the attacks of 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 yard, which with the spear formed the sign of a cross, and on it the first two letters of the name Christ, combined together.”
The king wore these letters, later called the monogram of Constantine, on his helmet. After the miraculous appearance of St. Constantine ordered images of the cross to be made on the shields of his soldiers and installed three commemorative Orthodox crosses in Constantinople with the gold inscription in Greek “IC.XP.NIKA”, which means “Jesus Christ the Victor”. He installed the first cross with the inscription "Jesus" on the triumphal gates of the city square, the second with the inscription "Christ" - on the Roman column, and the third with the inscription "Conqueror" - on a high marble pillar in the bread square of the city. 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 vessels of silver and gold, 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 eight-pointed cross-crucifix, which was installed in temples, appears a symbolic image of the head of Adam, buried, according to legend, on Golgotha. 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 tablet 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 Crucifix?
“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 on the cross stretched out his arms to gather us,” explains Abbot Luke, “so that we would strive towards heaven, so that our aspiration would always be towards the heavenly. Therefore, the cross is also a symbol of gathering us together, so that we are one with the Lord!”
Another difference between the Catholic Crucifixion is that 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. Abbot Luke: “This is a fairly ancient tradition. In the 13th century, custom-made icons were painted in Sinai for the Latins, where Christ was already nailed with three nails, and in the 15th century such Crucifixions became 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 implications here. In the Sinai Monastery, icons of the Lord Crucified with three nails are in the temple and are revered on a par with Orthodox crucifixes.”
Orthodox Cross – Crucified Love
“The iconography of the cross evolves 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 Christian tradition“This 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 icons of the Mother of God and Christ; it soon appeared on the cross to emphasize its royal significance.
Of course, we need to use crosses that are written in the Orthodox tradition. After all, the Orthodox cross on the chest is not only a help to which we resort in prayers, but also a testimony 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 Victor, but since this is an image of Christ, we should treat them with reverence.”
As St. wrote. John of Kronstadt: “The main thing that should remain in the Cross is Love: “The Cross without love cannot be thought of or 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.”
The history of the Orthodox cross goes back many centuries. The types of Orthodox crosses are varied, each of them has its own symbolism. Crosses were intended not only to be worn on the body, but they are also used to crown the domes of churches, and crosses stand along the roads. Objects of art are painted with crosses, they are placed near icons at home, and special crosses are worn by clergy.
Crosses in Orthodoxy
But crosses in Orthodoxy had not only a traditional shape. Many different symbols and forms made up such an object of worship.
Orthodox cross shapes
The cross worn by believers is called a body cross. Priests wear a pectoral cross. They differ not only in size, there are many of their forms, each of which has its own specific meaning.
1) T-shaped cross. As you know, execution by crucifixion was invented by the Romans. However, in the southern and eastern parts The Roman Empire used a slightly different cross for this purpose, namely the “Egyptian” one, shaped like the letter “T”. This "T" is also found on 3rd-century tombs in the Callis catacombs and on one 2nd-century carnelian. If this letter was found in monograms, it was written in such a way as to protrude above all others, since it was considered not only a symbol, but also a clear image of the cross.
2) Egyptian cross "ankh". This cross was perceived as a key with the help of which the gates to Divine knowledge were opened. The symbol was associated with wisdom, and the circle with which this cross was crowned was associated with the eternal beginning. Thus, the cross combines two symbols - the symbol of life and eternity.
3) Letter cross. The first Christians used letter crosses so that their image would not scare off the pagans who were familiar with them. In addition, at that time, what was important was not so much the artistic side of the depiction of Christian symbols, but rather the convenience of their use.
4) Anchor-shaped cross. Initially, such an image of the cross was discovered by archaeologists in the Solunsk inscription of the 3rd century. The “Christian Symbolism” says that on the slabs in the caves of Pretextatus there were only images of an anchor. The image of an anchor referred to a certain church ship that sent everyone to the “quiet haven of eternal life.” Therefore, the cross-shaped anchor was considered by Christians to be a symbol of eternal existence - the Kingdom of Heaven. Although for Catholics this symbol rather means the strength of earthly affairs.
5) Monogram cross. It represents a monogram of the first letters of Jesus Christ in Greek. Archimandrite Gabriel wrote that the shape of a monogram cross crossed by a vertical line is the cover image of the cross.
6) Cross “shepherd’s staff”. This cross is a so-called Egyptian staff, which crosses the first letter of the name of Christ, which together is the monogram of the savior. At that time, the shape of the Egyptian staff resembled a shepherd's staff, its upper part was bent down.
7) Burgundy cross. This cross also represents the shape of the letter "X" of the Greek alphabet. It also has another name - Andreevsky. The letter "X" from the second century primarily served as the basis for monogamous symbols, because the name of Christ began with it. In addition, there is a legend that the Apostle Andrew was crucified on such a cross. At the beginning of the 18th century, Peter the Great, wishing to express the religious difference between Russia and the West, placed an image of this cross on the state emblem, as well as on the naval flag and his seal.
8) Cross - monogram of Constantine. Constantine's monogram was a combination of the letters "P" and "X". It is believed that it is associated with the word Christ. This cross has such a name, since a similar monogram was often found on the coins of Emperor Constantine.
9) Post-Constantine cross. Monogram of the letters "P" and "T". The Greek letter "P" or "rho" means the first letter in the word "raz" or "king" - symbolizing King Jesus. The letter "T" stands for "His cross." Thus, this monogram serves as a sign of the Cross of Christ.
10) Trident cross. Also a monogram cross. The trident has long symbolized the Kingdom of Heaven. Since the trident was previously used in fishing, the trident monogram of Christ itself meant participation in the Sacrament of Baptism as a catch in the net of the Kingdom of God.
11) Round cross. According to the testimony of Gortius and Martial, Christians cut freshly baked bread in a cross shape. This was done to make it easier to break later. But the symbolic transformation of such a cross came from the east long before Jesus Christ.
Such a cross divided the whole into parts, uniting those who used it. There was such a cross, divided into four parts or six. The circle itself was displayed even before the Nativity of Christ as a symbol of immortality and eternity.
12) Catacomb cross. The name of the cross comes from the fact that it was often found in the catacombs. It was a quadrangular cross with equal parts. This form of the cross and some of its forms are most often used in ancient ornaments that were used to decorate the guises of priests or temples.
11) Patriarchal cross. In the West, the name Lorensky is more common. Already from the middle of the last millennium, such a cross began to be used. It was this form of the cross that was depicted on the seal of the governor of the Byzantine emperor in the city of Korsun. The Museum of Ancient Russian Art named after Andrei Rublev houses just such a copper cross, which belonged to Abraham Rostvom in the 18th century and was cast according to samples of the 11th century.
12) Papal Cross. Most often, this form of cross is used in the bishop's services of the Roman Church of the 14th-15th centuries, and it is because of this that such a cross bears this name.
Types of crosses on church domes
The crosses that are placed on the domes of the church are called overhead crosses. Sometimes you can notice that straight or wavy lines emanate from the center of the upper cross. Symbolically, the lines convey the radiance of the sun. The sun is very important in human life, it is the main source of light and heat, life on our planet is impossible without it. The Savior is sometimes even called the Sun of Truth.
A famous expression says, “The light of Christ enlightens all.” The image of light is very important for Orthodox Christians, which is why Russian blacksmiths came up with such a symbol in the form of lines emanating from the center.
Small stars can often be seen along these lines. They are symbols of the queen of stars - the Star of Bethlehem. The same one who led the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In addition, the star is a symbol of spiritual wisdom and purity. Stars were depicted on the Cross of the Lord so that it would “shine like a star in heaven.”
There is also a trefoil shape of the cross, as well as trefoil endings of its ends. But the branches of the cross were decorated not only with this image of leaves. A huge variety of flowers and heart-shaped leaves could be found. The trefoil can have either a round or pointed shape, or a triangle shape. The triangle and trefoil in Orthodoxy symbolize the Holy Trinity and are often found in temple inscriptions and inscriptions on tombstones.
Trefoil cross
The vine entwining the cross is a prototype of the Living Cross, and it is also a symbol of the Sacrament of Communion. Often depicted with a crescent at the bottom, which symbolizes the cup. Combined together, they remind believers that during Communion the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is depicted in the form of a dove on the cross. The dove is mentioned in the Old Testament; it returned to Noah's ark with an olive branch to announce peace to people. Ancient Christians depicted the human soul in the form of a dove, resting in peace. The dove, meaning the holy spirit, flew to Russian lands and landed on the golden domes of churches.
If you take a closer look at the openwork crosses on the domes of churches, you can see doves on many of them. For example, in Novgorod there is a church called the Myrrh-Bearing Women, on its dome you can see a beautiful dove woven “literally from thin air.” But most often the cast figurine of a dove is at the top of the cross. Even in ancient times, crosses with doves were a fairly common occurrence; in Rus' there were even three-dimensional cast figurines of doves with outstretched wings.
Thriving crosses are those that have shoots growing from their base. They symbolize the rebirth of life - the resurrection of the cross from the dead. The Cross of the Lord in the Orthodox canon is sometimes called the “Life-Giving Garden.” You can also hear how the holy fathers call him “life-giving.” Some crosses, generously dotted with such shoots that really resemble flowers in spring garden. The interweaving of thin stems - an art made by masters - looks alive, and tasteful plant elements complete the incomparable picture.
The cross is also a symbol of the tree of eternal life. The cross is decorated with flowers, shoots from the core or from the lower crossbar, commemorating the leaves that are about to bloom. Very often such a cross crowns a dome.
In Russia it is almost impossible to find crosses with a crown of thorns. And in general, the image of Christ the martyr did not take root here, unlike in the West. Catholics often depict Christ hanging on the cross, with traces of blood and sores. It is customary for us to glorify his inner feat.
Therefore, in the Russian Orthodox tradition, crosses are often crowned with flower crowns. The crown of thorns was placed on the head of the Savior and was considered a healing for the soldiers who wove it. Thus, the crown of thorns becomes the crown of righteousness or the crown of glory.
At the top of the cross, although not often, there is a crown. Many believe that crowns were attached to temples related to holy persons, but this is not so. In fact, the crown was placed on the top of the cross of churches built by royal decree or with money from the royal treasury. Additionally, the Scriptures say that Jesus is the king of kings or lord of lords. Royal power, accordingly, is also from God, which is why the crosses contain a crown on their top. The cross topped with a crown is also sometimes called the Royal Cross or the Cross of the King of Heaven.
Sometimes the cross was depicted as a divine weapon. For example, its ends could have the shape of a spear tip. Also on the cross there could be a blade or its handle as a symbol of a sword. Such details symbolize the monk as a warrior of Christ. However, it can only act as an instrument of peace or salvation.
The most common types of crosses
1) Eight-pointed cross. This cross is the most consistent with historical truth. The cross acquired this shape after the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on it. Before the crucifixion, when the Savior carried the cross to Calvary on his shoulders, it had a four-pointed shape. The upper short crossbar, as well as the lower oblique, were made immediately after the crucifixion.
Eight-pointed cross
The lower oblique crossbar is called the footboard, or footstool. It was attached to the cross when it became clear to the soldiers where His feet would reach. The top crossbar was a tablet with an inscription, which was made by order of Pilate. To this day, this form is the most common in Orthodoxy; eight-pointed crosses are found on body crosses, they crown the domes of the church, and they are installed on tombstones.
Eight-pointed crosses were often used as the basis for other crosses, such as awards. During the era of the Russian Empire, during the reign of Paul I and before him, under Peter I and Elizaveta Petrovna, there was a practice of rewarding the clergy. Pectoral crosses were used as a reward, which was even formalized by law.
Paul used the Paul Cross for this purpose. It looked like this: on the front side there was an applied image of the Crucifixion. The cross itself was eight-pointed and had a chain, all of which was made of. The cross was issued for a long time - from its approval by Paul in 1797 until the revolution of 1917.
2) The practice of using crosses when awarding awards was used not only to present awards to clergy, but also to soldiers and officers. For example, the very well-known St. George Cross, approved by Catherine, was subsequently used for this purpose. The quadrangular cross is also reliable from a historical point of view.
In the Gospel it is called “His cross.” Such a cross, as has already been said, was carried by the Lord to Golgotha. In Rus' it was called Latin or Roman. The name comes from historical fact that it was the Romans who introduced execution by crucifixion. In the West, such a cross is considered the most faithful and is more common than the eight-pointed one.
3) The “grapevine” cross has been known since ancient times; it was used to decorate the tombstones of Christians, utensils and liturgical books. Nowadays such a cross can often be purchased in a church. It is an eight-pointed cross with a crucifix, surrounded by a branchy vine that sprouts from below and is decorated with full-bodied tassels and leaves with a variety of patterns.
Cross "grapevine"
4) The petal-shaped cross is a subtype of the quadrangular cross. Its ends are made in the form of flower petals. This form is most often used in painting church buildings, decorating liturgical utensils, and in sacramental vestments. Petal crosses are found in the oldest Christian temple in Rus' - in the Church of Hagia Sophia, the construction of which dates back to the 9th century. Pectoral crosses in the form of a petal cross are also common.
5) The trefoil cross is most often four-pointed or six-pointed. Its ends have a corresponding trefoil shape. Such a cross could often be found in the coats of arms of many cities of the Russian Empire.
6) Seven-pointed cross. This form of cross is found very often on icons of northern writing. Such messages mainly date back to the 15th century. It can also be found on the domes of Russian churches. Such a cross is a long vertical rod with one upper crossbar and an oblique pedestal.
On a golden pedestal, the clergy before the appearance of Jesus Christ made an atonement sacrifice - this is what it says in the Old Testament. The foot of such a cross is an important and integral element of the Old Testament altar, which symbolizes the redemption of God's anointed one. The foot of the seven-pointed cross contains one of its most sacred qualities. In the sayings of the messenger Isaiah the words of the Almighty are found: “Give praise to the footstool of My feet.”
7) Cross “crown of thorns”. Various peoples who converted to Christianity depicted a cross with a crown of thorns on many objects. On the pages of an ancient Armenian handwritten book, as well as on the 12th century “Glorification of the Cross” icon, which is located in the Tretyakov Gallery, such a cross can now be found on many other elements of art. Teren symbolizes thorn suffering and thorny path which Jesus, the son of God, had to go through. A crown of thorns is often used to cover the head of Jesus when depicting him in paintings or icons.
Cross "crown of thorns"
8) Gallows-shaped cross. This form of the cross is widely used in painting and decorating churches, priestly vestments and liturgical objects. On images, the ecumenical holy teacher John Chrysostom was often decorated with such a cross.
9) Korsun cross. Such a cross was called Greek, or Old Russian. According to church tradition, the cross was installed by Prince Vladimir after returning from Byzantium to the banks of the Dnieper. A similar cross is still kept in Kyiv in the St. Sophia Cathedral, and it is also carved on the tombstone of Prince Yaroslav, which is a marble plaque.
10) Maltese cross. This type of cross is also called the St. George cross. It is a cross of equal shape with widening sides towards the edge. This form of the cross was officially adopted by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, which was formed on the island of Malta and openly fought against Freemasonry.
This order organized the murder of Pavel Petrovich - Russian Emperor, the ruler of the Maltese, which is why it has the appropriate name. Some provinces and cities had such a cross on their coats of arms. The same cross was a form of award for military courage, called the St. George cross and had 4 degrees.
11) Prosphora cross. It is somewhat similar to St. George's, but includes words written in Greek “IC. XP. NIKA" which means "Jesus Christ the Conqueror". They were written in gold on three large crosses in Constantinople. According to ancient tradition, these words, together with a cross, are printed on prosphoras and mean the ransom of sinners from sinful captivity, and also symbolize the price of our redemption.
12) Wicker cross. Such a cross can have either equal sides or a longer lower side. Weaving came to the Slavs from Byzantium and was widely used in Rus' in ancient times. Most often, images of such crosses are found in Russian and Bulgarian ancient books.
13) Wedge-shaped cress. A widening cross with three field lilies at the end. Such field lilies are called “selnye krins” in Slavic. A cross with field lines from the 11th century Serenstvo can be seen in the book “Russian Copper Casting”. Such crosses were widespread both in Byzantium and later in the 14th-15th centuries in Rus'. They meant the following - “the heavenly Bridegroom, when he descends into the valley, becomes a lily.”
14) Drop-shaped four-pointed cross. The four-pointed cross has small drop-shaped circles at the ends. They symbolize the drops of Jesus' blood that sprinkled the tree of the cross during the crucifixion. The drop-shaped cross was depicted on the first page of the 2nd century Greek Gospel, which is in the State Public Library.
Often found among copper pectoral crosses, which were cast in the first centuries of the second millennium. They symbolize Christ's struggle to the point of blood. And they tell the martyrs that they must fight the enemy to the last.
15) Cross "Golgotha". Since the 11th century, under the lower oblique crossbar of the eight-pointed cross, an image of Adam buried on Golgotha appears. The inscriptions on the Calvary cross mean the following:
- "M. L.R.B. " - "the place of execution was quickly crucified", "G. G." - Mount Golgotha, "G. A." - head of Adamov.
- The letters "K" and "T" stand for a warrior's spear and a cane with a sponge, which is depicted along the cross. Above the middle crossbar: “IC”, “XC” - Jesus Christ. The inscriptions under this crossbar: “NIKA” - Winner; on the title or near it there is an inscription: “SN BZHIY” - Son of God. Sometimes "I. N. Ts. I" - Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews; inscription above the title: “TSR” “SLVY” - King of Glory.
Such a cross is depicted on a funeral shroud, signifying the preservation of the vows given at baptism. The sign of the cross, unlike the image, conveys it spiritual meaning and reflects the real meaning, but is not the cross itself.
16) Gammatic cross. The name of the cross comes from its similarity to the Greek letter “gamma”. This form of cross was often used in Byzantium to decorate Gospels and churches. The cross was embroidered on the vestments of church ministers and depicted on church utensils. The gammamatic cross has a shape similar to the ancient Indian swastika.
For the ancient Indians, such a symbol meant eternal existence or perfect bliss. This symbol is associated with the sun, it became widespread in the ancient culture of the Aryans, Iranians, and is found in Egypt and China. During the era of the spread of Christianity, such a symbol was widely known and revered in many areas of the Roman Empire.
The ancient pagan Slavs also widely used this symbol in their religious attributes. The swastika was depicted on rings and rings, as well as other jewelry. It symbolized fire or the sun. The Christian Church, which had powerful spiritual potential, was able to rethink and churchize many cultural traditions of antiquity. It is quite possible that the gamma cross has precisely this origin in Orthodox Christianity he entered like a churched swastika.
What kind of pectoral cross can an Orthodox Christian wear?
This question is one of the most frequently asked among believers. Indeed, it's quite interesting topic, because with such a wide variety of possible species it is difficult not to get confused. The basic rule to remember: Orthodox Christians wear a cross under their clothes; only priests have the right to wear a cross over their clothes.
Any cross must be consecrated by an Orthodox priest. It should not contain attributes that are related to other churches and do not apply to the Orthodox.
The most significant attributes are:
- If this is a cross with a crucifix, then there should be not three crosses, but four; both feet of the Savior can be pierced with one nail. Three nails belong to the Catholic tradition, but in the Orthodox there should be four.
- There used to be another distinguishing feature that is no longer supported. In the Orthodox tradition, the Savior would be depicted alive on the cross; in the Catholic tradition, his body was depicted hanging in his arms.
- A sign of an Orthodox cross is also considered to be an oblique crossbar - the foot of the cross with the right ends up, when looking at the cross in front of it. True, now the Russian Orthodox Church also uses crosses with a horizontal foot, which were previously found only in the West.
- The inscriptions on Orthodox crosses are in Greek or Church Slavonic languages. Sometimes, but rarely, on the tablet above the savior you can find inscriptions in Hebrew, Latin or Greek.
- There are often widespread misconceptions regarding crosses. For example, it is believed that Orthodox Christians should not wear the Latin cross. The Latin cross is a cross without a crucifix or nails. However, this point of view is a delusion; the cross is not called Latin for the reason that it is common among Catholics, because the Latins crucified the Savior on it.
- The emblems and monograms of other churches must be absent from the Orthodox cross.
- Inverted cross. Provided there is no crucifix on it, historically it has always been considered the cross of St. Peter, who, at his own request, was crucified head down. This cross belongs to the Orthodox Church, but is now rare. The upper beam is larger than the lower one.
The traditional Russian Orthodox cross is an eight-pointed cross with an inscription on top, an oblique footplate at the bottom, and a six-pointed cross.
Contrary to popular belief, crosses can be given, found and worn; you can not wear a baptismal cross, but simply keep one. It is very important that any of them be consecrated in the church.
Votive cross
In Rus' there was a custom to erect votive crosses in honor of memorable dates or holidays. Usually such events were associated with the death of a large number of people. It could be fires or famine, or a cold winter. Crosses could also be installed as gratitude for deliverance from any misfortune.
In the city of Mezen in the 18th century, 9 such crosses were installed, when during a very harsh winter, all the inhabitants of the city almost died. IN principality of Novgorod personalized votive crosses were installed. After that, the tradition passed to the northern Russian principalities.
Sometimes certain people would erect a votive cross to mark a specific event. Such crosses often bore the names of the people who created them. For example, in the Arkhangelsk region there is the village of Koinas, where there is a cross called Tatyanin. According to the residents of this village, the cross was installed by a fellow villager who made such a vow. When his wife Tatyana was overcome by illness, he decided to take her to a church that was located far away, since there were no other churches nearby, after which his wife recovered. It was then that this cross appeared.
Worship cross
This is a cross fixed next to the road or near the entrance, intended for making prayer bows. Such worship crosses in Rus' were fixed near the main city gates or at the entrance to the village. At the worship cross they prayed for the protection of the city residents with the help of the miraculous power of the Resurrection Cross. In ancient times, cities were often fenced off on all sides with such worship crosses.
There is an opinion among historians that the first worship cross was installed on the initiative of Princess Olga more than a thousand years ago on the slopes of the Dnieper. In most cases, Orthodox worship crosses were made of wood, but sometimes you could find stone or cast worship crosses. They were decorated with patterns or carvings.
They are characterized by an easterly direction. The base of the worship cross was lined with stones to create its elevation. The hill represented Mount Golgotha, on the top of which Christ was crucified. When installing it, people placed earth brought from the doorstep under the base of the cross.
Now ancient custom the installation of worship crosses is again gaining momentum. In some cities, on the ruins of ancient temples or at the entrance to a populated area, you can see such crosses. They are often placed on hills to commemorate the victims.
The essence of the worship cross is as follows. It is a symbol of gratitude and trust in the Almighty. There is another version of the origin of such crosses: it is assumed that they may be associated with Tatar yoke. There is a belief that the bravest inhabitants, who hid from raids in the thickets of the forest, returned to the burned village after the end of the danger and erected such a cross as gratitude to the Lord.
There are a great many types of Orthodox crosses. They differ not only in their form and symbolism. There are crosses that serve a specific purpose, for example, baptismal or icon crosses, or crosses that are used, for example, for awards.
The Holy Cross is a symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every true believer, at the sight of him, is involuntarily filled with thoughts of the Savior's death throes, which he accepted to deliver us from eternal death, which became the lot of people after the fall of Adam and Eve. The eight-pointed Orthodox cross carries a special spiritual and emotional burden. Even if there is no image of the crucifix on it, it always appears to our inner gaze.
An instrument of death that has become a symbol of life
The Christian cross is an image of the instrument of execution to which Jesus Christ was subjected by a forced sentence passed by the procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate. For the first time, this type of killing of criminals appeared among the ancient Phoenicians and already through their colonists - the Carthaginians came to the Roman Empire, where it became widespread.
In the pre-Christian period, mainly robbers were sentenced to crucifixion, and then the followers of Jesus Christ accepted this martyr's death. This phenomenon was especially frequent during the reign of Emperor Nero. The very death of the Savior made this instrument of shame and suffering a symbol of the victory of good over evil and the light of eternal life over the darkness of hell.
The eight-pointed cross is a symbol of Orthodoxy
The Christian tradition knows many different designs of the cross, from the most common crosshairs of straight lines to very complex geometric designs, complemented by a variety of symbolism. The religious meaning in them is the same, but the external differences are very significant.
In the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, as well as in Russia, the eight-pointed, or, as is often said, the Orthodox cross, has been the symbol of the church for a long time. In addition, you can hear the expression "the cross of St. Lazarus", this is another name for the eight-pointed Orthodox cross, which will be discussed below. Sometimes an image of the crucified Savior is placed on it.
External features of the Orthodox cross
Its peculiarity lies in the fact that in addition to two horizontal crossbars, of which the lower one is large and the upper one is small, there is also an inclined one, called the foot. It is small in size and located at the bottom of the vertical segment, symbolizing the crossbar on which Christ’s feet rested.
The direction of its inclination is always the same: if you look from the side of the crucified Christ, then the right end will be higher than the left. There is a certain symbolism in this. According to the words of the Savior on Last Judgment, the righteous will stand on his right hand, and sinners on his left. It is the path of the righteous to the Kingdom of Heaven that is indicated by the raised right end of the footstool, while the left one faces the depths of hell.
According to the Gospel, a board was nailed over the head of the Savior, on which was written by the hand of Pontius Pilate: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." This inscription was made on three languages- Aramaic, Latin and Greek. This is what the small upper crossbar symbolizes. It can be placed either in the interval between the large crossbar and the upper end of the cross, or at its very top. Such an outline allows us to reproduce with the greatest reliability appearance instruments of Christ's suffering. That is why the Orthodox cross has eight points.
About the law of the golden ratio
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross in its classical form is built according to the law of the golden section. To make it clear what we are talking about, let's dwell on this concept in a little more detail. It is usually understood as a harmonic proportion, which in one way or another underlies everything that is created by the Creator.
One example of this is the human body. By simple experience You can be sure that if we divide the value of our height by the distance from the soles to the navel, and then divide the same value by the distance between the navel and the top of the head, the results will be the same and amount to 1.618. The same proportion lies in the size of the phalanges of our fingers. This ratio of quantities, called the golden ratio, can be found literally at every step: from the structure of a sea shell to the shape of an ordinary garden turnip.
The construction of proportions based on the law of the golden ratio is widely used in architecture, as well as other fields of art. Taking this into account, many artists manage to achieve maximum harmony in their works. The same pattern was observed by composers working in the genre of classical music. When writing compositions in the style of rock and jazz, it was abandoned.
The law of constructing an Orthodox cross
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross is also built on the basis of the golden ratio. The meaning of its ends was explained above, now let's turn to the rules underlying the construction of this main Christian symbol. They were not established artificially, but poured out of the harmony of life itself and received their mathematical justification.
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross, drawn in full accordance with tradition, always fits into a rectangle, the aspect ratio of which corresponds to the golden ratio. Simply put, dividing its height by its width gives us 1.618.
The Cross of Saint Lazarus (as mentioned above, this is another name for the eight-pointed Orthodox cross) in its construction has another feature associated with the proportions of our body. It is well known that the width of a person’s arm span is equal to his height, and a figure with arms spread to the sides fits perfectly into a square. For this reason, the length of the middle crossbar, corresponding to the span of Christ’s arms, is equal to the distance from it to the inclined foot, that is, his height. These seemingly simple rules should be taken into account by every person who is faced with the question of how to draw an eight-pointed Orthodox cross.
cross calvary
There is also a special, purely monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross, a photo of which is presented in the article. It is called the “cross of Golgotha.” This is the outline of the usual Orthodox cross, which was described above, placed above the symbolic image of Mount Golgotha. It is usually presented in the form of steps, under which bones and a skull are placed. To the left and right of the cross a cane with a sponge and a spear can be depicted.
Each of the listed items has a deep religious meaning. For example, the skull and bones. According to Sacred Tradition, the sacrificial blood of the Savior, shed by him on the cross, falling on the top of Golgotha, seeped into its depths, where the remains of our ancestor Adam rested, and washed away the curse of original sin from them. Thus, the image of the skull and bones emphasizes the connection of the sacrifice of Christ with the crime of Adam and Eve, as well as the New Testament with the Old.
The meaning of the image of the spear on the cross of Golgotha
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross on monastic vestments is always accompanied by images of a cane with a sponge and a spear. Those familiar with the text of the Gospel of John well remember the moment full of drama when one of the Roman soldiers named Longinus pierced the ribs of the Savior with this weapon and blood and water flowed from the wound. This episode has a different interpretation, but the most common of them is contained in the writings of the Christian theologian and philosopher of the 4th century, St. Augustine.
In them he writes that just as the Lord created his bride Eve from the rib of sleeping Adam, so from the wound in the side of Jesus Christ inflicted by the spear of a warrior, his bride the church was created. The blood and water spilled during this, according to St. Augustine, symbolize the holy sacraments - the Eucharist, where wine is transformed into the blood of the Lord, and Baptism, in which a person entering the bosom of the church is immersed in a font of water. The spear with which the wound was inflicted is one of the main relics of Christianity, and it is believed that it is currently kept in Vienna, in the Hofburg Castle.
The meaning of the image of a cane and a sponge
Equally important are the images of canes and sponges. From the accounts of the holy evangelists it is known that the crucified Christ was twice offered drink. In the first case, it was wine mixed with myrrh, that is, an intoxicating drink that allows you to dull painful sensations and thereby prolong the execution.
The second time, having heard the cry “I thirst!” from the cross, they brought him a sponge filled with vinegar and bile. This was, of course, a mockery of the exhausted man and contributed to the approach of the end. In both cases, the executioners used a sponge mounted on a cane, since without its help they could not reach the mouth of the crucified Jesus. Despite such a gloomy role assigned to them, these objects, like the spear, were among the main Christian shrines, and their image can be seen next to the cross of Calvary.
Symbolic inscriptions on the monastic cross
Those who see the monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross for the first time often have questions related to the inscriptions inscribed on it. Specifically, these are the IC and XC at the ends of the middle bar. These letters stand for nothing more than the abbreviated name – Jesus Christ. In addition, the image of the cross is accompanied by two inscriptions located under the middle crossbar - the Slavic inscription of the words “Son of God” and the Greek NIKA, which means “winner”.
On the small crossbar, symbolizing, as mentioned above, a tablet with an inscription made by Pontius Pilate, the Slavic abbreviation ІНЦІ is usually written, meaning the words “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” and above it - “King of Glory.” It became a tradition to write the letter K near the image of a spear, and T near the cane. In addition, from about the 16th century, they began to write the letters ML on the left and RB on the right at the base of the cross. They are also an abbreviation and mean the words “The Place of the Execution is Crucified.”
In addition to the above inscriptions, two letters G should be mentioned, standing to the left and right of the image of Golgotha, and being the initial in its name, as well as G and A - the Head of Adam, written on the sides of the skull, and the phrase "King of Glory", crowning the monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross. The meaning contained in them fully corresponds to the Gospel texts, however, the inscriptions themselves can vary and be replaced by others.
Immortality granted by faith
It is also important to understand why the name of the eight-pointed Orthodox cross is associated with the name of St. Lazarus? The answer to this question can be found on the pages of the Gospel of John, which describes the miracle of his resurrection from the dead, performed by Jesus Christ, on the fourth day after death. The symbolism in this case is quite obvious: just as Lazarus was brought back to life by the faith of his sisters Martha and Mary in the omnipotence of Jesus, so everyone who trusts in the Savior will be delivered from the hands of eternal death.
In the vain earthly life, people are not given the opportunity to see the Son of God with their own eyes, but they are given his religious symbols. One of them is the eight-pointed Orthodox cross, proportions, general form and the semantic load of which became the topic of this article. It accompanies a believer throughout his life. From the holy font, where the sacrament of baptism opens the gates of the Church of Christ for him, right up to the gravestone, an eight-pointed Orthodox cross overshadows him.
Pectoral symbol of the Christian faith
The custom of wearing small crosses on the chest, made from the most various materials, appeared only at the beginning of the 4th century. Despite the fact that the main instrument of Christ’s passion was an object of veneration among all his followers literally from the first years of the establishment of the Christian Church on earth, at first it was customary to wear medallions with the image of the Savior on the neck rather than crosses.
There is also evidence that during the period of persecution that took place from the middle of the 1st to the beginning of the 4th century, there were voluntary martyrs who wanted to suffer for Christ and painted the image of the cross on their foreheads. They were recognized by this sign and then given over to torture and death. After the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, wearing body crosses became a custom, and during the same period they began to be installed on the roofs of churches.
Two types of body crosses in Ancient Rus'
In Rus', symbols of the Christian faith appeared in 988, simultaneously with its baptism. It is interesting to note that our ancestors inherited two types of pectoral crosses from the Byzantines. It was customary to wear one of them on the chest, under clothes. Such crosses were called vests.
Along with them, the so-called encolpions appeared - also crosses, but somewhat bigger size and worn over clothing. They originate from the tradition of carrying reliquaries with relics, which were decorated with the image of a cross. Over time, encolpions were transformed into the pectoral crosses of priests and metropolitans.
The main symbol of humanism and philanthropy
Over the millennium that has passed since the time when the Dnieper banks were illuminated by the light of Christ's faith, the Orthodox tradition has undergone many changes. Only its religious dogmas and basic elements of symbolism remained unshakable, the main one of which is the eight-pointed Orthodox cross.
Gold and silver, copper or made of any other material, it protects a believer, protecting him from the forces of evil - visible and invisible. As a reminder of the sacrifice made by Christ to save people, the cross has become a symbol of the highest humanism and love for one's neighbor.
Cross
This term has other meanings, see Cross (meanings).
Some types of crosses. Illustration from the book Lexikon der gesamten Technik (1904) von Otto Lueger Cross(praslav. *krьstъ< д.-в.-н. krist) - геометрическая фигура, состоящая из двух или более пересекающихся линий или прямоугольников. Угол между ними чаще всего составляет 90°. Во многих верованиях несёт сакральный смысл.
History of the Cross
Cross in paganism
Symbol of the sun god Ashur in Assyria
Symbol of the sun god Ashur and the moon god Sin in Mesopotamia The first civilized people to widely use crosses were the ancient Egyptians. In the Egyptian tradition there was a cross with a ring, an ankh, a symbol of life and gods. In Babylon, the cross was considered a symbol of Anu, the god of heaven. In Assyria, which was originally a colony of Babylon (in the second millennium BC), a cross enclosed in a ring (symbolizing the Sun, more often a lunar crescent was depicted under it) was one of the attributes of the god Ashur - the god of the Sun.
The fact that the symbol of the cross was used in various forms of pagan worship of the forces of nature before the advent of Christianity is confirmed by archaeological finds throughout almost the entire territory of Europe, in India, Syria, Persia, Egypt, Northern and South America. So, for example, in ancient India, the cross was depicted above the head of a figure killing children, and in the hands of the god Krishna, and in South America, the Muisca believed that the cross drove out evil spirits and placed babies under it. And the cross still serves as a religious symbol in countries that are not under the influence of Christian churches. For example, among the Tengrians, already before new era those who professed faith in the God of Heaven Tengri, there was the sign "adzhi" - a symbol of humility in the form of a cross applied to the forehead with paint or in the form of a tattoo.
The familiarity of Christians with pagan symbols as early as the first centuries of Christianity caused various comments about common symbols. Thus, Socrates Scholasticus describes events during the reign of Theodosius:
During the destruction and cleansing of the Serapis Temple, so-called hieroglyphic writings were found in it carved on stones, between which there were signs in the shape of crosses. Having seen such signs, Christians and pagans adopted their own religion. Christians argued that they belonged to the Christian faith, because the cross was considered a sign of Christ’s saving suffering, and pagans argued that such cross-shaped signs were common to both Christ and Serapis, although they had a different meaning for Christians and a different meaning for pagans. While this dispute was taking place, some who had converted to Christianity from paganism and understood hieroglyphic writing interpreted those cross-shaped signs and declared that they meant future life. According to this explanation, Christians began to attribute them to their religion with even greater confidence and exalt themselves before the pagans. When it was revealed from other hieroglyphic writings that at the time the sign of the cross appeared, meaning new life, the temple of Serapis will come to an end, then many pagans turned to Christianity, confessed their sins and were baptized. This is what I heard about those cross-shaped designs. I do not think, however, that the Egyptian priests, drawing the image of the cross, could know anything about Christ, for if the mystery of his coming into the world, according to the word of the Apostle (Col. 1:26), was hidden from time to time and from generation to generation and unknown the very chief of evil, the devil, then all the less could it have been known to his servants - the Egyptian priests. By the discovery and explanation of these writings, Providence did the same thing that it had previously revealed to the Apostle Paul, for this Apostle, wise by the Spirit of God, in the same way led many Athenians to faith when he read the inscription inscribed on the temple and adapted it to his sermon. Unless someone will say that the word of God was prophesied by the Egyptian priests exactly as it once was in the mouths of Balaam and Caiaphas, who prophesied good things against their will.
Cross in Christianity
Main article: Cross in ChristianityGraphic types of crosses
Ill. Name Note| ankh | Ancient Egyptian cross. Symbol of life. | |
| Celtic cross | Equal beam cross with a circle. It is a characteristic symbol of Celtic Christianity, although it has more ancient pagan roots. Nowadays it is often used as a symbol of neo-Nazi movements. |
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| Solar cross | Graphically represents a cross located inside a circle. It is found on objects from prehistoric Europe, especially during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. | |
| Greek cross | A Greek cross is a cross in which the lines are of equal length, perpendicular to each other and intersect in the middle. | |
| latin cross | Latin cross (lat. Crux immissa, Crux capitata) is a cross in which the transverse line is divided vertically in half, and the transverse line is above the middle vertical line. It is usually associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and thus with Christianity in general. Before Jesus, this symbol denoted, among other things, the staff of Apollo, the sun god, son of Zeus. Since the fourth century AD, the Latin cross has become what it is associated with now - a symbol of Christianity. Today it is also associated with death, guilt ( bear the cross), in addition - with resurrection, rebirth, salvation and eternal life (after death). In genealogy, the Latin cross indicates the death and date of death. In Russia, among Orthodox Christians, the Latin cross was often considered imperfect and was contemptuously called “ kryzh"(from Polish. krzyz- cross, and associated with steal- trim, chop off). |
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| St. Peter's Cross / Inverted Cross | The Cross of the Apostle Peter is an inverted Latin cross. The Apostle Peter suffered martyrdom in the year 67 by crucifixion upside down. | |
| Cross of the Evangelists | Symbolic designation of the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. | |
| Archangel cross | Archangel's Cross (Cross of Golgotha, lat. Golgata cross) denoted a special cross. | |
| ‡ | Double cross | Double six-pointed cross with equal crossbars. |
| Cross of Lorraine | Cross of Lorraine (fr. Croix de Lorraine) - a cross with two crossbars. Sometimes called patriarchal cross or archiepiscopal cross. Refers to the rank of cardinal or archbishop in the Catholic Church. This cross is also cross of the Greek Orthodox Church. | |
| Papal Cross | A variation of the Latin cross, but with three crossbars. Sometimes such a cross is called western triple cross. | |
| An Orthodox Christian cross most often used by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches; contains, in addition to the large horizontal crossbar, two more. The top symbolizes the tablet on the cross of Christ with the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (INCI, or INRI in Latin). NIKA - Winner. The lower oblique crossbar is a support for the feet of Jesus Christ, symbolizing the “righteous standard” that weighs the sins and virtues of all people. It is believed that it is tilted to the left, symbolizing that the repentant thief, crucified on the right side of Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the thief crucified on the left side, with his blasphemy of Christ, further aggravated his posthumous fate and ended up in hell. The letters ІС ХС are a christogram, symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ. Also, on some Christian crosses, a skull or skull with bones (the head of Adam) is depicted below, symbolizing the fallen Adam (including his descendants), since, according to legend, the remains of Adam and Eve were buried under the site of the crucifixion - Golgotha. Thus, the blood of the crucified Christ symbolically washed the bones of Adam and washed away original sin from them and from all his descendants. | ||
| Byzantine cross | ||
| Cross of Lalibela | The Lalibela Cross is a symbol of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian people and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. | |
| Armenian cross | Armenian cross - a cross with decorative elements on the arms (sometimes of unequal length). Crosses of similar shape (with trefoil-square endings, etc.) have been used since the beginning of the 18th century in the coat of arms of the Armenian Catholic Mekhitarist community, which has monasteries in Venice and Vienna. See Khachkar. | |
| St. Andrew's cross | The cross on which the Apostle Andrew the First-Called was crucified, according to legend, was X-shaped. | |
| Templar cross | The Templar cross is the sign of the spiritual knightly order of the Templars, founded in the Holy Land in 1119 by a small group of knights led by Hugh de Payns after the First Crusade. One of the first religious military orders to be founded, along with the Hospitallers. | |
| Novgorod cross | Similar to a Templar cross, including an enlarged circle or diamond-shaped figure in the center. A similar form of crosses is common in the lands of ancient Novgorod. In other lands and among other traditions, this form of the cross is rarely used. | |
| Maltese cross | Maltese cross (lat. Cross of Maltese) - a sign of the powerful knightly order of the Knights Hospitallers, founded in the 12th century in Palestine. Sometimes called the Cross of St. John or the Cross of St. George. The symbol of the Knights of Malta was a white eight-pointed cross, the eight ends of which denoted the eight beatitudes awaiting the righteous in the afterlife. | |
| Short claw cross | Straight equal-pointed cross, a variant of the so-called cross in lat. Cross pattee. The rays of this cross taper towards the center, but, unlike the Maltese cross, do not have cutouts at the ends. Used, in particular, in the depiction of the Order of St. George, the Victoria Cross. | |
| Bolnisi cross | The type of crosses most widely known and used in Georgia since the 5th century. It is used everywhere along with the cross of St. Nina. | |
| Teutonic Cross | The Cross of the Teutonic Order is a sign of the spiritual-knightly Teutonic Order, founded at the end of the 12th century. Centuries later, based on the cross of the Teutonic Order, were created various options the well-known military order of the Iron Cross. Also, the Iron Cross is still depicted on military equipment, as an identification mark, flags and pennants of the German Armed Forces. | |
| Schwarzkreuz (black cross) | Insignia of the German Armed Forces. Known today as the Bundeswehr Army Cross. | |
| Balkan less often Balkenkreuz, etc. beam cross | The second name is due to the use of German military equipment as an identification mark from 1935 to 1945[ source not specified 1153 days] | |
| Swastika, gamma cross or catacomb | A cross with curved ends (“rotating”), directed clockwise or counterclockwise. An ancient and widespread symbol in the culture of different nations, the swastika was present on weapons, everyday items, clothing, banners and coats of arms, and was used in the design of temples and houses. The swastika as a symbol has many meanings, most peoples had positive meanings before it was compromised by the Nazis and removed from widespread use. Among ancient peoples, the swastika was a symbol of the movement of life, the Sun, light, and prosperity. In particular, the clockwise swastika is an ancient Indian symbol used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. | |
| Hands of God | Found on one of the vessels of the Przeworsk culture. During World War II, due to the presence of a swastika, the vessel was used by the Nazis for propaganda purposes. Today it is used as a religious symbol by Polish neo-pagans. | |
| Jerusalem cross | Inscribed on the flag of Georgia. | |
| Cross of the Order of Christ | Symbol of the spiritual knightly Order of Christ. | |
| Red Cross | Symbol of the Red Cross and Emergency Medical Services. The green cross is a symbol of pharmacies. Blue - veterinary service. | |
| Clubs | The symbol of the suit of clubs (another name is “crosses”) in a card deck. Named after the cross, depicted in the form of a trefoil. The word is borrowed from French, where trefle is clover, in turn from the Latin trifolium - the addition of tri “three” and folium “leaf”. | |
| Saint Nina's Cross | A Christian relic, a cross woven from grapevines, which, according to legend, the Mother of God gave to Saint Nina before sending her to Georgia. | |
| Tau cross or St. Anthony's cross | T-cross. Anthony's cross - cross T-shape in honor of the founder of Christian monasticism, Anthony. According to some sources, he lived 105 years and spent the last 40 on Mount Kolzim near the Red Sea. The cross of St. Anthony is also known as the lat. crux commissa, Egyptian or Tau cross. Francis of Assisi made this cross his emblem at the beginning of the 13th century. | |
| Basque cross | Four petals curved in a shape reminiscent of the solstice sign. In the Basque Country, two versions of the cross are common, with the direction of rotation clockwise and counterclockwise. | |
| Cantabrian cross | It is a forked St. Andrew's cross with pommels at the ends of the crossbars. | |
| Serbian cross | It is a Greek (equilateral) cross, at the corners of which there are four stylized Ͻ And WITH-shaped flint. It is a symbol of Serbia, the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church. | |
| Macedonian cross, Velus cross | ||
| Coptic cross | It consists of two crossed lines at right angles with multiplied ends. The three curved ends represent the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The cross is used by the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt. | |
| Crossed arrows |
Cultural influence
Russian expressions
- To take under the cross is an old expression with a not entirely clear meaning (under the cross, a promise to pay, to return?) “To take under the cross” means to borrow, without money. Previously, the practice was to issue goods from a store on credit, and an entry was made in the debt book. The poorest part of the population was, as a rule, illiterate and they put a cross instead of a signature.
- There is no cross on you - that is, (about someone) unscrupulous.
- Carrying your cross means enduring difficulties.
- To put up a cross (also: To give up) - (allegorically) to completely put an end to something; cross out with an oblique cross (in the shape of the letter of the Russian alphabet “Her”) - cross out from the list of cases.
- Procession of the Cross - a solemn church procession with a large cross, icons and banners around the temple or from one temple to another, or from one place to another.
- The sign of the cross is a prayer gesture in Christianity (to cross oneself) (Also: “Axe!” (call) - “Cross oneself!”)
- Baptism is a Sacrament in Christianity.
- Godfather name is the name adopted at baptism.
- The godfather and godmother are a spiritual parent in Christianity, who, during the sacrament of baptism, accepts responsibility before God for the spiritual education and piety of the godson (goddaughter).
- Tic-tac-toe is a game that in the old days was called “heriki” after the shape of the letter of the Russian alphabet “Her” in the form of an oblique cross.
- To renounce - to refuse (originally: to protect oneself with a cross).
- Crossing (in biology) is hybridization, one of the methods of selection of plants and animals.
(Russian cross, or cross of Saint Lazarus listen)) is an eight-pointed Christian cross, a symbol of the Orthodox Church in the eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and Russia.
A special feature of the eight-pointed cross is the presence of a lower oblique crossbar (foot), in addition to two upper horizontal ones: the upper, smaller one, and the middle, larger one.
According to legend, during the crucifixion of Christ, a tablet was nailed over the cross in three languages (Greek, Latin and Aramaic) with the inscription "Jesus of Nazryan, King of the Jews." A crossbar was nailed under Christ's feet.
Two more criminals were executed along with Jesus Christ. One of them began to mock Christ, demanding the release of all three if Jesus really was Christ, and the other said: “He is falsely condemned, and we are real criminals.” [to 1]. This (other) criminal was to the right of Christ, and therefore at the cross the left side of the crossbar is raised. He rose above the other criminal. And the right side of the crossbar is lowered down, as another criminal humiliated himself in front of the criminal who said justice.
A variant of the eight-pointed is the seven-pointed, in which the tablet is attached not across the cross, but from above. In addition, the top crossbar may be absent altogether. The eight-pointed cross can be complemented by a crown of thorns in the middle.
It should also be noted that, along with the eight-pointed, the Orthodox Church also uses two other common designs of the cross: the six-pointed cross (it differs from the eight-pointed one in the absence of a small, that is, the uppermost crossbar) and the four-pointed one (it differs from the six-pointed one in the absence of an oblique crossbar).
Varieties
Sometimes, when installing an eight-pointed cross on the dome of a temple, a crescent is placed under the oblique crossbar (horns up). There are different versions about the meaning of this mark; according to the most famous, such a cross is likened to a ship's anchor, which since ancient times was considered a symbol of salvation.
In addition, there is a special monastic (schema) “cross-Golgotha”. It consists of an Orthodox cross resting on a symbolic image of Mount Golgotha (usually in the form of steps), a skull and crossbones are depicted under the mountain, and a spear and a cane with a sponge are located to the right and left of the cross. It also displays the following inscriptions: above the middle crossbar ІС҃ ХС҃ - the name of Jesus Christ, below it the Greek NIKA - Winner; on the sign or near it there is the inscription: SН҃Ъ BZh҃ІІY - “Son of God” or the abbreviation ІНЦІ - “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”; above the sign: TsR҃ь Sl҃VY - “King of Glory”. The letters "K" and "T" symbolize the warrior's spear and cane with a sponge, depicted along the cross. Since the 16th century in Rus', a tradition arose to add the following designations near the image of Golgotha: M L R B - “the place of the forehead was crucified”, G G - “Mount Golgotha”, GA - “head of Adam”. Moreover, the bones of the hands lying in front of the skull are depicted right on left, as during burial or communion.
Although in ancient times the Calvary cross was widespread, in modern times it is usually only embroidered on paraman and analava.
Usage
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross was placed on the coat of arms of the Russian state from 1577 to 1625, when it was replaced by the third crown. In some chronicle miniatures and icons, Russian soldiers carry red or green (possibly blue) banners with the image of the cross of Golgotha. The Calvary cross was also placed on the banners of 17th-century regiments.
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| Coat of arms of Russia from the seal of Feodor I, 1589. |
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| Coat of arms of Russia from the seal of Fyodor Ivanovich, 1589. |
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| Icon, Dionysius, 1500. |
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| Hundred Banner, 1696-1699 |
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| Coat of arms of the Kherson province, 1878. |
Unicode
In Unicode, there is a separate character ☦ for the Orthodox cross with the code U+2626 ORTHODOX CROSS. However, in many fonts it is displayed incorrectly - the bottom bar is tilted in the wrong direction.
Catholic cross. Types and symbolism
In human culture, the cross has long been endowed with sacred meaning. Many people consider it a symbol of the Christian faith, but this is far from true. The ancient Egyptian ankh, Assyrian and Babylonian symbols of the sun god are all variants of the cross that were integral attributes of the pagan beliefs of peoples around the world. Even the South American Chibcha-Muisca tribes, one of the most advanced civilizations of that time along with the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans, used the cross in their rituals, believing that it protects people from evil and represents the forces of nature. In Christianity 
the cross (Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox) is closely associated with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ.
Cross of Catholics and Protestants
The image of the cross in Christianity is characterized by some variability, since it often changed its appearance over time. The following types of Christian crosses are known: Celtic, solar, Greek, Byzantine, Jerusalem, Orthodox, Latin, etc. By the way, it is the latter that is currently used by representatives of two of the three main Christian movements (Protestantism and Catholicism). The Catholic cross differs from the Protestant one in the presence of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that Protestants consider the cross to be a symbol of the shameful execution that the Savior had to endure. Indeed, in those ancient times, only criminals and thieves were sentenced to death by crucifixion. After his miraculous resurrection, Jesus ascended to Heaven, so Protestants consider placing a crucifix with the living Savior on the cross as blasphemy and disrespect for the son of God.
Differences from the Orthodox cross
In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, the image of the cross has much more differences. So, if the Catholic cross (photo on the right) has a standard four-pointed shape, then the Orthodox one has six or eight points, since it has a foot and a title. Another difference appears in the depiction of the crucifixion of Christ itself. In Orthodoxy, the Savior is usually depicted triumphant over death. With his arms spread wide, he embraces all those for whom he gave his life, as if to say that his death served a good purpose. In contrast, the Catholic crucifix is a martyr's image of Christ. It serves as an eternal reminder to all believers of death and the torment that preceded it, which the Son of God endured.
St. Peter's Cross
The inverted Catholic cross in Western Christianity is by no means a sign of Satan, as third-rate horror films like to convince us. It is often used in Catholic iconography and in the decoration of churches and is identified with one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. According to the assurances of the Roman Catholic Church, the Apostle Peter, considering himself unworthy to die like the Savior, chose to be crucified upside down on an inverted cross. Hence its name - Peter's cross. In various photographs with the Pope, you can often see this Catholic cross, which from time to time causes unflattering accusations of the church of its connection with the Antichrist.
Types of crosses and what they mean
ANKHThe ankh is a symbol known as the Egyptian cross, the looped cross, the crux ansata, the "cross with a handle." Ankh is a symbol of immortality. Unites the cross (symbol of life) and the circle (symbol of eternity). Its form can be interpreted as the rising sun, as the unity of opposites, as the male and female principles.
The Ankh symbolizes the union of Osiris and Isis, the union of earth and sky. The sign was used in hieroglyphs, it was part of the words “welfare” and “happiness”.
The symbol was applied to amulets in order to prolong life on earth; they were buried with it, guaranteeing life in another world. The key that opens the gate of death looks like an ankh. In addition, amulets with the image of an ankh helped with infertility.
Ankh is a magical symbol of wisdom. It can be found in many images of deities and priests from the time of the Egyptian pharaohs.
It was believed that this symbol could save from floods, so it was depicted on the walls of canals.
Later, the ankh was used by sorceresses for sorcery, fortune-telling, and healing.
CELTIC CROSS
Celtic cross, sometimes called Jonah's cross or round cross. The circle symbolizes both the sun and eternity. This cross, which appeared in Ireland before the 8th century, may be derived from "Chi-Rho", a monogram of the first two letters of the name of Christ written in Greek. Often this cross is decorated with carved figures, animals and biblical scenes, such as the Fall of man or the sacrifice of Isaac.
LATIN CROSS
The Latin cross is the most common Christian religious symbol in the Western world. According to tradition, it is believed that it was from this cross that Christ was taken down, hence its other name - the cross of the Crucifixion. The cross is usually untreated wood, but is sometimes overlaid with gold to symbolize glory, or with red spots (the blood of Christ) on green (the Tree of Life).
This form, so similar to a man with outstretched arms, symbolized God in Greece and China long before the advent of Christianity. The cross rising from the heart symbolized kindness among the Egyptians.
CROSS OF BOTTONNI
A cross with clover leaves, called the "bottonni cross" in heraldry. The clover leaf is a symbol of the Trinity, and the cross expresses the same idea. It is also used to refer to the resurrection of Christ.
PETER'S CROSS
The cross of St. Peter has been one of the symbols of St. Peter since the 4th century, who is believed to have been crucified head down in 65 AD. during the reign of Emperor Nero in Rome.
Some Catholics use this cross as a symbol of submission, humility and unworthiness in comparison to Christ.
The inverted cross is sometimes associated with Satanists who use it.
RUSSIAN CROSS
The Russian cross, also called the "Eastern" or "Cross of St. Lazarus", is a symbol of the Orthodox Church in the eastern Mediterranean, eastern Europe and Russia. The upper of the three cross bars is called the "titulus", where the name was written, as in the "Patriarchal Cross". The bottom crossbar symbolizes the footrest.
CROSS OF PEACE
The Peace Cross is a symbol developed by Gerald Holtom in 1958 for the emerging Nuclear Disarmament Movement. For this symbol, Holtom was inspired by the semaphore alphabet. He made a cross of her symbols for "N" (nuclear) and "D" (disarmament), and placed them in a circle, symbolizing global agreement. The symbol came to public attention after the first protest march from London to the Berkshire Nuclear Research Center on April 4, 1958. This cross soon became one of the most common symbols of the 60s, symbolizing both peace and anarchy.
SWASTIKA
The swastika is one of the oldest and, since the twentieth century, the most controversial symbols.
The name comes from the Sanskrit words "su" ("good") and "asti" ("being"). The symbol is ubiquitous and is most often associated with the Sun. Swastika - sun wheel.
The swastika is a symbol of rotation around a fixed center. The rotation from which life arises. In China, the swastika (Lei-Wen) once symbolized the cardinal directions, and then acquired the meaning of ten thousand (the number of infinity). Sometimes the swastika was called the “seal of the heart of Buddha.”
The swastika was believed to bring happiness, but only when its ends were bent clockwise. If the ends are bent counterclockwise, then the swastika is called sauswastika and has a negative effect.
The swastika is one of the early symbols of Christ. In addition, the swastika was a symbol of many gods: Zeus, Helios, Hera, Artemis, Thor, Agni, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and many others.
In the Masonic tradition, the swastika is a symbol of averting evil and misfortune.
In the twentieth century, the swastika acquired a new meaning; the swastika or Hakenkreuz (“hooked cross”) became a symbol of Nazism. Since August 1920, the swastika began to be used on Nazi banners, cockades, and armbands. In 1945, all forms of swastikas were banned by the Allied occupation authorities.
CROSS OF CONSTANTINE
The Cross of Constantine is a monogram known as "Chi-Rho", shaped like an X (the Greek letter "chi") and P ("rho"), the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek.
Legend has it that it was this cross that Emperor Constantine saw in the sky on his way to Rome to see his co-ruler and at the same time enemy Maxentius. Along with the cross, he saw the inscription In hoc vinces - “with this you will win.” According to another legend, he saw a cross in a dream the night before the battle, and the emperor heard a voice: In hoc signo vinces (with this sign you will win). Both legends claim that it was this prediction that converted Constantine to Christianity. He made the monogram his emblem, placing it on his labarum, the imperial standard, instead of the eagle. The subsequent victory at the Milvian Bridge near Rome on October 27, 312 made him sole emperor. After an edict was issued allowing the practice of the Christian religion in the empire, believers were no longer persecuted, and this monogram, which Christians had previously used secretly, became the first generally accepted symbol of Christianity, and also became widely known as a sign of victory and salvation.
The difference between an Orthodox cross and a Catholic cross. crucifixion. The meaning of Christ's death on the cross.
Among all Christians, only Orthodox and Catholics venerate crosses and icons. They decorate the domes of churches, their houses, and wear them around their necks with crosses.
The reason why a person wears a cross is different for everyone. Someone thus pays tribute to fashion, for someone the cross is a beautiful piece of jewelry, for someone it brings good luck and is used as a talisman. But there are also those for whom the pectoral cross worn at baptism is indeed a symbol of their infinite faith.
Today, shops and church shops offer a wide variety of crosses of various shapes. However, very often not only parents who are planning to baptize a child, but also sales consultants cannot explain where the Orthodox cross is and where the Catholic one is, although it is, in fact, very simple to distinguish them. In the Catholic tradition - a quadrangular cross with three nails. In Orthodoxy there are four-pointed, six- and eight-pointed crosses, with four nails for the hands and feet.
Cross shape
four-pointed cross
So, in the West the most common is four-pointed cross. Starting from the III century, when such crosses first appeared in the Roman catacombs, the entire Orthodox East still uses this form of the cross as equal to all others.
For Orthodoxy, the shape of the cross is not particularly important; much more attention is paid to what is depicted on it, however, eight-pointed and six-pointed crosses have gained the most popularity.
Most corresponds to the historically reliable form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified. The Orthodox cross, which is most often used by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches, contains, in addition to a large horizontal crossbar, two more. The top one symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ with the inscription "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews"(INCI, or INRI in Latin). The lower slanting crossbar - a prop for the feet of Jesus Christ symbolizes the "righteous measure", weighing the sins and virtues of all people. It is believed that it is tilted to the left, symbolizing that the repentant thief, crucified on the right side of Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the thief crucified on the left side, by his blasphemy of Christ, further aggravated his posthumous fate and ended up in hell. The letters IC XC are a christogram symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov writes that "when Christ the Lord carried the cross on His shoulders, then the cross was still four-pointed; because there was still no title or foot on it. There was no foot, because Christ on the cross and the soldiers had not yet been raised, not knowing where the feet would reach Christ's, did not attach the footstools, having finished it already on Golgotha". Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, first they “crucified Him” (John 19:18), and then only “Pilate wrote an inscription and placed it on the cross” (John 19:19 ). It was at first that the warriors “who crucified Him” (Mt. 27:35) divided “His clothes” by lot, and only then “They put an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”(Matthew 27:37).
Since ancient times, the eight-pointed cross has been considered the most powerful protective tool against various kinds of evil spirits, as well as visible and invisible evil.
six pointed cross
Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially during the times of Ancient Rus', was also six-pointed cross. It also has an inclined crossbar: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper end symbolizes liberation through repentance.
However, all its strength does not lie in the shape of the cross or the number of ends. The cross is famous for the power of Christ crucified on it, and this is all its symbolism and miraculousness.
The variety of forms of the cross has always been recognized by the Church as quite natural. According to the expression of the Monk Theodore the Studite - “The cross of every form is the true cross” and has unearthly beauty and life-giving power.
“There is no significant difference between the Latin, Catholic, Byzantine, and Orthodox crosses, or between any other crosses used in Christian services. In essence, all crosses are the same, the only differences are in shape.”, says Serbian Patriarch Irinej.
Crucifixion
In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, special importance is attached not to the shape of the cross, but to the image of Jesus Christ on it.
Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant, and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear.
Yes, we know that Christ died on the cross. But we also know that He later resurrected, and that He suffered voluntarily out of love for people: to teach us to take care of the immortal soul; so that we too can be resurrected and live forever. In the Orthodox Crucifixion this Paschal joy is always present. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches out his arms, Jesus’ palms are open, as if he wants to hug all humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is not a dead body, but God, and his whole image speaks of this.
The Orthodox cross has another, smaller one above the main horizontal crossbar, which symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ indicating the offense. Because Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ, the words appeared on the tablet "Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews" in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. In Latin in Catholicism this inscription looks like INRI, and in Orthodoxy - IHCI(or INHI, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”). The lower oblique crossbar symbolizes a support for the legs. It also symbolizes the two thieves crucified to the left and right of Christ. One of them, before his death, repented of his sins, for which he was awarded the Kingdom of Heaven. The other, before his death, blasphemed and reviled his executioners and Christ.
The following inscriptions are placed above the middle crossbar: "IC" "HS"- the name of Jesus Christ; and below it: "NIKA" - Winner.
Greek letters were necessarily written on the cross-shaped halo of the Savior UN, meaning “truly existent”, because “God said to Moses: I am who I am.”(Ex. 3:14), thereby revealing His name, expressing the self-existence, eternity and immutability of the being of God.
In addition, the nails with which the Lord was nailed to the cross were kept in Orthodox Byzantium. And it was known for sure that there were four of them, not three. Therefore, on Orthodox crosses, Christ’s feet are nailed with two nails, each separately. The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed to a single nail first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.
Orthodox Crucifix
Catholic Crucifix
In the Catholic Crucifixion, the image of Christ has naturalistic features. Catholics depict Christ as dead, sometimes with streams of blood on his face, from wounds on his arms, legs and ribs ( stigmata). It reveals all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but this is the image of a dead person, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The crucifixion in Orthodoxy symbolizes this triumph. In addition, the Savior's feet are nailed with one nail.
The meaning of the Savior's death on the cross
The emergence of the Christian cross is associated with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, which he accepted on the cross under the forced sentence of Pontius Pilate. Crucifixion was a common method of execution in Ancient Rome, borrowed from the Carthaginians - descendants of Phoenician colonists (it is believed that the crucifixion was first used in Phenicia). Thieves were usually sentenced to death on the cross; many early Christians, persecuted since the time of Nero, were also executed in this way.
Before the suffering of Christ, the cross was an instrument of shame and terrible punishment. After His suffering, it became a symbol of the victory of good over evil, life over death, a reminder of God’s endless love, and an object of joy. The incarnate Son of God sanctified the cross with His blood and made it a vehicle of His grace, a source of sanctification for believers.
From the Orthodox dogma of the Cross (or Atonement) undoubtedly follows the idea that the death of the Lord is a ransom for all, the calling of all peoples. Only the cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus Christ to die with outstretched hands calling “to all the ends of the earth” (Isa. 45:22).
Reading the Gospels, we are convinced that the feat of the cross of the God-man is the central event in His earthly life. By His sufferings on the Cross, He washed away our sins, covered our debt to God, or, in the language of Scripture, "redeemed" us (ransomed us). The incomprehensible secret of the infinite truth and love of God is hidden in Calvary.
The Son of God voluntarily took upon himself the guilt of all people and suffered for it a shameful and painful death on the cross; then on the third day he rose again as the conqueror of hell and death.
Why was such a terrible Sacrifice needed to cleanse the sins of mankind, and was it possible to save people in another, less painful way?
The Christian doctrine of the death of the God-man on the cross is often a "stumbling block" for people with already established religious and philosophical concepts. Both to many Jews and people of Greek culture of apostolic times, it seemed contradictory to assert that the omnipotent and eternal God descended to earth in the form of a mortal man, voluntarily endured beatings, spitting and shameful death, that this feat could bring spiritual benefit to humanity. "This is impossible!"- some objected; "It is not necessary!"- others argued.
St. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of the word, so as not to abolish the cross of Christ. For the word of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but for us who are being saved it is the power of God. Where is the wise man, where is the scribe, where is the questioner of this world? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into foolishness? and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a stumbling block, and for the Greeks foolishness, for the very called ones, Jews and Greeks, Christ, God's power and God's wisdom"(1 Cor. 1:17-24).
In other words, the apostle explained that what in Christianity was perceived by some as temptation and madness, is in fact a matter of the greatest Divine wisdom and omnipotence. The truth of the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior is the foundation for many other Christian truths, for example, about the sanctification of believers, about the sacraments, about the meaning of suffering, about virtues, about feat, about the purpose of life, about the upcoming judgment and resurrection of the dead and others.
At the same time, the atoning death of Christ, being an event inexplicable in terms of earthly logic and even "seductive for those who perish," has a regenerating power that the believing heart feels and strives for. Renewed and warmed by this spiritual power, both the last slaves and the most powerful kings bowed in awe before Calvary; both dark ignoramuses and the greatest scientists. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles became convinced by personal experience of what great spiritual benefits the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior brought them, and they shared this experience with their disciples.
(The mystery of the redemption of mankind is closely connected with a number of important religious and psychological factors. Therefore, to understand the mystery of redemption it is necessary:
a) understand what actually constitutes the sinful damage of a person and the weakening of his will to resist evil;
b) we must understand how the devil’s will, thanks to sin, gained the opportunity to influence and even captivate the human will;
c) we need to understand the mysterious power of love, its ability to positively influence a person and ennoble him. At the same time, if love most of all reveals itself in sacrificial service to one’s neighbor, then there is no doubt that giving one’s life for him is the highest manifestation of love;
d) one must rise from understanding the power of human love to understanding the power of Divine love and how it penetrates the soul of a believer and transforms his inner world;
e) in addition, in the atoning death of the Savior there is a side that goes beyond the human world, namely: On the cross there was a battle between God and the proud Dennitsa, in which God, hiding under the guise of weak flesh, emerged victorious. The details of this spiritual battle and Divine victory remain a mystery to us. Even Angels, according to St. Peter, do not fully understand the mystery of redemption (1 Peter 1:12). She is a sealed book that only the Lamb of God could open (Rev. 5:1-7)).
In Orthodox asceticism there is such a concept as bearing one’s cross, that is, patiently fulfilling Christian commandments throughout the life of a Christian. All difficulties, both external and internal, are called the “cross.” Everyone carries their own cross in life. The Lord said this about the need for personal achievement: "Whoever does not take up his cross (turns away from the feat) and follows Me (calls himself a Christian), he is not worthy of Me"(Matt. 10:38).
“The cross is the guardian of the entire universe. The Cross is the beauty of the Church, the Cross is the power of the kings, the Cross is the faithful affirmation, the Cross is the glory of the angel, the Cross is the plague of the demon,- affirms the absolute Truth of the luminaries of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross.
The motives for the outrageous desecration and blasphemy of the Holy Cross by conscious cross-haters and crusaders are quite understandable. But when we see Christians involved in this heinous deed, it is all the more impossible to be silent, for - according to the words of St. Basil the Great - "God is given up in silence"!
Differences between Catholic and Orthodox crosses
Thus, there are the following differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox:
- most often has an eight-pointed or six-pointed shape. - four-pointed.
- Words on a sign on the crosses are the same, only written in different languages: Latin INRI(in the case of the Catholic cross) and Slavic-Russian IHCI(on the Orthodox cross).
- Another fundamental position is position of the feet on the Crucifix and number of nails. The feet of Jesus Christ are placed together on a Catholic Crucifix, and each is nailed separately on an Orthodox cross.
- What is different is image of the Savior on the cross. The Orthodox cross depicts God, who opened the path to eternal life, while the Catholic cross depicts a man experiencing torment.
Material prepared by Sergey Shulyak
Among all Christians, only Orthodox and Catholics venerate crosses and icons. They decorate the domes of churches, their houses, and wear them around their necks with crosses.
The reason why a person wears a cross is different for everyone. Someone thus pays tribute to fashion, for someone the cross is a beautiful piece of jewelry, for someone it brings good luck and is used as a talisman. But there are also those for whom the pectoral cross worn at baptism is indeed a symbol of their infinite faith.
Today, shops and church shops offer a wide variety of crosses of various shapes. However, very often not only parents who are planning to baptize a child, but also sales consultants cannot explain where the Orthodox cross is and where the Catholic one is, although it is, in fact, very simple to distinguish them.In the Catholic tradition - a quadrangular cross with three nails. In Orthodoxy there are four-pointed, six- and eight-pointed crosses, with four nails for the hands and feet.
Cross shape
four-pointed cross
So, in the West the most common is four-pointed cross . Starting from the III century, when such crosses first appeared in the Roman catacombs, the entire Orthodox East still uses this form of the cross as equal to all others.
For Orthodoxy, the shape of the cross is not particularly important; much more attention is paid to what is depicted on it, however, eight-pointed and six-pointed crosses have gained the most popularity.
Eight-pointed Orthodox cross most corresponds to the historically accurate form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified.The Orthodox cross, which is most often used by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches, contains, in addition to a large horizontal crossbar, two more. The top one symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ with the inscription "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews"(INCI, or INRI in Latin). The lower slanting crossbar - a prop for the feet of Jesus Christ symbolizes the "righteous measure", weighing the sins and virtues of all people. It is believed that it is tilted to the left, symbolizing that the repentant thief, crucified on the right side of Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the thief crucified on the left side, by his blasphemy of Christ, further aggravated his posthumous fate and ended up in hell. The letters IC XC are a christogram symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov writes that "when Christ the Lord carried the cross on His shoulders, then the cross was still four-pointed; because there was still no title or foot on it. There was no foot, because Christ on the cross and the soldiers had not yet been raised, not knowing where the feet would reach Christ's, did not attach the footstools, having finished it already on Golgotha". Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, first they “crucified Him” (John 19:18), and then only “Pilate wrote an inscription and placed it on the cross” (John 19:19 ). It was at first that the warriors “who crucified Him” (Mt. 27:35) divided “His clothes” by lot, and only then “They put an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”(Matthew 27:37).
Since ancient times, the eight-pointed cross has been considered the most powerful protective tool against various kinds of evil spirits, as well as visible and invisible evil.
six pointed cross
Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially during the times of Ancient Rus', was also six-pointed cross . It also has an inclined crossbar: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper end symbolizes liberation through repentance.
However, all its strength does not lie in the shape of the cross or the number of ends. The cross is famous for the power of Christ crucified on it, and this is all its symbolism and miraculousness.
The variety of forms of the cross has always been recognized by the Church as quite natural. According to the expression of the Monk Theodore the Studite - “The cross of every form is the true cross” Andhas unearthly beauty and life-giving power.
“There is no significant difference between the Latin, Catholic, Byzantine, and Orthodox crosses, or between any other crosses used in Christian services. In essence, all crosses are the same, the only differences are in shape.”, says Serbian Patriarch Irinej.
Crucifixion
In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, special importance is attached not to the shape of the cross, but to the image of Jesus Christ on it.
Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant, and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear.
Yes, we know that Christ died on the cross. But we also know that He later resurrected, and that He suffered voluntarily out of love for people: to teach us to take care of the immortal soul; so that we too can be resurrected and live forever. In the Orthodox Crucifixion this Paschal joy is always present. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches out his arms, Jesus’ palms are open, as if he wants to hug all humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is not a dead body, but God, and his whole image speaks of this.
The Orthodox cross has another, smaller one above the main horizontal crossbar, which symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ indicating the offense. Because Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ, the words appeared on the tablet "Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews" in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. In Latin in Catholicism this inscription looks like INRI, and in Orthodoxy - IHCI(or INHI, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”). The lower oblique crossbar symbolizes a support for the legs. It also symbolizes the two thieves crucified to the left and right of Christ. One of them, before his death, repented of his sins, for which he was awarded the Kingdom of Heaven. The other, before his death, blasphemed and reviled his executioners and Christ.
The following inscriptions are placed above the middle crossbar: "IC" "HS" - the name of Jesus Christ; and below it: "NIKA" — Winner.
Greek letters were necessarily written on the cross-shaped halo of the Savior UN, meaning “truly existent”, because “God said to Moses: I am who I am.”(Ex. 3:14), thereby revealing His name, expressing the self-existence, eternity and immutability of the being of God.
In addition, the nails with which the Lord was nailed to the cross were kept in Orthodox Byzantium. And it was known for sure that there were four of them, not three. Therefore, on Orthodox crosses, Christ’s feet are nailed with two nails, each separately. The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed to a single nail first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.
| Orthodox Crucifix | Catholic Crucifix |
In the Catholic Crucifixion, the image of Christ has naturalistic features. Catholics depict Christ as dead, sometimes with streams of blood on his face, from wounds on his arms, legs and ribs ( stigmata). It reveals all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but this is the image of a dead person, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The crucifixion in Orthodoxy symbolizes this triumph. In addition, the Savior's feet are nailed with one nail.
The meaning of the Savior's death on the cross
The emergence of the Christian cross is associated with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, which he accepted on the cross under the forced sentence of Pontius Pilate. Crucifixion was a common method of execution in ancient Rome, borrowed from the Carthaginians, the descendants of the Phoenician colonists (it is believed that crucifixion was first used in Phoenicia). Thieves were usually sentenced to death on the cross; many early Christians, persecuted since the time of Nero, were also executed in this way.
Before the suffering of Christ, the cross was an instrument of shame and terrible punishment. After His suffering, it became a symbol of the victory of good over evil, life over death, a reminder of God’s endless love, and an object of joy. The incarnate Son of God sanctified the cross with His blood and made it a vehicle of His grace, a source of sanctification for believers.
From the Orthodox dogma of the Cross (or Atonement) undoubtedly follows the idea that the death of the Lord is a ransom for all , the calling of all peoples. Only the cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus Christ to die with outstretched hands calling “to all the ends of the earth” (Isa. 45:22).
Reading the Gospels, we are convinced that the feat of the cross of the God-man is the central event in His earthly life. By His sufferings on the Cross, He washed away our sins, covered our debt to God, or, in the language of Scripture, "redeemed" us (ransomed us). The incomprehensible secret of the infinite truth and love of God is hidden in Calvary.
The Son of God voluntarily took upon himself the guilt of all people and suffered for it a shameful and painful death on the cross; then on the third day he rose again as the conqueror of hell and death.
Why was such a terrible Sacrifice needed to cleanse the sins of mankind, and was it possible to save people in another, less painful way?
The Christian doctrine of the death of the God-man on the cross is often a "stumbling block" for people with already established religious and philosophical concepts. Both to many Jews and people of Greek culture of apostolic times, it seemed contradictory to assert that the omnipotent and eternal God descended to earth in the form of a mortal man, voluntarily endured beatings, spitting and shameful death, that this feat could bring spiritual benefit to humanity. "This is impossible!"- some objected; "It is not necessary!"- others argued.
St. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of the word, so as not to abolish the cross of Christ. For the word of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but for us who are being saved it is the power of God. Where is the wise man, where is the scribe, where is the questioner of this world? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into foolishness? and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a stumbling block, and for the Greeks foolishness, for the very called ones, Jews and Greeks, Christ, God's power and God's wisdom"(1 Cor. 1:17-24).
In other words, the apostle explained that what in Christianity was perceived by some as temptation and madness, is in fact a matter of the greatest Divine wisdom and omnipotence. The truth of the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior is the foundation for many other Christian truths, for example, about the sanctification of believers, about the sacraments, about the meaning of suffering, about virtues, about feat, about the purpose of life, about the upcoming judgment and resurrection of the dead and others.
At the same time, the atoning death of Christ, being an event inexplicable in terms of earthly logic and even "seductive for those who perish," has a regenerating power that the believing heart feels and strives for. Renewed and warmed by this spiritual power, both the last slaves and the most powerful kings bowed in awe before Calvary; both dark ignoramuses and the greatest scientists. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles became convinced by personal experience of what great spiritual benefits the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior brought them, and they shared this experience with their disciples.
(The mystery of the redemption of mankind is closely connected with a number of important religious and psychological factors. Therefore, to understand the mystery of redemption it is necessary:
a) understand what actually constitutes the sinful damage of a person and the weakening of his will to resist evil;
b) we must understand how the devil’s will, thanks to sin, gained the opportunity to influence and even captivate the human will;
c) we need to understand the mysterious power of love, its ability to positively influence a person and ennoble him. At the same time, if love most of all reveals itself in sacrificial service to one’s neighbor, then there is no doubt that giving one’s life for him is the highest manifestation of love;
d) one must rise from understanding the power of human love to understanding the power of Divine love and how it penetrates the soul of a believer and transforms his inner world;
e) in addition, in the atoning death of the Savior there is a side that goes beyond the human world, namely: On the cross there was a battle between God and the proud Dennitsa, in which God, hiding under the guise of weak flesh, emerged victorious. The details of this spiritual battle and Divine victory remain a mystery to us. Even Angels, according to St. Peter, do not fully understand the mystery of redemption (1 Peter 1:12). She is a sealed book that only the Lamb of God could open (Rev. 5:1-7)).
In Orthodox asceticism there is such a concept as bearing one’s cross, that is, patiently fulfilling Christian commandments throughout the life of a Christian. All difficulties, both external and internal, are called the “cross.” Everyone carries their own cross in life. The Lord said this about the need for personal achievement: "Whoever does not take up his cross (turns away from the feat) and follows Me (calls himself a Christian), he is not worthy of Me"(Matt. 10:38).
“The cross is the guardian of the entire universe. The Cross is the beauty of the Church, the Cross is the power of the kings, the Cross is the faithful affirmation, the Cross is the glory of the angel, the Cross is the plague of the demon,— affirms the absolute Truth of the luminaries of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross.
The motives for the outrageous desecration and blasphemy of the Holy Cross by conscious cross-haters and crusaders are quite understandable. But when we see Christians drawn into this heinous deed, it is all the more impossible to be silent, for, according to the words of St. Basil the Great, “God is given up in silence”!
Differences between Catholic and Orthodox crosses
Thus, there are the following differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox:
- most often has an eight-pointed or six-pointed shape. - four-pointed.
- Words on a sign on the crosses are the same, only written in different languages: Latin INRI(in the case of the Catholic cross) and Slavic-Russian IHCI(on the Orthodox cross).
- Another fundamental position is position of the feet on the Crucifix and number of nails . The feet of Jesus Christ are placed together on a Catholic Crucifix, and each is nailed separately on an Orthodox cross.
- What is different is image of the Savior on the cross . The Orthodox cross depicts God, who opened the path to eternal life, while the Catholic cross depicts a man experiencing torment.
Material prepared by Sergey Shulyak