In Orthodoxy, a six-pointed crucifix is considered canonical: a vertical line is crossed by three transverse ones, one of them (the lower one) is oblique. The upper horizontal crossbar (the shortest of the three transverse ones) symbolizes a tablet with an inscription in three languages (Greek, Latin and Hebrew): “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” This tablet, by order of Pontius Pilate, was nailed to the Cross of the Lord before the crucifixion.
The middle crossbar, shifted closer to the top (longest), is a direct part of the Cross - the hands of the Savior were nailed to it.
The lower oblique crossbar is a support for the legs. Unlike Catholics, in Orthodoxy on the Crucifixion both legs of the Savior are shown pierced by nails. This tradition is confirmed by research Shroud of Turin- the payment in which the body of the crucified Lord Jesus Christ was wrapped.
It is worth adding that the oblique shape of the lower crossbar carries a certain symbolic meaning. The raised end of this crossbar rushes up to the sky, thereby symbolizing the thief crucified on right hand from the Savior, who, already on the cross, repented and entered with the Lord into the Kingdom of Heaven. The other end of the crossbar, facing down, symbolizes the second thief, crucified left hand from the Savior, who blasphemed the Lord and was not worthy of forgiveness. The state of the soul of this robber is a state of God-forsakenness, of hell.
There is another version of the Orthodox Crucifixion, the so-called full or Athos cross. It carries even more symbolic meanings. Its peculiarity is that certain letters are inscribed above the canonical six-pointed Cross.
What do the inscriptions on the cross mean?
Above the very top bar inscribed: “IS” - Jesus and “HS” - Christ. A little lower, along the edges of the middle crossbar: “SN” - Son and “BZHIY” - God. There are two inscriptions under the middle crossbar. Along the edges: “TSR” - King and “SLVY” - Glory, and in the center - “NIKA” (translated from Greek - victory). This word means that with His suffering and death on the Cross, the Lord Jesus Christ conquered death and atoned for human sins.
On the sides of the Crucifixion are depicted a spear and a cane with a sponge, designated, respectively, by the letters “K” and “T”. As we know from the Gospel, they pierced the Lord’s right rib with a spear, and on a cane they offered Him a sponge with vinegar in order to reduce His pain. The Lord refused to alleviate His suffering. Below, the Crucifixion is depicted standing on the base - a small elevation, which symbolizes Mount Golgotha, on which the Lord was crucified.
Inside the mountain there is a skull and crossbones of the forefather Adam. In accordance with this, on the sides of the elevation there is an inscription - “ML” and “RB” - Place of Execution and Crucified Byst, as well as two letters “G” - Golgotha. Inside Golgotha, on the sides of the skull, the letters “G” and “A” are placed - the head of Adam.
The image of Adam's remains has a certain symbolic meaning. The Lord, being crucified, sheds His blood on the remains of Adam, thereby washing and cleansing him from the fall he committed in paradise. Together with Adam, the sins of all humanity are washed away. In the center of the crucifix there is also a circle with thorns - this is a symbol of the crown of thorns, which was put on the head of the Lord Jesus Christ by Roman soldiers.
Orthodox cross with crescent
It is also worth mentioning about another form Orthodox cross. In this case, the cross has a crescent at its base. Such crosses very often crown the domes of Orthodox churches.
According to one version, the cross emerging from the crescent symbolizes the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Eastern tradition, the crescent moon is often considered a symbol Mother of God- just as the cross is considered a symbol of Jesus Christ.
Another interpretation explains the crescent as a symbol of the Eucharistic cup with the blood of the Lord, from which, in fact, the Cross of the Lord is born. There is another interpretation regarding the cross emerging from the crescent.
This interpretation suggests understanding this as a victory (or rise, advantage) of Christianity over Islam. However, as research has shown, this interpretation is incorrect, since the very form of such a cross appeared much earlier than the 6th century, when, in fact, Islam arose.
One can come to an understanding of Christianity by deciphering its symbols. From them one can trace both its history and the development of spiritual thought.
The eight-pointed cross is also called the Orthodox cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. The smallest crossbar represents the title, where it was written “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” the upper end of the cross is the path to the Kingdom of Heaven, which Christ showed.
The seven-pointed cross is a variation of the Orthodox cross, where the title is attached not across the cross, but on top.
2. Ship
The ship is an ancient Christian symbol that symbolized the church and each individual believer.
Crosses with a crescent, which can be seen on many churches, just depict such a ship, where the cross is a sail.
3. Calvary Cross
The Golgotha Cross is monastic (or schematic). It symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ.
Widespread in ancient times, the cross of Golgotha is now embroidered only on the paraman and the lectern.
4. Grapevine
The vine is the gospel image of Christ. This symbol also has its own meaning for the Church: its members are branches, and the grapes are a symbol of Communion. In the New Testament vine is a symbol of Paradise.
5. Ichthys
Ichthys (from ancient Greek - fish) is an ancient monogram of the name of Christ, consisting of the first axle boxes of the words “Jesus Christ God's Son Savior". Often depicted allegorically - in the form of a fish. Ichthys was also a secret identification mark among Christians.
6. Dove
The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Also - a symbol of peace, truth and innocence. Often 12 doves symbolize the 12 apostles. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are also often depicted as doves. The dove that brought an olive branch to Noah marked the end of the Flood.
7. Lamb
The Lamb is the Old Testament symbol of Christ's sacrifice. The Lamb is also a symbol of the Savior himself; this refers believers to the mystery of the Sacrifice of the Cross.
8. Anchor
The anchor is a hidden image of the Cross. It is also a symbol of hope for the future Resurrection. Therefore, the image of an anchor is often found in burial places of ancient Christians.
9. Chrism
Chrisma is a monogram of the name of Christ. The monogram consists of the initial letters X and P, often flanked by the letters α and ω. Christianity became widespread in apostolic times and was depicted on the military standard of Emperor Constantine the Great.
10. Crown of thorns
The crown of thorns is a symbol of the suffering of Christ, often depicted on crucifixes.
11. IHS
IHS is another popular monogram for Christ. These are three letters Greek name Jesus. But with the decline of Greece, other, Latin, monograms with the name of the Savior began to appear, often in combination with a cross.
12. Triangle
The triangle is a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Each side personifies the Hypostasis of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All sides are equal and together form a single whole.
13. Arrows
Arrows or a ray piercing the heart - an allusion to the saying of St. Augustine in Confessions. Three arrows piercing the heart symbolize Simeon's prophecy.
14. Skull
The skull or Adam's head is equally a symbol of death and a symbol of victory over it. According to Sacred Tradition, Adam's ashes were on Calvary when Christ was crucified. The blood of the savior, having washed Adam’s skull, symbolically washed all of humanity and gave him a chance for salvation.
15. Eagle
The eagle is a symbol of ascension. He is a symbol of the soul that seeks God. Often - a symbol of new life, justice, courage and faith. The eagle also symbolizes the evangelist John.
16. All-seeing eye
The Eye of the Lord is a symbol of omniscience, omniscience and wisdom. It is usually depicted inscribed in a triangle - a symbol of the Trinity. Can also symbolize hope.
17. Seraphim
Seraphim are the angels closest to God. They are six-winged and carry fiery swords, and can have from one to 16 faces. As a symbol, they mean the purifying fire of the spirit, divine heat and love.
18. Eight-pointed star
Eight-pointed or Star of Bethlehem- symbol of the birth of Christ. Over the centuries, the number of rays changed until it finally reached eight. It is also called the Virgin Mary Star.
19. Nine-pointed star
The symbol originated around the 5th century AD. The nine rays of the star symbolize the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
20. Bread
The bread is a reference to the biblical episode when five thousand people were satisfied with five loaves of bread. Bread is depicted in the form of ears of corn (sheaves symbolize the meeting of the apostles) or in the form of bread for communion.
21. Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd is a symbolic representation of Jesus. The source of this image is the Gospel parable, where Christ himself calls himself a shepherd. Christ is depicted as an ancient shepherd, sometimes carrying a lamb (lamb) on his shoulders.
This symbol has deeply penetrated and become entrenched in Christianity; parishioners are often called the flock, and priests are shepherds.
22. Burning Bush
In the Pentateuch, the Burning Bush is a thorn bush that burns but is not consumed. In his image, God appeared to Moses, calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The burning bush is also a symbol of the Mother of God, who was touched by the Holy Spirit.
23. Leo
The forest is a symbol of vigilance and the Resurrection, and one of the symbols of Christ. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Mark, and is associated with the power and royal dignity of Christ.
24. Taurus
Taurus (bull or ox) is a symbol of the Evangelist Luke. Taurus means the sacrificial service of the Savior, his Sacrifice on the Cross. The ox is also considered a symbol of all martyrs.
25. Angel
The angel symbolizes the human nature of Christ, his earthly incarnation. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Matthew.
"Take up your cross and follow Me"
(Mark 8:34)
That the Cross is in everyone’s life Orthodox man everyone knows plays a big role. This also applies to the Cross, as a symbol of the sufferings of the cross. Orthodox Christian which he must endure with humility and trust in the will of God, and the Cross, as a fact of confession of Christianity, and great power, capable of protecting a person from enemy attacks. It is worth noting that many miracles were performed with the Sign of the Cross. Suffice it to say that one of the great Sacraments is performed by the Cross - the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Mary of Egypt, having crossed the water with the sign of the cross, crossed the Jordan, Spyridon of Trimifuntsky turned a snake into gold, and with the sign of the cross they healed the sick and possessed. But, perhaps, the most important miracle: the sign of the cross, applied with deep faith, protects us from the power of Satan.
The Cross itself, as a terrible instrument of shameful execution, chosen by Satan as the banner of lethality, evoked insurmountable fear and horror, but, thanks to Christ the Victor, it became a desired trophy, evoking joyful feelings. Therefore, Saint Hippolytus of Rome, the Apostolic Man, exclaimed: “and the Church has its own trophy over death - this is the Cross of Christ, which it bears on itself,” and Saint Paul, the Apostle of the tongues, wrote in his Epistle: “I wish to boast (.. .) only by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"
The cross accompanies an Orthodox person throughout his life. “Telnik”, that’s what it was called pectoral cross in Rus', is entrusted to the baby in the Sacrament of Baptism in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).
It is not enough to simply put on a cross and consider yourself a Christian. The cross should express what is in a person's heart. In some cases this is a deep Christian faith, in others it is a formal, external affiliation with Christian Church. This desire is often not the fault of our fellow citizens, but only a consequence of their lack of enlightenment, years of Soviet anti-religious propaganda, and apostasy from God. But the Cross is the greatest Christian shrine, the visible evidence of our redemption.
Today there are many different misunderstandings and even superstitions and myths associated with the pectoral cross. Let's try to figure out this difficult issue together.
This is why the pectoral cross is called that because it is worn under clothing, never on display (only priests wear the cross outside). This does not mean that the pectoral cross must be hidden and hidden under any circumstances, but still it is not customary to deliberately display it for public viewing. Church Charter it is established to kiss your pectoral cross upon completion evening prayers. In a moment of danger or when your soul is anxious, it would also not be amiss to kiss your cross and read the words “Save and preserve” on its back.
The sign of the cross must be done with all attention, with fear, with trembling and with extreme reverence. Placing three large fingers on the forehead, one must say: “in the name of the Father,” then, lowering the hand in the same form on the chest “and the Son,” moving the hand to the right shoulder, then to the left: “and the Holy Spirit.” Having made this holy sign of the cross on yourself, conclude with the word “Amen.” You can also say the prayer during the laying of the Cross: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen".
There is no canonical form of the pectoral cross approved by the councils. According to the expression of Rev. Theodore the Studite - “the cross of any form is the true cross.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov wrote back in the 18th century: “We venerate the Cross of Christ not by the number of trees, not by the number of ends, but by Christ himself, with the Most Holy Blood, Whom he was stained with. Displaying miraculous power, any Cross does not act by itself, but by the power of Christ crucified on it and by invoking His Most Holy Name.” The Orthodox tradition knows an endless variety of types of crosses: four-, six-, eight-pointed; with a semicircle at the bottom, petal-shaped, teardrop-shaped, crescent-shaped and others.
Each line of the Cross has a deep symbolic meaning. On the back of the cross, the inscription “Save and preserve” is most often written; sometimes there are prayer inscriptions “May God rise again” and others.
Eight-pointed shape of the Orthodox cross
The classic eight-pointed cross is the most common in Russia. The shape of this Cross most closely matches the Cross on which Christ was crucified. Therefore, such a Cross is no longer only a sign, but also an image of the Cross of Christ.
Above the long middle crossbar of such a cross there is a straight short crossbar - a tablet with the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” nailed by order of Pilate above the head of the Crucified Savior. The lower oblique crossbar, the upper end of which faces north and the lower end faces south, symbolizes the foot, designed to serve to increase the torment of the Crucified, since the deceptive feeling of some support under his feet prompts the executed person to involuntarily try to lighten his burden by leaning on it, which only prolongs torment.
Dogmatically, the eight ends of the Cross mean eight main periods in the history of mankind, where the eighth is the life of the next century, the Kingdom of Heaven, because one of the ends of such a Cross points up into the sky. This also means that the path to the Heavenly Kingdom was opened by Christ through His Redemptive Feat, according to His word: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
The slanting crossbar to which the Savior’s feet were nailed thus means that in the earthly life of people with the coming of Christ, who walked the earth preaching, the balance of all people without exception being under the power of sin was disrupted. When the eight-pointed Cross depicts the crucified Lord Jesus Christ, the Cross as a whole becomes in full The Crucifixion of the Savior and therefore contains all the fullness of the power contained in the Lord’s suffering on the cross, the mysterious presence of Christ crucified.
There are two main types of images of the crucified Savior. An ancient view of the Crucifixion depicts Christ with his arms stretched wide and straight along the transverse central crossbar: the body does not sag, but rests freely on the Cross. The second, later view depicts the Body of Christ sagging, with his arms raised up and to the sides. The second type presents to the eye the image of the suffering of Christ for the sake of our salvation; Here you can see the human body of the Savior suffering in agony. This image is more typical of the Catholic Crucifixion. But such an image does not convey the entire dogmatic meaning of these sufferings on the cross. This meaning is contained in the words of Christ himself, who said to the disciples and people: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Me” (John 12:32).
Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially in times Ancient Rus', had six-pointed cross. It also has an inclined crossbar, but the meaning is somewhat different: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper end symbolizes liberation through repentance.
Four-pointed cross shape
The debate about the “correct” cross did not arise today. The debate about which cross was correct, eight-pointed or four-pointed, was waged by Orthodox and Old Believers, with the latter calling a simple four-pointed cross “the seal of the Antichrist.” Saint John of Kronstadt spoke out in defense of the four-pointed cross, devoting his candidate’s dissertation “On the Cross of Christ, in denunciation of imaginary Old Believers” to this topic.
St. John of Kronstadt explains: “The “Byzantine” four-pointed cross is in fact a “Russian” cross, since, according to Church Tradition, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir brought from Korsun, where he was baptized, just such a cross and was the first to install it on the banks of the Dnieper in Kyiv. A similar four-pointed cross has been preserved in Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral, carved on a 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 venerated equally, since the shape of the cross itself has no fundamental difference for believers.
Encolpion - reliquary cross
Reliquaries, or encolpions (Greek), came to Rus' from Byzantium and were intended to store particles of relics and other shrines. Sometimes the encolpion was used to preserve the Holy Gifts, which the first Christians during the era of persecution received for Communion in their homes and had with them. The most common were relics made in the shape of a cross and decorated with icons, as they combined the power of several sacred objects that a person could wear on his chest.
The reliquary cross consists of two halves with indentations on inside, which form a cavity where the shrines are placed. As a rule, such crosses contain a piece of fabric, wax, incense, or just a tuft of hair. When filled, such crosses acquire great protective and healing power.
Schema cross, or “Golgotha”
The inscriptions and cryptograms on Russian crosses have always been much more diverse than on Greek ones. Since the 11th century, under the lower oblique crossbar of the eight-pointed cross, a symbolic image of the head of Adam appears, and the bones of the hands lying in front of the head are depicted: right on left, as during burial or Communion. According to legend, Adam was buried on Golgotha (in Hebrew, “place of the skull”), where Christ was crucified. These words of his clarify the prevailing situation in Rus' XVI century tradition of making the following designations near the image of “Golgotha”:
- "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 the warrior's copy and the cane with a sponge, depicted along the cross.
The following inscriptions are placed above the middle crossbar:
- “IC” “XC” is the name of Jesus Christ;
- and under it: “NIKA” - Winner;
- on the title or near it there is an inscription: “SN” “BZHIY” - Son of God,
- but more often “I.N.C.I” - Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews;
- the inscription above the title: “TSR” “SLVI” means King of Glory.
Such crosses are supposed to be embroidered on the vestments of monks who have accepted the schema - a vow to observe particularly strict ascetic rules of behavior. The Calvary cross is also depicted on the funeral shroud, which marks the preservation of the vows given at Baptism, like the white shroud of the newly baptized, signifying cleansing from sin. When consecrating churches and houses, the image of the Calvary Cross is also used on the walls of the building in the four cardinal directions.
How to distinguish an Orthodox cross from a Catholic one?
Catholic Church uses only one image of the Cross - a simple, quadrangular one with an elongation of the lower part. But if the shape of the cross most often does not matter for believers and servants of the Lord, then the position of the Body of Jesus is a fundamental disagreement between these two religions. In the Catholic Crucifixion, the image of Christ has naturalistic features. It reveals all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body, blood streams down his face and from wounds on his arms and legs. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but it is an image of a dead man, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The Orthodox tradition depicts the Savior symbolically, His appearance expresses not the agony of the cross, but the triumph of the Resurrection. Jesus' palms are open, as if he wants to embrace all humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is God, and his whole image speaks of this.
Another fundamental position is the position of the feet on the Crucifix. The fact is that among Orthodox shrines there are four nails with which Jesus Christ was supposedly nailed to the cross. This means that the arms and legs were nailed separately. The Catholic Church does not agree with this statement and keeps its three nails with which Jesus was fastened to the cross. In the Catholic Crucifixion, Christ's feet are placed together and nailed with a single nail. Therefore, when you bring a cross to the temple for consecration, it will be carefully examined for the number of nails.
The inscription on the tablet attached above the head of Jesus, where there should have been a description of his offense, is also different. But since Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ, the words “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” appeared on the tablet in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. Accordingly, on Catholic crosses you will see the inscription in Latin I.N.R.I., and on Russian Orthodox crosses - I.N.C.I. (also found I.N.Ts.I.)
Consecration of the pectoral cross
Another very important issue is the consecration of the pectoral cross. If a cross is purchased at a temple shop, then it is usually consecrated. If the cross was purchased elsewhere or has an unknown origin, then it must be taken to the church, ask one of the temple servants or the worker behind the candle box to transfer the cross to the altar. After examining the cross and if it complies with Orthodox canons, the priest will serve the rite prescribed in this case. Usually the priest blesses the crosses during the morning prayer service. If we're talking about about the baptismal cross for a baby, then sanctification is possible during the Sacrament of Baptism itself.
When consecrating the cross, the priest reads two special prayers in which he asks the Lord God to pour heavenly power into the cross and that this cross will protect not only the soul, but also the body from all enemies, sorcerers and all evil forces. That is why many pectoral crosses have the inscription “Save and Preserve!”
In conclusion, I would like to note that the Cross must be revered with its correct, Orthodox attitude towards it. This is not just a symbol, an attribute of faith, but also an effective protection of a Christian from satanic forces. The cross must be honored both by actions, and by one’s humility, and by imitation, as far as possible for a limited person, of the feat of the Savior. The rite of monastic tonsure says that a monk must always have the suffering of Christ before his eyes - nothing makes a person gather himself, nothing so clearly shows the need for humility as this saving memory. It would be good for us to strive for this. It was then in us through the image sign of the cross in fact, the grace of God will act. If we do it with faith, we will truly feel God's power and know God's wisdom.
Material prepared by Ignatova Natalya
The history of the appearance of the cross in Orthodoxy is very interesting. This ancient symbol was revered even before the emergence of Christianity and had sacred significance. What does the Orthodox cross with crossbars mean, what is its mystical and religious meaning? Let's turn to historical sources to learn about all types of crosses and their differences.
The symbol of the cross is used in many world beliefs. Only 2000 years ago it became a symbol of Christianity and acquired the meaning of a talisman. IN ancient world we encounter the symbol of the Egyptian cross with a loop, expressing the divine principle and the principle of life. Carl Gustav Jung attributes the emergence of the symbolism of the cross in general to primitive times, when people made fire using two crossed sticks.
Early images of the cross can be found in a wide variety of forms: T, X, + or t. If the cross was depicted as equilateral, it symbolized the 4 cardinal directions, 4 natural elements or the 4 Heavens of Zoroaster. Later, the cross began to be compared with the four seasons of the year. However, all the meanings and types of crosses were in one way or another correlated with life, death and rebirth.
The mystical meaning of the cross has at all times been associated with cosmic forces and their flows.
In the Middle Ages, the cross became firmly associated with the death and resurrection of Christ, acquired Christian meaning. The equilateral cross began to express the idea of divine presence, power and strength. It was joined by an inverted cross as a symbol of denial of divine authority and adherence to Satanism.
Cross of Saint Lazarus
IN Orthodox tradition the cross can be depicted in different ways: from two crossed lines to a complex combination of several crossbars with additional symbols. All types Orthodox crosses carry a single meaning and significance - salvation. The eight-pointed cross, which is also common in the countries of the eastern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. This eight-pointed symbol has a special name - the cross of St. Lazarus. This symbol often depicts the crucified Christ.
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross is depicted with two transverse bars at the top (the top is shorter than the bottom) and the third is inclined. This crossbar carries the meaning of a footstool: the Savior’s feet rest on it. The slope of the foot is always depicted the same way - right side above the left. This has a certain symbolism: the right leg of Christ rests on the right side, which is higher than the left. According to Jesus, at the Last Judgment the righteous will stand on his right hand, and sinners on his left. That is, the right end of the crossbar symbolizes the path to heaven, and the left - the path to hell.
The small crossbar (upper) symbolizes the tablet above the head of Christ, which was nailed by Pontius Pilate. It was written in three languages: Nazarite, king of the Jews. This is the meaning of a cross with three bars in the Orthodox tradition.
Calvary Cross
There is another image of an eight-pointed Orthodox cross in the monastic tradition - the schematic cross of Golgotha. He is depicted above the symbol of Golgotha, where the crucifixion took place. The symbol of Golgotha is depicted with steps, and under them there is a skull and crossbones. On both sides of the cross, other attributes of the crucifixion can be depicted - a cane, a spear and a sponge. All these attributes have a deep mystical meaning.
For example, a skull and crossbones symbolize our first parents, on whom the sacrificial blood of the Savior flowed and washed away from sins. In this way, the connection of generations is carried out - from Adam and Eve to the time of Christ. It also symbolizes connection Old Testament with New.
The spear, cane and sponge are another symbol of the tragedy at Calvary. The Roman warrior Longinus pierced the Savior's ribs with a spear, from which blood and water flowed. This symbolizes the birth of the Church of Christ, like the birth of Eve from the rib of Adam.
Seven-pointed cross
This symbol has two crossbars - an upper one and a lower one. The foot has a deep mystical meaning in Christianity, as it connects both testaments - the Old and the New. The footstool is mentioned by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 60:13), the psalmist in Psalm No. 99, and you can also read about it in the book of Exodus (see: Exodus 30:28). The seven-pointed cross can be seen on the domes of Orthodox churches.
Seven-pointed Orthodox cross - image:
Six-pointed cross
What does a six-pointed cross mean? In this symbol, the lower inclined crossbar symbolizes the following: the raised end has the meaning of liberation through repentance, and the lowered end means unrepentant sin. This form of the cross was common in ancient times.
Cross with crescent
On the domes of churches you can see a cross with a crescent at the bottom. What does this church cross mean, does it have any connection with Islam? The crescent was a symbol of the Byzantine state, from where it came to us Orthodox faith. There are several different versions of the origin of this symbol.
- The crescent symbolizes the manger in which the Savior was born in Bethlehem.
- The crescent symbolizes the cup in which the body of the Savior resided.
- The crescent symbolizes the sail under which the ship of the church sails to the kingdom of God.
It is not known which version is correct. All we know is that the crescent was a symbol of the Byzantine state, and after its fall it became a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.
The difference between an Orthodox cross and a Catholic one
With the acquisition of the faith of their ancestors, many newly-made Christians do not know the main differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox one. Let's designate them:
- There is always more than one crossbar on an Orthodox cross.
- In the Catholic eight-pointed cross, all the crossbars are parallel to each other, but in the Orthodox one, the lower one is oblique.
- The Savior's face on the Orthodox cross does not express agony.
- The Savior’s legs on the Orthodox cross are closed; on the Catholic cross they are depicted one above the other.
Attracts special attention image of Christ on the Catholic and Orthodox cross. In Orthodox we see the Savior who gave humanity the path to eternal life. The Catholic cross depicts dead man, endured terrible torment.
If you know these differences, you can easily determine the identity of the symbol christian cross to one church or another.
Despite the variety of forms and symbolism of the cross, its strength lies not in the number of ends or the crucifixion depicted on them, but in repentance and faith in salvation. Any cross carries life-giving power.
The cross is the most recognizable symbol of Orthodoxy. But any of you have seen many types of crosses. Which one is correct? You will learn about this from our article!
Cross
Varieties of the cross
“The cross of any form is the true cross,” taught the Monk Theodore the Studite back inIX century. And in our time it happens that in churches they refuse to accept notes with four-pointed “Greek” crosses, forcing them to correct them to eight-pointed “Orthodox” ones. Is there one, “correct” cross? We asked the head of the MDA icon painting school, associate professor, abbot LUKU (Golovkova) and leading specialist in staurography, candidate of art history Svetlana Gnutova, to help figure this out.
What was the cross on which Christ was crucified?
« Cross“is a symbol of the Suffering of Christ, and not only a symbol, but an instrument through which the Lord saved us,” says Hegumen Luka (Golovkov). - Therefore, the Cross - 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 debate about which cross was correct, eight-pointed or four-pointed, was waged by Orthodox and Old Believers, with the latter calling a simple four-pointed cross “the seal of the Antichrist.” Saint John of Kronstadt spoke in defense of the four-pointed cross, devoting his candidate’s dissertation to this topic (he defended it in 1855 at St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences) “On the Cross of Christ, in denunciation of imaginary Old Believers”: “Who does not know and does not honor the Holy Cross with four ends from the elder and until the boy? And this well-known form of the cross, this most ancient shrine of faith, the seal of all the sacraments, like something new, unknown to our ancestors, appeared yesterday, our imaginary Old Believers suspected, disparaged, trampled underfoot in broad daylight, spewing blasphemies that from the very the beginning of Christianity and has until now served and continues to serve as a source of sanctification and salvation for everyone. Respecting only the eight-pointed or three-part cross, that is, a straight shaft and three diameters on it, located in a known way, they call the so-called four-pointed cross, which is the true and most common form of the cross, the seal of the Antichrist and the abomination of desolation!
St. John of Kronstadt explains: “The “Byzantine” four-pointed cross is actually a “Russian” cross, since, according to Church Tradition, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir brought from Korsun, where he was baptized, just such a cross and was the first to install it on the banks of the Dnieper in Kyiv. A similar four-pointed cross has been preserved in the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral, carved on the marble plaque 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 venerated equally, since the shape of the cross itself has no fundamental difference for believers. Hegumen Luke: “In Orthodox Church Its holiness does not depend in any way 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. Holy Fathers on the Fifth-Sixth Trullo Ecumenical Council 691-692, allegories were directly condemned and prohibited, 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 letter Greek alphabetΑ 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. “We happened to see this banner with our own eyes.” It had the following appearance: on a long spear covered with gold there was a transverse yard, which formed the sign of a cross with the spear, and on it the first two letters of the name Christ, combined together.”
These letters, later called the monogram of Constantine, were worn by the king on his helmet. After miraculous phenomenon 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 a Roman column, and the third with the inscription “Winner” on a high marble pillar in the city’s bread square. From 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 Prototype,” explains Abbot Luke. “After all, everything that surrounds us affects us in one way or another, good and bad. A holy reminder of the Lord helps the soul to direct its thoughts and hearts to God.”
From how 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 couches, on clothes, on weapons, at feasts, on vessels of silver and gold, on precious stones, on wall paintings... everyone is vying to admire this amazing gift.”
It is interesting that since the opportunity to legally make images of the cross arose in the Christian world, encrypted inscriptions and Christograms have not disappeared, but have migrated, as an addition, to the crosses themselves. This tradition also came to Russia. Since the 11th century, under the lower oblique crossbar of the eight-pointed crucifixion, which was installed in churches, a symbolic image of the head of Adam, buried, according to legend, on Golgotha, appears. The inscriptions are a brief commentary on the circumstances of the Lord’s crucifixion, the meaning of His death on the cross and are deciphered as follows: “M.L.R.B.” - “the place of execution was quickly crucified”, “G.G.” - “Mount Golgotha”, The letters “K” and “T” mean a copy of a warrior and a cane with a sponge, depicted along the cross. Above the middle crossbar are the inscriptions: “IC” “XC”, and below it: “NIKA” - “Winner”; on the sign or next to it there is the inscription: “SN BZHIY” - “Son of God”, “I.N.Ts.I” - “Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews”; Above the sign is the inscription: “TSR SLVY” - “King of Glory.” "G.A." - “head of Adam”; Moreover, the bones of the hands lying in front of the head are depicted: right on left, as during burial or communion.
Catholic or Orthodox Crucifix?
“The Catholic Crucifixion is often written more naturalistically,” says Svetlana Gnutova. — The Savior is depicted hanging 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 entire 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 his palms clenched into a fist, rather than open. “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. Hegumen Luke: “This is enough 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 prayer, 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.”