Orthodox cross
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The Orthodox, Byzantine[1][2][3] or Russian (Orthodox) Cross[1][4][5][6] is a variation of the Christian cross, commonly found in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine rite. The cross has three horizontal crossbeams—the top represents the plate inscribed with INRI, and the bottom, a footrest. In the Russian Orthodox tradition, the lower beam is slanted: the side to Christ's right is usually higher. In the Greek and some other Orthodox Churches, the footrest remains straight, as in earlier representations.
Russian variations
In Russia, the top crossbeam can be absent; however, in the Russian North it can be attached on top of the vertical beam.[7]
A variation is a monastic "Calvary Cross", in which the cross is situated atop the hill of Calvary, its slopes symbolized by steps. To the viewer's left is the Holy Lance, with which Jesus was wounded in his side, and to the right, a cane with a wine-saturated sponge. Under Calvary are Adam's skull and bones;[2] the right-arm bone is usually above the left one, and believers fold their arms across their chests in this way during Orthodox communion. Around the cross are abbreviations in Church Slavonic. This type of cross is usually embroidered on a schema-monk's robe.
Between 1577–1625, the Russian Orthodox Cross was depicted between the heads of a double-headed eagle in the coat of arms of Russia. It was drawn on military banners until the end of the 17th century.[8]
Gallery
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Coat of arms of Russia from the seal of Ivan IV (the Terrible), 1577
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Coat of arms of Russia from the seal of Fyodor I, 1589
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A rider with the banner from an icon Blessed Be the Host of the King of Heaven (Church Militant), 1550s
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A 17th century miniature of the Battle of Kulikovo (1380). A warrior bears a red banner with a cross
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A copper cross typical for Old believers
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A cross of a Russian Orthodox priest
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A modern memorial to Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
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Coat of arms of Kherson Governorate, Russian Empire, 1878
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Russian depiction in which the traditional INRI plank is instead marked with "ЦР҃Ь СЛ҃ВЫ", standing for "King of Glory"
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Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery, the resting place of many eminent Russian émigrés.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Becker, Udo (2000). The Continuum encyclopedia of symbols. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-8264-1221-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 McGuckin, John Anthony (2011). "Cross". In John Anthony McGuckin. The encyclopedia of Eastern Orthodox Christianity 1. John Wiley and Sons. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-4051-8539-4.
- ↑ Ogechukwu, Nwaocha (2009). The Secret Behind the Cross and Crucifix. Strategic Book Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-60693-367-1.
- ↑ Duquette, Lon Milo (2007). The Ankh: Key of Life. Weiser Books. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-57863-410-1.
- ↑ Liungman, Carl G. (2004). Symbols - Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms. Ionfox AB. p. 140. ISBN 978-91-972705-0-2.
- ↑ Thomas, Robert Murray (2007). Manitou and God: North-American Indian religions and Christian culture. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 121–122. ISBN 978-0-313-34779-5.
- ↑ Kuznetsov 1997.
- ↑ Shpakovsky, Viacheslav; Nicolle, David; McBride, Angus (2006). "Infantry and cavalry banners". Armies of Ivan the Terrible: Russian Troops 1505-1700. Osprey Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-84176-925-7.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Orthodox crosses. |
- "Explanation of the Three-Bar Cross". Church of the Nativity: Russian Orthodox Old Rite. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- V. Rev. John Shandra. "The Skull on the "Russian" Orthodox Cross". Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- (Russian) Kuznetsov, V. P. [Кузнецов В. П.] (1997). History of the development of the cross's forms. Short course of Orthodox staurography. История развития формы креста. Краткий курс православной ставрографии. Moscow.