Cross. crucifix

A believer wears a cross according to the rules. But how to choose the right one and not get confused in their diversity? You will learn about the symbolism and meaning of crosses from our article.

There are a lot of types of crosses and many people already know what not to do with a pectoral cross and how to wear it correctly. Therefore, first of all, the question arises of which of them are related to the Orthodox faith and which are related to the Catholic faith. In both types Christian religion There are several types of crosses, which need to be understood so as not to be confused.

The main differences of the Orthodox cross

• has three transverse lines: the upper and lower ones are short, and between them there is a long one;
• at the ends of the cross there can be three semicircles, reminiscent of a trefoil;
• on some Orthodox crosses there may be a month at the bottom instead of an oblique transverse line - this sign was inherited from Byzantium, from which Orthodoxy was adopted;
• Jesus Christ is crucified at the feet with two nails, while on a Catholic crucifix there is only one nail;
• There is a certain naturalism on the Catholic crucifix that reflects the torment of Jesus Christ that he endured for the people: the body looks literally heavy and hangs from his arms. The Orthodox crucifix shows the triumph of God and the joy of the Resurrection, the overcoming of death, therefore the body is, as it were, superimposed on top, rather than hanging on the cross.

Catholic crosses

First of all, these include the so-called latin cross. Like everything, it consists of vertical and horizontal lines, with the vertical one being noticeably longer. Its symbolism is as follows: this is exactly what the cross that Christ carried to Calvary looked like. It was previously used in paganism. With the adoption of Christianity, the Latin cross became a symbol of faith and is sometimes associated with opposite things: death and resurrection.

Another similar cross, but with three transverse lines, is called papal. It is associated only with the Pope and is used in ceremonies.

There are also many types of crosses that were used by all kinds of knightly Orders, such as the Teutonic or Maltese. Since they were subordinated to the Pope, these crosses can also be considered Catholic. They look slightly different from each other, but what they have in common is that their lines taper noticeably towards the center.

Cross of Lorraine very similar to the previous one, but has two crossbars, and one of them may be shorter than the other. The name indicates the area in which this symbol appeared. The Cross of Lorraine appears on the coats of arms of cardinals and archbishops. Also, this cross is a symbol of the Greek Orthodox Church, so it cannot be fully called Catholic.

Orthodox crosses

Faith, of course, implies that the cross must be worn constantly and not removed, except in the most rare situations. Therefore, you need to choose it with understanding. The most widely used cross in Orthodoxy is eight-pointed. It is depicted as follows: One vertical line, a large horizontal line just above the center and two more shorter crossbars: above and below it. In this case, the lower one is always tilted and its right part is at a level lower than the left.

The symbolism of this cross is as follows: it already shows the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The upper transverse line corresponds to a nailed crossbar with the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” According to biblical legend, the Romans joked about him this way after they had already crucified him on the cross and were waiting for his death. The crossbar symbolizes the one to which Christ's hands were nailed, and the lower one symbolizes where his feet were chained.

The tilt of the lower crossbar is explained as follows: two thieves were crucified along with Jesus Christ. According to legend, one of them repented before the Son of God and then received forgiveness. The second one began to mock and only worsened his situation.

However, the first cross that was first brought from Byzantium to Russia was the so-called Greek cross. It, like the Roman one, is four-pointed. The difference is that it consists of identical rectangular crossbars and is completely isosceles. It served as the basis for many other types of crosses, including crosses of Catholic orders.

Other types of crosses

St. Andrew's cross is very similar to the letter X or an inverted Greek cross. It is believed that this is exactly what Apostle Andrew the First-Called was crucified on. Used in Russia on the Navy flag. It is also featured on the flag of Scotland.

The Celtic cross is also similar to the Greek one. He is definitely taken into the circle. This symbol has been used for a very long time in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as parts of Britain. At a time when Catholicism was not widespread, Celtic Christianity predominated in this area, which used this symbol.

Sometimes a cross can appear in a dream. This can be either a good or a very bad omen, as the dream book states. All the best, and don't forget to press the buttons and

26.07.2016 07:08

Our dreams are a reflection of our consciousness. They can tell us a lot about our future, past...

Domes Orthodox churches crowned with crosses. Believers wear crosses on their chests to always be under the protection of God.

What should a proper Orthodox be like? pectoral cross IR? on his back side there is an inscription: “Save and preserve.” However, this attribute is not a talisman that can protect against all misfortunes.

The pectoral cross is a symbol of the “cross” that God gives to a person who wants to serve Him - in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him turn aside, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8, 34).

A person who wears a cross thereby gives a guarantee that he will live according to the commandments of God and steadfastly endure all the trials that befall him.

Our story about what to consider when choosing an Orthodox cross will be incomplete if we do not turn to history and talk about the festival dedicated to this Christian attribute.

In memory of the discovery of the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem in 326, near Golgotha, where Jesus Christ was crucified, the Orthodox Church celebrates a holiday called the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-giving Cross The Lord's. This holiday symbolizes the triumph of the Church of Christ, which has gone through a difficult path of trials and persecution and spread throughout the world.

As legend says, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, Queen Helena, went in search of the Holy Cross to Palestine. Excavations were carried out here, as a result of which the cave of the Holy Sepulcher was found, and three crosses were discovered not far from it. They were placed one by one on a sick woman, who, thanks to touching the Cross of the Lord, was healed.

According to another legend, a dead person carried by a funeral procession was resurrected from contact with this cross. However, what exactly the cross on which Christ was crucified looked like is unknown. Only two separate crossbars were found, along with a sign and a footstool.

Queen Helena brought part of the Life-Giving Tree and nails to Constantinople. And Emperor Constantine erected a temple in Jerusalem in 325 in honor of the Ascension of Christ, which included the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha.

The cross began to be used as a symbol of faith thanks to Emperor Constantine. As the church historian Eusebius Pamphilus testifies, “Christ, the Son of God, appeared in a dream to the emperor with a sign seen in heaven and commanded, having made a banner similar to this seen in heaven, to use it for protection from the attacks of enemies.”

Constantine ordered images of the cross to be placed on the shields of his soldiers and installed three commemorative Orthodox crosses in Constantinople with gold inscriptions in Greek “IC.XP.NIKA”, which means “Jesus Christ the Victor”.

What should be the correct pectoral cross?

There are different graphic types of crosses: Greek, Latin, St. Peter's cross (inverted cross), Papal cross, etc. No matter how different the different branches of Christianity may be, this shrine is revered by all denominations.

But if in Catholicism Jesus Christ is depicted sagging in his arms, which emphasizes His martyrdom, then in Orthodoxy the Savior appears in power - as a winner, calling the entire Universe into His arms.

The palms of Jesus on the Orthodox cross are usually open; the figure expresses peace and dignity. In Him are embodied His most important hypostases - Divine and Human.

Attribute Catholic crucifix is the Crown of Thorns. In the Orthodox artistic tradition it is rare.

Also in Catholic images, Christ is crucified with three nails, that is, nails are driven into both hands, and the soles of his feet are put together and nailed with one nail. In the Orthodox crucifix, each foot of the Savior is nailed separately with its own nail, and a total of four nails are depicted.

Canon image Orthodox crucifix was approved back in 692 by the Tula Cathedral and remains unchanged to this day. Of course, Orthodox believers should use crosses that are made in accordance with the Orthodox tradition.

It must be said that the debate about what a Christian cross of the correct shape should be - eight-pointed or four-pointed - has been going on for a long time. In particular, it was led by Orthodox believers and Old Believers.

According to Abbot Luke,
“in the Orthodox Church, its holiness does not depend 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.”

What form of the pectoral cross is considered correct in Orthodoxy?

The Orthodox Church recognizes four-pointed, six-pointed, and eight-pointed types of crosses (the latter, with two additional partitions - one inclined to the left side for the legs and a crossbar at the head, are used more often), with or without the image of the crucified Savior (however, such a symbol cannot be 12-point or 16-point).

The letters ІС ХС are a christogram, symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ. Also, the Orthodox cross has the inscription “Save and Preserve.”

Catholics also do not give of great importance in the shape of a cross, the image of the Savior is not always found on Catholic crosses.

Why is the cross called a cross in Orthodoxy?

Only clergy wear crosses over their clothes, and ordinary believers should not wear crucifixes for show, thereby demonstrating their faith, because such a manifestation of pride is not appropriate for Christians.

It must also be said that an Orthodox pectoral cross can be made from different materials– gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber, decorated with ornaments or precious stones. The main thing is that it must be sanctified.

If you bought it in church shop, you don’t have to worry about this: they sell already consecrated crosses there. This does not apply to items purchased in jewelry stores, and such crosses will need to be consecrated in the temple. During this ritual, the priest will read prayers calling to protect not only the soul, but also the body of the believer from evil forces.

Story Orthodox cross dates back many centuries. Kinds 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 away 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 the anchor referred to a certain church ship that sent everyone to a “quiet harbor” 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 on 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 in 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. In the museum ancient Russian art Named after Andrei Rublev, exactly such a copper cross is kept, 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. could be found great amount variety of flowers and leaves in the shape of a heart. 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 the 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 Orthodox canon 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 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. Besides, in Holy Scripture Jesus is said to be 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. Into the Age Russian Empire During the reign of Paul I and before him, under Peter I and Elizabeth 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 church 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 seems to be an important and integral element Old Testament altar, which symbolizes the redemption of God's anointed. 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 thorny suffering and the thorny path that 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, the Russian Emperor, ruler of the Maltese, and therefore 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. By ancient tradition these words, together with the cross, are printed on the prosphora 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 both equal sides, and the 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 has become widespread in ancient culture Aryans, Iranians, 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. 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 possible types It's hard 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 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 was another one before hallmark, which is not currently 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 in honor of memorable dates or holidays to install votive crosses. Usually such events were associated with death large quantity of people. It could be fires or famine, as well as 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 the Novgorod principality, personalized votive crosses were installed. After that, the tradition passed to the northern Russian principalities.

Sometimes certain people they installed a votive cross as a sign of a certain 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 the Tatar yoke. There is a belief that the most courageous residents, who hid from raids in the thickets of the forest, after the end of the danger, returned to the burned village 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.

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, the grapevine 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 boxes of the words “Jesus Christ the Son of God the 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. It's 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 Mother of God 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

Angel symbolizes human nature Christ, his earthly incarnation. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Matthew.

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 dates the emergence of the symbolism of the cross in general to primitive times, when people made fire with the help of two crossed sticks.

Early images of the cross can be found in a wide variety of forms: T, X, + or t. If the cross was depicted as equilateral, it symbolized 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 and acquired Christian significance. 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 the Orthodox tradition, the cross can be depicted in different ways: from two crossed lines to a complex combination of several crossbars with additional symbols. All types of Orthodox crosses carry a single meaning and meaning - salvation. The eight-pointed cross, which is also common in the countries of the eastern Mediterranean and of 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 - the right side is higher than the left. This has a certain symbolism: the right foot of Christ rests on right side, which is higher than the left one. According to Jesus, at the Last Judgment the righteous will stand right hand from him, and sinners are on the 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 Calvary tragedy. 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. On Catholic cross depicted 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.