20 little—known facts about the Orthodox Cross - what you need to know on the occasion of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Every year on September 27, the Orthodox Church celebrates an important holiday — the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which commemorates the shrine on which the Savior was crucified. Since the crucifixion of Christ, the Orthodox cross has become one of the most important and recognizable symbols of Christianity. In honor of this important holiday, Izvestia has prepared interesting facts about the Orthodox cross.

1. The oldest symbol

The cross as a symbol dates back thousands of years, it is found in many ancient religions. In ancient Egypt, this symbol was called Ankh and meant eternal life. In Babylon, it was considered a symbol of Anu, the god of heaven, and in Assyria, it was an attribute of Ashur, the Sun god. The Romans used a tool resembling the letter "T", it was called "tau-cross" (from the Greek letter "tau"). But it was only after the Resurrection of Christ that it became a symbol of the victory of life over death and a sign of belonging to Christianity.

2. Variety of shapes

There is a huge variety of crosses among different nations: the equilateral four-pointed cross is now called the Greek cross, and it is often used to decorate temples, icons, and priestly vestments. According to church tradition, it was such a cross that Prince Vladimir the Great brought with him after his baptism.

After Equal-to-the-Apostles Elena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the cross on which the Savior was crucified, the image of the cross began to change, and the vertical part lengthened. It was named Roman.

In the Russian Orthodox Church, elongated six-pointed or eight-pointed crosses are most often used.

3. What do the oblique and upper crossbars mean?

Two more crossbars were added to the four-pointed cross. The bottom, the foot, is slightly tilted, it has several meanings.

According to one version, the tilt of the crossbar indicates the fate of the two robbers who were crucified next to Christ. To the right (repentant) it rises, symbolizing the ascent to heaven, and falls to the left, indicating the fall into hell.

The upper one reminds of the plaque that was nailed at the behest of Pontius Pilate after the crucifixion of Christ. The inscription read: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

4. The symbolism of the number eight

The eight-pointed cross is associated with the number "8", which is important in the Bible. On the eighth day after the seven days of creation, a new life began. Eight people of Noah's family laid a new beginning for humanity. In the Old Testament, a person enters into an eternal Covenant with God through circumcision, which was performed on an infant on the eighth day.

5. The inscription "INCI", "INCI" or "INRI"

There are different versions of the inscription on the upper crossbar of the crosses. You can find "INCI" — an abbreviation of the words "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The name "Jesus of Nazareth, King of Judea" is also common. The third option is "INRI", which is an abbreviation of "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" from Latin.

6. The Cross of Worship

The Cross of Worship is a monumental structure installed outside the building and intended for prayer and worship of the crucified Savior.

They were installed for various reasons: instead of a destroyed temple or on the site of a future one; in deserted places, a place was consecrated in this way, which testified to the grace of God, and they were also installed to protect against demons and misfortunes.

7. Additional images on the cross

In addition to the inscription "INCI" and the figure of the Savior, other details may be depicted on the Orthodox cross, among them:

— a spear and a cane are instruments of the Passion of Christ, or figures of soldiers holding a spear and a cane;

— a wall or a building of Jerusalem can be depicted behind the cross.;

— next to the pierced side of Christ on the crucifixion, a Eucharistic chalice can be placed, which recalls the flesh and blood of Christ, which gave rise to the church.;

— the Mother of God and John the Theologian can stand on the right and left sides, sometimes they depict one of the myrrh-bearing wives, John the Baptist or the Apostles Peter and Paul;

— the lower part of the cross may contain the stones of Mount Calvary and Adam's Head (the skull of Adam, buried, according to legend, on Calvary).

8. The cross is an instrument of shame, which has become a symbol of victory

In the Roman Empire, crucifixion was the most shameful and was reserved for slaves. After the Savior died voluntarily on the cross, accepting the sins of mankind, the cross became a symbol of victory over death and a symbol of God's love for people.

9. "The life-giving tree"

The Cross of the Lord is revered as a "life-giving tree", that is, a tree that gives life. Without the crucifixion, there would have been no Resurrection of Christ, and the cross from an instrument of execution became a shrine in which the grace of God works.

10. The Sign of the Cross

It is not known for certain when exactly the gesture of making the sign of the cross appeared. In the ancient church (before the schism), the one-finger sign of the cross (only on the forehead) was common. The broad sign of the cross became common practice around the fourth century. It is also used today.

11. Crossing yourself with three fingers

In the Russian Orthodox Church, after St. Nicholas, they cross themselves by putting three fingers together — in honor of the Holy Trinity. For comparison, Catholics make the sign of the cross with all five fingers.

12. The basil plant

According to legend, the cross on which the "King of this World" was crucified was found next to a growing basil. "Tsar" in Greek sounds like "vasilyas", and basil — "vasilikos" — translates as "royal".

13. The cross as a talisman

In Russia, crosses were considered saving. People believed that this sign, especially made in silver, could protect against dark forces and various troubles.

14. The difference with the Catholic Cross

The main difference between the Orthodox and the Catholic cross is the very image of Jesus. Catholics do not always have an image of the Savior. If there is one, then God is shown dead, with blood on his face and wounds on his arms, legs, and ribs. In Orthodoxy, he is depicted resurrected, with his palms open, as if Christ is calling people to be with him in the Kingdom of Heaven.

15. The shape of the cross is not important

Neither Catholics nor Orthodox Christians attach much importance to the shape of the cross. However, Catholics often use a simple four-pointed cross, sometimes with a crucifix. In Orthodoxy, more complex forms are used, with additional crossbars.

16. The expression "bear your cross"

The expression "carry your cross" is a reference to the biblical legend of how the Savior was condemned to death and how he carried the wooden cross on which he would be crucified to the place of execution.

Christ once said, "If anyone wants to come after Me, deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me."

The phrase means that a true follower of God can only be a person who is ready to give up his own goals, desires and pleasures; one who can meekly endure all difficulties and trials until death; one who is ready to accept suffering in the name of his faith.

17. The Dove and the Cross

In iconography, a dove is often depicted next to the cross, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

18. The Procession

A religious procession is a solemn church procession that can be either around or inside a church, or from one church to another. Those participating in it carry icons, banners and other shrines, and the procession is led by priests with a large cross. On September 7, a citywide procession was held in Moscow for the first time since the beginning of the 20th century.

19. Why do we wear crosses

For Christians, the cross is a symbol of belonging to the Lord and the main image of Salvation. By making the sign of the cross and wearing it on their chests, believers praise Jesus.

20. What are crosses made of?

Today, crosses are made of wood, metal, and stone, but it's not the shape or cost that matters, but the faith of the wearer. It is important to consecrate the cross in the temple before putting it on.