What should an Orthodox cross be like? (photo). Orthodox pectoral cross

In Christianity, the veneration of the cross belongs to Catholics and Orthodox Christians. The symbolic figure adorns the domes of churches, houses, icons and other church paraphernalia. The Orthodox cross is of great importance for believers, emphasizing their endless commitment to religion. No less interesting is the history of the appearance of the symbol, where the variety of forms allows us to reflect the depth of Orthodox culture.

The history and significance of the Orthodox cross

Many people perceive the cross as a symbol of Christianity. Initially, the figure symbolized the murder weapon in the executions of Jews during the times of Ancient Rome. Criminals and Christians who had been persecuted since the reign of Nero were executed in this way. Similar view killing was practiced in ancient times by the Phoenicians and migrated through the Carthaginian colonists to the Roman Empire.

When Jesus Christ was crucified on a stake, the attitude towards the sign changed in positive side. The death of the Lord was the atonement for the sins of the human race and the recognition of all nations. His sufferings covered people's debts to the Father God.

Jesus carried a simple crosshair up the mountain, then the foot was attached by the soldiers when it became clear to what level Christ’s feet reached. At the top there was a sign with the inscription: “This is Jesus, King of the Jews,” nailed by order of Pontius Pilate. From that moment on, the eight-pointed shape was born Orthodox cross.

Any believer, seeing the holy crucifix, involuntarily thinks about the martyrdom of the Savior, accepted as deliverance from the eternal death of humanity after the fall of Adam and Eve. The Orthodox cross carries an emotional and spiritual load, the image of which appears to the inner gaze of the believer. As Saint Justin stated: “The cross is the great symbol of the power and authority of Christ.” In Greek, “symbol” means “union” or the manifestation of an invisible reality through naturalness.

The inculcation of symbolic images became difficult during the time of the Jews with the emergence of the New Testament church in Palestine. At that time adherence to traditions was revered and images considered as idolatry were prohibited. As the number of Christians increased, the influence of the Jewish worldview decreased. In the first centuries after the execution of the Lord, followers of Christianity were persecuted and performed rituals in secret. The oppressed situation, the lack of protection of the state and the church directly affected the symbolism and worship.

Symbols reflected the dogmas and formulas of the Sacraments, contributed to the expression of the word and were the sacred language of transmitting faith and defending church teaching. That is why the cross was of great importance for Christians, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and bestowing eternal light of life over the darkness of hell.

How the cross is depicted: features of external manifestation

There are various options crucifix designs where you can see simple shapes with straight lines or complex geometric shapes, complemented by a variety of symbolism. The religious load of all structures is the same, only the external design differs.

In the Mediterranean eastern countries, Russia, in eastern Europe they adhere to the eight-pointed form of the crucifix - Orthodox. Its other name is “The Cross of St. Lazarus.”

The crosshair consists of a small upper crossbar, a large lower crossbar and an inclined foot. The vertical crossbar, located at the bottom of the pillar, was intended to support the feet of Christ. The direction of the crossbar's tilt does not change: the right end is higher than the left. This situation means that on the day of the Last Judgment the righteous will stand right hand, and sinners are on the left. The kingdom of heaven is given to the righteous, as evidenced by the right corner raised upward. Sinners are cast into the depths of hell - the left end indicates.

For Orthodox symbols The monogram is characteristically inscribed mainly at the ends of the middle crosshair - IC and XC, denoting the name of Jesus Christ. Moreover, the inscriptions are located under the middle crossbar - “Son of God”, then in Greek NIKA - translated as “winner”.

The small crossbar contains an inscription with a tablet made by order of Pontius Pilate, and contains the abbreviation Inzi (ІНЦІ - in Orthodoxy), and Inri (INRI - in Catholicism), - this is how the words “Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews” are designated. The eight-pointed display conveys with great certainty the instrument of Jesus’ death.

Rules of construction: proportions and sizes

Classic version of the eight-pointed crosshair is built in the correct harmonious proportion, which consists in the fact that everything embodied by the Creator is perfect. The construction is based on the law of the golden ratio, which is based on the perfection of the human body and sounds like this: the result of dividing the height of a person by the distance from the navel to the feet is 1.618, and coincides with the result obtained from dividing the height by the distance from the navel to the top of the head. A similar ratio of proportions is contained in many things, including the Christian cross, the photo of which is an example of construction according to the law of the golden ratio.

The drawn crucifix fits into a rectangle, its sides are adjusted to the rules of the golden ratio - height divided by width equals 1.618. Another feature is that the span of a person’s arms is equal to his height, so a figure with outstretched arms is harmoniously contained in a square. Thus, the size of the middle intersection corresponds to the span of the Savior’s arms and is equal to the distance from the crossbar to the beveled foot and is characteristic of the height of Christ. Anyone planning to write a cross or apply a vector pattern should take these rules into account.

Pectoral crosses in Orthodoxy are considered to be those worn under clothing, closer to the body. It is not recommended to display the symbol of faith in public by wearing it over clothing. Church products have an eight-pointed shape. But there are crosses without upper and lower crossbars - four-pointed ones, these are also allowed to be worn.

The canonical version looks like eight-pointed products with or without an image of the Savior in the center. The custom of wearing church crosses made of different material, arose in the first half of the 4th century. Initially, it was customary for followers of the Christian faith to wear not crosses, but medallions with the image of the Lord.

During periods of persecution from the middle of the 1st century to the beginning of the 4th century, there were martyrs who expressed a desire to suffer for Christ and applied crosshairs to their foreheads. Using their distinctive sign, volunteers were quickly identified and martyred. The emergence of the Christian religion introduced the custom of wearing crucifixes, and at the same time they were installed on the roofs of churches.

The variety of forms and types of the cross does not contradict the Christian religion. It is believed that every manifestation of the symbol is a true cross, carrying life-giving power and heavenly beauty. To understand what they are Orthodox crosses, types and meaning, let's look at the main types of design:

In Orthodoxy highest value is paid not so much to the form as to the image on the product. Six-pointed and eight-pointed figures are more common.

Six-pointed Russian Orthodox cross

On a crucifix, the inclined lower crossbar acts as a measuring scale, assessing the life of each person and his internal state. The figure has been used in Rus' since ancient times. The six-pointed worship cross, introduced by Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk, dates back to 1161. The sign was used in Russian heraldry as part of the coat of arms of the Kherson province. The miraculous power of the crucified Christ lay in the number of its ends.

Eight-pointed cross

The most common type is a symbol of the Orthodox Russian Church. It is called differently - Byzantine. The eight-pointed shape was formed after the act of crucifixion of the Lord; before that, the shape was equilateral. A special feature is the lower foot, in addition to the two upper horizontal ones.

Together with the Creator, two more criminals were executed, one of whom began to mock the Lord, hinting that if Christ is true, then he is obliged to save them. Another condemned man objected to him that they were real criminals, and Jesus was falsely convicted. The defender was on the right hand, so the left end of the foot was raised upward, symbolizing eminence above other criminals. The right side of the crossbar is lowered as a sign of humiliation of the others before the justice of the words of the defender.

Greek cross

Also called "korsunchik" Old Russian. Traditionally used in Byzantium, it is considered one of the oldest Russian crucifixes. Tradition says that Prince Vladimir was baptized in Korsun, from where he took the crucifix and installed it on the banks of the Dnieper Kievan Rus. The four-pointed image has been preserved to this day in the St. Sophia Cathedral of Kyiv, where it is carved on a marble slab for the burial of Prince Yaroslav, who was the son of St. Vladimir.

Maltese cross

Refers to the officially accepted symbolic crucifix of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem on the island of Malta. The movement openly opposed Freemasonry, and, according to some information, participated in organizing the murder of Pavel Petrovich, the Russian Emperor who patronized the Maltese. Figuratively, the cross is represented by equilateral rays that widen at the ends. Awarded for military merit and courage.

The figure contains the Greek letter "Gamma" and resembles in appearance the ancient Indian sign of the swastika, meaning the highest being, bliss. First depicted by Christians in the Roman catacombs. It was often used to decorate church utensils, gospels, and was embroidered on the clothes of Byzantine church servants.

The symbol was widespread in the culture of the ancient Iranians and Aryans, and was often found in China and Egypt during the Paleolithic era. The swastika was revered in many areas of the Roman Empire and ancient Slavic pagans. The sign was depicted on rings, jewelry, and rings, signifying fire or the sun. The swastika was churched by Christianity and many ancient pagan traditions were reinterpreted. In Rus', the image of the swastika was used in decoration church items, ornaments and mosaics.

What does the cross on church domes mean?

Domed crosses with a crescent decorated cathedrals since ancient times. One of these was the Cathedral of St. Sophia of Vologda, built in 1570. In the pre-Mongol period, an eight-pointed form of a dome was often found, under the crossbar of which there was a crescent moon turned upside down by its horns.

There are various explanations for such symbolism. The most famous concept is compared to a ship's anchor, which is considered a symbol of salvation. In another version, the moon is symbolized by the font in which the temple is clothed.

The meaning of the month is interpreted in different ways:

• The Bethlehem font that received the infant Christ.
• Eucharistic cup containing the body of Christ.
• Church ship, led by Christ.
• The serpent trampled under the cross and placed at the feet of the Lord.

Many people are concerned about the question - what is the difference between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox one. In fact, it is quite easy to distinguish them. Catholicism has a four-pointed cross, on which the hands and feet of the Savior are crucified with three nails. A similar display appeared in the 3rd century in the Roman catacombs, but still remains popular.

Distinctive features:

Over the past millennia, the Orthodox cross has invariably protected the believer, being a talisman against evil visible and invisible forces. The symbol is a reminder of the Lord’s sacrifice for salvation and the manifestation of love for humanity.

Pectoral cross- a small cross, symbolically representing the cross on which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified (sometimes with an image of the Crucified One, sometimes without such an image), intended for constant wear Orthodox Christian as a sign of his loyalty to Christ, belonging to the Orthodox Church, serving as a means of protection.

The cross is the greatest Christian shrine, a visible evidence of our redemption. In the service for the Feast of the Exaltation, the tree of the Cross of the Lord is sung with many praises: “the guardian of the entire universe, beauty, the power of kings, the affirmation of the faithful, glory and plague.”

A pectoral cross is given to a baptized person who becomes a Christian and is constantly worn in the most important place (near the heart) as an image of the Cross of the Lord, an outward sign of an Orthodox person. This is also done as a reminder that the Cross of Christ is a weapon against fallen spirits, having the power to heal and give life. That is why the Cross of the Lord is called Life-Giving!

He is evidence that a person is a Christian (a follower of Christ and a member of His Church). This is why it is a sin for those who wear a cross for fashion without being a member of the Church. Consciously wearing a cross on the body is a wordless prayer, allowing this cross to demonstrate the true power of the Archetype - the Cross of Christ, which always protects the wearer, even if he does not ask for help, or does not have the opportunity to cross himself.

The cross is consecrated only once. It needs to be reconsecrated only in exceptional conditions (if it was severely damaged and restored again, or fell into your hands, but you do not know whether it was consecrated before).

There is a superstition that when consecrated, the cross acquires magical protective properties. But it teaches that the sanctification of matter allows us not only spiritually, but also physically - through this sanctified matter - to join the Divine grace that we need for spiritual growth and salvation. But the grace of God does not act unconditionally. A person is required to have a correct spiritual life, and it is this that makes it possible for the grace of God to have a salutary effect on us, healing us from passions and sins.

Sometimes you hear the opinion that the consecration of crosses is a late tradition and that this has never happened before. To this we can answer that the Gospel, as a book, also once did not exist and there was no Liturgy in its current form. But this does not mean at all that the Church cannot develop forms of worship and church piety. Is it contrary to Christian doctrine to invoke God’s grace on the creation of human hands?

Is it possible to wear two crosses?

The main question is why, for what purpose? If you were given another one, then it is quite possible to reverently keep one of them in a holy corner next to the icons, and wear one constantly. If you bought another one, then wear it...
A Christian is buried with a pectoral cross, so it is not passed on by inheritance. As for wearing a second pectoral cross somehow left behind by a deceased relative, wearing it as a sign of memory of the deceased indicates a misunderstanding of the essence of wearing a cross, which testifies to the Sacrifice of God, and not family relationships.

A pectoral cross is not an ornament or an amulet, but one of the visible evidence of belonging to the Church of Christ, a means of grace-filled protection and a reminder of the Savior’s commandment: If anyone wants to follow Me, deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me... ().

Most often, Catholics depict the cross as four-pointed.

Four-pointed crosses have been known since the 3rd century. Having once appeared in the Roman catacombs, they remain to this day the main form of depiction of the cross among Catholics. However, Catholics do not attach of great importance the shape of a cross, noting that this is not the basis of the creed. The image of the Savior is not always found on Catholic crosses, but if it is present, then Jesus’ feet are nailed with three nails. Catholics believe that three nails were used in the Crucifixion. Above the head of Jesus there is a tablet on which is written in Latin “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” - INRI. Usually above the head of the crucified person there was a description of his crime. Pontius Pilate did not find another name for the “crime” of the Savior.

Catholic cross: difference from the Orthodox one

The Orthodox cross does not always have an eight-pointed shape, although this is the form of the cross used by Orthodox Christians in the East. A lower crossbar can also be added to an Orthodox cross, which symbolizes the “righteous standard.” On one side of the scale are sins, on the other are the good and righteous deeds of people.

The shape of the cross is also not decisive for Orthodox Christians. Much more important in this case is what is depicted on the cross. So the sign “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” in Orthodoxy looks like IHHI (in Slavic-Russian). Jesus' feet are not nailed to the cross together and there are only four nails on the crucifix. Letters IC XC to the right and left hand The Savior are a Christogram and stand for Jesus Christ.

On the reverse side of the Orthodox cross there is always the inscription “Save and Preserve.”

The palms of Jesus on the Orthodox cross are usually open. It’s as if Jesus is taking the world into his arms. On the Catholic cross, the Savior's hands can be clenched into fists.

The use of the cross also differs: during burial, Orthodox Christians place a cross at the feet of the deceased, and Catholics place a cross at the head of the deceased. However, the rule is not mandatory and mainly depends on the local traditions of Christians. Catholics always install a four-pointed cross on domes (spires near churches), but in Orthodoxy there are different forms of crosses.

Catholic and Orthodox cross - is the difference significant?

The Monk Theodore the Studite wrote “the cross of every form is the true cross.” Neither Catholics nor Orthodox Christians attach much importance to the shape of the cross. The Catholic cross has changed over the centuries, just like the Orthodox one. Thus, until the 10th century, Christ was depicted on the cross as resurrected and triumphant; the image of the dead and suffering Christ appeared only in the 10th century and is more often found among Catholics.

In both Catholicism and Orthodoxy there are six and eight-pointed crosses, these are the crosses of the hierarchy (archiepiscopal and papal).

The main thing that unites all Christians: if earlier the cross was an instrument of torture and shame, then after Christ’s sacrifice on the cross it became a symbol of the victory of good over evil. The Lord himself spoke about the necessity and significance of the feat of the cross: “ He who does not take up his cross (deviates from the feat) and follows Me (calls himself a Christian) is unworthy of Me"(Matthew 10:38). The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, also addressed the topic of the sacrifice of the cross: “ Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of words, so as not to make the cross of Christ abolish. For the word about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and destroy the understanding of the prudent. Where is the sage? where is the scribe? where is the questioner of this century? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into foolishness? For when the world through its wisdom did not know God in the wisdom of God, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For both the Jews demand miracles, and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a stumbling block, and for the Greeks foolishness, but for those who are called, Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God"(1 Cor. 1:17-24).

Among all Christians, only Orthodox and Catholics venerate crosses and icons. They decorate the domes of churches, their houses, and wear them around their necks with crosses.

The reason why a person wears pectoral cross, everyone has their own. Some people pay tribute to fashion in this way, for others the cross is a beautiful piece of jewelry, for others it brings good luck and is used as a talisman. But there are also those for whom the pectoral cross worn at baptism is truly a symbol of their endless faith.

Today, shops and church shops offer a wide variety of crosses various shapes. However, very often not only parents who are planning to baptize a child, but also sales consultants cannot explain where the Orthodox cross is and where the Catholic one is, although it is, in fact, very simple to distinguish them. In the Catholic tradition - a quadrangular cross with three nails. In Orthodoxy there are four-pointed, six- and eight-pointed crosses, with four nails for the hands and feet.

Cross shape

Four-pointed cross

So, in the West the most common is four-pointed cross. Starting from the 3rd century, when similar crosses first appeared in the Roman catacombs, the entire Orthodox East still uses this form of the cross as equal to all others.

Eight-pointed Orthodox cross

For Orthodoxy, the shape of the cross is not particularly important, much more more attention is paid to what is depicted on it, but the eight-pointed and six-pointed crosses are the most popular.

Eight-pointed Orthodox cross most corresponds to the historically accurate form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified. The Orthodox cross, which is most often used by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches, contains, in addition to a large horizontal crossbar, two more. The top one symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ with the inscription “ Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"(INCI, or INRI in Latin). The lower oblique crossbar - the support for the feet of Jesus Christ symbolizes the “righteous standard” that weighs the sins and virtues of all people. It is believed that it is tilted in left side, symbolizing that the repentant thief crucified according to right side from Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the thief, crucified on the left side, with his blasphemy of Christ, further aggravated his posthumous fate and ended up in hell. The letters IC XC are a christogram symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ.

Saint Demetrius of Rostov writes that “ when Christ the Lord carried the cross on His shoulders, the cross was still four-pointed; because there was no title or foot on it yet. There was no footstool, because Christ had not yet been raised on the cross and the soldiers, not knowing where Christ’s feet would reach, did not attach a footstool, finishing this already on Golgotha". Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, at first “ crucified Him"(John 19:18), and then only " Pilate wrote an inscription and placed it on the cross"(John 19:19). It was at first that the soldiers divided “His garments” by lot. those who crucified Him"(Matthew 27:35), and only then" they placed an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews"(Matt. 27:37).

The eight-pointed cross has long been considered the most powerful protective agent from various kinds of evil spirits, as well as visible and invisible evil.

Six-pointed cross

Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially in times Ancient Rus', also had six-pointed cross. It also has an inclined crossbar: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper end symbolizes liberation through repentance.

However, all its strength does not lie in the shape of the cross or the number of ends. The cross is famous for the power of Christ crucified on it, and this is all its symbolism and miraculousness.

The variety of forms of the cross has always been recognized by the Church as quite natural. According to the expression of the Monk Theodore Studite - “ a cross of any form is a true cross"and has unearthly beauty and life-giving power.

« There is no significant difference between the Latin, Catholic, Byzantine, and Orthodox crosses, or between any other crosses used in Christian services. In essence, all crosses are the same, the only differences are in the shape“says Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

Crucifixion

In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, special importance is attached not to the shape of the cross, but to the image of Jesus Christ on it.

Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant, and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear.

Yes, we know that Christ died on the cross. But we also know that He later resurrected, and that He suffered voluntarily out of love for people: to teach us to take care of the immortal soul; so that we too can be resurrected and live forever. In the Orthodox Crucifixion this Paschal joy is always present. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches out his arms, Jesus’ palms are open, as if he wants to hug all humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is not a dead body, but God, and his whole image speaks of this.

The Orthodox cross has another, smaller one above the main horizontal crossbar, which symbolizes the sign on the cross of Christ indicating the offense. Because Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ; the words “ Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews» in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. In Latin in Catholicism this inscription looks like INRI, and in Orthodoxy - IHCI(or INHI, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”). The lower oblique crossbar symbolizes a support for the legs. It also symbolizes the two thieves crucified to the left and right of Christ. One of them, before his death, repented of his sins, for which he was awarded the Kingdom of Heaven. The other, before his death, blasphemed and reviled his executioners and Christ.

The following inscriptions are placed above the middle crossbar: "IC" "XC"- the name of Jesus Christ; and below it: "NIKA"- Winner.

Greek letters were necessarily written on the cross-shaped halo of the Savior UN, meaning “truly Existent”, because “ God said to Moses: I am who I am"(Ex. 3:14), thereby revealing His name, expressing the originality, eternity and immutability of the being of God.

In addition, the nails with which the Lord was nailed to the cross were kept in Orthodox Byzantium. And it was known for sure that there were four of them, not three. Therefore, on Orthodox crosses, Christ’s feet are nailed with two nails, each separately. The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed to a single nail first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.

Orthodox Crucifix Catholic Crucifix

IN Catholic Crucifixion The image of Christ has naturalistic features. Catholics depict Christ as dead, sometimes with streams of blood on his face, from wounds on his arms, legs and ribs ( stigmata). It reveals all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but this image dead person, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The crucifixion in Orthodoxy symbolizes this triumph. In addition, the Savior's feet are nailed with one nail.

The meaning of the Savior's death on the cross

The emergence of the Christian cross is associated with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, which he accepted on the cross under the forced sentence of Pontius Pilate. Crucifixion was a common method of execution in Ancient Rome, borrowed from the Carthaginians - descendants of Phoenician colonists (it is believed that the crucifixion was first used in Phenicia). Thieves were usually sentenced to death on the cross; many early Christians, persecuted since the time of Nero, were also executed in this way.

Roman crucifixion

Before the suffering of Christ, the cross was an instrument of shame and terrible punishment. After His suffering, it became a symbol of the victory of good over evil, life over death, a reminder of God’s endless love, and an object of joy. The incarnate Son of God sanctified the cross with His blood and made it a conductor of His grace, a source of sanctification for believers.

From the Orthodox dogma of the Cross (or Atonement) undoubtedly follows the idea that the death of the Lord is a ransom for all, the calling of all peoples. Only the cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus Christ to die with outstretched hands calling “to all the ends of the earth” (Isa. 45:22).

Reading the Gospels, we are convinced that the feat of the cross of the God-man is the central event in His earthly life. With His suffering on the cross, He washed away our sins, covered our debt to God, or, in the language of Scripture, “redeemed” (ransomed) us. The incomprehensible secret of the infinite truth and love of God is hidden in Calvary.

The Son of God voluntarily took upon himself the guilt of all people and suffered for it a shameful and painful death on the cross; then on the third day he rose again as the conqueror of hell and death.

Why was such a terrible Sacrifice needed to cleanse the sins of humanity, and was it possible to save people in another, less painful way?

The Christian teaching about the death of the God-man on the cross is often a “stumbling block” for people with already established religious and philosophical concepts. Both to many Jews and to people of Greek culture of apostolic times, it seemed contradictory to assert that the omnipotent and eternal God descended to earth in the form of a mortal man, voluntarily endured beatings, spitting and a shameful death, that this feat could bring spiritual benefit to humanity. " This is impossible!“- some objected; " This is not necessary!"- others stated.

St. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: “ Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of words, so as not to make the cross of Christ abolish. For the word about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and destroy the understanding of the prudent. Where is the sage? where is the scribe? where is the questioner of this century? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into foolishness? For when the world through its wisdom did not know God in the wisdom of God, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For both the Jews demand miracles, and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a stumbling block, and for the Greeks foolishness, but for those who are called, Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God"(1 Cor. 1:17-24).

In other words, the apostle explained that what in Christianity was perceived by some as temptation and madness, is in fact a matter of the greatest Divine wisdom and omnipotence. The truth of the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior is the foundation for many other Christian truths, for example, about the sanctification of believers, about the sacraments, about the meaning of suffering, about virtues, about feat, about the purpose of life, about the upcoming judgment and resurrection of the dead and others.

At the same time, the atoning death of Christ, being an event inexplicable in terms of earthly logic and even “tempting for those who are perishing,” has a regenerating power that the believing heart feels and strives for. Renewed and warmed by this spiritual power, both the last slaves and the most powerful kings bowed in awe before Calvary; both dark ignoramuses and the greatest scientists. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles personal experience They were convinced of the great spiritual benefits that the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior brought them, and they shared this experience with their disciples.

(The mystery of the redemption of mankind is closely connected with a number of important religious and psychological factors. Therefore, to understand the mystery of redemption it is necessary:

a) understand what actually constitutes the sinful damage of a person and the weakening of his will to resist evil;

b) we must understand how the devil’s will, thanks to sin, gained the opportunity to influence and even captivate the human will;

c) we need to understand the mysterious power of love, its ability to positively influence a person and ennoble him. At the same time, if love most of all reveals itself in sacrificial service to one’s neighbor, then there is no doubt that giving one’s life for him is the highest manifestation of love;

d) from understanding the power of human love, one must rise to an understanding of the power of Divine love and how it penetrates the soul of a believer and transforms his inner world;

e) in addition, in the atoning death of the Savior there is a side that goes beyond the human world, namely: On the cross there was a battle between God and the proud Dennitsa, in which God, hiding under the guise of weak flesh, emerged victorious. The details of this spiritual battle and Divine victory remain a mystery to us. Even Angels, according to St. Peter, do not fully understand the mystery of redemption (1 Peter 1:12). She is a sealed book that only the Lamb of God could open (Rev. 5:1-7)).

In Orthodox asceticism there is such a concept as bearing one’s cross, that is, patiently fulfilling Christian commandments throughout the life of a Christian. All difficulties, both external and internal, are called “cross.” Everyone carries their own cross in life. The Lord said this about the need for personal achievement: “ He who does not take up his cross (deviates from the feat) and follows Me (calls himself a Christian) is unworthy of Me"(Matthew 10:38).

« The cross is the guardian of the entire universe. The cross is the beauty of the Church, the cross of kings is the power, the cross is the affirmation of the faithful, the cross is the glory of an angel, the cross is a plague of demons", - affirms the absolute Truth of the luminaries of the Feast of the Exaltation Life-giving Cross.

The motives for the outrageous desecration and blasphemy of the Holy Cross by conscious cross-haters and crusaders are quite understandable. But when we see Christians drawn into this vile business, it is all the more impossible to remain silent, for - according to the words of St. Basil the Great - “God is betrayed by silence”!

Differences between Catholic and Orthodox crosses

Thus, there are the following differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox one:

Catholic cross Orthodox cross

1. Orthodox cross most often has an eight-pointed or six-pointed shape. Catholic cross- four-pointed.
2. Words on a sign on the crosses are the same, only written on different languages: Latin INRI(in the case of the Catholic cross) and Slavic-Russian IHCI(on the Orthodox cross).
3. Another fundamental position is position of the feet on the Crucifix and number of nails. The feet of Jesus Christ are placed together on a Catholic Crucifix, and each is nailed separately on an Orthodox cross.
4. What is different is image of the Savior on the cross. The Orthodox cross depicts God, who opened the path to eternal life, while the Catholic cross depicts a man experiencing torment.

Material prepared by Sergey Shulyak

It would seem that Christianity assumes the same symbols, but despite this, the Catholic cross and Orthodox crosses have a significant difference. The attributes of religion are different for each religious movement. In this article you can learn how to identify the Orthodox and Catholic cross.

History of Catholicism

As a separate movement of Christianity, it separated back in 1054. This happened after the “Great Schism,” when the Pope and the Patriarch anathematized each other. The followers also divided into two “camps” and since then, Catholicism has been considered a separate religious movement.

Like the Orthodox, they have their own symbols and attributes that symbolize their faith. Catholicism is considered one of the most widespread religions on the planet. In Europe, most countries are controlled and the church has the strongest influence on people's lives. For example, Poland, Belgium, Italy and others. The American continent has the largest number of Catholics.

Meaning

As for the Orthodox, for Catholics the cross signifies liberation and a symbol of the victory of good over evil. Can be interpreted as an attribute of an eternal afterlife. The cross also symbolizes hope and faith - this is its main purpose. A person receives it as a sign that he is committed to a particular church.

There is also the cross of St. Peter, which can symbolize faith in Christianity. It does not at all symbolize Satanism or blasphemy, but is one of the varieties of the Catholic cross. It is worth noting that this is a regular Latin inverted cross. You can find many different crosses that are used not only by Catholics, but also by Orthodox Christians.

Each variety symbolizes involvement in the church and is also highly revered by the Christian Church. It is worth noting that for Catholics the ordinary cross and the Papal cross differ in the number of ends. The papal represents a triple government, as the highest rank of priest. He is higher than everyone else because he is more committed to the Lord and can send his prayers directly.

The difference between an Orthodox cross and a Catholic one

On the Catholic cross special attention It is the image of Christ on the crucifix that is given over, and not the number of crossbars or other symbols. The cross, as for the Orthodox, plays an important role among Catholics and their faith.

To cover this topic in more detail, let us turn to the most important details, which both crosses have and they may have differences. This:

• Form;
• Lettering;
• The disposition of Christ himself;
• Number of nails on the cross

Form

The main difference that exists is the number of ends. In Orthodoxy there are eight or six, and in Catholicism there are four. At the same time, both churches recognize that faith does not depend on the number of crossbars, it is just a symbol that shows a person’s commitment to religion.

The Catholic Church, like the Orthodox Church, recognizes both types. On the Orthodox cross there is an upper crossbar, which symbolizes the repentance of the thief, as well as an upper name plate. But at the same time, ancient christian church recognized only one form of the cross - quadrangular. Mentions of this can be found in the catacombs where Christians were during the persecution. Also in Catholicism and Orthodoxy you can find the hexagonal shape of the cross, which is also correct.

Image of Jesus Christ

The Catholic view of the cross is the closest to reality. On it you can find images of Christ, where his fingers are folded into a fist. This symbolizes the torment he suffered. Some crosses may depict blood or some other attributes of unbearable pain and repentance.

It is the location of Christ on the crucifixion that causes greatest number disputes among both churches. The shape and location on the Catholic cross speaks of the pain and torment that the Savior experienced. As mentioned earlier, blood and a certain facial expression on Christ can be depicted. Traditionally, in Orthodox Church the cross signifies salvation and eternal love which Christ presents to his followers and the whole world. Orthodoxy also explains that the Savior depicted on their cross shows that eternal life exists and after death it does not end, but simply passes into another form. Until one time, the crosses depicted not just a living Christ, but a triumphant one, ready to enter into new life already purified and redeemed. Only from the tenth century did images of the already dead Savior appear, and they also began to depict various attributes of his death.

Inscriptions

There are other minor differences that can be found in both types. You can also find differences in the sign, which is located at the top of the cross. When among the Orthodox it is IHCI (or ІННІ, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”), and among Catholics in the Latin alphabet it is INRI. The Catholic cross does not have the inscription “Save and Preserve,” while the Orthodox cross has it on the back.

Nails

The number of nails plays an important role in the depiction of Christ on the crucifixion. On Catholic crosses, the Lord's feet are nailed with only one nail, but on Orthodox crosses - with two. This is standard appearance Catholic cross, which is kept in the Vatican.

If the theme of the form was described in more detail above, then it is worth adding that the image of the Catholic cross is made in a more restrained form. Like the decoration itself Catholic churches, a cross without unnecessary details and special decoration.

Conclusion

Regardless of which cross a person prefers, it is a direct symbol of the fact that he knows about the torment of Christ and is committed to a certain religious movement. The priests themselves do not give an accurate assessment of whether a person takes off the Orthodox one and puts on the Catholic one. That is why adherents of both churches can wear crosses different shapes without worrying about your faith. The material used to make the Catholic symbol does not matter; it can be gold, silver, wood or something else.

This is the most important symbol, recognized not only in our time, but also ten centuries before us. "The guardian cross of the entire universe."- affirms the sanctuary of the Feast of the Life-Giving Cross. The main differences are only in their form, and not in the strength of a person’s love for the Lord.