Lalibela Cross
Encyclopedia
The Lalibela Cross is a large, elaborately decorated processional cross
, considered one of Ethiopia
's most precious religious and historical heirlooms. It is held by the Bet Medhane Alem, the House of the Redeemer of the World, a 12th century rock-cut
church in Lalibela
. A priest may rub believers with the cross to bless them or heal them. The style of the cross was common in its time and those of this style are often simply referred to today as "Lalibela crosses."
The cross is thought to date to the 12th century. It is around 60 centimetres (23.6 in) long and weighs around 7 kilograms (15.4 lb). It is made from one piece of metal, either gold
or gold and bronze
. The central cross has an elongated descending arm and flared ends surrounded by an elaborately ornamented encircling band. Like many Ethiopian processional crosses
, the bottom of the cross is supported by "Adams arms," a motif that realistically or abstractly portrays the arms of Adam. In processional crosses they draped with brightly colored pieces of cloth for festive occasions.
The cross was stolen in March 1997, but located in Belgium
in 1999. A dealer in Addis Ababa
had sold it to a Belgian collector for US$25,000. After the collector's money was returned, and it was agreed that no further action would be taken, the cross was returned to Ethiopia in 2001.
Processional Cross
A processional cross is a crucifix or cross which is carried in Christian processions. Such crosses have a long history: the Gregorian mission of Saint Augustine of Canterbury to England carried one before them "like a standard", according to Bede. Other sources suggest that all churches were...
, considered one of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
's most precious religious and historical heirlooms. It is held by the Bet Medhane Alem, the House of the Redeemer of the World, a 12th century rock-cut
Rock cut architecture
Rock-cut architecture is the practice of creating buildings and other physical structures by carving natural rock. In India the term 'cave' is often applied, and in China 'cavern,' but one must differentiate natural caves from rock-cut architecture which is man-made and designed along the...
church in Lalibela
Lalibela
Lalibela is a town in northern Ethiopia, known for its monolithic churches. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Aksum, and is a center of pilgrimage for much of the country. Unlike Aksum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian...
. A priest may rub believers with the cross to bless them or heal them. The style of the cross was common in its time and those of this style are often simply referred to today as "Lalibela crosses."
The cross is thought to date to the 12th century. It is around 60 centimetres (23.6 in) long and weighs around 7 kilograms (15.4 lb). It is made from one piece of metal, either gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
or gold and bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
. The central cross has an elongated descending arm and flared ends surrounded by an elaborately ornamented encircling band. Like many Ethiopian processional crosses
Processional Cross
A processional cross is a crucifix or cross which is carried in Christian processions. Such crosses have a long history: the Gregorian mission of Saint Augustine of Canterbury to England carried one before them "like a standard", according to Bede. Other sources suggest that all churches were...
, the bottom of the cross is supported by "Adams arms," a motif that realistically or abstractly portrays the arms of Adam. In processional crosses they draped with brightly colored pieces of cloth for festive occasions.
The cross was stolen in March 1997, but located in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
in 1999. A dealer in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
had sold it to a Belgian collector for US$25,000. After the collector's money was returned, and it was agreed that no further action would be taken, the cross was returned to Ethiopia in 2001.