Orthodox cross
Encyclopedia
The Orthodox Cross is a variation of the Christian cross and is commonly found in Eastern Orthodox Churches. The cross has three horizontal crossbeams, the top representing the plate with INRI, and the bottom, a footrest. In Russian Orthodox tradition, the lower beam is slanted, with the side to the viewer's left usually being higher, while in the Greek Orthodox Church, it remains straight, as in some earlier representations.
it is usually attached above the vertical beam and not across it.
Another variation is a special monastic "Calvary cross"," in which the cross is situated on a calvary, usually in the form of steps. To the right is the Holy Lance
, with which Jesus was wounded in his ribs, and to the left, a cane with a wine-saturated sponge.
Under the Calvary, is a skull and bones
, where the right bone is usually above the left one, mirroring the practice of believers folding their arms on their chest during an Orthodox communion in this fashion. Around the cross are abbreviations in Church Slavonic.
This type of cross is usually embroidered on a schema-monk's robe.
Between 1577–1625, the Russian Orthodox cross was between the heads of the double-headed eagle
in the coat of arms of Russia
. It was also drawn on military banners until the end of the 17th century.
Russian variations
In Russia, the top crossbeam can be absent, however, in the Russian NorthPomors
Pomors or Pomory are Russian settlers and their descendants on the White Sea coast. It is also term of self-identification for the descendants of Russian, primarily Novgorod, settlers of Pomorye , living on the White Sea coasts and the territory whose southern border lies on a watershed which...
it is usually attached above the vertical beam and not across it.
Another variation is a special monastic "Calvary cross"," in which the cross is situated on a calvary, usually in the form of steps. To the right is the Holy Lance
Holy Lance
The Holy Lance is the name given to the lance that pierced Jesus' side as he hung on the cross in John's account of the Crucifixion.-Biblical references:The lance is mentioned only in the Gospel of John and not in any of the...
, with which Jesus was wounded in his ribs, and to the left, a cane with a wine-saturated sponge.
Under the Calvary, is a skull and bones
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is a traditional peer society to Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head, as the three senior class 'landed societies' at Yale....
, where the right bone is usually above the left one, mirroring the practice of believers folding their arms on their chest during an Orthodox communion in this fashion. Around the cross are abbreviations in Church Slavonic.
This type of cross is usually embroidered on a schema-monk's robe.
Between 1577–1625, the Russian Orthodox cross was between the heads of the double-headed eagle
Double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. It is most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and...
in the coat of arms of Russia
Coat of arms of Russia
The coat of arms of Russia have gone through three major periods in their history, undergoing major changes in the transitions between the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation. They date back to 1472, when Ivan III began using the double-headed eagle in his seal, which,...
. It was also drawn on military banners until the end of the 17th century.