Different crosses and their meanings. Image of the Orthodox Cross. What a native cross can wear Orthodox

The cross is the symbol of the redemptive sacrifice of Christ - not only marks our belonging to Christianity, but through him the saving grace of God will be sent to us. Therefore, it is the most important element faith. Whether it is an old-supplied cross or one of those adopted in the official church - they are equally grateful. Their difference is purely external, and due only to the current tradition. We will try to figure out what it is expressed.

Department of Old Believers from the official church

In the middle of the XVII century, the Russian Orthodox Church experienced the strongest shock caused by the reform held by Her Primary Patriarch Nikon. Despite the fact that the reform affected only the external ritual side of worship, without touching the main - religious dogmatic, she led to the split, the consequences of which are not branded to this day.

It is known that by entering the irreconcilable contradictions with the official church and separated from her, the old co-accuracy of the unwarly remained a single movement. The differences arising between his religious leaders became the reason that it soon broke up on dozens of groups, referred to as "sense" and "consent." For each of them was characterized by its old supplied cross.

Features of the Old Believer Crosses

What is an old-supplied cross differs from the usual, what is accepted from most believers? It should be noted here that the very concept itself is very conditional, and we can only talk about those or other of its external features adopted in a religious tradition. The Old Believers Cross, the photo of which is presented at the beginning of the article, is the most common.

This is the eight-pointed cross inside the four-spin. This form was widespread in the Russian Orthodox Church in the middle of the XVII century by the time the split began and was in full compliance with the canonical requirements. It was its splitters that found the most appropriate concepts of ancient piety.

Eight-spoard cross

The same eight-pointed shape of the cross cannot be considered an exceptional accessory of old-believe. Such crosses are common, for example, in the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches. The presence in them, besides the main horizontal crossbar, is still due to the following way. The top is a small crossbar - should depict a sign that is nailed at the top of the cross, on which the Savior was crucified. On it, according to the Gospel, there was an abbreviation of the inscription: "Jesus Nazarinan, the king of Judaisky."

The lower, inclined crossbar depicting the stand for the legs of a crucified Christ is often attached to a completely definite meaning. According to the established tradition, it is considered to be a certain "measure of righteousness", weighing human sins. Her tilt, at which the right side is raised up and points towards the restricted robber, symbolizes the forgiveness of sins and the acquisition of the kingdom of God. The left, lowered down, indicates the depths of hell, prepared by the robber not repentable and the luriser.

DoreForm crosses

Out of the official church, part of believers did not invent anything new in religious symbolism. The splitters only retained those elements that extended to the reform, refusing to any innovations. For example, a cross. Old Believers he or not, it is, first of all, the symbol that existed since the beginning of Christianity, and those external changes that he underwent at the continuation of the centuries did not change his essence.

The most ancient crosses are characteristic of the absence of an image of the figure of the Savior. For their creators, only the form that carrying the symbol of Christianity was important. It is easy to notice in the crosses of the Old Believers. For example, the Old Believer Cross is often performed in such an ancient tradition. However, this is not his difference from ordinary crosses, which also often have a strict concise appearance.

Mednolyhed crosses

More significant differences between old-supplied medial crosses belonging to various religious consents.

In them are the main distinctive feature is impertured - the upper part of the cross. In some cases, it depicts the Holy Spirit in the form of a pigeon, and in others - the delicious image of the Savior or God of Savaof. These are not just various decisions, these are their fundamental canonical installations. Looking at such a cross, a specialist can easily determine his belonging to a particular group of old goods.

So, for example, the cross of the Old Believers of Pomerania or the Fedoseevsky's close to them, never carries the images of the Holy Spirit, but it can always be recognized in the image of the deasure of the non-manual, placed in the hell. If such differences can still be attributed to the established tradition, that is, between consent and purely fundamental, canonical disagreements in the design of crosses.

Pilate inscription

Often the reason for the disputes is the text of the inscription on the top, low crossbar. From the Gospel, it is known that the inscription on a plank attached to the Cross of the Savior was made by Pontiya by a pilot, by order of which Christ was crucified. In this regard, the Old Believers have a question: is it worthy of the cross the Orthodox Old Believers for itself the inscription, compiled by the one who forever cursed the church? The most jar of her opponents were always mentioned above the pezzes and Fedoseev.

It is curious that disputes about the "pilot inscription" (so referring to its old goods) began in the first years of the split. One of the prominent ideologues of the Old Believers - the Archidiakon of the Solovetsky Monastery of Ignatius - is known for the fact that he made several very volumetric treatises to the conviction of this title, and even filed the petitions of Alexei Mikhailovich himself. In his writings, he proved the inadmissibility of such an inscription and strongly demanded to replace it with an abbreviation lettering "Jesus Christ King of Glory." It would seem a slight change, but he had a whole ideology.

Cross - general symbol for all Christians

Nowadays, when the official church recognized the legality and equality of the Old Believers Church, orthodox churches You can often see the very crosses that were previously told only in cleaned slices. It is not surprising, since we have one faith, the Lord is one, and ask the question than the old-handed cross of the Orthodox is distinguished, it seems incorrect. They are essentially united and worthy of universal worship, since with minor external differences have common historical roots and equal graceful power.

Old Believer Cross, the difference from the usual, as we found out, purely external and insignificant, rarely represents expensive jewelry. Most often for him is characterized by certain asceticism. Even the Old Believer Golden Cross is not often found. For the most part, copper or silver are used for their manufacture. And the reason for this is by no means in savings - there were many rich merchants and industrialists among the Old Believers, "but rather in the priority of internal content over the external form.

Community of religious aspirations

The Old Believers Cross on the grave is also rarely different any persecution. Usually he is eight-spin, with installed on top duscal roof. No frills. In the tradition of old estate, attach more importance to the graves not appearance, and the care of the rest of the shower of the deceased. This is fully consistent with what the official church teaches us. We are all the same molim of God for our relatives, close and just brothers by faith that ended up their earthly path.

For a long time, we went to the past times of persecution on those who, according to their religious views, or by virtue of the circumstances, it turned out to be in the ranks of the movement, which came out due to the control of the Supreme Church Administration, but nevertheless remaining the Christ Church in the Lon. Officially recognizing Old Believers, Russian Orthodox Church Constantly looking for ways to even more rapprochement with our brothers in Christ. And therefore the cross is an old supplementary or icon written on the installed in old faith Canons, have become fully subject to our religious reverence and worship.

The Holy Cross is the symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every truly believer man at sight is involuntarily executed by the thoughts of the death torments of the Savior, adopted by him to get rid of us from eternal death, which became the lot of people after the Fall of Adam and Eve. A special spiritual and emotional load carries the eight-spin orthodox cross. Even if there is no image of the crucifixion on it, it always appears to our inner breath.

Death weapon that has become a symbol of life

The Christian Cross is an image of an execution gun, which Jesus Christ was subjected to the forced sentence, made by the procurator of Judea Pittiya Pilate. For the first time, such a type of death of criminals appeared from the ancient Phoenicians and already through their colonists - Carthaginians got into the Roman Empire, where he received widespread.

In the pre-Christian period to the crucifixion on the cross, they were mainly the robbers, and then the followers of Jesus Christ took this martyrdom. Especially frequent, such a phenomenon was during the reign of Emperor Nero. The death of the Savior herself made it a gender tool and suffering a symbol of the victory of good over evil and light eternal life Above the darkness of hell.

The eight-spin cross - the symbol of Orthodoxy

The Christian tradition knows many different designs of the cross, from the most common crossing of straight lines to very complex geometric structures, supplemented to the same varied symbolism. Religious meaning in them is embossed the same, but external differences Very significant.

In the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, as well as in Russia for a long time, the symbol of the church is the eight-spin, or, as often they say, the Orthodox Cross. In addition, you can hear the expression "Cross of Saint Lazar", this is another name for the eight-pointed Orthodox Cross, which will be said below. Sometimes the image of a crucified Savior is placed on it.

External Features of the Orthodox Cross

Its feature is that besides two horizontal crossbars, of which the bottom is large, and the upper is small, there is also a sloping, called fit. It is small and placed in the lower part of the vertical segment, symbolizes the crossbar to which the legs of Christ were relied.

The direction of its inclination is always the same: if you look from the crucified Christ, the right end will be higher than the left. This laid a definite symbolism. According to the Savior on Terrible court, the righteous will stand according to his right hand, and sinners - on the left. It is the path of the righteous in the kingdom of heaven who points up the upward end of the foot, and the left in the depths of hell is addressed.

According to the gospel over the Savior's head, they knocked the board, on which the hand was written by hand: "Jesus Nazoria, the king of the Jewish". This inscription was performed on three languages \u200b\u200b- Aramaic, Latin and Greek. It is her who symbolizes the upper small crossbar. It can be placed both in the interval between the large cross-shirt and the top end of the cross and on its very top. Similar drawing allows you to reproduce with the greatest accuracy appearance The tools of the suffering of Christ. That is why the Orthodox cross is the eight-spin.

About the Law of the Golden Section

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross in his classic It is based on the law so that it is clear what we are talking about, we will discuss several more about the concept of more. It is customary to understand the harmonic proportion, one way or another, underlying everything that is created by the Creator.

One of its examples is the human body. Way simple experience You can make sure that if we split the magnitude of our growth to the distance from the soles to the navel, and then the same value we divide the distance between the navel and the top, the results will be the same and amount to 1,618. The same proportion is imprisoned by the phalange of our fingers. This ratio of the values \u200b\u200bcalled by the golden section can be found literally at every step: from the structure of the marine sink to the shape of the ordinary garden turnip.

The construction of proportions based on the law of the golden section is widely used in architecture, as well as other areas of art. With his accounting, many artists manage to achieve in their works of maximum harmony. This regularity was observed by composers who worked in the genre of classical music. When writing compositions in the style of rock and jazz, they refused.

The Law of Building an Orthodox Cross

Based on the Golden section, the eight-spin Orthodox cross was built. The value of his ends was explained above, now we will turn to the rules underlying the construction of this main thing they were not established artificially, but they resulted out of the harmony of life itself and got their own mathematical justification.

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross, drawn in full compliance with the tradition, always fits into a rectangle, the aspect ratio of which corresponds to the Golden section. Simply put, dividing its height to the width, we get 1.618.

The cross of Saint Lazarus (as mentioned above, this is another name for the eight-pointed Orthodox cross) in its construction has another feature associated with the proportions of our body. It is well known that the width of the hands of man's hands is equal to its growth and the figure with cultivated hands on the parties perfectly fits into the square. For this reason, the length of the middle crossbar corresponding to the wise of the hands of Christ is equal to the distance from her to the inclined foot, that is, its growth. These simple, at first glance, the rules must take into account every person, before which the question is about how to draw an eight-spin Orthodox cross.

Cross Golgotha

There is also a special, purely monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross, whose photo is presented in the article. It is called the "Cross of Calvary". This is the drawing of an ordinary Orthodox cross, which was described above, placed above the symbolic image of the Golgotha \u200b\u200bMountain. It is usually represented in the form of steps under which the bones and skull are placed. On the left and right of the cross can be depicted cane with a sponge and spear.

Each of the listed items has a deep religious meaning. For example, skull and bones. According to the sacred legend, the sacrificial blood of the Savior, shedding them on the cross, falling on the top of Calvary, leaked at her subsoil, where the remains of the progenitor of our Adam were resting, and washed off the curse of original sin. Thus, the image of the skull and bones emphasizes the connection of the victim of Christ with the crime of Adam and Eve, as well as the New Testament - with the Old.

The meaning of the image of a spear on the Cross of Calvary

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross on monastic vestments is always accompanied by images of canes with a sponge and spear. Familiar with the text well remembers full of drama moment when one of the Roman warriors named Longin pierced by this weapon of the Savior's Ribra and blood and water flowed from the wound. This episode has various interpretationBut the most common one is contained in the works of Christian theologian and philosopher of the IV century of St. Augustine.

In them, he writes that, just as the Lord made him from the edge of the Sleeping Adam, so from the wound in the side of Jesus Christ, who defeated the Warrior, was created by his bride church. Blood and water, according to St. Augustine, symbolize the holy sacraments - the Eucharist, where the wine is put into the blood of the Lord, and the baptism, in which the person entering the Lono of the Church is immersed in the font water. The spear, which was applied by the wound, is one of the main relics of Christianity, and it is believed that at present it is it stored in Vienna, in the Hofburg Castle.

Image of canes and sponge

Just like important Have images of canes and sponges. From the narratives of the saints of evangelists, it is known that the crucified Christ was suggested to drink. In the first case, it was a wine mixed with Smirnaya, that is, a dopeful drink that allows you to fit pain and thereby extend the execution.

In the second time, having heard from the cross, the chuck "thirst!", He was brought to him with a sponge filled with vinegar and bryel. It was certainly mockery over the exhausted person and contributed to the approach of the end. In both cases, the executioners used a sponge planted on a cane, since without her help could not reach the mouth of a crucified Jesus. Despite such a gloomy role assigned to them, these items, as well as a spear, became among the main Christian shrines, and their image can be seen next to the Cross of Calvary.

Symbolic inscriptions on the monastic cross

For those who first see the monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross, there are often questions related to inscribed on it. In particular, it is IC and XC at the ends of the middle crossbar. These letters denote nothing more than the abbreviated name - Jesus Christ. In addition, the image of the cross is accompanied by two inscriptions located in the middle crossbar - the Slavic inscription of the words "Son of God" and Greek Nika, which means "winner."

On a small crossbar, symbolizing, as mentioned above, a sign with the inscription made by Pontiya Pilate, the Slavic abbreviation of Intzі is usually written, denoting the words "Jesus Nazarey Tsar Judaisky", and above it - "King of Glory". Near the image, the spear entered the tradition of writing the letter K, and about the canes of T. In addition, from about the XVI century began to write at the base of the cross the letters ml on the left and RB on the right. They are also an abbreviation, and mean the words "Lob's Lob's Place".

In addition to the listed inscriptions, you should mention two letters of r, standing on the left and right from the image of Calvary, and are initial in its name, as well as G and A - Adam's head, written on the sides of the skull, and the phrase "King of Glory", the wedding monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross. The value embedded in them is fully consistent with the evangelical texts, but the inscriptions themselves may vary and replaced by others.

Immortality given by faith

It is also important to understand why the name of the eight-pointed Orthodox Cross is associated with the name of the Holy Lazarus? The answer to this question can be found on the pages of the Gospel of John, which describes the miracle of His Resurrection from the dead, committed by Jesus Christ, on the fourth day after death. The symbolism in this case is quite obvious: as Lazarus was returned to the life of his sisters Martha and Mary in the omnipotence of Jesus, and everyone, who fishes the Savior, will be delighted with the hands of eternal death.

In a vulnerable earthly life, people are not given to those who have been able to see the Son of God, but they are given by his religious symbols. One of them is the eight-pointed Orthodox cross, proportion, general form And the meaningful load of which was the subject of this article. It is accompanied by the believer man throughout life. From the holy font, where the sacrament of baptism breaks him the gates of the Church of Christ, up to the grave tombstone, the eight-pointed Orthodox cross falls.

A native symbol of the Christian faith

Custom wearing small crosses made from the most different materials, appeared only at the beginning of the IV century. Despite the fact that the main weapon of the passion of Christ was the object of honor in all his followers literally from the first years of establishment on Earth christian churchInitially, it was customary to wear on the neck not crosses, but the medallions with the image of the Savior.

There are also evidence that in the period of persecution from the middle of I and before the start of the IV century, there were voluntary martyrs who wanted to suffer for Christ and the image of the cross on his forehead. According to this sign, they were recognized, and then betrayed torment and death. After the establishment of Christianity as a state religion, wearing the native crosses entered the custom, and in the same period they began to be installed on the roof of the temples.

Two types of native crosses in ancient Russia

In Russia, the symbols of Christ appeared in 988, at the same time with her baptism. It is curious to note that our ancestors were inherited from Byzantines two species, one of them was taken to wear on the chest, under the clothes. Such crosses were called tanks.

Along with them appeared so-called Encolpiona - also crosses, but several bigger size and worn over clothes. They lead their origin from the tradition to carry carpets with relics, who were decorated with the image of the cross. Over time, Enkenpirans were transformed into priests and metropolitans.

The main symbol of humanism and humans

For the millennium, last by the time when the Dnieper shores littered the light of Christ Faith, orthodox tradition Much has undergone changes. Only its religious dogmas and the basic elements of symbols were unshakable, the main of which is the eight-pointed Orthodox Cross.

Golden and silver, copper or made of any other material, he keeps a believer, protecting him from evil forces - visible and invisible. Being a reminder of the victim brought by Christ to the salvation of people, the cross became a symbol of the highest humanism and love to the neighbor.

Andreevsky. "The terrestrial feat of the Apostle ended in Greece, in the city of Patra. The governor of the city concluded him to the dungeon, then he ordered severely to beat and finally condemned him on cross deathAnd so that the suffering on the cross continued as much as possible, he told not nails to nail, but to bring ropes to him. Long hung on the Cross Apostle Andrey. The servants of the Governor of Entheate wanted to remove Andrei from the cross, but he ascended the prayer to God and died with the world. Its relics are revered in the Italian city of Amalfi, and the honest chapter is located in Rome. " His cross, albeit with an elder, was preserved in Greece - to our time.

The form of the Andreevsky Cross differs from the usual sign "Multiplication" (x) with its unequal angles (x). What changes the semantic meaning of words with "equilateral multiplication" to "versatile multiplication". Moreover, two parties interact narrowly, but sharply. And the other two parties are wide, but slowly, corresponding to the names (names) of the corners. By changing the position of the cross, you can change the durability of the action: the acute interaction of the top and bottom - to make a leisurely, and the unhurried interaction of the sides - sharp (\u003e<). Имя «Андрей», в переводе с греческого языка, несет значение «мужественный, храбрец» . Связь слова с формой легче определить по записи, чем по устной речи. Слова «андреевский крест», говорят только об особой форме (типе/строении) креста. Слова «Андреевский крест», говорят о форме и ее содержании - «умножение мужеством». Этому определению более всего соответствуют дополнения цветом, т.е. в каком качестве оно проявлено. Например: «чистотой мужества, чистым мужеством» - белый крест, «живой кровью» - красный, и т.д. Слова «крест Св. Андрея» предполагают его присутствие, т.е. «андреевский крест» + «лицо/тело человека». Возможен и крест - «умножителя» христианских земель.

Antonievsky. The Greek "Tau" occurred from the Phoenician letter "Tau", which had a X-shaped form and meant "mark, sign." In biblical times, since this symbol was the last letter of the Jewish letter, T began to mean the end of the world, and also served as a sign of Cain, the sign of the rescue of the Israelites, standing in the doorway to protect their homes when the angel of death passed in Egypt to "destroy all first born in this country; This made a sign of a common protection sign. In the Christian churches, his name is the Cross of St. Anthony.

In the "Varnava Message", an excerpt from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel, where the T-shaped cross is transformed as a symbol of righteousness: "And the Lord told him: pass in the middle of the city, in the midst of Jerusalem, and on the chears of people who are mourners who are making themselves , Make a sign. " Here the word "sign" translated the name of the letter of the Hebrew alphabet "Tav" (i.e., the literal translation would be: "Make Tav") corresponding to the Greek and Latin letter T. also also writes: "The Greek Letter Tau, and our Latin T is the image of the cross." According to legend, Saint Anthony wore a cross-tau on his clothes. Saint Zenon, Bishop of the city of Verona, put on the roof of the Basilica in the form of T. TT.comes from the last letter of the ancient Semitic alphabet taw. (This word meant "mark" or "sign"). When the Greeks borrowed this letter, they called it "Tau". The Romans took the shape from Etruscs, where the horizontal dash was placed at the very top. In Phoneyan, the cross, in the form of ancient revolutionary letter "Tav", was a symbol of the God of the Sun. Its image is found in the Phoenician temples, and in Phoenician coins.

From the above texts, it is clear that it is about cross And its initial form: the Hebrew letter "Tav". Any figure consisting of two straight lines, but not having a visible intersection (as T or d) cannot be considered cross. It is so obvious that it does not require any evidence. It remains to check the structure of ancient letters, whether they were in their form - cross? In the "mosaic of alphabets", the North-Semitic "Tav" looks like a modern sign "Plus" (+). Phoenician "TAV", in two types: as a modern sign "Multiplication" (×) and as a "Latin Cross". That is, the words "Cross" and "Tav" are equal to each other and interchangeable, and the Greek and Latin letter T, to crossno relationship has.

Armenian. Khachkars (Armenian Khachkar - Cross-Stone) Armenian medieval monuments (distributed in 9-17 centuries); Vertically supplied stone plates (0.5 - 3 m height), coated with ornamental carvings with the image of the cross in the center. Khachkar ("Cross - Stone") on the tower at the central gates of the fortress in Sudak. Wears the name of Surb - Khach ("Holy Cross").

Today, the only, most complete and Russian-speaking work on the history of Armenian crosses is the photo album "Khachkars", which has neither the date nor the place of manufacture - "Child Perestroika 90s". According to the dates given in the album, the initial structure of the cross is detected without difficulty. From the 5th to the 9th century, it is equilateral and with an elongated lower part of the crosses, with the parties diverged from the center, which end in small balls (the common form of Coptic and Byzantine crosses). The basis of the Armenian Cross was the second form - with the elongated lower part (Byzantine). To date, the appearance of the Armenian Cross has changed so much from the initial basis, which allows to speak not only about its independent and recognizable form, but also independent (although not described in the literature) school of Cross, Which has written on the stones of 1500 years.

Alphabetic.The name "Chi-Ro", which is usually called this mystical sign now, is the name of a very late origin. It appeared in the XVIVEK and comes from Baria. Until that time, it was assumed that this sign is formed from the Latin letter p replacing the word Pro and the cross, which denoted Christ, so that the oblique cross with the handle and the Greek cross with a handle were called "Pro Christo". In Rome, they were convinced that the grave of some martyr was always designated, i.e. man, victim for christ . "The monogram, formed by the Greek letters X (hee) and P (RO) - the first letters of the name of Christ, - accepted by early Christians as a symbol of Christianity and very often found in ancient Christian art, starting from the IV century, on sarcophagas, the Eucharistic vessels and lamps . In itself, it still significantly existed as an abbreviation of the Greek word chrestos. (suiling happiness) and served as a symbol of a good omen " . ... The symbol of "Chi-RO" for a long time was in the Greeks by a sign of a good omen, as it was a reduced word formchrestos. , "Favorable" . Word Horstos.As we have said, has several values. It can be applied both to God and to a person. In the first sense, we find it in the Gospel of Luke (6: 35), where it means "merciful" and "benevolent". In the second sense, we find it from Clementia Alexandria, where it means just a good person ... "Everyone who believes inKrestt (Have a good person), also Hrestian, good people (as they call them) " . Hirography means a good writing of letters, calligraphy.

Calligraphy - the art of a beautiful and clear letter; Word comes from Greek Calos, "Beauty"; It is opposed to asotive (from the Greek, "bad") - bad, a low-tech image of letters .

The letter crosses, monograms and monograms (Polish \u003d nodes) to distinguish between themselves quite simple. Letter crosses Consist of two letters, one of which necessarily crosses the other at right angles, as in the "+" sign. IN monograms Letters are combined with a simple imposition of one letter to another. Merge two (three) letters in one form when one And the same line (Greek. Mono + Gram) is the necessary part for each letter. Monograms - This is the usual overlay of two or more than letters that do not have common parts, sometimes shifted in relation to each other with different slope, etc.

Such a combination received its name (name) for the fact that the lines of one letter go on top, then from the bottom of the lines of another letter, forming visible connectedness (node). The value of the letters about the language (alphabet) of the people consumed by the people. If in Greek the word "Hiro" (good, kind) can be expressed by the sound of two letters - hee and ro, then in Latin, these letters take local sound - PI and ka, forming "about Cristo" (for Christ), and in Russian letters ER and HA take the meaning: "Merry Christmas".

Greek.On the square red flag of Switzerland, a white cross is depicted. The history of the flag leaves the distant past, during the times of crusades. In the ancient chronicles there are references that already in 1339. Under this flag, the militia of the Swiss cantons spoke out of Bern against the hated troops of the Habsburgs. We see the same cross on the flag of Greece. The first national flag of the country approved in 1822 was a red cloth with a white cross. In 1833, the red was replaced by blue. Subsequently, the country changed its flag several times, but there was always a cross on it - the symbol of the country of ancient Christianity.

From the given passage, it can be seen that the cross did not receive his name for a flag tradition, which is young even in relation to the Swiss flag (younger than almost 500 years), and for the widespread use of this type of cross in the church life of Greece before other Christians. This was reflected in the name of church clothing, decorated with many crosses - Outstanding (poly / many + Stavros / Cross), which is used by priests of the main (the earliest, first) Christian churches. Russian Orthodoxy, who adopted Greek ritual, retains this tradition.

Georgian."... Mostly Virgo, Handing Nina Cross, Woven from Grape Lose, said:" Take this cross. He will be a shield for you and a fence against all visible and invisible enemies ... "awakened and seeing the wonderful cross in his hands, Holy Nina began to kiss him with tears of joy and delight; Then she tied him with her hair and went to Uncle to his Patriarch. " Saving the shrine from the invasions of enemies. "Metropolitan Georgian Roman, going from Georgia to Russia in 1749, secretsoh took the cross of Nina and handed it to him then in Moscow Tsarevich Bakar Vakhtangovich. /.../ The grandson of the above-mentioned bakara, Prince Georgy Aleksandrovich, raised in 1801 the cross of Nina Emperor Alexander Pavlovich, who was well-profitable to return Georgia to her the great shrine. Since then, this symbol of the Apostolic Labor of Holy Nina is maintained in the Tiflis Sion Cathedral, near the Northern Gate of the Altar in Kivote, accommodated silver " .

The Georgian cross, in its form, is not "canonical" (that is, completely straightforward), because Horizontal crossbind is bent. This feature of the structure makes it unique and easily recognizable. From his story it is clear that it is not associated with the "historical" cross of the torment of Jesus Christ, but, nevertheless, refers to the type "Cross-related" (Lat. - Crux Comissa). In this regard, the motive of use by the Catholic Church and the Roman dad John Pavl II form of the Georgian Cross, as basics for crucifixion- It is not impaired and offensive (in church language it is blasphemy). In Russian Orthodoxy, the form of the Georgian Cross, as independent, is not detected.

Egyptian.(AnkhPetsk. "Ankh" - Life) Popular occult magic symbolSometimes called "Crux Ansata" (lat., "Cross with a loop"). It leads its origin from the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph, which denoted the word "life", which, in turn, comes from an ancient sacred symbol with the same value (or from a stylized image of a person with arms placed). According to G.D'alviella, the anne has the form of an old tool used to measure the water level in Nile.

A feature of the structure of the Egyptian "Cross of Life" is the sphere of purity (empty loop), which changes its value from the location: clean head content or pure head and heart interaction. The cross on the basis of it is found in Western Christianity, in the Russian Orthodox tradition - is not detected.

Celtic."This cross, which appeared in Ireland until the 8th century, may occur from He-Ro. The circle symbolizes both the sun and eternity. Often, this cross is decorated with carved figures, animals and biblical scenes, such as the sin of man or sacrifice of Isaac. " "The combination of the cross and a circle, in which the crossbars of the cross go beyond the limits of the circle, like the" Irish High Cross ", is called a quest-cross or, in short, Quest (English Questes) and refers to the search for knightly adventures as tests.

The feature of the structure of Celtic crosses is almost constant combination elongated cross and surrounding his crossroads circle. Changing the size and ratio of parts can change the overall appearance of the Celtic Cross, but not "beyond recognition". The most frequent shape of the cross: wide smooth A circle having a width of equal to one of the sides and passing through the centers of the elongated cross. A feature that gave the name of this cross is not so much in the existing circle as in a special figure (ornament) applied to its surface. In Russian Orthodoxy, crosses with circles are available, but with the surface of another species.

Konstantinovsky. "Once the afternoon, when the sun began to lean to the West," the king said, "I saw my own eyes from the light and lying in the sun the sign of the cross with the inscription:" Sym "Win." "The main source from where the Byzantine, Western European and Russian authors drew information about Constantine, was the composition of the Bishop of Caesarean Eusevia" Vita Constantinae ". In this work, Konstantin is drawn as a sample of a true Christian and it tells that before the battle with the applicant for the throne Maxentius, he was afternoon, the image of the "Cross of the Lord", shining more than the sun, with the inscription "In Hoc Signo Vinces" (SIM banner). " The inscription on the sporal of the XVI officer: "The image of the cross of the cross in the sky" "fabulous" "King Konstantin" "and the Glagolano-Bo-Esi" "May" "Konstantin! Sim defeat the enemy! " . "Look at the stars of heaven, and every day you look at among them the sign of the cross formed by the combination of stars." Writing vv. "On the worship of a honest tree", attributed to St. John Zlatoust.

Among the various signs considered by the Cross of Constantine, you can meet the image of stars composed in the form of an equilateral cross. Such a sign is difficult to confuse with some other shape of the cross. This feature did not pass unnoticed in Russian land, which was reflected in military banners, giving them their own meaning of the "victorious" (that is, with a mandatory inscription: "Sim Win!" In crosses of different types). And on the church (dome) cross, giving it the meaning of "constancy", because The name Konstantin is "solid, permanent" (lat.). In this regard, all the "Konstantinov" crosses are divided into three main types. 1) victorious - i.e. Crosses of different types, but with the inscription. 2) victorious constancy - "Crosses" composed of stars and with the inscription. 3) constancy - "Crosses" from stars and without inscription.

Latin."The Latin Cross is the most common Christian religious symbol in the Western world. According to tradition, it is believed that it was from this cross, Christ was removed, hence his other name - Crucifixion cross; Other his names are the Cross of the West, the Cross of Life, the Cross of Suffering, Crux Immissa. Usually, the cross is a raw tree, but sometimes it is covered with gold, which symbolizes fame, or red spots (the blood of Christ) on the green (tree of life). This form, so similar to the man who spread his hands, symbolized God in Greece and China long before the appearance of Christianity; The cross-rising cross symbolized the kindness from the Egyptians. "

The straight cross, repeating the proportionality of the human body, was called "Latin" in the church language of the Catholic Church - Latin. Another appearance of the same cross is with three equal upper parts. Similar crosses, but "not straightforward" in their surface - are not "Latin". Russian Old Believers, who recognized the only right cross - the Russian eight-pin, with the inclined lower crossbar and necessarily accompanied by a spear and a cane with a sponge, refused to recognize the cross - "Latin Kryzh" (i.e. "Latin Cross"). But ... did not avoid this shape of the cross, because On it, as in the accomplishments of other forms, depicted the "Right Cross".

Maltese."The Maltese Cross is also known as the" eight-spin cross ". The white cross of this shape on a black background from the very beginning was the emblem of the military and religious "Order of Hospitallers", also called "John", which devoted themselves to the task of liberation from the Muslims of the Holy Land during crusades (1095 - 1272). Called in 1291, they postponed their headquarters to Rhodes (in 1310), and later - in Malta (in 1529) - hence this name. " Four "arrows" met at one point - the figure is undoubtedly crucible (cross-person), but - not "cross". The meaning of the figure: pure (white) aspirations (arrows) folding (+) at this point (here - about. Malta). His name sign received by the name of the island. Other common crosses that have endings similar to the "swallow tails", but are "crosses" cannot be called "Maltese" to avoid mistakes. In Russian Orthodoxy, such a sign is not detected. But, the dome of the Church of the Mother of God on Malta Island, decorated with a cross of this species.

Novgorod.Ancient Russian crosses described by Professor I.A. Hatpan, belongs, in their structure, to the form "Cross in a circle". But, developing independently, by the 15th century, the form of Novgorod crosses changes to the type "Round Cross", i.e. In some cases, "Cross" is only guessed. A similar shape of the crosses is not the main or common in other lands and religion, which allows us to talk about the ancient Russian cross, as a special form of the cross - Novgorod.

Sv.Petra. "Take the convicts, warriors led them to the place of execution; Clement, as a relative of the royal, they spared, letting go to freedom; The Irodion and Olympus, who came to Rome with the apostle Peter, together with many believers killed the sword. The Holy Peter prayed to his deposits to crucified him down his head, reading his gentlemen, on the cross at the cross, he did not want to like him in the image of a crucifixion, wanting his head under his feet. " It is impossible to say that the shape of the cross of St. Peter is widespread in Christian churches. Nevertheless, some examples can be found in Russian Orthodoxy. An explicit sign of the main cross-crossing of the cross is the intersection of the two largest (along the length) of the part of the cross. If the intersection takes place below the mid-(center) of the vertical part of the cross, then this is the cross of St. Peter. The same cross is formed in the procession of the Christian, which says:

"Three connected fingers touch the forehead, to the chest, to the right, and then to the left shoulder, depicting a cross on yourself ...". Such a simple movement, every Orthodox man likes himself as not to Christ, but Peter is one of the stones folding the church (Greek. "Peter" is "stone"). A similar cross on the top of the Christian temple means that Christ is (the cornerstone) stone of the church.

Polotsk."... And in other births of the princely of that time, personalities appeared, who surprised contemporaries with piety and holiness of life. They own the reverend princess Euphrosinia, to the world of pre-sislav, granddaughter of the Vlaborny Prince Polotsky Vyslava Bryachchavivich. Her father, Svyatoslav - Georgy, was the youngest of the seven sons of Prince Veslav. / ... / Jealous about the wellup of the house of God, Blessed Euphrosynia, instead of the Old Wooden Temple, built (about 1160) the Savior's Stone Temple in his monastery, preserved to our time, and prepared a precious hand to the new temple. "

"Cross of Rev. Euphrosynia Six-pin. Its length 11 3/8 top; Upper cross, or title, 3 tops, bottom 4 5/8 top. The entire cross is covered with gold and silver stuffed sheets, on which many decorations, skillfully made from small-scale garbage (mosaic), and 19 small images (one loss). Inside the cross are embedded: a part of the life-giving tree, a stone from the coffin of the Lord and the Virgin and several particles of the saints. From the side inscription, drawn around the whole cross, it is clear that the cross is attached to the Spasskaya Church from Rev. Euphrosynia in 6669 (1161) and the cost of the cross, except for the shrines concluded in it, was 140 hryvnia, i.e. About 1,400 present silver rubles. "

Only a small barcode can be added to the above: on the modern heraldic (drawn on the shield), the emblem of Belarus, we see the cross of this type.

Traditionally, most monuments are made up by a portrait, text, memory words and a cross. When choosing a cross to a monument, the customers often have difficulty: what kind of cross to choose? Crosses are four-pointed, six-pointed, eight-pointed. Which of them is Orthodox, what Catholic, what is the difference between the crosses? Let's try to find out.

How to choose a cross on a monument

There was a huge number of crosses in the world: ancient Egyptian anch, Celtic cross, sunny, Latin, Orthodox, Byzantine, Armenian ("blooming"), Andreevsky and other crosses are all geometric symbols used in various era and in modern times to express various meanings. Most crosses are so otherwise associated with Christianity.

In the Christian tradition, the reverence of the Cross originates from the legend of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ. The execution through the crucifixion existed before Christ - so wept usually the robbers - however, in Christianity, the cross acquires the meaning of not only the guns of execution, but the salvation of Christians through the death of Jesus.

To determine the choice of a monument in the form of a cross, it is necessary to understand the difference between different types of their species. Given that most Belarusians identify themselves with Christianity, let us dwell in more detail on the varieties of Christian crosses used in Belarus.

In the early Christian eastern church, about 16 types of crosses were spread. Each of the crosses read the church, and, as the priests say, the cross of any form will holy as a tree, which was crucified by the Savior.

The most common types of crosses in Belarus:

Stox Russian Orthodox Cross
Eight-pointed Orthodox (Cross of Saint Lazarus)
Eight-Spoard Cross - Calvary
Four-pin Latin (or Catholic). As an option is also an Orthodox Cross.

What is the difference between these crosses?

The six-pointed Russian cross is a cross with a single horizontal crossbar and lower inclined.

This shape of the cross is in Orthodoxy along with the eight-pointed, being, in fact, its simplified form. However, it should be noted that the spread of this type of cross is more characteristic of Belarus. In Russia, it is much more often you can meet the eight-spin Orthodox cross.

The lower crossbar of the six-pointed Russian cross symbolizes the footrest, the item that took place in reality.

The cross, on which the crucified Christ, was four. Another crossbar in the legs was attached to the cross before installing the cross in a vertical position, after the crucifixion, when it became obvious place on the cross, where the feet of crucible are located.

The slope of the lower crossbar has the symbolic meaning of the "Meryila of Righteousness". The higher part of the crossbar is located on the right side. According to the right hand, from Christ, according to legend, was crucified and because justified robber. On the left side, where the crossbar is drawn down, the robber was crucified, which the Savior's Hoalament further aggravated his position. In a broad sense, this crossbar is interpreted as a symbol of human mental state.

Eight-spoard cross

The eight-spin cross is a more complete form of the Orthodox Cross.

The upper crossbar, which distinguishes the cross from six-pointed, symbolizes a sign with an inscription (title), which was nailed to the cross, also after the crucifixion, by order of Pilate Pilate, the Roman Prefect of the Jew. In part in the mockery, partly to indicate the "guilt" of the crucified, on the plate on three languages \u200b\u200bit was indicated: "Jesus Nazarenin, Tsar Judaisky" (I.N.Ts.I.).

Thus, in meaning, the six-pointed and eight-spin crosses are the same, but the eight-spin cross is more saturated with symbolic content.

Eight-pointed cross-cold

The most comprehensive view of the Orthodox Cross is a cross-Calvary. In this symbol, many details are collected, reflecting the meaning of the Orthodox creed.

The eight-pointed cross stands on the symbolic image of the Golgotha \u200b\u200bMountain, on which, as written in the Gospel, the crucifixion of Christ was accomplished. Left and right from the mountain place alphabetic signatures GG. (Golgotha \u200b\u200bMountain) and M.L. R.B. (The frontal place is crucified or, according to another version, the frontal paradise place is by legend, on the site of the execution of Christ once there was a paradise and the forefather of mankind, Adam was buried here.

Under the mountain depicted skull and bones - this is a symbolic image of Adam's remains. Christ with her blood "washed" his bones, having relished humanity from the original sin. The bones are located in the sequence in which there are hands during the communion or burial, and the letters G.A., located near the skull, indicate the words of Adam's head.

On the left and right of the Cross are the guns of the execution of Christ: on the left of a spear, to the right sponge with the corresponding lettering signs (K. and G.). According to the Gospel, a sponge on a cane impregnated with vinegar, the warrior was taken to the lips of Christ, and the other warrior spent his Rybra.

The cross is usually located a circle - this is the crown of Christ.

On the sides of the Cross-Calvary are inscriptions: IP. Xs. (Abbreviated form from Jesus Christ), King of Glory, and neither (which means winner).

As we see, the cross-Calvary is the most complete form of the form of the Orthodox Christian Cross.

Four-pin cross

The four-star cross is one of the most ancient cases of Christian symbolism. The cross of the Armenian Church, in which Christianity for the first time in the world was recognized as a state religion at the beginning of the 4th century AD, was and remains quadrained.

In addition, crosses not only on the ancients, but also on the most famous Orthodox cathedrals have a four-pointed form. For example, at the Councils of St. Sophia in Constantinople, the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the Savior Transfiguration Cathedral in Pereslavl, Petropavlovsk Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg. If we talk about Belarus, then the four-pin cross with the crescent can be seen on the dome of the temple of the Holy Elisavtian monastery in the novelties. Crescent on the cross, in different versions, symbolizes anchor (church, as a place of salvation), an Eucharistic bowl, the cradle of Christ or the Epiphany Fike.

However, if in Orthodox churches, the four-pointed form of the cross is found not often, then only one version of the cross is used in the Catholic Church - four-pin, otherwise called the Latin Cross.

Choosing a cross for a deceased monument that confessed the Catholic faith, it is best to choose the four-pin Latin cross.

The difference between the Orthodox and Catholic Crucifixion

In addition to the difference in the shape of the Cross of Eastern and Western Christians, there are also differences in the crucifixion itself. Knowing important distinctive features of Orthodox and Catholic crucifies, it is easy to determine which direction of Christianity belongs to this symbol.

The differences between the Orthodox and Catholic crucifixes:

The number of nails visually distinguishable in crucifixes
The position of the body of Christ

If four nails are depicted in the Orthodox tradition on crucifixes - for each hand and legs separately, then in the Catholic tradition of the legs of Christ crossed and nailed by one nail, respectively, three nails on crucifixes.

Orthodoxy explains the presence of four nails that the Konstantinople brought from Jerusalem to Constantinople from Jerusalem, at which Christ was crucified, there were traces from four nails.

Catholics substantiate their version of three nails in that all nails of the cross are stored in the Vatican, on which Christ was crucified, and there are only three of them. In addition, the image on the Turin Dospanice is printed in such a way that the legs of crucified crossed, therefore it can be assumed that the legs of Christ nailed with one nail.

The position of the body of Christ on the Orthodox crucifixion is slightly unnatural, the body of Jesus does not hang on his hands, as it should have happened in physical laws. On the Orthodox crucifixion of Christ's hands stretch along the cross to the parties, as if calling "all ends of the earth" (Is. 45; 22). In the crucifix, there are no attempts to reflect pain, it is more symbolic. Orthodoxy explains these features of the crucifixion by the fact that the cross is, above all, the weapon of victory over death. Crucifixion in Orthodoxy is a symbol of the victory of life over death, and, no matter how paradoxically, almost the subject of joy, because it contains the idea of \u200b\u200bresurrection.

On the Catholic Crucifixion, the position of the body is as close as possible to physiological: the body saves on his hands on his own weight. Catholic crucifix is \u200b\u200bmore realistic: often depicted bleeding, stigmatics from nails, spears.

Proper arrangement of the cross on the monument

In fact, as such "the right" location on the cross is not. The most important thing is the very presence of a cross, if the deceased was a Christian.

Of course, the entire monument can be performed in the form of a cross, and this option would probably be the best tombstone for a Christian. However, in modern monuments, the cross is more often used in the form of engraving on steles of various geometric shapes. The cross can be granite, as an integral part of the monument, may be overhead metal or engraved.

Usually, the cross is located just above the portrait or medallion, if available, in a higher part of the monument. If the image is missing, the cross is located above the text (above the d.O. deceased).

On the symmetric stele, the cross is better to position the right, because the icons of the Savior on the iconostastes of Orthodox churches are located on the right side. Traditionally, the right part of the inner space of the church is considered "male", women in the temple are given to the left part, although this rule is more strictly observed in the temples under monasteries.

Form cross crossbaster You can choose, taking into account the font of the text. If the text is printed, the crossbar shape can also be straight, without decorative elements. To text made in italics, you can choose a cross with curly crossbars.

What if the small size of the granite cross does not allow it to make it six or eight-pointed?

In this case, the engraving of the six-pointed or eight-pointed Orthodox cross is applied to the four-pointed form. Very often, the native Orthodox cross are fulfilled precisely for this principle.

We hope our article will help you make the right choice of the shape of the cross to the monument. If you have difficulty, consult with our orders. If possible, we will help you to decide on the choice of the cross to the monument.

The believer by the rules wears the cross. But how to choose the right and not get confused in their manifold? You will learn about the symbolism and the meaning of the crosses from our article.

The types of crosses are a lot and many people already know what you can not do with a nice cross and how to wear it right. Therefore, first of all, the question arises about which of them are related to the Orthodox faith, and which - to Catholic. In both types of Christian religion, there are several types of crosses in which it is necessary to understand not to be confused.

The main differences of the Orthodox Cross

it has three transverse lines: the upper and lower - short, between them - long;
at the ends of the cross can be decorated three semicircles resembling a shader;
on some Orthodox crosses at the bottom instead of the oblique cross line, it may be a month - this sign got from Byzantium, from which Orthodoxy was adopted;
Jesus Christ crucified in the legs necessarily two nails, while on a Catholic crucifixion - one nail;
on a Catholic crucifixion there is some naturalism, which displays the flour of Jesus Christ, which he survived for people: the body looks literally heavy and hangs on his hands. The Orthodox crucifix shows the celebration of God and the joy of resurrection, overcoming death, so the body is imposed on top, and not hanging on the cross.

Catholic crosses

First of all, they relate to the so-called latin Cross. Like everything, it is a vertical and horizontal line, while the vertical is noticeably longer. His symbolism is as follows: this is exactly what the cross looked, which Christ carried in Calvary. Previously, it was used in paganism. With the adoption of Christianity, the Latin Cross became a symbol of faith and is sometimes associated with opposite things: with death and resurrection.

One more similar cross, but with three transverse lines, called padic. It relates only to Pope and is used on ceremonies.

There are also many types of crosses that used all sorts of knightly orders, such as Teutonic or Maltese. Since they were subordinated to Pope Roman, then these crosses can also be considered catholic. They look slightly perfectly from each other, but the general in them is that their lines are noticeable to the center.

Larring Cross It is very similar to the previous one, but has two crossbars, while one of them can be shorter than the other. The name indicates the terrain in which this character appeared. The Larring Cross appears on the coat of arms of Cardinals and Archbishops. Also, this cross is a symbol of the Greek Orthodox Church, so it cannot be fully named Catholic.

Orthodox crosses

The faith, of course, implies that the cross must be worn constantly and not to remove, with the exception of the rarest situations. Therefore, it is necessary to choose it with understanding. The most widely used in Orthodoxy Cross is eight-spinning. It is depicted as follows: one vertical line, a big horizontal line is slightly above the center and two more shorter crossbars: above and under it. At the same time, the bottom is always tilted and its right part is at the level below the left.

The symbolism of this cross is as follows: he shows already the cross, on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The upper transverse line corresponds to a nail crossbar with the inscription "Jesus Nazarenin, Tsar Judaian." According to biblical legend, the Romans joked over him after they were already crucified on the cross and waited for his death. The transverse crossbar symbolizes the one to which the hands of Christ were nailed, and the lower - where his legs were chained.

The inclination of the lower crossbar is explained as follows: together with Jesus Christ, two robber were crucified. According to legend, one of them repented before the Son of God and then received forgiveness. The second began to mock and only aggravated his position.

Nevertheless, the first cross, which was the first to be brought from Byzantium to Russia, was the so-called Greek Cross. He, like Roman, is four-spin. The difference is that it consists of identical rectangular crossbars and is completely equally equal. He served as the basis for very many other types of crosses, including crosses of Catholic orders.

Other types of crosses

Andreevsky Cross is very similar to the letter x or on an inverted Greek cross. It is believed that it was on such a crucifier of the apostle Andrey was the first called. Used in Russia on the flag of the Navy. He is also depicted on the flag of Scotland.

Celtic cross is also similar to Greek. He is necessarily taken into the circle. This symbol was used for a long time in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as part of Britain. During that Catholicism was not common, Celtic Christianity prevailed in this area, which was used by this symbol.

Sometimes the cross can be in a dream. It can be both good and very bad sign, according to the dream book. All the best, and do not forget to click on 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 ...