|
| |
An Explanation of the Russian
Orthodox Three-Bar Cross
Through the Cross came our Salvation. We are constantly
reminded that Christ died for us, and that He rose from the dead. The Image of
the crucified Lord reminds us of this. This page allows you to navigate through
an explanation of the Orthodox Cross. Each step shows a close up of that part of
the Cross, as well as its explanation and any words on it. The main source for
this is a document written by Fr. Theodore Jurewicz.
 The
Top Bar Explanation:
The top bar is the title-board, which Pilate ordered to be
hung in mockery over Christ’s head on the Cross. On this board was inscribed:
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (abbreviated
to the Greek initials ‘INBI’ or the Latin initials ‘INRI’ in the Western
tradition). This is replaced with the Christian inscription: "King of Glory" –
below the knees of the angels. On the title-board is inscribed the initials 'IC
XC', being the first and last letters of Christ’s name in Greek. In addition,
just above Christ's arms we see the inscription: ‘NIKA’, which in Greek means:
"He conquers" or "He is victorious." Frequently, we see these last two
inscriptions together: 'IC XC NIKA', meaning: "Jesus Christ is victorious" (over
death and sin).
 The
Middle Bar Explanation:
The middle bar is that on which the Lord's hands were
nailed. On either top corner we see the depiction of the sun (left) and the moon
(right), for "The sun hid its light, and the moon turned to blood." (Joel 2:31)
The inscription: "Son of God" is placed on both sides of Christ's head, and
below His arms we read the inscription: "Before Thy Cross we bow down, O Master,
and Thy holy Resurrection, we glorify". The halo of Christ is inscribed with
three Greek letters meaning "The Being" or "He Who Is", to remind us that Christ
is the same God Who identified Himself with those words to Moses in the Old Law.
 The
Bottom Bar Explanation:
The slanted bottom bar is the footrest. There is some
question of whether it was actually on the Cross of Christ, but it is
acknowledged to be a necessary attribute of the Cross, worthy of veneration and
prophetically alluded to in the words [Let us] worship the footstool of His
feet... (Ps. 98:5).
In prayers for the Ninth Hour, the Church likens the Cross to a type of balance
of righteousness:
"Between two thieves
Thy Cross did prove to be a balance of righteousness: wherefore one of them was
dragged down to Hades by the weight of his blasphemy whereas the other was
lightened of his transgressions unto the comprehension of theology. O Christ
God, glory to Thee."
The meaning of this prayer is as follows: the Cross of
Christ stood for a scale of justice between the two thieves: for one of them
sank in to hell, dragged down by his blasphemous words; and the other, the wise
thief, ascended into heaven, because of his repentance. The church fathers
attempted to render tangible the thought of the unfaithful thief going to hell
for his blasphemy throught the just judgement of God (the lower end of the
bar), and of the wise thief going to heaven for his repentance and his
praise of God (the upper end).
The Images
Explanation:
On the Cross is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Note that He does
not wear a crown of thorns, and that His feet are nailed with two nails. Behind
the body of Christ, on either side, are a lance (which pierced Him) and a sponge
(which was soaked with gall and offered to Christ to drink) on a pole made of
reed or cane. On the body of Christ is depicted blood and water flowing forth
from His side. Below the feet of Christ is four Slavonic letters meaning: "The
place of the skull became Paradise". Hidden in a cave under the earth is 'the
skull of Adam'. We are thus reminded that Adam our forefather lost Paradise
through the tree from which he wrongly partook; Christ is the new Adam, bringing
us Salvation and Paradise through the tree of the Cross. The city of Jerusalem
is depicted in the background, for He was crucified outside the city walls.
Volume IV, No. 3; May-June
1982 Living Orthodoxy was also used as a source for some material on this
page.
Prayers to the Cross
The Troparia:
Before
Thy Cross we bow down, O Master, and Thy Holy Resurrection, we glorify.
O
Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Granting to right believing
kings victory over their enemies, and by Thy Cross upholding Thy community.
The Kontakion:
O
Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the
Cross, bestow Thy mercies now upon Thy nation which beareth Thy name, O Christ
God. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians, granting them victories over
adversaries, as they have Thine assistance, a weapon of peace and the invincible
trophy.
Click Here for a PDF
Printable Version
|
