The guardian cross of the entire universe, Church beauty cross, The cross is the king's power, the cross is the faithful affirmation, The cross is glory as an angel, the cross is plague as a demon.

(Light on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

The Cross of the Lord is a sign of victory over death and the forces of hell, the royal banner of Christ God, preceding His glorious appearance in the Holy Resurrection, as stated in the synoxar. The cross is our shield and weapon in the fight against invisible enemies and our own spiritual and bodily passions and vices, in it we find true spiritual strength and strength when we strive to follow our Savior. Honoring the Cross and the suffering of the Lord, we shed both sorrowful and joyful tears, in hope of our own inner renewal and resurrection, which would have been impossible without the Great Sacred Sacrifice, which took place two thousand years ago on Calvary.

The Christian religion is a “crusader” religion, as the Apostle Paul says: “It has been given to you for Christ’s sake not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”(Phil. 1:29). AND “Through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God”(Acts 14:22). Carry your cross within your strength, i.e. crucifying bodily lusts and desires is a narrow and cramped path of salvation for every Christian. Worshiping the Holy Cross of the Lord and “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.”(Heb. 12:2), we are encouraged in spirit and gain courage for exploits in order to reject conceit and pride and patiently follow in the footsteps of the holy fathers, who left us a worthy image and example to follow.

One day to the king Constantine the Great(February 27, 272 - May 22, 337) Jesus Christ appeared in a dream with a sign visible in the sky and commanded, having made a banner similar to this one seen in the sky, to use it for protection from the attacks of enemies. The banner had the following appearance: on a long, gold-covered spear there was a transverse yard, which with the spear formed the sign of a cross, and on it the first two letters of the name “Christ”, combined together. Tsar Constantine ordered the Christogram to be embroidered on the banner before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

On October 28, 312, the king's army won this battle, and Constantine the Great became the sole ruler of the western part of the Roman Empire. The global significance of the battle was that it led to the legalization of Christianity and its transformation into the state religion.

The king also wore the letters of the name of Christ, later called the “monogram of Constantine,” on his helmet. After the miraculous apparition, Tsar Constantine ordered images of the cross to be made on the shields of his soldiers and installed three memorial crosses in Constantinople with the gold inscription in Greek “IC.XP.NIKA”, which means “Jesus Christ the Conqueror”. He installed the first cross with the inscription “Jesus” on the triumphal gates of the city square, the second with the inscription “Christ” on a Roman column, and the third with the inscription “Winner” on a high marble pillar in the city’s bread square. From this began the universal veneration of the Cross of Christ.

The first encrypted images of the cross were found in Roman catacombs of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The oldest image of the cross was its three covered forms: in the form of the Greek letter T (“Tau”, Peter’s cross), a four-pointed cross, consisting of two equal parts, folded in the middle at a right angle (+), and a cross in the form of the letter X (the cross of the Apostle Andrew). The real form of the cross was not used at first out of fear of the pagans, so that the sacred symbol would not be desecrated.

Since it became possible in the Christian world to legally make images of the cross, encrypted inscriptions and Christograms did not disappear, but were transferred as an addition to the crosses themselves, the cross began to be depicted in its original form, eight-pointed, with the image of the Savior.

This tradition also came to Russia: from the 11th century, under the lower oblique crossbar of the eight-pointed cross-crucifix, which was installed in churches, a symbolic image of the head of Adam, buried, according to legend, on Golgotha, appears.

Below, under the feet of the Savior, a footstool is depicted; on the upper part of the cross, a board is attached with the initial letters of Pilate’s inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (I.H.C.I) or the inscription “Jesus Christ”.

Worship of the Cross of the Lord is performed 3 times a year: on the first day of the Dormition Lent (August 14, New Art.), when the “Origin of the Honest and Life-giving Cross of the Lord”, on (September 27, New Art.) and on the third Week (Worship of the Cross).

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 beautiful jewel, it brings good luck to someone 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 attention is paid to what is depicted on it, however, eight-pointed and six-pointed crosses have gained the most popularity.

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 the fact that the repentant thief, crucified on the right side of Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the thief crucified on the left side, by 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 Catholic and Orthodox Churches Special significance 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 Easter joy always present. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches out his arms, the palms of Jesus 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 the Catholic Crucifixion, the image of Christ has naturalistic features. Catholics depict Christ dead, sometimes with streams of blood on the face, from wounds on the 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 crucifix 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 the endless God's love, a subject of joy. The incarnate Son of God sanctified the cross with His blood and made it a vehicle 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 mankind, 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. Like many Jews and people Greek culture Apostolic times seemed contradictory to the statement that the omnipotent and eternal God descended to earth in the form of a mortal man, voluntarily endured beatings, spitting and shameful death, that this feat could bring spiritual benefit to humanity. " This is impossible!“- some objected; " It is not necessary!"- others stated.

St. Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: “ Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of the word, 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, God's power And God's wisdom "(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. Moreover, if love reveals itself most of all in sacrificial service to one’s neighbor, then there is no doubt that giving one’s life for him is highest manifestation love;

d) from understanding the power of human love, one must rise to understanding 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", states absolute Truth luminaries of the Feast of the Exaltation of the 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

Christian culture has given rise to a huge number of symbols. Some of them are actively used and are familiar to almost every person. Others, on the contrary, once appeared in the church, over time lost their popularity and are not so relevant in the context modern culture, existing only on the margins of the historical and cultural memory of the Christian community. One of these symbols is an inverted cross, that is, a cross whose crossbar is lowered below the middle. This is the so-called cross of St. Peter. His photo is posted below. Many are familiar with it, but not everyone associates it with the New Testament religion.

The legend of the crucifixion of the Apostle Peter

The inverted cross owes its appearance in the bosom of the church to the legend of the Supreme Lord. To be more precise, this concerns his death, which, according to the same legend, took place in Rome in 65 or 67. According to Catholic doctrine, Peter was the head of the apostles and played the role of Christ's vicar on earth after the latter's ascension to heaven. Therefore, he went to Rome to preach the good news, to testify there about the Son of God before the emperor and the people of the eternal city. Having converted a considerable number of pagans and Jews there to Christianity, Peter thereby made enemies for himself among those who did not respond to his preaching. Among others, he was the then leader of the Roman Empire, Emperor Nero. There is a version that the latter disliked the apostle because he converted his two wives to Christ, who from that moment began to shun Nero. or not, Peter ended up on trial and was sentenced to death by crucifixion. The prince of the apostles had the opportunity to escape punishment. He even tried to take advantage of it by leaving Rome. Church legends say that on the way he met Jesus Christ heading towards Rome and asked him where he was going. Christ replied that he was going to Rome because Peter was fleeing from it. After this, the unlucky apostle went back to meet his fate.

When Peter was already prepared for execution, he asked the executioners to crucify him upside down, citing the fact that he was not worthy to be executed like his divine teacher. The Roman executioners fulfilled his request by turning over the cross to which the apostle was nailed. That is why it is known as the cross of St. Peter.

Church meaning of the symbol

It is rare to see an inverted cross in Christian iconography and sculpture. Nevertheless, sometimes it still occurs, both in Catholic and in Orthodox tradition. Of course, in Catholicism its significance is somewhat higher, since it is in this branch of Christianity that the special, exclusive role of the Apostle Peter and his successors in the person of Orthodoxy levels the supreme dignity of the Apostle Peter to the level of primacy of honor, while Catholics literally understand the words of Jesus Christ about that Peter is the rock on which the Christian church will be built. Hence it follows Special attention adherents of the Roman throne to everything connected with this apostle. The story of the crucifixion upside down was also no exception. Thus, the inverted cross, that is, the cross of St. Peter, is a symbol not just of the apostle, but also of his power, and therefore the power of the Roman bishop and the institution of the papacy in general.

But even in this meaning it is used quite rarely. It even happens that Catholics themselves are sometimes perplexed when they encounter the cross of St. Peter among church paraphernalia or as symbolism on liturgical utensils.

Mystical interpretation of an inverted cross in esotericism

The Western occult tradition, based on the synthesis of Christianity, Kabbalah and a number of religious elements of other traditions, also did not ignore the cross of St. Peter. What it means, however, has not been clearly stated until now by anyone. Most often, it is associated with practices designed to cleanse the soul of certain sinful states. But the search for the hidden meaning of this symbol did not yield much success, unlike, say, the Jewish hexagram or the pagan pentagram.

Satanic Interpretation Trends

Remaining outside the interests of Catholics and occultists, the cross of St. Peter, however, became extremely popular among adherents of the devil. Every Satanist certainly wears or has a cross, called in such cases an overturned cross. The meaning of this is quite obvious: since Satanism is not an independent religion, but a cult based on opposition to the Christian God, both its symbols and practice originate in Christianity. Thus, the main “virtues” of Satanism are the sins of Christian ethics, liturgy or the so-called black mass of devil worshipers, this is a distorted Christian worship. In accordance with the same principle, the cross, being the main Christian symbol, became in an inverted form, along with the inverted pentagram, the main symbol of Satanism. As such, followers of the prince of darkness in some associations use the cross of St. Peter as an altar, placing a naked girl on it, with whom ritual intercourse then takes place.

Cross of the Apostle Peter and inverted crucifix

In Christianity in general, the satanic interpretation of the inverted cross is not taken seriously. At least this applies to people who know his real origins. Indeed, an inverted crucifix is ​​offensive to Christians. That is, not just an overturned cross, but a cross with the image of the crucified Christ. In this case, it is indeed considered to be trampling on a religious symbol and blasphemy. In practice, especially among adherents of devil-worshipping cults, the difference between the cross and the crucifixion is obscured, which often leads to incorrect interpretations and biased conclusions.

Conspiracy theories

For example, this concerns various theories suspecting the Vatican and Catholic Church in general, in aiding Satanism, serving the Antichrist and selling one’s Christian identity to the devil. The cross of St. Peter, the meaning of which is unambiguous and sanctified by tradition, suddenly begins to be used as proof of the involvement of the papal entourage in secret conspiracy in order to establish the power of the Antichrist and similar fictions. Unfortunately, there has never been a shortage of this kind of unscrupulous theories and is unlikely to exist.

The cross is a very ancient symbol. What did it symbolize before the Savior’s death on the cross? Which cross is considered more correct - Orthodox or Catholic four-pointed (“kryzh”). What is the reason for the image of Jesus Christ on the cross with crossed feet for Catholics and separate feet in the Orthodox tradition.

Hieromonk Adrian (Pashin) answers:

In different religious traditions, the cross symbolized different concepts. One of the most common is the meeting of our world with the spiritual world. For the Jewish people, from the moment of Roman rule, the cross, crucifixion was a method of shameful, cruel execution and caused insurmountable fear and horror, but, thanks to Christ the Victor, it became a desired trophy, evoking joyful feelings. Therefore, Saint Hippolytus of Rome, the Apostolic Man, exclaimed: “and the Church has its own trophy over death - this is the Cross of Christ, which it bears on itself,” and Saint Paul, the Apostle of the Languages, wrote in his Epistle: “I wish to boast... only by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).

In the West, the most commonly used now is the four-pointed cross (Fig. 1), which the Old Believers call (for some reason in Polish) “Kryzh Latin” or “Rymski”, which means Roman cross. According to the Gospel, the execution of the cross was spread throughout the Empire by the Romans and, of course, was considered Roman. “And not by the number of trees, not by the number of ends, we venerate the Cross of Christ, but by Christ Himself, whose most holy blood was stained,” says St. Demetrius of Rostov. - And showing miraculous power“, any cross does not act by itself, but by the power of Christ crucified on it and by invoking His most holy name.”

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.

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross (Fig. 2) most closely corresponds to the historically accurate form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified, as testified by Tertullian, St. Irenaeus of Lyons, St. Justin the Philosopher and others. “And when Christ the Lord carried the cross on His shoulders, then 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, having finished this already on Golgotha” (St. Demetrius of Rostov). Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, first “they crucified Him” (John 19:18), and then only “Pilate wrote an inscription and put it on the cross” (John 19:19 ). It was first that the soldiers “who crucified Him” divided “His clothes” by lot (Matthew 27:35), and only then “they placed an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27: 37).

Images of the Savior’s crucifixion have also been known since ancient times. Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant (Fig. 3), and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear (Fig. 4).

Since ancient times, crucifixion crosses, both in the East and in the West, had a crossbar to support the feet of the Crucified One, and His legs were depicted as nailed each separately with its own nail (Fig. 3). The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed to a single nail (Fig. 4) first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.

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

Therefore, in the tradition of Orthodoxy, it is to depict the Savior Almighty precisely as the already Risen Cross-Bearer, holding and calling into His arms the entire universe and carrying on Himself the New Testament altar - the Cross.

And the traditionally Catholic image of the crucifixion, with Christ hanging in his arms, on the contrary, has the task of showing how it all happened, of depicting the dying suffering and death, and not at all what is essentially the eternal Fruit of the Cross - His triumph.

Orthodoxy invariably teaches that suffering is necessary for all sinners for their humble assimilation of the Fruit of redemption - the Holy Spirit sent by the sinless Redeemer, which, out of pride, Catholics do not understand, who through their sinful sufferings seek participation in the sinless, and therefore redemptive Passion of Christ and thereby fall into the crusader heresy "self-rescue".

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 back side An Orthodox cross must contain 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 it is found different shape 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.

Both in 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 sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of the word, 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).