cross
|
Recognized the world over by Christians and non-Christians alike, the cross is the foremost symbol of Christianity. Refined and stylized compared to the one actually used at Calvary, the cross in any of its various forms recalls to all believers the substitutional death of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world.
St. Mark’s processional cross pictured above depicting the Lamb of God at the crossing point and symbols of the four evangelists at the ends of the crossbar and the top and bottom of the vertical element is sometimes call the Evangelists’ Cross. This general shape, the Latin Cross, is typical to many western denominations. To the right is another such cross, greeting those approaching St. Mark’s on Easter morning at the intersection of Longwood and Franklin. |
|
Some crosses have additional horizontal members. One above the crossbar represents the location of the sign Pilate had placed on the cross with Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. In western churches this frequently bears the acronym INRI for the Latin Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum, and in eastern churches, the Greek equivalent acronym INBI. Another member below the crossbar, often shown at an angle, represents a footrest to which Our Lord’s feet would have been nailed. A cross with both these elements is used by many Slavic orthodox denominations.
Another general shape has four main members of equal length. The Greek, Maltese, and Canterbury crosses are examples with the usual upright orientation, while St. Andrew’s Cross is rotated in the saltire orientation.
Crosses on which a corpus, the representation of Jesus’ body, is attached are crucifixes. The crucifix is commonly used by Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox traditions. At St. Mark’s, a crucifix is located in the chancel near the lectern.
Another general shape has four main members of equal length. The Greek, Maltese, and Canterbury crosses are examples with the usual upright orientation, while St. Andrew’s Cross is rotated in the saltire orientation.
Crosses on which a corpus, the representation of Jesus’ body, is attached are crucifixes. The crucifix is commonly used by Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox traditions. At St. Mark’s, a crucifix is located in the chancel near the lectern.