Antique large (approx. 1-3/4" tall with solid bale) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring traditional "Old Believers" ornate design with the center of the pendant surrounded by ornamental openwork circle similar to a "Solar", or a "Sun" cross and image of the three-bar Savior's Cross with abbreviated Church Slavonic text of the beginning of an Orthodox hymn to the Holy Cross. In a Christian context, the "Sun Cross" design could symbolically represent Jesus as "the sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) and His preaching, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). The Cross appears to have been hand made from a historical metal alloy of unknown composition. Origin likely c.18th century Russia (based on similar items listed in available catalogs; please see the last two pictures for a reference). The item shows significant signs of wear consistent with its suggested age, such as reduced quality of artwork, visible deformations of the original shape, scratches or superficial cracks, dents, chipped off or corroded particles of metal, and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of cleaning and polishing. Some pictures taken under bright illumination could give an impression that the metal is silvery, but its real color is closer to yellow (brass-like) reflecting presence of copper in the metal alloy. The size of the Cross is shown on the photographs for this listing.
The obverse bears an
image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross. The three-bar cross is venerated as
the true Savior's Cross in the Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic
churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents
the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest
crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side
where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified.
The top end of the
vertical crossbar incorporates a smaller square or "boxed" shape with
abbreviated inscription in Church Slavonic meaning "KING OF GLORY JESUS
CHRIST".
The space around the
Savior's Cross is filled with abbreviated Church Slavonic inscription
representing the beginning of the Orthodox hymn to the Holy Cross translating as: "THE CROSS IS KEEPER OF
ALL UNIVERSE; THE CROSS IS BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH; THE CROSS IS REGALIA OF TSARS;
THE CROSS IS ASSERTION OF FAITHFUL; THE CROSS IS GLORY OF ANGELS; THE CROSS IS
SORE OF DEMONS."
A small symbolic image of the skull, or Adam's head, buried
below the Savior's Cross refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site
where Jesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of the
skull" in Hebrew. An ancient tradition of Catholic and Orthodox Churches
held that it was also the burial place of Adam, thus also symbolizing the
ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.
There are four
additional, diagonal crossbeams superimposed on the circle surrounding the
center of the cross. The ornamental circle makes it similar to a Celtic-style
"Solar", or "Sun Cross". The diagonal crossbeams usually
symbolize to the cross of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Alternatively, they might
depict the rays of light coming from the glorious Holy Cross of the Savior. St.
Andrew is considered the Founder and the first Bishop of the Christian Church
of Byzantium, and is the patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople. Saint Andrew is believed to have been crucified on the Crux
decussata (X-shaped cross, also known as "Saltire").
The reverse displays a partially worn off floral or vine ornament symbolizing the life-giving nature of the Christian Cross, and also referring to the preaching of Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15:5). The ornament incorporates abbreviated Church Slavonic words of a prayer, likely a continuation of the Hymn started on the obverse.
Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International shipping is handled by Ebay. International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.