Vintage or antique solid sterling silver small but sturdy (approx. 1" tall with solid bale; weight approx. 1.3 g) Orthodox Crucifix pendant featuring classic design of the Slavonic Orthodox 3-bar Savior's Cross with iconic image of the Crucified Savior and words of the Orthodox "Protection" prayer on the reverse. The large soldered jump ring of the pendant bears two punch marks, one of which displays the "925" hallmark indicating the "sterling" purity. The pendant has vintage or antique appearance with signs of aging and wear that might include diminished quality of the artwork, visible deformations of its original shape, scratches, dents, and patches of discoloration/patina. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using gentle cleaning and polishing. The jump ring shows signs of wear consistent with many years of devotional wearing of the pendant. The size and weight of the item are shown on the photographs for this listing.

The pendant is shaped as a three-bar Suppedaneum cross. The three-bar cross is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the Slavonic Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate inscribed on this Cross in Cyrillic transliteration as "IНЦI", 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 obverse bears an image of the Crucifixion recreated according to the ancient Orthodox iconographic tradition. There is a Church Slavonic monogram "ЦC" meaning "King of Glory" just above Savior's head. The left and right wider ends of the central horizontal crossbar bear Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right. 

The reverse displays an inscription of the traditional Slavonic Orthodox prayer meaning "Save and Protect" incorporated into the central horizontal crossbar of the pendant. The prayer reminds us that Christ the Savior is with us to save and protect a person wearing the cross from every evil and all enemies visible and invisible. The vertical crossbar is filled with a knotted lace-style ornament.

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 measuring meter and electronic scale are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size and weight 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.