Vintage or antique solid sterling silver small but sturdy (approx. 1" tall with bale and jump ring; weight approx. 0.8-0.9 g) Crucifix pendant featuring a Slavonic Orthodox design with iconic image of the Crucified Savior and Church Slavonic text of prayer to the Holy Cross based on Psalm 68 of David the King on the reverse. The larger 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, deformations of its original shape, scratches, dents, and patches of discoloration/patina. Most of the original patina has been removed using gentle cleaning and polishing. The size and weight of the item are shown on the photographs for this listing.

The obverse displays an image of the Crucifixion recreated according to the ancient Orthodox iconographic tradition. The Savior is depicted crucified on the three-bar Suppedaneum cross that 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, 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 central part of the cross just above Savior's shoulders bears the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right. The space below His arms shows Greek "NIKA" ("VICTORIOUS") inscription made in a Cyrillic transliteration as "NИKA", an ancient symbol of Christ's victory over sin and death achieved on the Cross. 

The reverse shows abbreviated Church Slavonic text of the prayer to the Holy Cross based on Psalm 68 beginning with "MAY GOD ARISE AND MAY HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED...". This psalm-based prayer is traditionally inscribed on the reverse of the Old Believers' Orthodox body (Baptism) cross pendants, meaning to provide protection of the faithful cross-bearer against the evil spirits (God's enemies), and thereby is considered a version of the Exorcism prayer.   

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.