Rare antique large (approx. 1 7/8" tall with solid bale) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring an ancient sword-shaped design with icons of the Holy Face of Jesus the Savior "Not Made by Human Hands" (centerpiece), the Most Holy Theotokos (Mother of God) and Ever-Virgin Mary with Saint John the Evangelist (sides) and Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (bottom). A Cross shaped as a sword might refer to the preaching of Christ: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34), and "...if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:36).  Such a design of the Cross is characteristic of the Russian Orthodox crosses that appeared around 15th century. It was suggested that crosses and crucifixes shaped as a sword became popular in the medieval Europe because of the Crusades. 

The Cross offered for sale appears to have been hand made from a historical bronze or similar copper alloy of unknown composition. Origin likely circa 15th century Russia (according to available catalogs describing similar findings; please see the last two pictures for a reference). The item shows significant visible signs of wear due to its old age, such as reduced quality of artwork, deformations of the original shape, scratches or superficial cracks, dents, discolorations, spots of local corrosion, and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of gentle manual cleaning and polishing. Some pictures taken under bright illumination could give an impression that the metal is silvery, but its real color shows yellow (brass-like) tone reflecting presence of copper in the metal alloy. The aged metal might become fragile for everyday wearing of this Cross as a piece of jewelry; therefore it is sold strictly as a collectible item. The size of the Cross is shown on the photographs for this listing.

The obverse bears a larger image of the Holy Face of Jesus (icon "Not Made by Human Hands") in the centerpiece. This image is considered to be the oldest known Christian icon, and also the oldest known portrait of Jesus. According to the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, Jesus made an imprint of His face by wiping it with a linen cloth, which was sent to King Abgar of Edessa to cure his leprosy. The image of the Holy Face of Christ on the cloth was preserved for centuries in Edessa as the most sacred treasure. In 944, the Byzantines brought it with a great veneration to Constantinople. It remained there until the capture of the city by the Crusaders in 1204, when it was lost. However, by that time, numerous copies of the image were painted as the Holy Icons, preserving the sacred image to this day. This icon is called in Greek "Achieropoietos", meaning "not made by human hands". In the Byzantine tradition, the image was sometimes called the Mandylion, meaning "small handkerchief". In the Western Catholic tradition, the image is known as the image of the Holy Face of Jesus, as preserved on the Veil of Saint Veronica.

The left and right side crossbar ends show icons of the Most Holy Mother of God and St. John the Evangelist showing the way to Jesus by pointing hands at His image. Their names are inscribed in abbreviated form in the top "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar. The top line represents Greek abbreviation  "MP ΘY" meaning "Mother of God", whereas the bottom line shows Church Slavonic "ИOAH" (IOAN) inscription meaning "John".

The bottom vertical crossbar displays an icon of Saint Nicholas (Slavonic: Nicolay or Nicola/Nikola), one of the most renowned and venerated Christian saints, and a 4th-century Greek Bishop of Myra. The Saint is depicted holding the book of the Gospels in his left hand, and giving his blessing with his right hand. The Saint's name is inscribed above his image in abbreviated Church Slavonic as "НИКОЛ" ("NIKOL").   Because of many miracles attributed to his intersession, this highly venerated Saint is usually referred to by the Orthodox faithful as the Wonderworker (or the Miracle Worker). His legendary habit of secret gift giving gave rise to traditional Christmas figures of Saint Nikolay in the Slavonic parts of the world and Santa Claus in the West. He is a patron saint of sailors, merchants, students, children, repentant thieves, and many countries and cities, such as Greece, Russia, Moscow, Amsterdam, Liverpool, and others. 

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 are 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.