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Thirty-Seventh Day of Lent: Reflections of the Cross
The Cross Fitchy The name fitchy comes from the French for “fixed” referring to the distinctive pointed lower limb. It is thought that this design was for use by travelling Crusaders who would drive the cross in the ground. Its shape resembles a sword, symbolic of the...
Thirty-sixth Day of Lent: Reflections of the Cross
Consecration Cross Variations of this symbol have prehistoric origins and it has been suggested as one of the first symbols of the cross. Pagans used it as veneration of the sun, and therefore it is widely known as the Sun Cross, from which life is dependant....
Thirty-fifth Day of Lent: Reflections of the Cross
The Serbian Cross The Serbian Cross is a national symbol of Serbia, part of the Coat of Arms of Serbia, and the flag of Serbia. It is composed of a cross symbol with four stylized letters beta (Β) on each of its corners. The actual origin of the beta (Β) symbols goes...
Thirty-Fourth Day of Lent: Reflections of the Cross
Trinity Cross This is a simple Latin Cross combined with an equilateral triangle, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. It has been attributed that the meaning of this cross is that salvation is the work of Jesus Christ, prompted by the love of the Father, and received by men...
Thirty-third Day of Lent
The Mar Thoma Sliva Cross The Mar Thoma Sliva Cross, also known as the St. Thomas Cross, is the symbol of the Nasrani people, an ancient Christian community in India. It is believed Christianity was introduced there in the first century by Thomas the Apostle. There...
Thirty-second Day of Lent
Moline Cross The term Moline (Millrine or Millrind) comes from the Latin molere 'to grind' and molinum 'mill'. This is because the shape of this cross is similar to the iron bar that supports or secures a millstone. Occasionally the cross is called a Millstone Cross...
Thirty-first Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Cross Potent The Cross Potent is also known as the Crutch Cross and the Teutonic Cross. This particular image, like many of the crosses pictured before, is pre-Christian and has been found in Neolithic petroglyphs, dating back to 2500 BC. Potent comes from the...
Thirtieth Day of Lent
The Macedonian Cross This cross is also known as Veljusa Cross because it was first displayed in the Veljusa monastery near Strumica around 1085. The Macedonian Cross is mainly connected with the Christianity in Macedonia and is a symbol of the Macedonian Orthodox...
Twenty-ninth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Patriarchal Cross The Patriarchal Cross is a variation of the Russian Cross and the Papal Cross. This cross symbol was seen in wide numbers throughout the Byzantine Empire by the tenth century. It was thought to have been given to St. Stephen by the pope as a...
Twenty-eighth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Cross of Salem This cross is associated with the papacy but not to be confused with the Papal Cross. More commonly it is connected with freemasonry and the Knights Templar. There is no clear significance of the three bars other than to suggest head, crossbeam and...
Twenty-seventh Day in Lent: Reflections of the Cross
The Huguenot Cross Today the Huguenot Cross is commonly seen on jewelry, but historically it is a Christian religious symbol whose origins are in France. It is the distinctive identification of the Reformed Church of France said to have first appeared during the...
Twenty-sixth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Maltese Cross The Maltese cross, also known as the Amalfi cross is the cross symbol associated with the of Malta and by extension with the island of Malta. Its design is based on crosses used since the First Crusade. It is also the modern symbol of Amalfi, a small...
Twenty-fifth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Budded Cross The Budded Cross is also known at the Apostles Cross, the Treflee, or the Cathedral Cross. While there are many variations of this cross, the most common has three circles at the end of each arm representing the trinity. It is thought this design was...
The Twenty-fourth Day in Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Staurogram Cross In the early centuries of Christianity monograms were used to refer to Jesus including the Chi-Rho Cross and the Christ the Victor Cross. The Staurogram Cross is one such monogram. Staurogram literally means “cross monogram.” This cross is also...
Twenty-third Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Grapevine Cross This unusual cross with its dropping arms is also known as the Georgian Cross and the Cross of St. Nino. St. Nino was the Cappadocian woman who preached Christianity in what is now the Republic of Georgia in the 4th century. She was said to have...
Fourth Sunday in Lent
(I apolgize that for the last two days there has not been a posting. I have been out of town and did not have an internet connection) The Greek Cross The Greek Cross is thought to be one of the earliest and most common forms of Christianity. It was in widespread use...
Twentieth Day of Lent: Reflections of the Cross
Cross of Calvary The image of the Cross of Calvary is simple enough: a Latin Cross on three steps. It is most often used today placed on top of communion tables and altar arrangements. It is also known as the Stepped Cross and Graded Cross. The cross gives the image...
Nineteenth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Baptismal Cross This cross, like many of the other symbols already noted, has pre-Christian origins. In Egypt the eight spokes symbolized the eight emanations of creation. Gnostics borrowed this image seeing representing the eight aeons. In Christianity the number...
The Eighteenth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Papal Cross Since Roman Catholics will soon be electing a new Pope it seems timely to introduce to the blog the Papal Cross. This cross is the official emblem of the papal office and for Catholics is to be used only by the Pope. It is the same as a standard cross...
Seventeenth Day of Lent: Reflections on the Cross
The Modern Coptic Cross The modern Coptic Cross is a progression from the original design. Today it is the cross used by the Coptic Church around the world but especially in Ethiopia. It is made up of two intersecting bold lines and at the end of each arm are three...
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