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...