Orthodox cross "Crucifixion with those present. Mother of God Oranta" p01856 Onyx

The front side depicts a laconic composition of the Crucifixion. In the center there is an upright figure of the crucified Christ. Similar iconography of the crucified Savior, characteristic of most ancient crosses, is often called the image of Christ Triumphant. The death of the Savior on the cross in it does not obscure the triumph of the Lord, who defeated hell and death.  Above the head of Christ there is the title И&С Х&С, typical of all crosses of the 7th–16th centuries. A four-pointed cross is placed above it as a symbol of the Savior’s sacrifice on the cross.

In the semicircles of the ends of the horizontal beam, chest-length images of those present are depicted: the Mother of God - on the right hand of Christ and John the Theologian - on the left. The outstretched hands of the Savior, thanks to the compactness of the composition, touch the halos of His Most Pure Mother and disciple. Thus, as if connecting them according to the words of the Gospel: “Woman! Behold Your Son" (John 19.26) and "Behold Your Mother!" (John 19.27). These words are often found on ancient Byzantine crosses with the image of the Crucifixion with two standing ones: the Mother of God and John the Theologian. They express not only the love of Christ for those close to Him, but also the foundation of the Church, the symbolic image of which is the Mother of God, has already been laid. in Her and in the mystery of the Incarnation the essence of the Church is expressed to the highest degree - the connection between God and man. With these words, Christ also affirms the right of maternal intercession of the Mother of God not only for his beloved disciple, but also for every person. In connection with the above, we recall the stern and at the same time full of love words of Saint Cyprian: “To whom the Church is not a Mother, God is not a Father.”

The idea of ​​the earthly Church is revealed by the composition of the reverse side of the cross. Its center is the full-length figure of the Mother of God Oranta, with her hands raised in prayer. Above her head, as a symbol of the universal Church, is a cross in a circle. A similar image of the Mother of God - the Church is often found in early Christian art. The idea of ​​​​creating the Church is most clearly expressed in the wooden relief “The Ascension of Christ” on the doors of the Roman Basilica of Santa Sabina (422–432), where below  The Mother of God is depicted in a pose close to the oranta, and on the sides are the supreme apostles Peter and Paul, holding a cross in a circle above her head.

On the cross on the sides of the Mother of God in semicircles are depicted chest-length images of the holy defenders of the Church: Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. George the Victorious.