Silver Orthodox cross 132437 Onyx

Silver Orthodox cross

Metal: silver 925"
Coating: gilding, blackening
Insert:no
Average weight: 5.1 g

A pectoral cross with rounded ends of the crossbars, on which icons of eight saints are placed in circles, traditional for the Orthodox Church. In the 15th-16th centuries this form was one of the most common. In the center, instead of the Crucifixion, this massion was often placed - a symbolic image of Christ Pantocrator sitting on the prepared throne.

The word "thismassia" Greek and translated means “readiness”. This mass is usually found in compositions of the Last Judgment, often on the upper field of icons and on pectoral crosses, depicting the Throne of God prepared by the Lord for the Last Day of Judgment, when He sits on it, opens the Book of Life and judges the living and the dead.

On both sides of the Throne are depicted the Most Holy Theotokos and John the Baptist, raising their hands in prayer. According to Church tradition, they will be the patrons of people at the Last Judgment before God. Above and below are icons of the supreme apostles Peter and Paul.

The center of the reverse side of the cross is occupied by the prayer: “Save, Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, victories over opposing gifts (over opponents) and Thy preserving dwelling through Thy Cross,” which asks the Lord for a blessing on all matters and the preservation of us and ours loved ones by force. On the sides of the prayer in circles, symbols of eternity, are images of the greatest saints of the Church.

At the top there is an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. They implore him for the protection of those in need, those in distress, and the innocently condemned. He helps students, travelers, sailors and merchants, heals the sick, pacifies the warring, finds the missing and even resurrects the dead.

The Universal Church honors Saints John Chrysostom (left), Basil the Great (below) and Gregory the Theologian (right) together, like the holy apostles Peter and Paul. The three great saints are revered as the creators of the Liturgy, which is still served in all Orthodox churches, and are solemnly called the universal teachers of the Church.

St. Basil the Great became famous for his learning, deep knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and works for the benefit of church peace and unity. For his work on the spiritual construction of the Church and the development of its theology, Fr. Vasily is nicknamed the Big One.

His close friend Rev. Gregory the Theologian for his wonderful works,the ability to penetrate with thought into the deepest mysteries of faith and express incomprehensible truths with amazing clarity and strict accuracy received from the Church the honorary title of Theologian. In one of the prayers, the Church calls him the highest mind.

St. John Chrysostom, for his rare gift of the divinely inspired word, received from his flock the name “Chrysostom”. He wrote an interpretation of many books of Holy Scripture, many conversations and instructions, which were the first of the works of the holy fathers to be translated into the Slavic language.