Orthodox Pectoral Cross | 24874

An Orthodox cross crafted from white metal is depicted. The cross bears the image of Golgotha with the skull of Adam, accompanied by the inscription, “King of glory, Jesus Christ, Son of God.”

On the reverse side, the cross displays verses from Psalm 68:1/2: “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; And let those who hate Him flee before Him.”

The Russian cross, also known as the Orthodox cross, Byzantine cross, or Slavic cross, possesses a distinctive design derived from the Latin cross in heraldry. It features two horizontal arms and one slanted arm: The top arm, which is short, symbolizes the titulus board that bore the inscription INRI during Jesus’ crucifixion. INRI represents the Latin phrase Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The middle arm, longer in length, was designed to accommodate the arms of a crucified individual. The lower arm, inclined in position, represents the suppedaneum or supporting footplate on which the crucified person’s feet were placed.

Due to wear, the writing on the cross has become heavily faded or rubbed off.

Source: © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de