Orthodox Pectoral cross | 24875

A pektoral cross made of white metal is depicted.

The cross features the Tsata on Golgotha, along with the skull of Adam. The inscription reads, “King of glory, Jesus Christ, Son of God.”

On the back of the cross, Psalm 68:1/2 is engraved: “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, is a unique variation of the Latin cross in heraldry. It consists of two horizontal arms and one inclined arm:

• The short top arm represents the titulus board, upon which the inscription INRI was displayed during Jesus’ crucifixion. INRI stands for the Latin phrase “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum,” meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
• The longer middle arm was designed to accommodate the arms of a crucified person.
• The lower inclined arm represents the suppedaneum, which served as a supporting footplate, footstep, or footstool for the crucified individual.

Due to wear and time, 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