Blessing cross
Major Archbishop holding a blessing cross and an Eastern style crozier
A blessing cross is a hand cross held by a
enamelwork, and precious or semi-precious gemstones. The cross may also have other icons on it, such as the Theotokos (Mother of God), John the Baptist, the Four Evangelists or Prophets.[1]
Liturgical use
Ethiopian Orthodox bishop holding blessing and processional
crosses.In the
Holy Table (altar) and used at certain moments during the liturgy, most noticeably at the dismissal when he holds it in his right hand as he gives the final blessing. After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) all of the faithful come forward to kiss the cross.[2][3]
The blessing cross is also used in the blessing of
Paschal troitza carried by the priest at the services during Bright Week.[citation needed
]
It is common but not universal for Eastern Orthodox priests to hold a blessing cross while giving
homilies.[4]
In the Greek practice,
Little Entrance.[citation needed
]
In Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the clergy will often carry the blessing cross for a majority of the service. In some traditions, the priest will have the blessing cross with him all the time, even when he is outside the church.[citation needed]
Appearance
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The blessing cross used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches often has an
IC XC NIKA (meaning, "Jesus Christ conquers").[5] blessing crosses may also be two-sided, having an icon of the Crucifixion on one side and an icon of the Resurrection on the other. The side with the Resurrection would be held out towards the people on Sundays and throughout the afterfeast of Pascha
(Easter).
Blessing crosses in Oriental Orthodox churches tend not to have icons on them.
In
crosiers
of Western bishops. At the opposite end from the cross, the handle terminates in a decorative finial.
See also
References
- ^ "Blessing Crosses". Orama World. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Harvey, Geoff (February 24, 2007). "Kissing the Cross". The Good Shepherd. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ John, Father (June 14, 2011). "My Journey Into The Orthodox Church". Journey to Orthodoxy. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Rusu, Tudorel-Constantin (January 2022). "How Do Consecrated Objects Speak"? The Rhetorical Function of Liturgical Objects and Garments in The Eastern Orthodox Church" (PDF). Argumentum: Journal the Seminar of Discursive Logic, Argumentation Theory & Rhetoric. 20 (1): 119–134. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Orthodox Byzantine Blessing Cross". Nioras. Retrieved 2024-03-05.