RARE ANTIQUE c.17-18th CENT. LARGE 2" 17g HANDMADE ORTHODOX OLD BELIEVERS CROSS For Sale

The obverse displays an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum crosswhich is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the Slavonic Orthodox and someEastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: thetop one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, afootrest. The footrest bar is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ'sright hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified.

The top end of the vertical crossbar incorporates the larger abbreviated inscription inChurch Slavonic"ЦРЬ"meaning "Tsar" or "King", a part of the traditional Orthodox title of Jesus "King of Glory".The left and right side endsof the central horizontal crossbar of the pendant bear the Sacred Name of JesusChristinscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram,the"IC" on the left, and the "XC" on theright.The bottom"boxed" end of the vertical crossbar shows"МЛРБ" ("MLRB") abbreviation meaning "The CALVARY (Golgotha) BECAME PARADISE", a symbol of the execution place becoming a place of the redemption and reclaiming of the lost paradise.

Parallel to the verticalcrossbar, there are images of the two Instruments of the Passion which are subjects to adoration along with the Cross. The Holy Lance (spear)of a Roman soldier ismarked as "K" for theChurch Slavonic "Копие" ("Kopiye") in the space just below the horizontal crossbar of the Savior's Cross, whereas the Holy Spongeattached to the end of a cane is marked as "T" for the Church Slavonic"Трость" ("Trost").

There are four additional, diagonal crossbeams shaped asflower buds, superimposed on the circle surrounding the center of the cross.The diagonal crossbeams usually refer to the cross of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Alternatively, the four flower buds on the vine could symbolize the Four Evangelists.St. Andrew is considered the Founder and the first Bishop of the Christian Church of Byzantium, and is the patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Saint Andrew is believed to have been crucified on the Crux decussata (X-shaped cross, also known as "Saltire").

Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference.Please ask all questions before making a purchase.There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US.International shipping is handled by . International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying.Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.