www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Western Crucifix and Eastern Cross

Dear Friends,

This topic comes up with some frequency in religion class and I wanted to ask about this here.

This has to do with the Western crucifix versus how Christ is depicted during His Crucifixion in the Eastern style.

The differences being: The Crucifix often involves a "statue" of Christ on the Cross rather than iconic representation. Christ's Feet are nailed one on top of the other, rather than side by side. Christ is often depicted in His suffering Humanity in a way not reflected in Eastern Crosses.

Correct and what is missing? Background?

Alex

I think that the symbolism has to do with the West's focus on the Suffering Servant (probably due to The Plague) and the East's Risen Christ in Glory. Both East and West focus on both but each has "chosen a specialty."

I think the fact that in the West the feet are on top of one another is so that 3 nails would have been used. As you know 3 is the number for the Trinity so there is a symbolic aspect to this. But 3 nails are less expensive than 4 so maybe there is some hold over from the whole economics of crucifixion.

Plus the more realistic the crucifix the more a person can meditate on the sufferings that brought us our redemption.

Dear Dr Eric,

First of all, prayers for you in your current challenges, Doctor! But you are one tough hombre and you will overcome all. Those giving you grief don't know how privileged they are to have been associated with you!

Interesting you should raise the symbolism of the Trinity. The Three-Bar Cross indicates that Trinitarian symbolism with the three horizontal bars and the one vertical one.

The one bar Cross has traditionally indicated the Trinitarian symbolism with three equal parts for the Hands and Head with the longer portion extending to the ground.

And I understand the "Greek Cross" indicates the Father with the middle beam and the other Persons of the Trinity on right and left beams extending out.

The Latin Cross of Calvary doesn't always have the portion with the "INRI" on it the same length as the beam for our Lord's Arms.

Finally, is it true that there is a Latin tradition of marking oneself with the letters, "INRI" with Holy Water on the forehead?

Alex

Yes it is true, I myself always perform this when I enter and leave a Latin Church. I got the idea from a book on Devotion to the Holy Name, which is very similar to the Eastern Practice of the Jesus Prayer.

http://www.fisheaters.com/holyname.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07421a.htm

http://www.answers.com/topic/michelangelo-crucifix-jpg

Watch out! Anatomically Correct!

Usually the Title is only like a placard or sign halfway between His head and the top of the Stipes. The Crossbeam was known as the Patibulum.

Check out the experiments by Frederick Zugibe MD, "CSI Rockville" he was knighted by the Titular King of Portugal for his work on Crucifixion.

Dear Dr Eric,

The sources you cite for Devotion to the Holy Name are most interesting (although, as you know, the Eastern Church takes a back seat to no one when it comes to prayer in the Name of OLGS Jesus Christ!).

An Ecumenical Council, I believe, prescribed that depictions of the Cross of Christ must always have the letters of OLGS inscribed on them to indicate that this is HIS Cross and no one else's ("IC XC") and icons of our Lord too.

Also, I've noticed in Eastern "Staurology" and iconography a certain preference for "King of Glory" for the Title rather than "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

It was Origen who has transmitted to us that the Title of Christ was divided into three portions and sent to three different Churches for public veneration. He himself saw one portion in a Syriac Church he visited and he said that the board Pilate used was very light in colour and the crayon the procurator used to write on it was red.

Although I grew up around Western Crucifixes, I do find them to be very graphic in their depiction of the suffering Christ. It always upset me to ponder them and I could never eat in a room with a Crucifix or in a Church hall. Moreover, I always wondered how other people could as I thought it to be a sign of great disrespect etc.

If you feel I need help, you are just going to have get in line with the Administrator and others here!

Alex

This is probably unrelated, but I remember reading something in James Billington's "The Icon and the Axe" that interested me at the time. What I seem to recall was that one of the flash points for the Old Believers was with depictions of Christ and the sign of the cross specifically. Namely in that by changing the way the sign of the cross was done, that somehow the change itself had taken Christ from the Old Believer's, or at least the Christ they knew. It was not just a change in rubrics.

The Old Believers identified not with the majestic risen Christ of the Byzantines (represented in the Nikonian reforms), but to the suffering Christ. The author I believe said Avvakum simply wanted the old Christ back, which to him was the suffering Christ of the Russian frontier.

That's odd because the Titulus is supposed to be at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome.

[Linked Image]

http://www.basilicasantacroce.com/basilica_gallery.aspx

Alex, what in your opinion DOES the "Eastern Church" take a back seat to?

Alexis

I am fascinated by the artistic range of Crosses and Crucifixes.

The early Irish Scriptural Crosses are among my favorites, having seen a couple of the weather-beaten limestone variety in graveyards in the west of Ireland. Sometimes I cannot tell what story is being depicted, but it's fun to ponder and guess when it isn't clear.

I always figured the Romans and those they conquered in Western Europe tended toward becoming "statue people." They liked 3D and they liked realism.

To me, the Eastern art forms generally seem less realistic but more "internal."

I suppose everyone added their own cultural aspects to outward symbols of faith.

They have a few beautiful Scriptual Crosses at;

http://www.gallerybyzantium.com

also old believers etc...

I currently wear the Mt. Athos Cross...

james

"Although I grew up around Western Crucifixes, I do find them to be very graphic in their depiction of the suffering Christ. It always upset me to ponder them and I could never eat in a room with a Crucifix or in a Church hall. Moreover, I always wondered how other people could as I thought it to be a sign of great disrespect etc."

Dear Alex,

Not that I'm terribly overweight or anything, but attending church functions and having attended Catholic schools in my youth I wouldn't have ANY middle age bulge today if I had the same problem.

The Latin crucifix serves as a reminder of the great price Christ paid to win our salvation and to remind us, as best we can, to offer our trials, afflictions and tribulations that we may share in His passion as to also come to share in His resurrection.

Dear Alexis,

Good question!

I think the Eastern Churches can learn a thing or two about solid organization and precision in theological language from the West and a few things about formalization of procedures, Christian outreach in North America and adapting to the needs of laity.

Alex

Dear Friends,

I have to say how wonderful you all are for sharing these spiritually enriching and inspiring thoughts!

Alex