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Eastern Orthodox Symbology and Art Depicting The Cross and/or Jesus?
I always see Eastern Orthodox Christian symbols and art showing an extra cross piece at the bottom where his feet are. Does anyone know the significance of this? I thought it might be for the crucified to stand on until they got tired (basically dragging out the torture) but then I thought it might rectify the problem with the fact that putting nails through someones hands (versus their wrists) would just allow the person to slide off as the nails tore through the flesh on the hands.
2 Answers
- OPsaltisLv 76 years agoFavorite Answer
The "Three-Bar Cross" is more prevalent among Orthodox of Slavic origin (Russian, Bulgarian, etc) but is recognized and used by all Eastern Orthodox.
You have the standard cross-bar upon which the Lord's arms are spread, and two other smaller ones. The top one is the sign placed by the order of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, identifying Jesus as the King of the Jews, in local languages (Hebrew, Latin, Greek). The lower bar is a foot-rest found on some ancient crosses to which the feet were affixed. With such a devious rest, the torture of the crucified one could be prolonged, for as long as his strength lasted, he could raise and lower his body in the effort to breath, which was severely impeded by being hung from the arms. One wouldn't want the victim to die too quickly, now, would one?
In the Orthodox depiction, the foot-rest is shown slanted, symbolizing, it is said, that the repentant thief on one side is directed upward to heaven, while the other is directed downward. It is an opinion, not a doctrine or dogma.
Many other cross-types used by Orthodox do not have these shorter cross-bars on them.
Forgive me.
/Orthodox
- Anonymous6 years ago
I thought the whole idol worshipping was sin in the 10 commandments so why you doing that?