The geometric configuration of the cross hides an ancient secret. The symbol is closely interconnected with the life of all mankind, its emergence and death. The echoes of worshiping the cross in the diversity of their forms are found throughout the planet of the world. Why did this mysterious multifunctional symbol attract people's interest?
Undoubtedly, the worship cross was not originally a Christian or ancient invention. Its occurrence cannot be compared with any historical stage or nationality. Among many versions, there is an assumption explaining the cosmic origin of the cross. Even in prehistoric times, a huge catastrophe occurred in the solar system, after which the planetary poles shifted, the inclination of the earth's axis was distorted.
The planet itself has moved into a new orbit. In other words, people found that the star in the sky began to move over a wider radius. Before the disaster, the circle described by the Sun corresponded to the equatorial plane. Subsequently, the divided circle began to cross it at the points of the autumn and spring equinoxes, forming a cross. Later, astronomers called this process the ecliptic.
Sign of the heavenly cross
According to a centuries-old myth, disaster destroyed the mysterious "third race", which freed the space of planet Earth for humans. The sign of this grandiose phenomenon was the cross formed in heaven, seen by people. American researchers argue that such a collision could well entail such a thing as a heavenly cross! It has long been confirmed that almost 250 million years ago, the “end of the world” really happened due to a collision of our planet with a comet or large asteroid. At that time, approximately two-thirds of living creatures, living not only on land but also in the ocean, died.
In accordance with a prehistoric understanding, mankind resides in a common information matrix, which has its source in the universe. She, like a living organism, created many personal projections in her image. Since man is also a prototype of the Universe, together with it he has an inseparable energy-informational design.
Cross Energy Matrix
The universal symbol of the cross is as follows. The central line, located vertically, is a gravitational field. The shortened upper line in horizontal position represents creative energy. Below is another longer horizontal line - the electromagnetic field. The oblique line below it is the angular torsion fields.
All energies are independent. During the interaction, they form the energy-informational structure of a person. The stability of the system is due to the stability of the information placed in it. The decisive moment is torsion fields as information carriers. The “Man” program is placed in them, and conscious energy is a controlling entity.
The appearance of the first worship crosses
What is a worship cross? This is a spiritual defense even against invisible enemies. This is a symbol of appreciation, hope. There is an opinion that the initial appearance of crosses near the settlements is closely connected with the Tatar-Mongol yoke. As if the most courageous inhabitants, hiding from attacks in the woods, were returning to devastated territories, setting crosses on the hills as a sign of reverence for God. At the same time, such symbols served as a kind of guide for other survivors, reporting that famously passed.
The first thorough crosses arose in apostolic times. For example, the chronicler Nestor, even in The Tale of Bygone Years, describes the establishment of crosses by the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. A direct prototype of the missionary symbol can be considered the one that Olga established on the banks of the Velikaya River near Pskov about 1000 years ago. The holy princess and her companions noticed three celestial rays found on earth. The exaltation of the cross was marked by what was seen.
Variety of shapes
Mostly Orthodox worship crosses are made of wood, less often there are four-pointed stone, cast. Moreover, there may be different endings of the cross - both round and pointed (triangular). A similar Old Russian form of the cross is a designation of the Trinity Life-Giving.
The morning star was also a favorite form. The blacksmiths decorated the radiance shining from the central part of the cross with stars. Incidentally, the task of visualizing vital spiritual light was solved thanks to precisely these lines. In addition to the above, other images were applied to the crosses. The dove and vine with bunches reflected the Holy Spirit. The image of flowers symbolizes the glorification of the life-giving power.
Eight-pointed cross
The most common Orthodox worship crosses in Russia are eight-pointed. Two shortened ones are located above the main vertical crossbeam, and one of them is oblique. The upper edge is directed to the north, the lower - to the south. The small top bar contains the inscription INRI. It is made in three languages by order of Pontius Pilate: "Jesus of Nazareth the King of Judea."
The lower crossbar shows the foot of Christ, shown in reverse perspective. It is customary to place stones at the base of the cross in such a way that a small hill emerges, symbolizing Mount Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. The configuration of such a product matches the real one on which Jesus was crucified. That is why it is not only a sign, but also an image of the Cross of Christ.
The bow of worship - a symbol of the kingdom of heaven
The eight endings on the cross mark an equal number of major historical stages in the development of all mankind. The eighth is the life of the next century, the kingdom of heaven. The end pointing up symbolizes the path to this kingdom, discovered by Jesus Christ. A slanted crossbar indicates a disturbed balance after the arrival of the Son of God for all those who are mired in sin. A new stage has begun in the spiritual renewal of mankind, a way out of darkness into the light. The slanting crossbar reflects precisely this movement.
Seven pointed cross
The seven endings on the cross with one upper crossbar and a sloping foot have a rather deep mystical meaning. Even before the advent of Jesus Christ, clergymen sacrificed on a golden pedestal attached to the consecrated throne. For example, as it happens today among Christians, through anointing.
Consequently, the foot under the cross symbolizes the altar of the New Testament. Such a similarity mystically indicates the sacrament of the Savior, who deliberately paid with his torment, death for human sins. The obedient cross, consisting of seven ends, is usually found on the icons of the northern spelling, similar symbols in Russia were often installed on the domes.
Six pointed cross
Six endings with a sloping crossbeam at the bottom is one of the oldest versions of the worship cross. For every layman, he is the measure of conscience, of the soul. This also happened during the crucifixion of Jesus between two villains. During the execution, one of the criminals scolded Christ. Another robber claimed that he himself was justly punished, and that Jesus was executed without guilt.
To the sincere repentance of the criminal, Christ told that his sins were forgiven, and today he will take a place in paradise together with God. This symbolizes the upper end of the cross. The lower end of the beveled crossbar speaks of the terrible severity of the sin of an unrepentant robber who carries away into darkness.
Where are the crosses set?
The tradition to establish worship crosses has arisen from time immemorial. In Russia, they were built on special memorial sites, intersections, not far from villages, villages, as well as on elevations, at the junction of rivers and sources. There are several varieties of placing worship crosses. It depends on various reasons.
Commemorative (vowed) crosses are established in gratitude to God for some significant event. It can be liberation from enemies, all sorts of troubles, diseases, the granting of an heir, etc. The described symbol sanctifies not only the life of a person, he is able to bless the Orthodox believer even after death. Accordingly, the worship cross in the cemetery is a symbol of hope, not suffering or sorrow.
Roadside crosses
Land, roadside crosses are put on the road. Such constructions were established so that people wandering or entering the village could offer a prayer of thanks to God, the heavenly protectors. Today, the consecration of especially disturbing sections of roads has become traditional.
Previously, such crosses marked not only the entrance to a village or city, but also the boundaries (boundaries) of agricultural land. Russian tradition endowed roadside crosses with a kind of “roof” consisting of two planks. Sometimes they were equipped with an icon case containing an icon and a lamp or candle inside, called "cabbage rolls".
Deputies
The crosses replacing the temple are placed on the site of a destroyed, burnt structure. As an option, they mark with stone the place where the foundation of the future church is located. Many such crosses arose after the celebration in honor of the millennium of Russian Christianity.
Where do they put memorial crosses?
The memorial cross does not correspond to the place of burial of a person. It is installed on the site of unforeseen death. Quite often, such symbols can be found along the roads. On the cross is placed the name of the person whose soul is requested to pray for the repose of.
Undoubtedly, the worship cross acts as a guideline that raises the attention of both the driver and the pedestrian. Quite often on it you can see wreaths, rudders. It is completely inappropriate to strengthen all kinds of things that are not involved in prayer on such crosses.
Hint to travelers
Significant crosses were intended as a guide for sailors, so their height reached 12 meters. In Ancient Novgorod, the installation of such worship symbols marked the beginning of the Pomeranian custom. Most likely, nowhere in Russia have so many crosses been placed as in the coastal zone near the White Sea.
The descendants of Novgorodians who settled in this area in the VIII-IX centuries preserved many proportions of the worship cross, as well as the traditions and beliefs of pre-Mongol Russia. Typically, these products were made of wood, because in the north side it stands for a long time. The cross was erected as a guide on visible islets, capes, in the place of fishing.
Proportion of the golden ratio
When the Creator of all things created, He used the general proportion of the golden ratio . This rule has found its application in many creations of people, including classical music. The proportions of the human body are also subject to this system. The obedient cross, the dimensions, the proportions of which are determined by the physique of our Savior, is a surprisingly harmonious symbol.
For example, the ratio of human growth to the distance from the navel to the heels is identical to the consistent correspondence of phalanx parameters between each finger. For the first time, the divine section was applied by the ancient Greek sculptor Phidias. Such a universal correspondence is equivalent to 1: 0.618.
The principles of building a cross
Based on the golden rule, we will see that the ratio of the dimensions of the range of the arms and human growth is practically the same. Therefore, the size of the horizontal beam located in the center of the Orthodox cross is equal to the vertical length from the middle to the lower crossbeam. Based on these simple principles of construction, it is easy to find other proportions.
Consider what a bow cross has dimensions. If you take 1.0 m for the height of the eight-pointed cross, then the distance from the extreme point of the structure to the crossbar located in the center, as well as the length of the upper beam is 0.382 m. The size of the gap from the middle to the upper crossbar is 0.236 m. The distance from the top of the cross to the nearest crossbar - 0.146 m. The distance from the foot of the structure to the lower warped crossbar is equal to 0.5 m. Elements located vertically stretched due to the height of the structure or the visual contemplation of the cross from the ground.
Making wooden crosses
Most likely, everyone already knows that our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross made of wood. In this regard, this material is mainly used for the manufacture of bow crosses. The process itself is carried out by two, or even three, masters at the same time. Depending on the dimensions of the cross, the duration of the work process can sometimes be delayed up to six months.
The basic rule is the correct selection of wood, as well as the proportions in relation to the height to the circumference of the timber itself. The higher the bow crosses, the manufacture of which is carried out by experienced craftsmen, the thinner the beam should be. This is necessary for regular air circulation, for quick drying after a variety of precipitation.
The higher the worship cross, the stronger the material used. Mostly used species of wood are used: stained and ordinary oak, aspen, teak, iroko, cypress, pine. Sometimes a cross can consist of several breeds at the same time. The names of the gentlemen are reproduced on the front part of the structure: the King of Glory, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, etc. The back of the worship cross is intended for those who died for the Word of God, as well as for devoted followers of Jesus who lost their lives because of their faithfulness to God.
Rite of Consecration of the worship cross
Exaltation of worship crosses is a common Christian custom that is many hundreds of years old. Experts say that in the territory of Ancient Russia they were installed at the intersections of roads, near villages, cities even before the Tatar-Mongol attacks. What is a worship cross? The reasons for its installation may be manifold, but the essence is the same - a prayer of thanks to the Lord. For example, you need to consecrate some significant event, but the construction of a temple or even a small chapel is not feasible. Then they set up a cross so that everyone can pray here.
The erection of the cross is carried out only after blessing by the bishop or a person authorized by him. This person may even be a parish priest. Believers can also participate in the event. However, the consecration of the worship cross must be carried out in the presence of the clergyman. There is a special order of sanctification. Holy water is poured onto the cross, prayers are read. Obedient crosses are not set up where they can easily be defiled. They are erected for Orthodox believers. The essence of faith in the Lord is the salvation of the soul, not servicing the devil.
Today, the cross is installed on the spaces allotted for the future temple, as well as at the entrance to the city or exit from it. Usually there are wooden crosses, stone or cast, up to several meters high. They can be decorated with carvings and ornaments.