Antique 18th Century Russian Orthodox Old Believers God Jesus Cross Pendant Z150 For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

---

Antique 18th Century Russian Orthodox Old Believers God Jesus Cross Pendant Z150:
$39.99

A Great Gift For The Serious Faith Collector!

Check Out My Other Items For Sale! Can Combine Orders!!!!

CLICK HERE >>>> <<<< CLICK HERE

Up For Sale Is A Russian Catholic Orthodox Cross From The 18th Century (1700's)

Fine antique small (approx. 1-1/2" tall with solid bale) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring an 18th century Russian "Old Believers" ornate design with the center of the Cross surrounded by ornamental circle similar to a "Solar", or a "Sun" cross, and image of the three-bar Savior's Cross with the Instruments of the Passion over the skull (Adam's head). In a Christian context, the "Sun Cross" design could symbolically represent Jesus as "the sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) and His preaching, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). The Cross appears to have been hand made from bronze or a similar historical copper alloy of unknown composition. Origin likely c.18th century Russia (based on similar items listed in available catalogs; please see the last picture for a reference). The item shows significant signs of wear due to its old age and devotional wearing, such as reduced quality of artwork, visible deformations of the original shape, scratches or superficial cracks, dents and patches of patina/oxidation. Bale is intact and can be worn. The size of the Cross is shown on the photographs for this listing.

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

The top end of the vertical crossbar incorporates a two-word abbreviated inscription meaning "KING OF GLORY" used in the Eastern Orthodox pectoral crosses as a nameplate in their top part. The side ends of the central horizontal crossbar bear the Sacred Name of Jesus inscribed within round medallions as the ancient Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right.

The space within the central horizontal crossbar between the "IC" and "XC" symbols of the Christogram is filled with inscription in abbreviated Church Slavonic representing the beginning of the Orthodox hymn to the Holy Cross meaning "THE CROSS IS KEEPER OF ALL UNIVERSE; THE CROSS IS BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH; THE CROSS IS REGALIA OF TSARS; THE CROSS IS ASSERTION OF FAITHFUL; THE CROSS IS GLORY OF ANGELS; THE CROSS IS SORE OF DEMONS."

Parallel to the vertical crossbar, there are images of the two Instruments of the Passion (Arms of Christ, Arma Christi), the Holy Lance (spear, marked as "Kopi" for the Church Slavonic "Kopiye") of a Roman soldier, and the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane (marked as "Tros" for the Church Slavonic "Trost"). They are subjects to adoration along with the Cross, and are often depicted on the Byzantine-style "Golgotha" crosses worn as Baptism, body crosses for the entire life of a faithful Christian.

There are four additional, diagonal crossbeams superimposed on the circle surrounding the center of the cross. The ornamental circle makes it similar to a Celtic-style "Solar", or "Sun Cross". The diagonal crossbeams usually symbolize to the cross of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Alternatively, they might depict the rays of light coming from the glorious Holy Cross of the Savior. 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").

The reverse displays a complex floral or vine ornaments symbolizing the life-giving nature of the Christian Cross, and also referring to the preaching of Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15:5). The ornament has a larger rhomboid or "Lozenge"-like shape in the centerpiece. The lozenge ornaments appear as early as the Neolithic and Paleolithic period in Eastern Europe, and symbolize a sown field and female fertility. The ancient lozenge pattern often shows up in Diamond vault architecture, in traditional dress patterns of Slavic peoples, and in traditional Ukrainian embroidery. The lozenge pattern also appears extensively in Celtic art.

Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International shipping is handled by Global Shipping Program. International buyers, please familiarize yourself with the Global Shipping Program through the "Help" section and 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.

This Is A Great Special Unique Antique Item For Anyone Of Faith. Bale Is Intact And Can Be Worn!

Please Refer To Picture For Condition For What Is Pictured Is What Will Be Received.

CLICK HERE >>>> <<<< CLICK HERE

Antique Burl Wood Tea Caddy Late 18th / Early 19th Century hand painted

$379.00

18-19th Century Style Brass Baluster Candlestick~Federalist~Queen Anne~Regency

$26.99

ANTIQUE 18TH CENTURY GUARDIAN ARCHANGEL MICHAEL SLAYING DEVIL SATAN BRONZE MEDAL

$174.99

Antique 18th C. Portrait Miniature Snuff Box, Profile of a French Revolution Man

$446.25

Antique 18th Century Hand Painted Silk Masonic Apron, Framed

$2600.00

Memento Mori | French Antique 1700s Wooden Skull | 18th Wood Death | 18.9"

$3064.86

Antique Scandinavian Bible 18th Century

$30.00

Antique 18th Century Chasuble

$2000.00