SOLID STERLING SILVER ORTHODOX BYZANTINE-STYLE CRUCIFIX with VIRGIN MARY \"ORANS\" for Sale

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SOLID STERLING SILVER ORTHODOX BYZANTINE-STYLE CRUCIFIX with VIRGIN MARY \"ORANS\" For Sale

$SOLID STERLING SILVER ORTHODOX BYZANTINE-STYLE CRUCIFIX with VIRGIN MARY \$
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SOLID STERLING SILVER ORTHODOX BYZANTINE-STYLE CRUCIFIX with VIRGIN MARY \"ORANS\":
$69.00

Solid sterling silver Orthodox Crucifix pendant (approx. 1-1/4\"tall with large bale; weight approx. 2.9 g) featuringancient Byzantinetwo-sided pectoral \"Engolpion\" cross design. The obverse bears an image of the Crucified Savior, whereas thereverse shows one of the earliest iconic depictions of the Most BlessedVirgin Mary known as the \"Virgin Orans\", \"Orans of Kyiv\" or \"Oranta\". Thependant is made from solid sterling silver and bears the \"925\" print in the bottom part of the reverse. It has vintage appearance with some signs ofwear such as deformations of the original shape,diminished quality of theartwork,scratches and dents, and patches of silverpatina/oxidation.The bale is fixed (not rotating in any direction).The size and weight of the pendant are shown on thephotographs for this listing.

The crucifix is two-sided. The obverse displays a traditionalOrthodox iconic depiction of crucified Jesus.Theicon shows the Savior crucified on the three-bar Suppedaneum cross.The Byzantine three-bar cross is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox and someEastern Catholic churches as the True Savior’s Cross.Such a cross hasthree horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the \"INRI\"nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest.The top end of the vertical crossbar of the pendant bears the Sacred Name of Jesus Christinscribed as the Greek Christogram, as the \"IC\" on the left, and the\"XC\" on the right.

The reversedepicts the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer with extended arms similarly tothe highly venerated mosaic icon of Mary known as \"Orans of Kyiv\" or \"Oranta\" (please see the last picture for a reference).The image bears the traditional four-letterGreek abbreviation\"MP ΘY\"meaning \"Mother ofGod\".The original icon designed as a 6-meter high mosaic located in theSaint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It has been present inthe Cathedral since its foundation by Yaroslav I the Wise in the 11th century.The icon is considered one of the greatest sacred symbols in Ukraine, apalladion defending the people of the country. It has been called an\"Indestructible Wall\" or \"Unmoveable Wall”. According to acenturies-old tradition, as long as the Mother of God is extending Her armsover Kyiv, the city will stand indestructible.

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 measuring meter and electronic scale are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size and weight 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.