The cross: description, installation, traditions and interesting facts

The geometric configuration of the cross hides an ancient secret. The symbol is closely connected with the life of all mankind, its origin and death. Echoes of the worship of the cross in the variety of their forms are found all over the planet of the world. What was it that attracted people's interest in this mysterious multifunctional symbol?

Undoubtedly, the worship cross was not originally a Christian or an antique invention. Its appearance can not be compared to any historical stage or nationality. Among many versions there is an assumption that explains the cosmic origin of the cross. Even in prehistoric times in the solar system there was a colossal catastrophe, after which the planetary poles shifted, the inclination of the earth's axis was distorted.

The planet itself has moved to a new orbit. In other words, people found that the star in the sky began to move along 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 equinox, forming a cross. Later, astronomers called this process an ecliptic.

Sign of the heavenly cross

According to the centuries-old myth, the catastrophe destroyed the mysterious "third race", which liberated the space of the planet Earth for man. The sign of this grandiose phenomenon was the cross, formed in the sky, seen by people. American researchers argue that such a collision could well entail such a phenomenon as the heavenly cross! It has long been confirmed that almost 250 million years ago the "end of the world" really happened because of the collision of our planet with a comet or a large asteroid. At that time, approximately two-thirds of the living creatures, who were not only on land, but also in the ocean, died.

In accordance with prehistoric understanding, humanity is in the common information matrix, which has its source in the universe. It's like a living organism has created a lot of personal projections in its own likeness. Since man is also a prototype of the universe, then together with it he has an inseparable energy-information structure.

Energy matrix of the cross

The universal symbol of the cross is represented as follows. The central straight line, located vertically, is a gravitational field. The shortened upper straight line in horizontal position represents creative energy. Below there is another longer horizontal line - the electromagnetic field. The oblique line beneath it is the angular torsion fields.

All energies are independent. During the interaction, they form the energy-information 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. In them the program "Man" is placed, and conscious energy is a controlling entity.

The appearance of the first bow crosses

What is a worship cross? This is spiritual protection even from invisible enemies. It is a symbol of gratitude, of hope. There is an opinion that the initial appearance of crosses near the settlements is closely connected with the Tatar-Mongol yoke. It seems that the most courageous inhabitants, hiding from attacks in the forests, returned to the ruined territories, setting crosses on the hills in awe of reverence for God. At the same time, such symbols served as a kind of reference for other survivors, reporting that famously passed.

The first solid crosses arose in apostolic times. For example, the chronicler Nestor 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 is the one that Olga installed on the banks of the Velikaya River near Pskov about 1000 years ago. The holy princess and her companions noticed three heavenly rays meeting on the earth. The Exaltation of the Cross was marked by what he had seen.

Variety of shapes

Most Orthodox cross-bow crosses are made of wood, there are less often four-pointed stone, cast. And there may be different endings of the cross - both rounded and pointed (triangular). Such an Old Russian form of the cross is the designation of the Trinity of the Life-giving.

Also the favorite form was the morning Star. The blacksmiths decorated the radiant radiance, flowing from the central part of the cross, with stars. By the way, the task of visualizing the vital spiritual light was solved thanks to these lines. In addition to the above, other images were also applied to the crosses. The dove and the vine with bunches reflected the Holy Spirit. The image of colors symbolizes the glorification of the life-giving force.

Eight-pointed cross

The most widespread Orthodox crosses in Russia are eight-pointed. Above the main vertical bar there are two shortened ones, and one of them is oblique. The upper edge is directed to the north, the lower - to the south. A small upper crossbar contains the inscription INRI. It is made in three languages on the orders of Pontius Pilate: "Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews".

The lower crossbar shows the foot of Christ, shown in the reverse perspective. At the base of the cross, it is customary to place the stones in such a way that a small hill appears, symbolizing Mount Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. The configuration of such a product can not be better than the real one on which Jesus was crucified. That is why it is not only a sign, but also an image of Christ's Cross.

The cross is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven

Eight endings on the cross signify 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 upwards symbolizes the path to this Kingdom revealed by Jesus Christ. The beveled crossbar indicates a disturbed balance after the coming of the Son of God to all those who are mired in sin. A new stage of spiritual renewal of mankind, a way out of darkness into the light began. The oblique crossbar reflects this movement.

The Seven-Pointed Cross

The seven endings on the cross with one upper crossbar and a skewed foot have a rather profound mystical meaning. Even before the appearance of Jesus Christ, clergymen sacrificed on a golden pedestal attached to the sanctified throne. For example, as it happens today among Christians, through chrismation.

Consequently, the foot under the cross symbolizes the altar of the New Testament. Such similarity mystically indicates the sacred action of the Savior, who consciously paid with his torment, death for human sins. The cross, which consists of seven ends, is usually found on the icons of the northern writing, similar symbols in Russia were often placed on domes.

The six-pointed cross

Six endings with a beveled crossbar below - this is one of the old versions of the worship cross. For every layman, he is the measure of conscience, the soul. This was also the case during the crucifixion of Jesus between the two villains. During the execution of one of the criminals scolded Christ. Another robber claimed that he himself was justly punished, and that Jesus was executed without guilt.

On the sincere repentance of the offender, Christ told that his sins were released, and today he will take a place in heaven together with God. This symbolizes the upper end of the cross. The lower end of the beveled crossbar speaks of the terrible gravity of the sin of an unrepentant robber, dragging him into the darkness.

Where are the commemorative crosses?

The tradition of establishing crosses was born from time immemorial. In Russia they were built on special memorable places, intersections, near villages, villages, as well as on elevations, at the junction of rivers and springs. There are several varieties of accommodation for the crosses. It depends on various reasons.

Memorable (vow) crosses are set in gratitude to God for some significant event. This can be liberation from enemies, all sorts of ills, diseases, talent of the heir, etc. The symbol described consecrates not only the life of a person, he is able to bless an Orthodox believer after death. Accordingly, the worship cross in the cemetery is a symbol of hope, not suffering or sorrow.

Roadside crosses

Landmarks, roadside crosses are placed near roads. Such structures were installed so that people who were wandering or entering the village could offer a thanksgiving prayer to God, heavenly patrons. Today, the consecration of especially disturbing sections of roads has become traditional.

Earlier, such crosses denoted not only the entrance to the village or city, but also borders (borders) of agricultural lands. Russian tradition endowed roadside crosses with a kind of "roof" consisting of two bars. Sometimes they were equipped with a kyot, containing an icon and a lamp or a candle from the inside, called "cabbage rolls".

Alternates

Crosses, replacing the temple, put in place of the destroyed, burned building. As an option - mark with a stone the place where the foundation of the future church is located. A lot of similar crosses arose after the celebration in honor of the millennium of Russian Christianity.

Where are the funeral crosses?

The memorial cross does not correspond to the burial place of a person. It is installed on the site of an unforeseen death. Quite often such symbols can be found along the roads. On the cross place the name of that person, the repose of whose soul they ask to pray.

Undoubtedly, the worship cross serves as a reference point, which increases the attention of both the driver and the pedestrian. Quite often on it you can see wreaths, steering wheels. Completely inopportunely to strengthen on such crosses all kinds of things that are not involved in prayer.

Hint to travelers

The conspicuous crosses were intended as a landmark for seafarers, so their height reached 12 meters. In ancient Novgorod, the installation of such obsequious symbols marked the beginning of the Pomorian custom. Most likely, nowhere in Russia did not put as many crosses as in the coastal zone near the White Sea.

The descendants of Novgorod, who settled in this area in the 8th-9th centuries, saved many of the proportions of the worship cross, as well as traditions and beliefs of pre-Mongolian Russia. Usually, these products were made of wood, because in the north it takes a long time. The cross was erected as a reference point on the visible islets, capes, in the place of fishing.

The proportion of the golden section

When the Creator created everything, He used the total proportion of the golden section. 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 bow, 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 and distance from the navel to the heels is identical to the consistent correspondence of the parameters of phalanges between each finger. For the first time the Divine section was used by the ancient Greek sculptor Phidias. This universal correspondence is equivalent to 1: 0.618.

Principles of the construction of the cross

Based on the golden rule, we will see that the ratio of the dimensions of the range of arms and human growth is virtually 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 crossbar. Based on these simple principles of construction, it is easy to find other proportions.

Consider what cross-sized sizes have. If you take the height of the eight-pointed cross 1.0 m, the distance from the most extreme point of the structure to the crossbar located at the center, and also the length of the upper beam is 0.382 m. 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 skewed crossbar is equal to 0.5 m. The elements, which are located vertically, were stretched due to the height of the construction or visual contemplation of the cross from the ground.

Production of wooden crosses

Most likely, everyone already knows that our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross of wood. In connection with this, this material is mainly used for the manufacture of cross crosses. Implementation of the process itself is performed by two or even three masters simultaneously. Depending on the dimensions of the cross, the duration of the working process can sometimes be delayed up to six months.

The main rule is the correct selection of wood, as well as proportions in relation to the height to the circumference of the bar itself. The higher the cross crosses, made by skilled craftsmen, the thinner the beam should be. This is necessary for regular air rotation, for rapid drying after precipitation of various precipitations.

The higher the cross, the stronger the material used. The predominantly tested types of wood are used: moraine and common oak, aspen, teak, Iroko, cypress, pine. Sometimes a cross can consist of several breeds at the same time. On the frontal part of the structure, the names of the Lord are reproduced: the King of Glory, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, etc. The back of the worship cross is intended for those who lost their lives for the Word of God, as well as devoted devotees of Jesus, who lost their lives because of their faithfulness to God.

Consecration of the worship of the cross

The exaltation of the crosses is a common Christian tradition, which is many hundreds of years old. Experts say that they were installed on the territory of Ancient Rus at crossroads of roads, near villages, cities before the Tatar-Mongolian attacks. What is a worship cross? The grounds for its installation can be diverse, but the essence is one - thanksgiving prayer to the Lord. For example, it is necessary to sanctify 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 anyone could pray here.

Exaltation of the cross is carried out only after the blessing of the bishop or his authorized person. This person may even be a priest of the parish. In the event, believers can also participate. However, the consecration of the worship cross must be performed in the presence of the priest. There is a special order of consecration. The holy water flows on the cross, prayers are read. Pitched crosses are not installed where they can easily be desecrated. They are erected for Orthodox believers. The essence of faith in the Lord is the salvation of the soul, and not serving the devil.

Today, the cross is set on the spaces reserved for the future temple, as well as at the entrance to or exit from the city. Usually there are wooden crosses, stone or cast, up to several meters high. They can be decorated with carvings and ornaments.