Sterling silver cross with gilding

The front side of the cross depicts the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the reverse side there is a small oval icon of Saint George. The cross is made of sterling silver with gilded edges.

Orthodox cross: history and symbolism

The Orthodox Church honors the Cross as a great relic symbolizing the redemption of the human race. The honorable Cross of the Lord for the Christian faith is the highest symbol of sacrifice and sanctification, and therefore its significance is truly invaluable. The Cross and the Resurrection are the two main axes of Christianity: the Resurrection follows the Cross and implies the Cross, and the Cross predicts the Resurrection.

Before Christ was crucified for our sins, anyone who died through crucifixion was considered damned. After Jesus died on the cross, it became a symbol of redemption. From an instrument of death the cross became an eternal source of life, from a horrible instrument of execution it turned into a light and blessed sign.

This paradox and great change came about because immeasurable divine love and mercy did not avenge human ignorance and evil. The all-redeeming divine love leaves no room for hatred, anger, and malice. God as absolute love, instead of vengeance, had mercy on mankind, giving redemption from the bitter bonds of sin and evil, giving mankind eternal life. After the crucifixion, the cross became associated with the Lord Jesus Christ, drawing from Him its invincible power, sanctification and grace. That is why the worship of Christians to the Cross is not idolatry; it is the worship of Christ Himself. Christians proudly wear the cross in memory of the great atoning sacrifice and as an effective bulwark against evil.

The honorable Cross of the Lord is the unifying force of mankind. The two crossbars of the Cross symbolize the union of men with God (the vertical crossbar) and the union of men with one another (the horizontal crossbar). The last one also symbolizes the two arms of the Crucified Savior, which are open to embrace all mankind.

Saint George

George the Great Martyr is one of the most famous and revered saints of the Christian world. He lived at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth century. The son of wealthy and pious parents, St. George was brought up in the Christian faith. In his military career he was noted for his courage, intelligence and physical strength. He was also stately and handsome, and therefore soon won favor of the emperor Diocletian. The latter was a fierce opponent of Christianity, and in 303 began the persecution of Christians. Protesting against severe persecutions with all his heart, George gave away all his property to the poor, and then has appeared to Diocletian to openly declare himself a Christian.

The emperor unsuccessfully tried to persuade George to renounce his faith, after which he ordered to torture him. But no matter how fierce his tormentors were, George firmly endured all the trials and did not renounce Christ. Then Diocletian ordered to cut off the saint's head with a sword. Thus, in the year 303 at Nicodemia, George the Great Martyr was executed.

For his courage and firmness with which the saint endured trials, remaining faithful to Christ, and for his spiritual victory over his executioners, he is called Saint George the Victorious. Nowadays a part of the relics as well as the miraculous icon of Saint George are kept in the Xenophontos monastery on the Holy Mount Athos.

Characteristics

Dimensions: 3x2 cm

Width: 2 mm

Weight: ~6 gr

Material: sterling silver, gilding