What should be the pectoral Orthodox cross? (a photo). The main differences of the Orthodox cross. About the law of the golden section
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Which cross is considered canonical, why is it unacceptable to wear a pectoral cross with the image of the crucified Savior and other icons?
Every Christian, from holy baptism until the hour of death, must bear on his chest the sign of his faith in the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. We wear this sign not over our clothes, but on our body, which is why it is called underwear, and it is called octagonal (eight-pointed) because it is similar to the Cross on which the Lord was crucified at Calvary.
Collection of pectoral crosses of the 18th-19th centuries from the area of settlements Krasnoyarsk Territory indicates the presence of stable preferences in form against the background of a rich variety of individual execution of products by craftsmen, and exceptions only confirm the strict rule. Unwritten legends keep many nuances. So, after the publication of this article, one old believer bishop, and then the reader of the site pointed out that the word cross, as well as the word icon, does not have a diminutive form. In this regard, we also appeal to our visitors with a request to respect the symbols of Orthodoxy and monitor the correctness of their speech!
Male pectoral cross
The pectoral cross, which is always and everywhere with us, serves as a constant reminder of the Resurrection of Christ and that at baptism we promised to serve Him and renounced Satan. Thereby pectoral cross able to strengthen our spiritual and physical forces to protect us from the devil's evil.
The oldest surviving crosses often take the form of a simple equilateral four-pointed cross. This was the custom at a time when Christians venerated Christ, the apostles, and the holy cross symbolically. In ancient times, as is known, Christ was often depicted as a Lamb surrounded by 12 other lambs - the apostles. Also, the Cross of the Lord was depicted symbolically.
The rich imagination of the masters was strictly limited by unwritten concepts of the canonicity of pectoral crosses. Later, in connection with the acquisition of the genuine Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, St. Queen Elena, the eight-pointed shape of the cross begins to be depicted more and more often. This was also reflected in pectoral crosses. But the four-pointed cross did not disappear: as a rule, the eight-pointed cross was depicted inside the four-pointed one.
Along with the forms that have become traditional in Russia, in the Old Believer settlements of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, one can also find the legacy of an older Byzantine tradition. 
In order to remind us of what the Cross of Christ means to us, it was often depicted on a symbolic Golgotha with a skull (Adam's head) at the base. Next to him you can usually see the instruments of the passions of the Lord - a spear and a cane.
Letters INCI(Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews), which are usually depicted on larger crosses, commemorate the inscription mockingly nailed over the head of the Savior during the crucifixion.
The inscription TsR SLVA IS XC SN BZHIY explaining under the titles reads: “ King of Glory Jesus Christ Son of God". The inscription " NIKA” (Greek word, means the victory of Christ over death).
Separate letters that can be on pectoral crosses mean “ To” – copy, “ T”- cane, “ GG”- Mount Golgotha, “ GA” is the head of Adam. “ MLRB”- The Place of the Execution Paradise Became (that is: Paradise was once planted at the place of execution of Christ).
We are sure that many do not even realize how much this symbolism is perverted in our usual deck of cards . As it turned out in, four card suits are a hidden blasphemy against Christian shrines: baptize- this is the Cross of Christ; diamonds- nails; peaks- a copy of the centurion; worms- this is a sponge with vinegar, which the tormentors mockingly gave Christ instead of water.
The image of the Crucified Savior appeared on pectoral crosses quite recently (at least after the 17th century). Pectoral crosses depicting the Crucifixion non-canonical , since the image of the Crucifixion turns the pectoral cross into an icon, and the icon is intended for direct perception and prayers.
Wearing an icon in a form hidden from the eyes is fraught with the danger of using it for other purposes, namely as magic amulet or guardian. The cross is symbol , and the Crucifixion is image . The priest wears a cross with a Crucifix, but he wears it in a visible way: so that everyone sees this image and is inspired to pray, inspired to a certain attitude towards the priest. The priesthood is the image of Christ. And the pectoral cross that we wear under our clothes is a symbol, and the Crucifixion should not be there.
One of the ancient rules of St. Basil the Great (4th century), which was included in the Nomocanon, reads:
“Everyone who wears any icon as an amulet must be excommunicated from communion for three years.”
As you can see, the ancient fathers very strictly followed the correct attitude to the icon, to the image. They stood guard over the purity of Orthodoxy, in every possible way protecting it from paganism. By the 17th century, it was customary to place a prayer to the Cross on the back of the pectoral cross (“May God arise and oppose Him…”), or only the first words.
Women's pectoral cross
In the Old Believers, the external difference between “ female" and " male” crosses. The “female” pectoral cross has a smoother, rounded shape without sharp corners. Around the “female” cross, a “vine” is depicted with a floral ornament, reminiscent of the words of the psalmist: “ Your wife is like a fruitful vine in the countries of your house. ” (Ps., 127, 3).
It is customary to wear a pectoral cross on a long gaitan (braid, braided thread) so that you can, without removing it, take the cross in your hands and overshadow yourself sign of the cross(this is supposed to be done with the appropriate prayers before going to bed, as well as when making a cell rule).
Symbolism in everything: even the three crowns above the hole symbolize the Holy Trinity! If we talk about crosses with the image of the crucifixion wider, then distinctive feature canonical crosses is the style of depicting the body of Christ on them. Widespread today on New Rite crosses the image of the suffering Jesus is alien Orthodox tradition .
Ancient medallions with a symbolic image According to canonical ideas, reflected in iconography and copper plastic, the body of the Savior on the Cross was never depicted as suffering, sagging on nails, etc., which testifies to His divine nature.
The manner of “humanizing” the sufferings of Christ is characteristic Catholicism and borrowed much later church schism in Russia. Old Believers consider such crosses worthless . Examples of canonical and modern New Believer casting are given below: the substitution of concepts is noticeable even to the naked eye.
The stability of traditions should also be noted: the collections in the photographs were replenished without the goal of showing only ancient forms, that is, hundreds of types of modern “ Orthodox jewelry " - invention recent decades against the background of almost complete oblivion of the symbolism and meaning of the image honest cross Lord's.
Related illustrations
Below are illustrations selected by the editors of the site "Old Believer Thought" and links on the topic.
An example of canonical pectoral crosses from different times:
An example of non-canonical crosses from different times:
Unusual crosses, presumably made by the Old Believers in Romania 
Photo from the exhibition “ Russian Old Believers”, Ryazan A cross with an unusual back that you can read about
Male cross of modern work
Catalog of ancient crosses - online version of the book " Millennium of the Cross » – http://k1000k.narod.ru
A well-illustrated article on early Christian pectoral crosses with quality illustrations in color and additional material on the topic on the site Culturology.Ru – http://www.kulturologia.ru/blogs/150713/18549/
Comprehensive information and photos about cast icon-case crosses from Novgorod manufacturer of similar products : https://readtiger.com/www.olevs.ru/novgorodskoe_litje/static/kiotnye_mednolitye_kresty_2/
pectoral cross- a small cross, symbolically displaying, on which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified (sometimes with the image of the Crucified, sometimes without such an image), intended for constant wear by an Orthodox Christian as a sign of him and fidelity to Christ, belonging to the Orthodox, serving as a means of protection.
The cross is the greatest christian shrine the visible evidence of our redemption. In the service on the Feast of the Exaltation, he sings of the tree of the Cross of the Lord with many praises: "- the guardian of the whole universe, beauty, power of kings, the faithful affirmation, glory and plague."
The pectoral cross is given to a baptized person who becomes a Christian for constant wearing in the most important place (near the heart) as an image of the Cross of the Lord, outward sign Orthodox. This is also done as a reminder that the Cross of Christ is a weapon against fallen spirits, having the power to heal and give life. That is why the Cross of the Lord is called Life-Giving!
He is evidence that a person is a Christian (a follower of Christ and a member of His Church). That is why the sin is for those who wear a cross for fashion, not being a member of the Church. The conscious wearing of a pectoral cross is a wordless prayer that allows this cross to manifest the true power of the Prototype - the Cross of Christ, which always protects the wearer, even if he does not ask for help, or does not have the opportunity to cross himself.
The cross is consecrated only once. You need to re-consecrate it only in exceptional conditions (if it was badly damaged and rebuilt, or fell into your hands, but you don’t know if it was consecrated before).
There is a superstition that when consecrated, the pectoral cross acquires magical protective properties. but teaches that the sanctification of matter allows us not only spiritually, but also bodily - through this sanctified matter - to partake of Divine grace, which is necessary for us for spiritual growth and salvation. But the grace of God works unconditionally. A correct spiritual life is required from a person, and it is this that makes it possible for the grace of God to have a salutary effect on us, healing from passions and sins.
Sometimes one has to hear the opinion that, they say, consecration pectoral crosses It's a late tradition and it didn't happen before. It can be answered that the Gospel, as a book, also once did not exist and there was no Liturgy in its present form. But this does not mean at all that the Church cannot develop forms of worship and church piety. Is it contrary to Christian doctrine to call on God's grace for the work of human hands?
Can two crosses be worn?
The main question is why, for what purpose? If you were given another one, then it is quite possible to reverently keep one of them in a holy corner next to the icons, and wear one all the time. If you bought another, then wear it ...
A Christian is buried with a pectoral cross, so it is not inherited. As for wearing a second pectoral cross somehow left over from a deceased relative, wearing it as a sign of memory of the deceased indicates a misunderstanding of the essence of wearing a cross, which testifies to the Sacrifice of God, and not family relationships.
The pectoral cross is not an ornament or an amulet, but one of the visible evidence of belonging to the Church of Christ, a means of grace-filled protection and a reminder of the commandment of the Savior: If anyone wants to follow Me, deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me ... ().
During Roman rule, crucifixion was considered the most shameful and painful execution. However, Christ, who shed His blood and accepted the torment on the Cross for the atonement of the sins of the entire human race, thereby turned the cross into a symbol of salvation and eternal life (Matt. XXVII, 31-56; Mk. XV, 20-41; Lk. XXIII, 26 -49; John XIX, 16-37). And at the same time, only the Cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus to die with outstretched arms calling "to all ends of the earth" (by the way, open palms are a sign of the Orthodox version of the Crucifixion, but more on that below).
Why is the Cross eight-pointed? What do the small upper and oblique lower crossbars mean? The upper crossbar symbolizes a tablet with an inscription made by Pontius Pilate, the governor of the Roman emperor in Judea. In Hebrew, Greek and Roman was written "Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews" (John XIX, 19-20). When depicting the Crucifixion, the abbreviation I.N.Ts.I is usually used. (I.N.Ts.I.). The lower crossbar is the foot to which the Savior's feet were nailed. The elevation on which the Cross stands symbolizes Mount Golgotha, on which the Crucifixion took place. The abbreviation "GG" just means "Mount Golgotha", and "MLBR" - "the place of the frontal paradise was." In a symbolic break, in the bowels of Golgotha (or without a break, just at the foot of the Cross), the ashes of Adam are depicted, indicated by a skull. According to legend, the first man, Adam, was buried on Golgotha, considered the center of the Earth. "Just as in Adam everyone dies, so in Christ everyone will come to life, each in his own order: Christ the firstborn, then Christ's...". "GA" is the head of Adam. The letters "K" and "T" to the left and right of the Cross denote passionate weapons: a spear and a cane. The guns themselves are usually depicted along the Cross. "Here stood a vessel full of vinegar. The soldiers, having drunk a sponge with vinegar and put it on hyssop, brought it to His mouth"(John XIX, 34). "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water."(John XIX, 34). The crucifixion and death of Jesus were accompanied by terrible phenomena: an earthquake, thunder and lightning, a dimmed sun, a crimson moon. The sun and moon are also sometimes included in the composition of the Crucifix - on the sides of the larger crossbar. "Turn the sun into darkness, and turn the moon into blood...".
Jesus is depicted with a cross-shaped halo, on which are written three Greek letters, meaning "Truly Existing," as God told Moses "I am Siy"(I am Jehovah) (Ex. III, 14). Above the larger crossbar, it is written in abbreviated form, with abbreviation signs - titles, the name of the Savior "IC XC" - Jesus Christ, below the crossbar is added: "NIKA" (Greek - Winner).
It is also interesting to compare the differences in the depiction of the Crucifixion in the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches. The Catholic Crucifixion is often extremely historical, naturalistic. The crucified is depicted sagging in his arms, the Crucifix conveys martyrdom and death on the cross Christ. Starting from the XV century. in Europe, the revelations of Brigid of Sweden (1303-1373), who revealed that "... when He gave up his spirit, the mouth opened, so that the audience could see the tongue, teeth and blood on the lips. Eyes rolled back. Knees bent to one side , the soles of the feet twisted around the nails, as if they were dislocated ... Convulsively twisted fingers and hands were stretched out ... ". In the Crucifix by Grunewald (Mathis Nithardt) (see ill.), Brigid's revelations were embodied.
Old Russian images of the Crucifixion are strict, even stingy in the manifestation of feelings. Christ is depicted not only as the Living, Risen, but also as the Reigning Savior and Almighty. Christ - the King of Glory, Christ - the Conqueror holds and calls the whole Universe into His arms. That is why Jesus on the Orthodox Crucifixion is always depicted with open palms. Those who came to early XVII in. from the West, the plot motifs of the Catholic Crucifixion caused heated discussions and were soon condemned. Another difference between the Catholic Crucifixion is that both feet of the Savior are crossed and pierced with one nail. In an Orthodox crucifix, each foot is nailed separately with its own nail. If Christ is crucified on three instead of four nails, then we can say with confidence that you have a Catholic Crucifix in front of you.
Large multi-figure compositions of the Crucifixion are a topic for separate consideration. It is possible to mention only some variants of the image. Most often, the Mother of God and John the Theologian are coming to be crucified; in more complex compositions, weeping wives and centurion Longinus are added. Two weeping angels are often depicted above the Cross. Warriors with a cane and a spear can also be depicted, sometimes soldiers are shown in the foreground, by lot playing the clothes of the Crucified. A separate iconographic version of the composition - the so-called. "Crucifixion with Thieves", which depicts three figures crucified on crosses. On both sides of Christ are two thieves, one with his head down, the other with his head turned towards Christ, the very prudent thief to whom the Lord promised the Kingdom of Heaven.
"Because life-giving cross showed us salvation, every care must be taken to pay due respect to that by which we are saved from the ancient fall"- testifies to the 73rd canon of the Trulsky Cathedral (691). Everyone who looks to the Cross with faith receives salvation and protection.
The cross rises from earth to heaven. It is a bridge connecting the earth with the Kingdom of Heaven. A person can rise from his earthly sinful, vain, vain life to this kingdom, to eternity. Faith and the New Testament with God will raise a person.
Christianity for more than two thousand years of its existence has spread throughout all the continents of the Earth, among many peoples with their own cultural traditions and characteristics. So it's no surprise that one of the world's most recognizable symbols, the Christian cross, comes in such a variety of shapes, sizes, and uses.
In today's material, we will try to talk about what crosses are. In particular, you will learn: are there "Orthodox" and "Catholic" crosses, can a Christian treat the cross with contempt, are there crosses in the shape of an anchor, why do we also honor the cross in the shape of the letter "X" and much more interesting.
Cross in the church
First, let's remember why the cross is important to us. The veneration of the cross of the Lord is connected with the redemptive sacrifice of the God-man Jesus Christ. Honoring the cross Orthodox Christian pays homage to God Himself, incarnated and suffered on this ancient Roman instrument of execution for our sins. Without the cross and death there would be no redemption, resurrection and ascension, there would be no dispensation of the Church in the world and no opportunity to follow the path of salvation for every person.
Since the cross is so revered by believers, they try to see it as often as possible in their lives. Most often, the cross can be seen in the temple: on its domes, on sacred utensils and vestments of clergy, on the chest of priests in the form of special pectoral crosses, in the architecture of the temple, often built in the form of a cross.
Cross outside the church
In addition, it is common for a believer to expand his spiritual space to the whole life around him. A Christian sanctifies all its elements, first of all, with the sign of the cross.
Therefore, in the cemeteries above the graves there are crosses as a reminder of the future resurrection, on the roads there are worship crosses that sanctify the path, on the bodies of Christians themselves there are wearable crosses, reminding a person of his high calling to follow the path of the Lord.
Also, the shape of the cross among Christians can often be seen in home iconostases, on rings and other household items.
pectoral cross
The pectoral cross is a special story. It can be made from a wide variety of materials and have all sorts of sizes and decorations, retaining only its shape.
In Russia, people used to see the pectoral cross in the form of a separate object hanging on a chain or rope on the believer's chest, but in other cultures there were other traditions. The cross could not be made of anything at all, but applied to the body in the form of a tattoo, so that a Christian could not accidentally lose it and so that it could not be taken away. This is how the Christian Celts wore the pectoral cross.
It is also interesting that sometimes the Savior is not depicted on the cross, but an icon of the Mother of God or one of the saints is placed on the field of the cross, or even the cross is turned into a kind of miniature iconostasis.
On the "Orthodox" and "Catholic" crosses and contempt for the latter
In some modern popular science articles, one can come across the assertion that an eight-pointed cross with a short upper and oblique short lower additional crossbars is considered “Orthodox”, and a four-pointed cross elongated downwards is “Catholic” and the Orthodox, allegedly, refer or in the past referred to it with contempt.
This is a statement that does not stand up to scrutiny. As you know, the Lord was crucified precisely on a four-pointed cross, which, for the above reasons, was revered by the Church as a shrine long before the Catholics fell away from Christian unity, which occurred in the 11th century. How could Christians despise the symbol of their salvation?
In addition, at all times, quadruple-shaped crosses were widely used in temples, and even now on the chest Orthodox clergy you can meet several possible forms cross - eight-pointed, four-pointed and figured with decorations. Would they really wear some kind of “not Orthodox cross"? Of course not.
eight pointed cross
The eight-pointed cross is most often used in Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches. This form recalls some additional details of the death of the Savior.
An additional short upper crossbar denotes a titlo - a tablet on which Pilate wrote the guilt of Christ: "Jesus the Nazarene - the king of the Jews." On some images of the crucifixion, the words are abbreviated and it turns out "INTI" - in Russian or "INRI" - in Latin.
The short oblique lower bar, usually depicted with the right edge raised up and the left edge lowered down (relative to the image of the crucified Lord), denotes the so-called “righteous measure” and reminds us of the two thieves crucified on the sides of Christ and their posthumous fate. The right one repented before death and inherited the Kingdom of Heaven, while the left blasphemed the Savior and ended up in hell.
St. Andrew's Cross
Christians revere not only a straight, but also an oblique four-pointed cross, depicted in the form of the letter "X". Tradition tells us that it was on a cross of this form that one of the twelve disciples of the Savior, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, was crucified.
The "St. Andrew's Cross" is especially popular in Russia and the Black Sea countries, since it was around the Black Sea that the missionary path of the Apostle Andrew passed. In Russia, the St. Andrew's Cross is depicted on the flag. navy. In addition, the St. Andrew's cross is especially revered by the Scots, who also depicted it on their national flag and believe that the Apostle Andrew preached in their country.
T-shaped cross
Such a cross was most common in Egypt and other provinces of the Roman Empire in North Africa. Crosses with a horizontal beam superimposed on a vertical post, or with a crossbar nailed just a little below the top edge of the post, were used to crucify criminals in these places.
Also, the “T-shaped cross” is called the “cross of St. Anthony” in honor of the Monk Anthony the Great, who lived in the 4th century, one of the founders of monasticism in Egypt, who traveled with a cross of this shape.
Archbishop's and Papal Crosses
AT catholic church, in addition to the traditional four-pointed cross, crosses with the second and third crossbars above the main one are used, reflecting the hierarchical position of the bearer.
A cross with two crossbars means the rank of cardinal or archbishop. Such a cross is sometimes also called "patriarchal" or "Lorraine". The three-bar cross corresponds to papal dignity and emphasizes the high position of the Roman pontiff in the Catholic Church.
Cross of Lalibela
In Ethiopia, church symbols use a four-pointed cross surrounded by a complex pattern, which is called the “Lalibela cross” in honor of the holy negus (king) of Ethiopia, Gebre Meskel Lalibela, who ruled in the 11th century. Negus Lalibela was known for his deep and sincere faith, the help of the Church and the generous work of alms.
Anchor cross
On the domes of some churches in Russia, you can find a cross that stands on a crescent-shaped base. Some mistakenly explain such symbolism by wars in which Russia won. Ottoman Empire. Allegedly, "the Christian cross tramples on the Muslim crescent."
In fact, this shape is called the Anchor Cross. The fact is that already in the very first centuries of the existence of Christianity, when Islam had not even arisen yet, the Church was called the “ship of salvation”, which delivers a person to the safe haven of the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, the cross was depicted as a reliable anchor on which this ship can wait out the storm of human passions. The image of a cross in the form of an anchor can be found even in the ancient Roman catacombs where the first Christians were hiding.
Celtic cross
Before converting to Christianity, the Celts worshiped various elements, including the eternal luminary - the sun. According to legend, when Saint Patrick Equal to the Apostles enlightened Ireland, he combined the symbol of the cross with the earlier pagan symbol of the sun to show the eternity and importance for every new convert of the Savior's sacrifice.
Christ is a reference to the cross
During the first three centuries, the cross, and even more so the Crucifixion, were not depicted openly. The rulers of the Roman Empire opened the hunt for Christians and they had to identify each other with the help of not too obvious secret signs.
One of the hidden symbols of Christianity closest to the cross in meaning was "chrism" - the monogram of the name of the Savior, usually made up of the first two letters of the word "Christ" "X" and "R".
Sometimes the symbols of eternity were added to the "chrism" - the letters "alpha" and "omega" or, alternatively, it was made in the form of an St. Andrew's cross crossed out with a cross line, that is, in the form of the letters "I" and "X" and could be read like "Jesus Christ".
There are many other varieties christian cross, which are widely used, for example, in the international award system or in heraldry - on the coats of arms and flags of cities and countries.
Andrey Segeda
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The image of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is central to Christianity, because it is he who symbolizes the atonement by the Savior of the sins of mankind. The image of the Life-Giving Cross, on which the Lord was crucified, has been known since the time of early Christianity. It was repeated in wall paintings, bas-reliefs, sculptures and icons. Moreover, the death of Jesus is one of the central subjects of Western European classical painting.
Image history
Execution by crucifixion was considered one of the most terrible punishments for criminals in the Roman Empire - the condemned not only died, but also experienced great torment before his death. It was practiced everywhere, and before Christianity, the cross had no symbolic meaning, but was only an instrument of execution. Only a criminal who was not a Roman citizen could receive such a sentence, and Jesus was officially executed for a serious crime - an attempt on the political system of the Empire.
The crucifixion is described in detail in the Gospels - Jesus Christ was executed on Mount Golgotha along with two criminals. Near the Son of God remained the Virgin Mary, the Apostle John, Mary Magdalene. There were also Roman soldiers, high priests and simple onlookers. Almost all of these characters are displayed on the icon of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, each plays its own symbolic role.
Symbols depicted
The central image of the icon is the Life-Giving Cross with Jesus Christ on it. Above the head is a tablet with the inscription "I.N.Ts.I" - "Jesus of Nazarene King of the Jews." According to legend, the inscription was made by Pontius Pilate himself. Those close to him pointed out the inaccuracy, because it was necessary to write that Jesus said that he was a king, but he was not a king. To this the Roman prefect replied: "I wrote what I wrote."
During the period Early Christianity, in the 1st century A.D. e., the Savior was depicted with open eyes, which symbolized immortality. In the Orthodox tradition, the Son of God is written with eyes closed, and the main meaning of the icon is the salvation of the human race. eternal life and the divine principle of Jesus is symbolized by the mourning angels soaring in the sky.
On the sides of the cross on the icon, the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John are necessarily written, who, after the execution, by the command of God, took care of her until her death as her own mother. In late iconography, there are other characters- Mary Magdalene, chief priests and soldiers. The centurion Longinus is often depicted - a Roman soldier who pierced the side of the crucified Jesus. The church honors him as a martyr, and on the icon he appears with a halo.
Another important symbol is Mount Golgotha, under which Adam was buried. Icon painters depict in it the skull of the first man. According to legend, the blood from the body of Christ seeped through the ground and washed the bones of Adam - so it was washed away original sin from all over humanity.
Crucified robbers
The icon of the Crucifixion of the Lord is one of the most popular, so it is not surprising that it has many variations.. In some versions, crucified thieves are located on two sides of Christ. According to the Gospels, one of them, prudent, repented and asked for forgiveness for his sins. The other, the insane one, mocked and told Jesus that since that Son of God, then why does the Father not help and deliver from suffering.
On the images, the repentant robber is always located on right hand from Christ, his gaze is turned to God. The head of our Savior is also bowed in his direction, since the repentant received forgiveness, after death the Kingdom of Heaven awaits him. The insane robber on the crucifix is often depicted with his back turned at all - for the committed deeds, the criminal is destined for the road to hell.
What to pray for
Even on the cross, Jesus continued to pray for all people: “Forgive them, Father. Because they don't know what they're doing." Therefore, people pray to the icon of the crucifixion for the forgiveness of sins. It is believed that in front of this icon it is easier to sincerely repent of unrighteous deeds and receive spiritual cleansing.
Christ is prayed to by those who do not find a way out of a difficult situation, who find it difficult to change circumstances and correct their actions. The crucifixion icon gives strength and can help lead a righteous life, regardless of the past.
The image of two robbers, one of whom received forgiveness, reminds those who pray that you can always repent. There is no case when God does not help a sincerely repentant person. Until the last minute of life, everyone has a chance to receive the Kingdom of Heaven.
How to interpret a dream about crucifixion icons
Dreaming icon - good sign, a symbol of comfort in God, and sometimes a warning against possible sinful deeds. Such dreams are especially favorable for true believers. However, for correct interpretation some details are taken into account. For example, if you dreamed that the face is located in the church - in hard time faith will be the only salvation and support. But the icons in the house in a dream speak of contention and long quarrels.
What is the dream of the crucifixion icon for? Dream Interpretations interpret this as an alarming sign, since such dreams promise losses in different areas life. If you pray before the image, you need to pay more attention to spiritual life, take less care of material wealth. But if you dream of other icons of the Savior, the face of Jesus Christ, you can expect help in difficult circumstances.