RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Cromwell
Cross and Its Use
appeared in New York, 1891, and At the Lord's Table, 1894.
BlBLioGRAPHT: Howard Crosby, Memorial Papers and ReminUeences, New York, 1892.
CROSS AND ITS USE AS A SYMBOL.
The Sign of the Cross (§1). Its Form (§ 2).
As an Amulet. Ecclesiastical Symbolism (§ 3). The Cross in Art. Different Forms (§ 4). Similar Pre-Christian Symbols (§ 5).
The significance and importance of the cross in Christianity are obviously due to its association with the death of Jesus. Its use as an instrument of torture and capital punishment, and the cross of Jesus are treated under the heading Crucifixion. Other topics are most conveniently discussed in connection with the symbolism of the cross, to which this article will be in the main devoted. Its historical associations and its connection with the salvation of men made the cross the emblem of Christianity even from the beginning. The symbolic act known as the sign of the cross appears very early, signifying, of course, Christ's death on the cross; but inevitably importance
1. The Sign came to be attached to the mere act of the and it was believed to be helpful in Cross. securing the blessing and efficacy of
this holy event and of the exalted Christ. As early as about the middle of the second century a superstitious conception and application had so far developed that the popular faith of the Church, not without support from theology, sought by performing the act a powerful device against the will of demons, by whom people imagined themselves beset and threatened. The expedient was also applied in case of sickness and other perils, before battle and elsewhere. The sign was usually made on the forehead, but also on other parts of the body, which were supposed to need its protective operation. The sign is also used contemporaneously in public worship, as conferring a blessing or consecration and protection against the ungodly world. Its supposed efficacy comes to light especially in exorcism. Possibly the pagan reproach of cross-worship had some connection with this comprehensive practise.
The medieval development occasioned in some respects a very considerable increase in the use of the sign of the cross in public worship. The Western Church exhibits the double form of the so-called Latin and the so-called German sign of the cross.
The former is made by touching the
2. Its Form, forehead and breast and then the left
and the right shoulder with the open right hand; using the formula: In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti amen ; or: Adjutorium nostrum in nomine domini, or: In nomine domini nostri Jesu Christi. The German cross consists in touching the forehead, lips, and breast with the thumb and fingers of the right hand brought together, while the left hand rests on the breast. The accompanying words are: " In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen." The Greeks place thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the right hand together, the two remaining
fingers closed in the palm of the hand, and so touch the forehead, breast, right and left shoulders. The three extended fingers denote for them confession of the Trinity; the two closed ones express faith in the divine and human nature in Christ. Their formula runs: " Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us." The Lutheran Churches have retained the sign of the cross in particular acts of devotion (baptism, communion, and some others), and likewise the Anglican Church; whereas Reformed Protestantism rejected it strictly.
To the private and devotional appreciation of the value of the cross as a symbol correspond the extent and affluence of its representations, even in the early Christian era. The superstitious phase of the matter is exemplified in the use of the cross on amulet inscriptions; and even the amulet itself takes the form of a cross. The mark- 3. As ing of walls, doors, and household an Amu- objects with a cross may in many cases let. Eccle- be attributed to the same motive.
siastical However, the cross occurs for the most Sym- part as a symbol and notation of Chris-
bolism. tianity. Accordingly the use of it increases with the victorious progress of the new religion through the heathen world from the time of Constantino the Great. Ornaments are marked with it, especially rings, vestments, and other dress fabrics, various utensils like lamps, combs, caskets, and boxes, as well as sarcophagi and epitaphs. Nor does the ecclesiastical use of it fall short of the private use. The cross became the outward and visible token of church edifices. Then the State had it circulated on its coins throughout its entire dominion and beyond; and it crowned the imperial globe, scepter, and diadem.
In the Middle Ages, it is true, the cross recedes in the sphere of private usage, but it gains all the more ground in the public life of the Church. It is the symbol of ecclesiastical seizin and right of possession; it is used to excess in one form or another in connection with ecclesiastical functions (altar dedication, proclamation of indulgences, processions, etc.); becomes more lavishly appropriated to devotional objects, and is the most characteristic Christian burial token. It participates in the ordeal (q.v.); admonishes, in detached situations, to religious thoughts and acts (wayside crosses, etc.), and is affixed by clerics and secular persons to their signatures. It is adopted as ground-plan of churches (both the Latin and the Greek cross). Monastic and knightly orders and civil gilds, spiritual and temporal lords, municipalities and countries adopt it as emblem. It is borne on banners and arms. Asceticism and mysticism, and religious poetry direct their thoughts to it. It is at once the simplest and most universal Christian symbol. And as far as the evidence goes, there was no distinction in this respect between Eastern and Western Christianity.
In the West a powerful reaction was occasioned by the Reformation, so far, at least, as the superstitious and generally unworthy use of the cross as a symbol was in question. But although Reformed Protestantism took radical measures in the matter, the Lutheran movement, consistently with its
Cross and Its TJse Crostbwaite