Eastern Orthodox Cross
also known as the Byzantine, Greek Orthodox, Macedonian, Russian, Slavic, Slavonic or Ukraine Cross
The Eastern Orthodox Cross is seen in various shapes and forms, and typically has three cross beams and is distinctly different from other Christian crosses.
Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics, Ukrainian Orthodox and Russian Orthodox Christians, all have much in common. Sadly, however, some things they violently disagree on, evidenced by the Russian Patriarch Kirill's support for the cruel and deadly invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, giving Putin religious justification for his territorial ambitions, which are obviously so contrary to Christian values.
This page, however, focusses on the historical symbolism of the Eastern Orthodox cross.
The deep meanings and traditions of icons were preserved from Byzantium through the Christian Empire it created in Eastern European countries. (See also the Bezant Cross and St. Nicholas Cross). Byzantium was the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire, later renamed Constantinople and currently Istanbul. The area's culture is a rich mixture of different traditions of iconography.
Alexander Roman tells us that in the East, and Russia in particular, a cross with three bars was worn by the lowest rank of priest; a privilege granted by the Russian Emperor Paul I (1754-1801). Higher ranking clergy wore one-bar crosses, such as Metropolitans and Abbots. In the West, the reverse was true - additional bars signified higher clerical or other significance. Two-bar crosses in the West signified important Christian centres, i.e., patriarchal centres. Only the pope had a three-bar Cross. (See also Papal Cross)
The top beam, also seen on the Patriarchal cross, represents the plaque bearing Pontius Pilate's inscription "Jesus the Nazorean, King of the Jews" (see INRI). The Latin for such a plaque is titulus which gives the name for this form: Titulus Cross. The upper beam rarely has any inscription; it is just symbolic of a titulus. However, this cross is often embellished with the acronym IC XC NIKA. (See also ICXC Cross)
St. Basil's Cross
Perhaps the most photographed Eastern crosses are on the onion domes of the Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat (a.k.a. St. Basil's Cathedral) in Red Square, Moscow.
The lower beam represents a foot-support (suppedaneum) and began appearing in Eastern Christian art in the 6th century. The purpose of the suppedaneum was to support the weight of the body, thereby keeping the crucified person alive longer to prolong the agony. We do not know whether such a device existed on Jesus' cross. (See Suppedaneum Cross)
The suppedaneum on crosses found in the Greek Orthodox Churches and Ukrainian Catholic Churches are often horizontal, in contrast to the diagonal suppedaneum other Eastern crosses.
A popular interpretation for the slanted suppedaneum is to symbolize a balance-scale showing the good thief St. Dismas, having accepted Christ, would ascend to heaven, while the thief who mocked Jesus would descend to hell. With this, the Cross is a balance-scale of justice. A similar lower beam is also found on another form of Patriarchal Cross where there is only one upper beam.
Another explanation of the slant reflects half of the 'X' shaped Saltire cross of St. Andrew, who was the first Christian missionary to Russia.
The story goes that when Andrew preached in southern Russia, he used a large three-bar cross as a visual teaching aid. All three bars were parallel, and when relating the Passion he tilted the lower footrest to signify that those on the right side of Christ will rise up into heaven and those on the left will slide down into hell. (See also Keys to heaven and Right-hand side of God.)
When first encountering this cross with a slanting lower beam, one can be forgiven for thinking it's a Three-Dimensional Cross. Its similarity with a key is a convenient reminder that the cross is not only the key to forgiveness but also the key to life.
See also the Church of Greece emblem