The Jerusalem Cross
Christians, Muslims and Jews all claim Jerusalem, the 'City of Peace', is their holy place. And sadly fighting over control of this tiny area continues to this day.
(See also The rightful owners of Jerusalem)
The Jerusalem Cross
also called the Crusader's Cross or Cantonee Cross
The Jerusalem Cross
Tau:
Old Testament
Greek:
New Testament
Teutonic
St. Chad's
St. Julian's
Crosslet
The Jerusalem Cross appeared on the coat-of-arms the Templar Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lower-Lorraine. (See Lorraine Cross.)
This cross represents Christ's command to spread the Gospel around the world, a mission that started in Jerusalem. It was part of the coat of arms of the short-lived Jerusalem Kingdom (1099-1203 AD). It is a busy collection of five crosses and the most common interpretations are:
A combination of the Old Testament teachings (the four Tau Crosses) and the New Testament teachings (the four Greek Crosses)
The four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with Christ in the centre (see also Evangelists' Cross)
Christianity (central cross) broadcast by missionaries to the four corners of the world
Five crosses representing the five wounds of Jesus on the cross (small crosses for the hands and feet, and the large central cross for the spear wound in His side. See also the five pierce marks of the Lozengy Cross)
The crucifixion scene is played out annually in the Old City of Jerusalem. See Stations of the Cross
The cross is also sometimes referred to as the New Jerusalem Cross, focusing attention on the Divine and heavenly restoration of Jerusalem. The term 'New Jerusalem' occurs twice in the Bible1 and is understood by the majority of Christians to be a conception of heaven.
Cantonee Cross
Flag of Georgia
With a plain central cross, it is referred to as a Cross Cantonee, canton being a division. This cross is often seen on old European coins and represents Christ and the Four Evangelists. This design is similar to the 14th century flag of the Republic of Georgia, the difference being that the four small crosses (bolnur-katskhuri) are slightly pattee.
The Jerusalem Cross is sometimes confused with the Teutonic Cross, assigned by Pope Innocent III to the Teutonic Knights near the end of the 12th century. It can also be confused with St. Julian's Cross, and the Cross Crosslet which is used in heraldic coats of arms rather than as a Christian symbol.
The modern crusader's cross. His mission is not to spread Christianity, or even democracy. His mission might include security, it might include retaliation. But his ultimate mission is to secure resources, such as oil reserves, for politicians and their paymasters.
The Jerusalem Cross is often called the Crusader's Cross because it was on the papal banner given to the crusaders by Pope Urban II in the Middle Ages. (See also Maltese Cross used by the Hostpitallers.) Not all these crusading knights were God-fearing Christians - for many it was just a job that would ensure they received rich payment back home. Just as the crusades of today, they were more about economic gains and spreading an empire than spreading Christianity.
As we've seen time and again through history, when the destructive instinct is awoken within those who wield power, the tragic massacre of war inevitably follows. It has nothing to do with the label attached to that power; Christianity, Islam, Globalisation, Communism, and others. It has everything to do with the inherent selfishness and greed of humans in power.
Please be careful who you vote for.
Fierce battles have been fought over Jerusalem (see Who are the rightful owners of Jerusalem?) Christians, Muslims and Jews all claim Jerusalem, the 'City of Peace', is their holy place. And sadly fighting over control of this tiny area continues to this day.
Time to do something different. (See Psalm 122:6-7)
