Crosses in the Sanctuary
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In the center of the cross hanging on the dossal curtain are letters resembling the English "IHS". This is an abbreviation or the first three letters of the Greek word IESOUS - "Jesus". The "H" is really the capital letter of the Greek long E. A horizontal bar usually appears over the letters, indicating that they are an abbreviation. On the ends of the four arms of the cross are the emblems of the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The four symbols also represent the four major events of Christ's life: His Incarnation, His sacrificial death, His Resurrection, and His Ascension. |
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On the top arm is a winged man, representing St. Matthew, because his Gospel deals more with the human side of Jesus, beginning by tracing the human descent of Christ. |
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On the right arm is a lion, representing St. Mark. The lion, as king of beasts, symbolizes the royal character of Christ. Mark's emphasis on the resurrection is symbolized by the lion because (according to an old fable) a lion cub is born dead and after three days is licked into life by its father. |
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On the left arm is an ox which represents St. Luke. Luke's emphasis is on the sacrificial death of our Lord. |
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St. John is at the bottom and is represented by an eagle. The Gospel of John is said to be like an eagle soaring to great heights, to the throne of grace. This is the Gospel which emphasized the divinity of Christ. |
 The cross inlaid in the Chancel floor has several names: Jerusalem, Crusader's, and Fivefold. The main cross is made of four Tau crosses symbolizing the Old Testament Law, plus four small Greek crosses indicating Christ's gospel which carried out the law (or the church's mission of spreading the gospel to the four corners of the earth). The five crosses could also represent the five wounds of Christ on the cross (His side, hands, and feet). Godfrey of Bouillon, first leader of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, used this cross on his coat-of-arms, and it also appeared on Crusaders' heraldry. |
 The Greek cross carved into the front of the Communion table is superimposed upon a circle which always symbolizes eternity, eternal life through Christ Jesus, and the eternal love of God the Father. There are twenty-four radiating rays, twelve slightly longer than the alternating twelve. Twelve is the number which is symbolic of the original Apostles, the tribes of Israel, and the Minor Prophets. The rays also symbolize the splendor of God the Father, and the Glory of Christ. The square inside the circle is divided into four smaller squares by the intersection of the arms, making it a "Quadrate" cross. |
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Page updated: February 13, 2000