Determine the native cross. Russian vintage crosses and icons. The meaning of the death of the Savior

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What cross is considered canonical, why is it unacceptable to carry a native cross with the image of a crucified Savior and other samples?

Every Christian from Holy Baptism before the death hour should carry the sign of his faith in the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord and God of our Isus Christ. We wear this sign not on top of clothing, but on your body, therefore it is called a native, and the focused (eight-pointed) it is called because it is like a cross on which the Lord was crucified in Calvary.

The collection of native crosses of 18-19 centuries from the district of the settlement of the Krasnoyarsk Territory speaks of the presence of sustainable preferences in shape against the background of a rich manifold of individual execution of products by masters, and exceptions only confirm strict rule.

Unwritten legends keep a lot of nuances. So, after after the publication of this article, one old-handed bishop, and the site reader also pointed out that the word crossequally as a word icondoes not have a diminutive-smear form. In this regard, we also appeal to our visitors with a request to relate to the symbols of Orthodoxy and follow the correctness of their speech!

Male native cross

The native cross, which always and everywhere is with us, serves as a constant reminder of the Resurrection of Christ and that when baptized, we promised to serve him, renounced Satan. Thus, the native cross is able to strengthen our spiritual and physical forces, protect us from Diyiwolsky evil.

The most ancient of the preserved crosses often have the shape of a simple equilateral four-spin cross. So it was taken during the times when Christians read both Christ, Apostles, and the Holy Cross symbolically. In antiquity, as you know, Christ was often portrayed in the form of a lamb, surrounded by 12 other lambs - apostles. Also, the Cross of the Lord portrayed symbolically.

The rich fantasy of masters is toughly limited to unwritten concepts about the canonism of the native crosses

Later, in connection with the acquisition of the genuine honest and life-giving the Cross of the Lord of St. Tsaritsa Elena, the focused shape of the cross begins to portray more and more often. This was reflected in the native crosses. But the fourthways did not disappear: as a rule, the focused cross was depicted inside the fourth.

Along with those who have become traditional forms in Russia in the Old Believers of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, you can meet the legacy of more ancient Byzantine tradition

In order to remind us that it means for us the Cross of Christ, he was often portrayed on a symbolic Calvary with a skull (head of Adam) at the base. Next to him, you can usually see the instruments of the passions of the Lord - a copy and cane.

Letters Istan (Izus Nazarenan Tsar Judaisky), which are usually depicted on larger crosses, are given in memory of the inscription, mockingly nailed over the head of the Savior during the crucifixion.

Expanding under Titles inscription Curbon PLA IC XS SN BJI says: " King of glory uzus christ son of God". Frequently added inscription " NIKA"(Greek word, means the victory of Christ over death).

Separate letters that can be on the native crosses mean " TO"- Copy," T."- cane," GG"- Golgotha \u200b\u200bMountain," H."- Head of Adam. " MLRB"- the frontal paradise place (that is, it was once planted paradise at the site of Christ's execution).

We are confident that many do not even know how this symbolism is perverted in the usual deck of cards . As it turned out, four card suites are hidden hula in Christian shrines: cross - this is the cross of Christ; diamonds - nails; peaks - copy of the centurion; worms - This is a sponge with vinegar, which the tormentors were migrated to Christ instead of water.

The image of a crucified Savior precisely on the native crosses appeared quite recently (at least after the XVII century). Crucifixion Crosses non-canonic Since the image of the crucifix turns the native cross in the icon, and the icon is intended for direct perception and prayer.

Wearing an icon in a hidden from the eyes of the form by the danger of using it is not for its intended purpose, namely, as a magic amulet or charm. Cross is symbol and crucifixion is form . The priest carries a cross with a crucifix, but it can be visible: so that everyone sees this image and inspired on prayer, inspired to a certain attitude towards the priest. The priesthood is the image of Christ. And the native cross, which we wear under the clothes - there is a symbol, and the crucifixes should not be there.

One of the ancient rules of St. Vasily of the Great (IV century), which entered Nomocanon, says:

"Any Icon who, which, as Laneank, is an icon, be subject to lead from the communion for three years."

As you can see, the ancient fathers very strictly followed the right attitude towards the icon, to the image. They stood on guard of the purity of Orthodoxy, in every way fencing him from paganism. By the 17th century there was a custom to put on the back of the native cross the prayer of the cross ("God will resurrect and the gays will be played ..."), or only the first words.

Women's Female Cross

In old school, the external distinction between "is still steadily resistant. female"And" male"Crosses. The "female" native cross has a more smoothed, rounded shape without sharp corners. Around the "female" cross in the plant ornament is depicted "Line", resembling the words of the Psalm People: " Your wife, Yako Vine is fruitful in the houses of your house "(Ps., 127, 3).

The native cross is customary to wear on a long guitana (braid, wicker thread) so that it can be, without removing it, take a cross in hand and stand up with a sign of the cross sign (this is supposed to do with the corresponding prayers before bedtime, as well as when making a celon rule).

Symbolism in everything: even three crowns over the hole symbolize the SV.

If we talk about the crosses with the image of the crucifix, the distinctive feature of the canonical crosses is the style of the image of the body of Christ. Widely distributed today on new completion crosses the image of the suffering of Isus alien to the Orthodox tradition .

Vintage medallions with symbolic image

According to canonical ideas that have been reflected in icon painting and copper plastic, the body of the Savior on the cross has never been depicted with suffering, seen on nails, etc., which indicates his divine nature.

The manner of "allegation" of the sufferings of Christ is peculiar catholicism and many later church split in Russia is borrowed. Old Believers consider such crosses unfasteless . Examples of canonical and modern new complementary casting are given below: the substitution of concepts is noticeable even with a naked eye.

Stability of traditions should be noted: the collections in the photos were replenished without a goal. Show only ancient forms, that is, hundreds of species of modern " orthodox jewelry "- the invention of the last decades against the background of almost complete oblivion of the symbolism and the meaning of the image of the honest Cross of the Lord.

Illustrations on the topic

Below, take illustrations, selected by the editors of the site "Old Believer Thought" and links on the topic.

An example of canonical native crosses of different times:

An example of non-canonic crosses of different times:

Unusual crosses made, presumably in Old Believers in Romania

Photo from the exhibition "Russian Old Believers", Ryazan

Cross with an unusual back side, which you can read

Men's Cross of Modern Work

Catalog of Vintage Crosses - Network version of the book " Millennium Cross "- http://k1000k.narod.ru.

Well illustrated article about early Christian native crosses with high-quality illustrations in color and additional material on the topic on the site Culturology.ru. - http://www.kulturologia.ru/blogs/150713/18549/

Exhaustive information and photos about cast crestes from novgorod manufacturer of similar products : https://readtiger.com/www.olevs.ru/novgorodskoe_litje/static/kiotnye_mednolitye_kresty_2/

Buy vintage bronze crosses and vintage crucifixes.

Everyone knows that the cross existed in the pre-Christian era, symbolizing the sun, the land, the center of the universe, the fire, four sides of the world, and even styling the image of a person. With the advent of Christianity, the cross becomes one of its basic characters. After all, it was on the cross, Jesus was crucified. And even in Russia, despite the fact that after baptism, the pagan traditions have lived for a long time, who delighted Christian and gave birth to a peculiar Russian Orthodoxy, the cross was and remains the main symbol of faith. Dysfunnyly praise the catalog of the ancient crosses. Here you will find vintage bronze crucifixes of various purposes and in a variety of performance. So, you can buy, in particular, the big bronze crucifixion of Christ with the upcoming. This composition, often cast from a copper alloy, decorated with silver and multi-colored enamel, in the center of which is a bronze cross, around it - images of different saints, or in groups. It is impossible not to notice in our catalog of the ancient crosses the liturgical hand-held cross, who, together with Antimonia and the Pressolla Gospel, is the mandatory belonging to the Holy See in the altar of the Orthodox Church. It is used with particularly solemn prayers, for the blessing of believers at the end of the liturgia, water is consecrated to the Epiphany. In case of bishop worship, a hand-held cross on a tray with the Pokrovka, meeting the bishop. There is no doubt that a pretty extensive department of our catalog of old crosses is the section of crosses on the neck. In particular, these are in the middle crosses, by the way, in the Middle Ages wearing and clergy, and the laity on the chest, on top of the clothes. In the modern world, the mere cross is a mandatory attribute of the clergy robes. The most common cross is a native cross. Vintage native crosses were made of copper, and from silver, and from gold - everything depended on the status of its owner. They were rushed directly on the body, under the clothes, so they got the name "Tannik", there were small in size and, as a rule, with impaired iconography. It is assigned to the chest of every baptism in the rite of baptism, and should rush every Christian throughout his life. Of course, quite often a native cross was lost, but it is allowed to replace it with a new one, because the cross must accompany the Christian all his life. Of course, the catalog of ancient crosses would be incomplete, we will not include in it an ancient bronze cross Encoupion, who is still called the cross with a layer. Initially, these were small boxes with the image of the cross on the cover, in which the relics of the saints were placed. But to the 11th century. The boxes have gained a cruciform shape, and it is in this form that Encolpion's crosses appeared in Russia.

The first crosses appearing in Russia were imported, but gradually the Russian Orthodox masters mastered the production of small religious plastics in Kiev, and then elsewhere. The ancient median crosses were very small, and this is understandable: too expensive and the deficiencies were metal, and therefore to make a cross-tank available to everyone, and cast the crosses are small.
Interestingly, the first crosses did not carry images and were one-sided, that is, the modest pattern decorated only the front side of the cross, because they were distinguished to one-sided form. Ancient crosses meet with multi-colored enamels, they are beautifully preserved to the present day!
Gradually, the production of medical crosses has grown, and open-owned copper deposits allowed not only to diversify the range of medical products (foundries of workshops), but also to increase product size.
Not standing still and the process of complication of forms of old crosses, icons, medallions, panagi, folders. Earlier used only occasionally bilateral molds for casting were now used everywhere, thanks to which the vintage crosses of the tvelniki received embossed images on the front surface and on the back side! Crosses Tanniki and vintage crucifixes decorated with multicolored enamels, which made them very beautiful, aesthetic, attractive.
But the imperfection of Gaitan - the threads for hanging the cross-tanks and the active peasant lifestyle of people led to the fact that the cross were often lost.
The real flourishing of the production of medial crosses and icons occurs after the church split. It is the splitters that, older, going into hard-to-reach places, hiding from persecution and trying to preserve the true faith, master the production of bronze crosses, bronze icons, bronze folders in their hostels and monitors.
In their work, they are guided by an extremely scrupulous approach to product quality, bring the appearance of even ordinary crosses to perfection.
An amazing fact that testifies to us that almost all the vintage crosses of the velniki, the vintage bronze icons, the vintage bronze crucifixes were made in the medals of splitters, that is, the Nikonian Church in this segment did not prevent the dissemination among the Orthodox Christians of religious items produced by the interns.
The shape and embossed patterns of the old cross-tanks are not accidental, and thanks to the visual trends inherent in certain periods, we can now determine the identity of an old cross or crucifix to a specific temporary segment to which it was manufactured. Religious items made of fine and large medial plastics can be distinguished in their own way, with a sufficient probability establishing and regional binding and it is also possible to identify specific masters of the founders, masters of manufacturers of matrices, which makes the gathering of metal-plastic with a fascinating activity!
Thanks to this, on our site you can appreciate the work of the ancient masters and buy ancient bronze native crosses, buy vintage bronze crosses, including the most beautiful exclusive copies that carry multicolor hot enamels and individual stamps of crawler crawler and masters.
In times, when old-pricedness was not subject to persecution, there were large centers for the production of copper casting not only in remote provinces of Russia, but also in Moscow. The area of \u200b\u200bthe current Preobrazhenskaya Square, the Big Cherkizovskaya Street was famous for his masters of the founders, but as it turns out, there was little a good wizard on casting. The most important part of the medial production was the presence of a high-quality matrix - sample icons, cross-tannik, or crucifixes. It is in the non-existent now, the village of Cherkizov and in the surrounding area worked talented masters-cutters, to which the master or messengers came from all the edges of the master or messengers, because the quality of the product was depended on the quality of the matrix. And the famous Master Rodion Khrustalev worked in the current area of \u200b\u200bLefortovo, the vintage bronze crucifixes, having the stigma of this master, are valued especially high!
In the XVIII century, the Old Believers bring the production of religious plastic to the highest perfection. Magnificent Samples: Vintage Bronze Crescents, Vintage Innistened Crosses, Vintage Crucifixion Crosses are striking the viewer with the thinnest elaboration of the relief, patterns, sparkle multicolor enamels.
Mednica - often the production of family, where everything, from Mala to Velik, is occupied at a certain stage of manufacturing religious items, where everyone is a specialist of his case.
Every day the Old Believers Mednica (depending on its capacity) could produce up to five hundred crosses, a hundred spine icons and a dozen large cross-crucifixes, or large bronze icons.
Work is heavy, from early morning to late night, even the children were dealing. It is surprising that the ancient master used in the manufacture of vintage bronze crosses and icons with simple means. The most responsible stage is to prepare a form for casting. Today it is difficult to imagine, looking at the most difficult relief of the ancient cross-crucifix, that it was molded, made of ... sand and clay mixed in a special proportion! Even with the current development of technologies, it is not possible to repeat the vintage samples!
In the XIX century there is a special culture of wearing crosses. The border between female and men's jackets is clearly held. No, no one specifically limits Orthodox in wearing those or other advisors, just one of them acquire a more openwork (female) ornament, a special characteristic form, now they are called "leaves-leaf", others are kept in a strict visual manner, and referred to Male rectangular crosses, although the semantic (religious) filling is absolutely the same.
Very beautiful large crits. Consider how thin Master Craver worked the body of Christ, and the Master Forework reproduces the sample and decorated it with enamels! The heavy vintage bronze crosses of crucifixes focus on the scene of the Crucifixions of the Lord give us a unique opportunity to see this great event with the eyes of ancient believers.
Often the reverse side of the crucifixes decorated the text of the prayer "Cross of the Savior of the entire Universe ...", or an intricate floral pattern, the denicious subtlety of which was a business card of the workshop and the master himself.
Today we appreciate the vintage crosses of the tanniki, the vintage crucifix crosses, appreciated them and then when they were made. Messengers of the Old Believer communities delivered the products of Medniters around the district and even brought it into the capital, and there were always demand for beautiful products.
Vintage large bronze crosses decorated the walls of housing, they were placed on the entrance to the house, on the outside wall of the house or even over the gate, they were taken with them to the far path.
The attractiveness of copper antique plastics is clear: all these products can be called full confidence, so much powerfully over them is a rapid tower. And today we are surprised at the creations of the founders of the Domongolian Rus, admire the old bronze crosses of the XVIII, XIX centuries.
You have an excellent opportunity to become the owner of one of these immortal artistic and religious works, the range of our antique Internet salon allows you to easily choose a magnificent sample of medal plastics and start collecting your own collection of antiquities, or develop an existing meeting.
We are confident that every Orthodox Christian will feel a special spiritual mood, touching any old cross, whether it is a small cross, or a huge multimost crucifix!
Vintage bronze crosses - decoration of any home, consolation in any misfortune, help in any problem!

A native cross is one of the most mysterious, for uninitiated religion, jewelry. The site has prepared a guide for you, which will answer all important questions.

Despite the fact that the shape of the cross is extremely common as a decorative element and is often perceived in a break with Christian traditions, it is not necessary to ignore its origin and symbolism. Religion insists: no matter what material is a cross, how much he stands or weighs. First of all, this is a symbol of Christian faith. But at the same time, the tradition to read the cross, which is always with you, turned it into the decoration and the subject of luxury.

It is believed that a truly religious native cross should be simple to design and wear it under clothes, closer to the heart and away from foreign eyes. But the main difference between exclusively decorative decoration and the Christian guard-crossed is, he is consecrated or not. The church cannot refuse to sanctify the articles covered with stones, as well as not to demand that you hide him under the clothes in the summer heat.

What truth should pay attention when choosing a cross, so it corresponds to its form of the Orthodox or Catholic tradition.

How to distinguish orthodox and catholic cross

The form

In the Orthodox Church, the highest and eight-pointed crosses are the most common. By the way, the latter has long been considered the most powerful guard of evil spirits. A small crossbar in the heads symbolizes a sign that perfect crimes denoted. But since the crimes of Jesus never called, in the Orthodox tradition on it there may be an abbreviation of I.N.TS.I. either І.Н.Ц.І, Catholics in Latin write I.N.R.I. This is the reduction of "Jesus from Nazareth King Judean." Kosy crossbar under his feet symbolizes the path from sins to righteousness. In turn, the Catholic native crosses are as simple as possible and consist of only two crossbars.

Engraving

In addition to the inscription, I.N.S., on Orthodox crossings, with the opposite crucifixion, it can be engraved "Save and Save". There is no such thing in the Catholic tradition.

Nails

Orthodox Christians believe that Jesus was nodded by four nails, and Catholics - that there were only three nails. Therefore, the legs of Christ on the Orthodox cross are located nearby, and on the Catholic - one on the other is abandoned.

Crucifixion

What the Jesus should be depicted on crucifice is the subject of yarn disputes of representatives of both denominations. Catholics adhere to the most naturalistic image, which reflects the insane suffering on the cross. At the same time, Orthodox believe that such an image is talking about the torment, but silent the main thing - Jesus defeated death. Therefore, in the Orthodox tradition, his figure reflects more happiness from the transition to the best world.

Eight-spoard cross

This is one of the most canonical Orthodox crosses. From above there is a short horizontal (often with an abbreviation of I.N.C.I.) of the crossbar, and in the legs - a short diagonal crossbind (the upper end is directed to the left, the bottom - to the left, if you look at the cross straight). The lower part is a symbol of support under the legs of a crucified Jesus, as well as the transition from the sinful world in the righteous. In fact, the presence of this unreal support only extended torment on the cross.

Six-pin cross

One of the most ancient options. In this cross, the inclined lower crossbar symbolizes the internal scales of each of us: what wins conscience or sin. Its value is also treated as a path from sin to repentance.

Four-pointed tempoid cross

It is believed that droplets at the ends of the crossbar are the blood of a crucified Christ, who redeemed the sins of mankind. This symbol is often used to decorate religious books.

"Shamrock"

This cross is often used in Heraldry (for example, on the coat of arms of Chernigov), but many loved and as a native. The ends of the crossbar of such a product are decorated with semicircular leaves. Sometimes there are also beads - "Blinds".

Latin four-star cross

The most common christian cross in the West. Horizontal crossbar is located on 2/3 height from the vertical. The elongated lower part symbolizes the patience of Christ in redemption. Such crosses are a very long tradition. They appeared about 3 centuries in Rome's catacombs.

How to choose a cross to christening

Traditionally, the first native cross or, as it is also called - the van, is assigned to the rite of baptism. Disputes about when it is better to baptize the child: a baby or already in a conscious age - still continue. For adults who decided to go through this sacrament, there are no special restrictions in the choice of sacred decoration. But in order to choose the right baptism of baptism for a newborn, several factors should be taken into account.

1. Children's cross should be small and light, about 2 cm.
2. Despite the fact that gold is hypoallergenically, do not hurry to give the baby a golden cross. Purely of practical considerations, because children very often lose such things.
3. Prefer the sample silver 925 cross. It is easier, cheaper and moreover, has antiseptic properties.
4. Be sure to inspect your favorite decoration on the subject of sharp elements and edges.

Women's and men's native crosses

There is no particular difference between cross-labels for men and women. On average, their size is about 4 cm. The main difference is in design. Silver and golden male crosses are usually concise. Their crossbars may also end with drops, petals and shaded, but the overall composition is easier than that of female, and the decoration itself is a little more massive.

Women's crosses often incrust the precious stones. If the decoration is consecrated, its decor does not affect the sacred value. Rarely, but still, in the church, they can refuse to consecrate the decorative cross with too curved and curly crossbars. Although, of course, the main thing is your own feelings. He warms you or not.

It is assumed that since the consecration, the cross will remain with you forever. But at the same time, the church does not blame the change of this decoration. We want to draw your attention to carrying it on one chain with another suspension - Moveton. The only thing you can wear with a cross is a ladies.

How to sanctify cross

Crosses acquired in church shops have two advantages. First, they definitely correspond to the traditions of your religion. Secondly, they are already consecrated. If you bought a cross in a jewelry store, it must be consecrated. It is better to have time to come before the start of worship and contact this request to the priest. You can also ask him to hold a rite in your presence and take part in prayer.

What to do if you found a cross

There is an opinion that finding a cross is bad sign. Allegedly, with him you can pass the sorrow and sorrow of the previous owner. At the same time, the Church advises not to pay attention to such superstitions.

Is it possible to give a native cross

You can and need. The church does not prohibit this. And the relative person will be especially important and roads.

Share in the comments. It was interesting to you an article site. Tell me what form of crosses do you prefer? And what does the cross mean for you - a decorative decoration or still something more?

The cross is the subject of a religious cult, which is a geometric shape consisting of several lines intersecting at different angles (most often two). This is an attribute and paganism, as well as different religious denominations. In the pre-Christian epoch, he symbolized the main natural elements (fire and land). And after the formation of Christianity, the cross around the world began to express the sufferings of Jesus Christ, which he accepted for his sins of people. And today it remains the main symbol of religion. Until now, many people prefer to wear vintage crosses that have come from great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers.

The first religious medallions in Kievan Rus were brought from Byzantium. Only after the formation of Christianity, the Russian craftsmen themselves began to make them masse. Crosses of native vintage were made of various materials.

1. The gold objects of the religious cult could be found among Russian princes and members of their families. In the ancient Byzantium, crosses created from sheet gold and decorated with semi-precious stones were worn everywhere.
2. Silver crosses were most often used as ritual items in the burial and were rare.
3. Stone native crosses often come across archaeological excavations. They are simple in shape and have no thread. Only occasionally they were recalled in silver.
4. The enamel objects of the cult was most often worn in Kiev to the invasion of Mongol-Tatars.
5. Native crosses, decorated with mobile, small.

Types of vintage crosses

The first objects of the cult were made by one-sided and decorated with intricate patterns. There were no images on them. Copies bilateral appear later, depicting the figure of Jesus Christ. On the revolving side of the master began to apply the words of prayer.

Distinguish the following types:

Handiculated. They are large and arranged on the sacred altar throne.

Koyny. Stored at Kyota - a decorated cabinet with the facilities of Jesus, the Mother of God or saints in the corner of the church room.

Crosses. They have a small size and put on the neck of a person during the sacrament of baptism. The priests are recommended to wear them all the time without removing. Previously, male and women's native crosses distinguished, but over time they stopped distinguished them.

Plugs. Present a small casket with a cross on the lid. It keeps the relics of saints. In ancient times, such types of crosses put on top of the clothes of the princes and pilgrims to protect against the dark forces.

Chest. Such cultivation objects are worn over the robes of priests.

Forms of vintage crosses

In the old days there was a division of native crosses depending on their form:

1. The cross, who had eight rays, had an extended base and a parallel crossbar in the center, slightly above - a small parallel plate and inclined crossbar.
2. Four-pin with a pair of crossbar, and the vertical is larger than the transverse one.
3. Petal, resembling a flower with four petals connected in the middle.
4. Cross-leaves had previously relied to wear only girls and women. They were made in the form of crossed leaves.
5. Doodle with depicted drops of holy blood of Jesus at four ends.
6. The crosicoid was crossed petals of lilies.

Ancient crosses have a high cost, because they have become not only the symbols of faith, but also an antique rarity.

They can be found on the shelves of jewelry stores and museum showcases. These objects of the cult still possess not only material, but also cultural, artistic value.

Despite the abundance of ancient crosses, both in the hands of archaeologists and in various collections associated with them, the reservoir of historical science is practically not studied. In the review essay, we will tell you more about the types and types of the ancient Russian crosses of the XI-XIII centuries.

There is no complete versions of the types of domingol castes of the XI-XIII centuries. Moreover, even the clear principles of the classification of the material were not developed. Meanwhile, there are many publications dedicated to this topic. Conditionally, they can be divided into two groups: publications of collections and articles dedicated to archaeological finds. A sample of the pre-revolutionary publication of body crosses, including the objects of the Domonggol Time, can serve as the famous two-volume edition of the Collection of B.I. and VN Hanenko, having seen the light in Kiev. Now, after almost a century, there was a number of catalogs of private collections with sections dedicated to the cristes of the XI-XIII century: you can mention the "Millennium of the Cross" A.K. Stanyukovich, "Catalog of medieval shallow plastics" A.A. A wonderors, the publication of the collection of the Vologda Gatherer Surov, a description of the samples of the Domongol Metal Plastics of the Odessa Museum of Numismatics. With all the difference in the scientific quality of the description, these editions combine one - the rate of selection of the described material and the absence of a classification principle. If the second is associated with the scientific inhematization of the topic, then the first testifies only to the absence of serious, representative meetings that can be provided by their owner for publication. It is also worth mentioning the work of the "catalog of the ancient Russian native crosses of the X-XIII centuries", in which the author is trying, although not quite successfully, to systematize all the types of Domongolian native crosses and crosses. This work suffers from the obvious incomplete and extreme subjectivity of the author, which has for some reason, crosses and even buttons, and incorporated in their catalog, some fakes. It is hoped that it will be a pleasant exception to be the catalog of the assembly of the crosses of the XI-XIII centuries today. S.N. Kutasova - the same assembly provides authors with ample opportunities for building the typology of the Domongolian native crosses.

Articles dedicated to archaeological finds, and at the same time, non-vaults of such finds, in nature, cannot any complete presentation of the types of crosses. At the same time, it is they who create the ground to properly dating objects and help to avoid articles when the items of the XV century, and sometimes the XVII-XVIII centuries, not always even that are known crosses, are described in the catalogs of private collections as the Domongol Crosses (an example of this - Famous Vologda Edition).

And, nevertheless, despite the available problems, we can at least in general terms characterize all the abundance of the houses known at the moment, highlighting several large groups of items.

The smallest group includes the lifting crosses with images. If an image spectrum is quite extensive on encolpiona and the icons of the XI-XIII centuries - we find the images of Jesus, the Mother of God, the Archangels, Saints, sometimes multifigure scenes are found - then on the tanks we see only the image of the crucifixion, sometimes, with the upcoming. Perhaps the only exception is a group of bilateral crosses depicting saints in medallions. There is also a small group of crosses - overflow from encoupion. At the moment, several dozen different types of housetholic crosses depicting crucifixion have been published. (Fig. 1) except for several basic, these types are represented by a sufficiently small number of well-known instances.

The rarity of the "plot" lifting crosses in Russia in Domongolsky time is a question that requires clarification. On the territory of Byzantium, from the Black Sea region to the Middle East, crosses with images - most often the crucifixes or the Mother of God Oranges - are not less common than crosses ornamental, in Russia during this period we see a completely different ratio of occurrence. Belt crosses with the image of Our Lady, as far as we know, there are quite rare in Russia. (Fig. 2) At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the popularity of the body icons and encloups with the image of Our Lady and Saints, as well as the fact that among the types of crosses of the end of the XIV century. - early XVII century. Crosses with figure images prevail.

Most of the Domongolian Belt Crosses are decorated with ornaments. Only small lead crosses dated from the beginning of the XI century can be attributed to the number of non-ornamental, protozoa from a technical and artistic point of view. The classification of ornamental crosses is not easy task. Naturally, types of Scandinavian and "Byzantine" ornament are distinguished from the main mass. Based on comparison with the Northern Material, no more than a few dozen "Scandinavian types" can be distinguished, which, however, were quite widespread. (Fig. 3) The situation with the "Byzantine" ornament is more complicated. On many crosses occurring from the Byzantine territory, you can see an ornament consisting of circles depressed into the surface. (Fig.4)

There are various explanations of this pattern, the most well-known of which are reduced to the fact that we are either a schematic representation of five wounds of Christ, which was then turned into a decor element, or this is a coasting symbolism that protects its carrier from the "malicious eye". On Russian crosses, with the exception, one, but quite numerous groups, such an ornament is rare, but at the same time, it almost always decorates the surface of very popular Slavic amulets depicting "lynx", as well as amulets-toporists, and meets The shields of a large group of rings, the influence on the type of which by the Byzantine personal pieces of personal piety seems very dubious. So, "Byzantine", this ornament can be referred to a very conditional, although from the formal side of the parallel between the group of Old Russian and Byzantine crosses seems obvious.

The main mass of ornamental decorations, hardly more than 90 percent, has an original Russian origin. But before you describe them, you need to turn your mind to the very form of the crosses. The morphology of the ancient Russian rim crosses is striking with their diversity. Such a variety of forms did not know Byzantium, did not know her as much as we can judge, and medieval Europe. The phenomenon of this manifold requires a historical explanation. But before talking about it, it is necessary to at least briefly describe the most characteristic forms of the "branches" of the Domongolian Belt Crosses. It would be natural to expect the dominance of the rectangular shape of the "branches" as we find in Byzantium. However, this is not the case - the rectangular form is relatively rare compared to other forms of branches. Crosses of "Maltese type", with "branches", expanding to the tip, which were quite popular in Byzantium, only a few types are known in Russia, and then quite rarely encountered. The main mass is the crosses whose branches are completed by the "marvel", that is, a similar flower of lily ending. It would be wrong to argue that such a form of "branches" of the cross is purely Russian specifics. This form meets in Byzantium, but in a very small proportionate attitude to the equilicular crosses, and most advantage - in the Balkans. (Fig. 5)

Strictly speaking, it cannot be argued that the "crypoid" type of "branches" dominates the censors of the XI-XIII centuries in its pure form. The "ideal" crypoid type covers, perhaps, not more than a quarter from all types of tanks of this era. However, the fundamental impact of the "marine" form on the morphology of the Domongolian Cross-Kelnika seems to me obvious. In addition to the "ideal" krinovide, we find the following forms of completion of the "branches": three points located in a triangle, a triangle, a circle with three dots from the outside, a bead with three dots or one, finally, simply bead or a circle. At first glance, the rounded completion of the "branch" of the cross can hardly be reduced to the marine, however, if you construct a typological row, a morphological transformation can be visible with the ease, which turns the croside in the environment or in bead.

Thus, detecting the dominance of the cringed cross-type of the Cross, we can assume that the nature of the decor of the cross, which inseparable from its form will be determined by this form. This, apparently, explains the originality of the decor of the ancient Russian crestes.

A special, and very numerous group, make up the so-called cross-like pending. Their semantics are not completely clear - equally, they contain elements in their form, both the Christian cross and a pagan amulet. The complexity in their assignment to Christian subjects is also the fact that the motive of the cross is not alien to paganism. When we see the intertwined crosses of ovals, four circles, connected by a cross-shaped manner, a rhombus with balls at the end or a cringe-like imagination, reminiscent of the shape of the cross, we cannot claim with confidence, whether Christian influence reflected in such a composition, or this is a purely pagan symbolism. Based on the archaeological finds, it is only possible to argue that these items were extended in the same environment as crosses, which gives some reason to consider them in the context of personal pieces, albeit with some reservations. (Fig. 6)

The main argument for the separation of cross-person making on the "Christian" and "pagan" group (and the other designation conditionally) can serve or the absence of numerous similar subjects occurring from the Byzantine territory. In the case of "cross-covered" letters, we must recognize them more than the subjects of Christian culture than the pagan, as there are numerous analogues that occur from all of the Byzantine territory, and in Kherson this type, as far as can be judged, was one of the most common types of crosses -Plists. At the same time, it is impossible not to notice that on the suspensions of this type, almost all crosses included in the circle have cringed, or close to marvelous completion. Thus, even with respect to this type, having many analogies of the medium of the Byzantine material, we cannot talk about full borrowing of the form from Byzantium.

An interesting example of a pane-christian synthesis can serve as a cross. Knowing many pre-Christian types of moonnitz, you can no doubt that the cross arising in some types of lennic (however, quite rare) - the element is purely Christian, and is a consequence of the "dual man" - that is, the organic connection of the pagan and Christian ideas within the unified model World. It is well known that the "dual vessel" in Russia within the folk culture remained until the very late time, and the existence that should be included both in the vaults of the Domongolian castes and pagan amulets are the brightest manifestation. (Fig. 7)

Learn more about Lunitsa and other Slavic chambers can be found in the article "".

In parallel with me, the semantic typology of crosses, and several typological groups can be distinguished, based on the material and technique of manufacturing crosses. In a serious historian, seeking to objects "first level", no question may not arise - and whether golden crosses exist? Its objects, of course, existed, but, apparently, only in the princely everyday life. Only units of gold crosses occurring from the territory of Russia are known. At the same time, on the territory of Byzantium, such items are not absolute rarity. Clean crosses from sheet gold with semi-precious stones are found both on the Western antique market and in archaeological reports, however, the oversized golden crosses crosses are quite rare, and in the West, as well as in Russia, they are almost impossible to meet them on the antiquary market.

Silver censors of the XI-XIII centuries are a fairly small group of items. Their main mass make up small crosses of simple forms, with "branches", ending beads, and quite large crosses with the "Scandinavian" ornament. Silver crosses of unusual forms are single. In archaeological publications, funerary crosses from sheet silver appear, but in practice they are extremely rare.

A separate group consists of stone-bodied crosses. They are distinguished by simplicity of shape, no thread. Only in some cases they are framed in silver frames. Basically, they are made from slate, less often - from marble. Crosses from marble have the Byzantine origin. Despite the fact that they are not objective rarity - they are often found during the excavations on the Byzantine territory - they really are not so much, which is explained simply: they cannot be found with a metal detector, and are only a random find.

The group of enamel crosses is very numerous. The standard "Kiev" type of enamel cross refers to the most occasion of the types of Domongolian crosses. A variety of subtypes inside the general type of the simplest enamel cross is large enough. In addition to the most basic separation into two subtypes by the number of balls, which the "branch" ends, they differ in the films of enamels, as well as the cutting side decor: if most of these crosses are double-sided, one-sided crosses with a smooth turnover can be attributed to the rarerging type , with a engraved cross on the back side or with the inscription, most often unreadable due to the quality of casting.

In addition to the type of enamel cross with the crinid completions of the "branches", there is a rarely "straight round" type, and type with a rounding at the end of the branches. Numerous group of crosses, or crusades of very unusual forms, which has no analogues, neither among Byzantine, nor the Wednesday of Russian items are adjacent to them. As an analogy, only a cross-shaped ornament can be given to a sufficiently numerous group of major domification buttons, also decorated with enamel. (Fig. 8)

A separate, a fairly small group is the crosses decorated with a mobile. At the moment, we know no more than a dozen types of crosses with a mobile, one of which is relatively distributed, the rest is quite rare. (Fig. 9)

Turning to the "technical" side of the description of the material of interest to us, one cannot bypass the two questions that exciting anyone interested person, namely: the degree of rarity items to which he draws his mind, and the problem of the authenticity of these items. Often, when communicating with a different kind of specialists, it is necessary to hear the claim that one or another Domongolian cross is "unique." Meanwhile, an experienced researcher knows that numerous crosses marked in publications the highest rare sign are often found in dozens of copies. The case here, of course, is not in the incompetence of compilers of such tables of rarity, but in the very nature of the product under consideration. For rare exceptions, all-tanned crosses were made by the injection molded method, which implies the presence of many dozens, and sometimes hundreds of completely identical objects. We know many cases of re-casting, in which the quality of the product, of course, can somewhat deteriorate, but the type itself, and even its small parts is saved. As far as you can judge, crosses, at least in the housesongol, did not interfere, so all the specimens that have fallen into the ground are waiting for the Find. In other words, a truly unique cast cross is an almost incredible phenomenon. The practical rarity can be explained simply: unlike Byzantium, where there were large mass casting centers, of which the crosses spread throughout the Empire, in Russia, injection workshops were dispersed throughout the state. The works of these local workshops most of them did not go beyond its initially small region of existence, and if the place of production of any unusual type of crosses has not yet been found, it can be considered as very rare, but hardly the production center will be found, And there are dozens of identical or similar objects. In other words, the rarity of copper crosses are always relative. Silver crosses are objectively rare enough, but often due to their external no effectaryness, small size and lack of an interesting decor, they do not attract serious attention of interested parties. To the above, you can add only that the greatest, although again the relative rarity can represent the crosses of an unusual form, having an unusual ornamental design, and even more so - small varieties.

Some kind of brief was not this sketch of the typological description of the crosses of the Domongolian era, he puts a number of questions, fundamental to understanding not only by this narrow topic, but also the history of Christianization of Russia as a whole. It may not affect the fact of the iconographic and typological separation of the ancient Russian crosses from Byzantine samples. Byzantine tradition, forming the Russian type of Cross-Encoupion, actually did not affect the formation of types of crosses. Previously, archaeological excavations were the only source of finding items of metal-plastic, the view was widespread that Encolpiona was worn only by representatives of the elite. Now, thanks to the mass findings of Encolpilations in Selischiki, the misunderstanding of this statement was clear. We are not talking about the separation of types of crosses and Encolpionov - according to the "class principle", but only about the allocation of two fundamentally different types of wearable crosses: some type is fully focused on Byzantine samples, on imported copies from the "cultural metropolis" (these are Encolpion Crosses ), the other type is - that is, small crosses - Turniki - almost fully focused on the local, Slavic culture.

Slavic cultural orientation is, first of all, the orientation of paganism. However, this does not mean the confrontation of paganism and Christianity, rather, on the contrary: the cross as a symbol of belonging to the Christian community, as the subject of personal piety turned out to be endowed with the popular consciousness of amulent semantics. The Cross-Tannik received a completely different meaning than the one he possessed in Byzantium - along with Slavic Lunitsa, skate letters, amulets, spoons, places, hatchers, he turned into a tool for the interaction of a person - his owner - with the forces of the outside world. Apparently, the telly cross had security functions - it was not by chance that the ornamental design of houselombol crosses, not having compliance among the Byzantine material, finds a plurality of parallels in the design of Persdne's flaps that had, undoubtedly, the shepheric meaning.

"Dvelverie" as one of the fundamental facts of Russian culture is still not well understood, due to the scarcity of sources, and here the Old Russian metalplastic can be one of the most interesting and richest sources of new knowledge. The person who appealing at her look comes into contact with the very story in her yet untouched, still unknown guise, in front of him - the subject of research, rich and interesting, and that, as not the desire for unknown is the force that the heart drives and wakes up the passion of a passionate seeker Truth?!

The artistic reconstruction of a female costume, illustrating a way of wearing the native crosses and cross-covered suspensions, can be seen in the article.

With the examples of Russian native crosses of a later period, you can get acquainted in the article "" and article ".