I was wondering if you know the reason for the diagonal beam in the Orthodox cross (Second picture from the top)? I have been told that most Orthodox priests do not. Peace and Joy! George A. Marquart
I think there are various explanations. Of course, the obvious is that it is the feet were not nailed on top of each other, but bent outward. The odd thing is the angle, and that’s where speculation is rife: did the Romans actually make it more uncomfortable for Him by not putting His feet on an even setting; was it part of the cruelty? Or did our Lord knock it down on the one side in His extreme agony toward the end? Is it an obscure reference to the balance beam of divine justice in which the thief upon His right (the side with the lower end) is brought into the kingdom, while the thief on His left is not (higher and so out of reach?)? Have you heard an explanation that satisfies you, George?
I am not sure, but I think I read it somewhere in Schmeman's writings. Apparently, there was a tradition in the early, eastern Church that our Lord had a handicap. The handicap consisted of one of His legs being shorter than the other. The diagonal member on the cross is a stylized reflection of this handicap. Actually, it really does not matter to me whether this explanation is the correct one, but I believe it is. Peace and Joy! George
I was wondering if you know the reason for the diagonal beam in the Orthodox cross (Second picture from the top)? I have been told that most Orthodox priests do not.
ReplyDeletePeace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
Dear George,
ReplyDeleteI think there are various explanations. Of course, the obvious is that it is the feet were not nailed on top of each other, but bent outward. The odd thing is the angle, and that’s where speculation is rife: did the Romans actually make it more uncomfortable for Him by not putting His feet on an even setting; was it part of the cruelty? Or did our Lord knock it down on the one side in His extreme agony toward the end? Is it an obscure reference to the balance beam of divine justice in which the thief upon His right (the side with the lower end) is brought into the kingdom, while the thief on His left is not (higher and so out of reach?)? Have you heard an explanation that satisfies you, George?
I am not sure, but I think I read it somewhere in Schmeman's writings.
ReplyDeleteApparently, there was a tradition in the early, eastern Church that our Lord had a handicap. The handicap consisted of one of His legs being shorter than the other. The diagonal member on the cross is a stylized reflection of this handicap.
Actually, it really does not matter to me whether this explanation is the correct one, but I believe it is.
Peace and Joy!
George