Description: Solid sterling silver large (approx. 1 11/16" tall with solid bale; weight approx. 5 g) Crucifix pendant featuring traditional Slavonic Orthodox ornate "budded" design with symbolic images and inscriptions including the the Crucified Savior under the All-Seeing Eye of God and on top of the skull (Adam's head) buried in a cave. The reverse shows a venerated icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus known as Our Lady of Kazan or Kazanskaya Theotokos (Mother of God) with the Holy Spirit depicted as a dove and the traditional Orthodox "Protection" prayer. The bottom part next to the icon of Mary bears two punch marks, one of which shows the "925" hallmark indicating that it is made in solid sterling silver, and the other appears to be the maker's mark (highlighted on a photograph). Used condition with visible signs of wear and aging, which might include small deformations, scratches and dents and patches of silver patina/oxidation. The size and weight of the pendant are shown on the photographs for this listing. The obverse bears an image of the Crucifixion recreated according to the ancient Orthodox iconographic tradition. The Savior is depicted on the three-bar cross that is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the Slavonic Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified. The crucifix has the "INRI" nameplate inscribed in Cyrillic letters as "IНЦI" just above Christ's head. The top wider end of the vertical crossbar just above the nameplate displays a triangular symbol with an eye inside it, the symbol often referred to as the "All-seeing Eye of God", and also known to represent God the Father and/or the Holy Trinity. The left and right wider ends of the horizontal crossbar bear Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right. A symbolic image of the skull, or Adam's head, buried in a cave below the Savior's Cross refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site where Jesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of the skull" in Hebrew. The skull is marked with two larger Cyrillic letters, "Г" and "A" next to it, an abbreviation meaning "Head of Adam". An ancient tradition of Catholic and Orthodox Churches held that it was also the burial place of Adam, thus also symbolizing the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. The reverse bears an image of a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit in the top part. The horizontal crossbar below is filled with an inscription of the traditional Slavonic Orthodox prayer meaning "Save and Protect". The prayer reminds us that Christ is with us to save and protect a person wearing the cross from every evil and all enemies visible and invisible. The bottom wider part of the vertical crossbar incorporates an image of the Most Holy Mother of God, Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus as depicted on the famous venerated icon known in the Orthodox tradition as Our Lady of Kazan or Kazanskaya Theotokos (Mother of God). Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The measuring meter and electronic scale are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size and weight reference. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International shipping is handled by Ebay. International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.
Price: 49 USD
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-10-04T00:48:20.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Material: Sterling silver
Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown