The cross in Eastern Christianity has a complex history with surprizing variety and symbology.
"The Holy Cross has illuminated, and it decorated the sky with stars and showed everything like the sun!" ~ from Ethiopian Orthodox blessing at Meskel
"No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden, for a marvelous quenching is come upon it, even the Tree of the Cross." ~ from Greek Orthodox Kontakion
05 April 2011
Depictions of the Cross before 10th Century
"Christian art seldom shows Christ suffering on the cross before the Tenth Century... A cross without Christ was, however, acceptable..."
Charles Freeman
(from cutline on illustration page of photo of crucifixion detail of 5th Century door of Santa Sabina in Rome)
A New History of Early Christianity
Yale University Press - 2009
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