CROSS OF THE PASSION RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS

Magnificent reliquary of the True Cross in bronze, particularly original in its shape and typology. This reliquary cross is decorated with the Instruments of the Passion and symbolic elements linked to it.

There relic of the true cross . is placed in an 18th century silver reliquary crucifix decorated with the Vatican hallmark.

The entire decor includes elements and objects relating to the Passion of Christ:

• The whip with which he was inflicted thirty-nine blows during the Flagellation
• The sponge, fixed on a branch of hyssop, with which the vinegar was offered as comfort to Jesus
• The nails that caused the wounds in Christ's hands and feet
• The spear carried by the centurion Longinus to the side of Christ, causing the last of his five wounds
• Groups of three angels presenting the Holy Grail, the legendary cup from which Christ is said to have drunk during the Last Supper and which is said to have collected his blood when he was put to death on the Cross.
• The hammer used to drive in the nails
• The pliers that were used to extract the nails in order to detach Christ from the Cross
• The ladder used during the Descent from the Cross
• The reed and the whip (the flagellum or flagrum) used during the Flagellation of Christ
• The dice that allowed the centurions to draw lots for Christ's clothes

Ecclesiastical seal and silk threads present and in place

PERIOD : 19th century
DIMENSIONS : 43cm X 18.5cm
SIZE : 16.9" X 7.3"

In Christian symbolism, the cross of the Passion corresponds to a cross installed outdoors or in a church, or painted or sculpted, characterized by the representation of the "instruments of the Passion" of Christ, with the aim of reminding the faithful of the sequence of its events.

The Cross of the Passion is sometimes called the "Cross of the Rooster" when it is surmounted by the image of this animal. It can be a monumental cross (mission cross), or a portable cross (processional cross) which can also be of large dimensions. The Cross of the Passion is characterized by the presence of the Arma Christi, in variable quantity, the most frequent being the lance, the ladder and the tools: hammer, nails, pliers, etc.

Learn more about the instruments of passion

The Passion cross differs from the crucifix in that the figure of the crucified Christ does not necessarily appear on it. On the other hand, some Passion crosses in Germany (especially in the Black Forest) also show the centurion Longinus and are therefore called "Longin's crosses" (Longinkreuz). The traditional figures of the Virgin and Saint John may also be present.