Definition:
The “Patriarchal Cross” is a variant of the Christian Cross featuring two horizontal crossbars, with the upper one shorter than the lower one.
Etymology:
The term “patriarchal” comes from the Greek word “patriarchēs” (πατριάρχης), meaning “chief or father of a family,” particularly referring to biblical figures or high-ranking Christian clergy. The cross was adopted as a symbol of authority by church patriarchs, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions.
Description:
The Patriarchal Cross is commonly associated with Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and some Eastern European Christian traditions.
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Symbolism:
The upper bar represents the inscription placed above Jesus’ head on the cross—often abbreviated as “INRI”—while the longer lower bar represents where Christ’s arms were nailed.
The Patriarchal Cross is often linked to ecclesiastical authority and heraldry, particularly in Hungary, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
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Religion:
In the Bible, in the Gospel of John, chapter 19, verse 19, it says: “Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. The writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” This corresponds to the symbolic meaning of the upper bar.