There is a legend telling that ten crosses containing particles of the relics of the saints were brought from Korsun (now Kherson) to Kyiv by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. The shrines got their name from the name of the city in which they were located before arriving in the capital of ancient Russia. Their origin dates back to the tenth century. Several similar shrines have survived to our time. What is the Korsun cross? The article provides information about the shrine.
Description
Korsun cross is the Russian name for the relic, which is a 4-pointed symbol belonging to the ancient Byzantine type of altar and processional crosses. At the ends of the figure, through lintels, are attached discs decorated with embossing depicting the faces of saints. The most striking examples of such crosses are the figures that during the early Middle Ages were installed inthe altars of the churches of Armenia, Georgia, Syria, as well as on the holy Mount Athos.
On the origin of the Korsun Cross
The origin of the portable and altar shrines that have come down to our contemporaries truly resembles a legend. The history of the Korsun Cross dates back to very ancient pre-iconoclastic times. It is associated with a vision that, before the victorious battle of Milvia, miraculously appeared in the sky to Emperor Constantine. According to ancient authors, a gilded cross with round balls at the ends, modeled on the vision that appeared to the emperor, was installed at the Forum in Constantinople. It is known that since then, preciously decorated shrines, which are a dual symbol (symbolizing both the sacrifice of Christ and His triumph, the victory over death and hell, which opens the door to salvation for humanity), were usually placed behind the throne in the altar. The roots of the name of the symbol are purely Slavic. The shrine is so called because the first crosses of this type were brought from Byzantium to Russian churches through the city of Korsun (Chersonese).
About extant samples
Korsun crosses are three altar symbols installed in the altar of the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. One of them, four-pointed, is upholstered with gilded silver sheets; the front side is decorated with gems and hallmarks with the faces of saints. In the middle and along the edges are images of the Crucifixion, Deesis, the Annunciation and the Resurrection. The reverse side is decorated with crystal stars, in the middle and at the ends there are hallmarks with chased images of saints. The other two four-pointed crosses (external) alsomade of rock crystal. The figures are fastened with silver and approved on the poles.
As the closest to the Korsun cross, experts mention some altar symbols that have survived to this day - a silver rarity from the Lavra - the cross of St. Athanasius on Athos (XI century), about a copper cross from Novgorod, the chased salary of which is decorated with imitation of precious stones (XI-XII centuries). Both symbols are distinguished by the presence of flared ends and medallions with images of selected saints and the face of Deesis.
Two Novgorod relics of the eleventh-twelfth centuries also have many similarities with the shape of the Korsun cross: one of the symbols is in a basma setting, the Crucifix is placed in the central medallion, the other is in a silver basma setting, on both sides there are images of the Crucifixion, on the reverse side - the faces of the chosen saints and the Savior Not Made by Hands.
Another great shrine, almost identical to the Moscow relic, in the second half of the 17th century. was delivered from the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin (Suzdal) to the Nikolsky Monastery (Pereslavl-Zalessky).
History of the Pereslavl-Zalesskaya relic
Until recently, one of the rarest samples of Russian arts and crafts was kept in the funds of the art and historical-architectural museum-reserve of Pereslavl Zalessky. This is the altar cross of Korsun, which was previously in the Cathedral of St. NicholasNikolsky Monastery. According to some reports, in the seventeenth century the shrine was brought to the St. Nicholas Monastery by schismatics from Suzdal as payment for their accommodation. It is known that in the twenties of the last century the monastery ceased to exist. The Korsun Cross came to the funds of the Museum of Pereslavl-Zalessky in 1923. At that time, among local historians and religious figures, a theory was born that this relic is one of the ancient shrines of the Rostov-Yaroslavl diocese of the first century after the baptism of Russia.
In the course of cataloging, this artifact was recorded as “Korsun cross, oak, four-pointed, Byzantine form, 16-17 centuries.” From 1923 to 1926 the relic was exhibited as an exhibit in the department of "church antiquities" of the museum. It is known that in August 1998, Patriarch Alexy II prayed in front of the Korsun Cross in Pereslavl Zalessky. On June 12, 2009, the relic was placed in a glass casket of the Nikolsky Monastery (under the responsibility of the museum). The solemn transfer of the Korsun Cross to the Nikolsky Monastery from the Historical Museum took place in the summer of 2010. Since then, the shrine has been kept there.
Korsun cross from St. Nicholas Monastery (Pereslavl Zalessky): description
This artifact is a cross-reliquary, 248 cm high, 135 cm wide. Presumably, it was made in the Rostov Metropolis in the sixteenth or seventeenth century.
Double-sided four-pointed wooden symbol is gilded and overlaid with copper. The cross is decoratedsilver shrines - in which the relics of the Apostle Paul, Martyr Victor, Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, Great Martyr George the Victorious, John the Baptist, fragments of the tomb of John the Theologian are preserved. The shrine is decorated with small crosses made of semi-precious stones: lapis lazuli and jasper, the front side is humiliated by pearls. The surface of the arks is decorated with skillfully engraved faces of saints and images of holidays.
What relics of saints are stored in the cross (on the front side)?
The upper branch contains: the “Ascension” tomb, as well as fragments of the relics of the Holy Prophet and Baptist of the Lord John the Baptist, Hieromartyr Basil, Presbyter of Ancyra. On the middle of the cross there is a tomb with an overlay "Cross of Calvary". The lower branch of the relic contains particles of the relics of the holy martyrs and soldiers Theodore Tyrone, Victor, Theodore Stratilates, the blessed Prince Theodore of Smolensk and his children Constantine and David, the tomb "Descent into Hell". On the left branch are: particles of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica, as well as manna from the grave of the evangelist and apostle John the Theologian. On the right branch are stored: fragments of the relics of the Holy Right Apostle Paul, the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious. Here you can also see the “Entombment” pellet.
On the back of the cross
The content of the upper branch (on the back): particles of the relics of the Holy Martyr Basil (Presbyter of Amasia), soldiers and holy martyrs Agathonikos of Nicomedia, Mercury. Hereyou can also see the “Annunciation” crusher. The middle cross represents the Resurrection crusher. The lower branch is represented by fragments of the relics of Saints Ignatius and Isaiah of Rostov, the blessed Prince Vasily Yaroslavsky, the Sreteniye tomb. The right branch houses the Entrance to Jerusalem, fragments of the relics of the Holy Great Martyrs Christina, Eustratius. The left branch of the cross (back side) contains the “Assumption” tomb and fragments of the relics of the holy martyr and warrior Orestes, as well as the holy martyr Marina.
