Encolpion crosses: types, description, purpose

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

What is the encolpion cross? The second of these words is foreign. It is very rarely used in Russian. Some people find it difficult to pronounce. And the object itself is a rare occurrence in today's life. Details of what the encolpion cross is will be discussed in the review.

General concept

To compose it, you must first refer to the concept of "relief". This is the general name for various kinds of containers in which particles of relics can be stored. The latter are the remains of people who, after death, were canonized as saints. They have the property of incorruptibility, they are treated with reverence. It is believed that the relics are the bearers of grace.

To have their particles with you, there are reliquaries of various shapes. These include:

• Reliquary crosses. Among them are pectoral and altar crosses. Among the latter is the one that belonged to Efrosinya of Polotsk.
• The ark is a small box designed to store relics. It can contain the relics of several saints at the same time.
• Reliquary- attached to the icon.
• Encolpion is a small container for relics, which can have various shapes, such as round or rectangular. In addition, there are encolpion crosses. We will talk about them in more detail below.

Definition

So, the type of cross in question is a small casket for relics. And also there are placed particles of prosphora. This is a liturgical bread that is used during divine services for the sacrament of the Eucharist in Orthodoxy, as well as for commemoration of the living and the dead during the Proskomedia.

Particles of relics and prosphora are designed to protect a person from all sorts of misfortunes, which is especially important during long hikes and travels. When placed in the holy cross, the particles of the relics are poured with a special compound, which is a wax mastic that protects them from damage or falling out.

Device

The encolpion cross is a folding device that has two parts called sashes. On the inner surface of each of them there is a recess. The relic is placed in this hollow part. The upper and lower parts of the flaps are connected with hinges.

This is necessary so that the holy relics can be sealed in the most reliable way. On the upper part there is a kind of ring intended for wearing an encolpion on a thread or on a chain, which is called a gaitana. It was originally a wooden cross.

History

In the days of early Christianity, adults, as a rule, did not wear crosses. These were either medallions on which the image of the Crucifixion or the Lamb was made, or encolpions. They were also called "enclopius". The word is of Greek origin. In translation, it means "on the chest", "in the bosom." It was these gizmos that were the forerunners of the pectoral cross. The word "pectoral" also means "worn on the chest", that is, "on the chest." It was worn around the neck, worn under clothing or on top.

First, encolpions were made in the form of four-sided boxes that were empty inside. Outside, they had an image of a monogram denoting the name of Jesus Christ. Usually, particles of relics were placed in the box, and during the period of persecution of Christians, lists made from sacred books were placed. Later they began to make crosses of various shapes.

In 1571, during excavations in the Vatican, two encolpions were found in one of the graves. According to archaeologists, they belong to the period of the 4th century AD. e.

Testimony of John Chrysostom

Their existence in the 4th century is evidenced by John Chrysostom. In one of his speeches, which was directed against the Gentiles and Jews, he claimed that Jesus is the True God. The theologian asked why all Christians periodically come to the very tree to which the holy body of Christ was nailed?

“Why do many men and women, having received a small particle from this tree, cover it with gold and hang it around their necks in the form of an ornament, because it was once a sign of punishment and condemnation?” -asks the Archbishop of Constantinople.

In the same speech, John the Theologian gives an answer to his question. He explains that the Lord God is the one who created the whole world, transformed it, delivered it from wickedness, made the earth a sky. He also ex alted this most shameful and hated instrument (the cross) above the heavens themselves.

Many modern people don't know that earlier a person hung from a tree was considered cursed by God. Therefore, death crucified on the cross was considered the most shameful. This explains Chrysostom's speech.

Cross-shaped

When encolpies took the form of a cross, they still had a void inside them, designed to store relics. In this form, they were worn by bishops over their vestments. In 1862, in Rome, in the ruins of the Basilica of St. Lawrence, which was built by Constantine the Great, the oldest copy was found. It was on the chest of a skeleton buried near the church. Most likely it was the bishop.

Even the crosses of encolpia in Constantinople were also an important detail of the solemn royal vestments. Later they appeared in Russia. This happened even before Peter I. Sometimes they were worn under clothing by ordinary monks, as well as pious lay people, for example, pilgrims. Encolpies of various sizes and designs can be found in ecclesiastical and archaeological collections. So, they are present in the funds of the museum of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

Cross Reliquary - a kind of encolpia

In some cases, such a cross (mostcommon today) is considered as a kind of reliquary. To be more precise, it should be noted that, in fact, it is a type of encolpia. Sometimes they call it that. Outwardly, this is an ordinary Orthodox cross with a crucifix. However, the encolpium is intended to store particles of holy relics and other sacred relics. For this reason, it is hollow inside.

It can be both pectoral and altarpiece. The main thing in it is its great protective power. It is believed that even small particles of the relics in it transfer great energy and remarkable strength to the cross.

To make it more clear, it should be said separately about the altar cross (the pectoral cross was mentioned above). The altar is an Orthodox altar cross, a crucifix, which is kept on the throne in the altar of the temple. It is used at the end of the liturgy, when the priest blesses the faithful, and they kiss him. Just like at the end of baptism, wedding, confession, unction. If the reliquary is an altarpiece, then, of course, it cannot be called an encolpion, and the pectoral cross is one.

Pectoral reliquary crosses are the attributes of pilgrims heading to holy places. Inside them is a small ark with shrines stored in it. On the front side is the Crucifixion.

It is framed with acanthus leaves. This is a motif that originally arose in ancient art and was widespread in the architecture of Ancient Greece, Rome and Byzantium. It got its name from the acanthus, a herbaceous plant with leaves that have several sharp ends. This form formed the basis of the drawing. In Christianity, acanthus leaves are a symbol of the flowering of the Garden of Eden.

Inside the holy cross is placed the image of the Virgin called "The Sign". On the back is a prayer that begins with the words "Let God rise again." And along the end - the words from the Jesus Prayer.

Meaning

Reliquaries-encolpies appeared in Russia in ancient times. Today they can be seen in museums, although many of them are missing relics. However, some have them inside and remain miraculous.

Caskets are also used to store relics. However, for a particular believer, the cross is the most preferable in terms of protection. You can always have it with you. Then the power given by the relics of the saint will support and protect a person at any moment.

As a rule, jewelers make modern encolpia crosses with great care. They are decorated with portraits of saints and precious stones. A special prayer is written inside and an additional image of the cross is placed.