In human culture, the cross has long been endowed with a sacred meaning. Many people consider him a symbol of the Christian faith, but this is far from the case. The ancient Egyptian ankh, the Assyrian and Babylonian symbols of the god of the Sun are all variants of the cross, which were integral attributes of the pagan beliefs of peoples around the world. Even the South American tribes of the Chibcha Muiskis, one of the most developed civilizations of that time, along with the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans, used the cross in their rites, believing that it protects a person from evil and personifies the forces of nature. In Christianity
the cross (Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox) is closely connected with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ.
Cross of Catholics and Protestants
The image of the cross in Christianity is somewhat variable, since it often changed its appearance over time. The following types of Christian crosses are known : Celtic, solar, Greek, Byzantine, Jerusalem, Orthodox, Latin, etc. By the way, it is the latter that is currently used by representatives of two of the three main Christian movements (Protestantism and Catholicism). The Catholic cross differs from the Protestant in the presence of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that Protestants consider the cross a symbol of the shameful execution that the Savior had to accept. Indeed, in those ancient times, only criminals and thieves were sentenced to death through crucifixion. After his miraculous resurrection, Jesus ascended to Heaven, so the Protestants consider placing the crucifixion with the living Savior on the cross as sacrilege and disrespect for the son of God.
Differences from the Orthodox Cross
In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, the image of the cross has much more differences. So, if the Catholic cross (photo on the right) is standardly four-pointed, then the Orthodox cross is six or eight-pointed, since there is a foot and a title on it. Another difference is manifested in the image of the crucifixion of Christ. In Orthodoxy, the Savior is usually depicted triumphant over death. Spreading his arms wide, he hugs all those for whom he gave his life, as if to say that his death served a good purpose. In contrast, the Catholic cross with the crucifix is a martyr image of Christ. It serves as an eternal reminder to all believers of death and the torments preceding it that the Son of God suffered.
St. Peter's Cross
The inverted Catholic cross in Western Christianity is by no means a sign of Satan, as third-rate horror films like to convince us. It is often used in Catholic icon painting and in decorating churches and is identified with one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. According to the assurances of the Roman Catholic Church, the apostle Peter, considering himself unworthy to die, as the Savior, chose to be crucified upside down on an inverted cross. Hence its name - the cross of Peter. In various photographs with the Pope you can often see this Catholic cross, which from time to time causes unflattering accusations of the church in its connection with the Antichrist.