What is an encolpion cross? The second of these words is foreign. It is very rarely used in Russian. Some people have a hard time pronouncing it. And the subject itself is a rare occurrence in today's life. Details about what is the cross encolpion will be described in the review.
General concept
To compile it, you must first turn to the concept of “Reliquary”. This is the general name of various containers in which particles of relics can be stored. The latter are the remains of people who, after death, were counted as saints. They possess the property of imperishability; they are treated with reverence. It is believed that relics are carriers of grace.
To have their particles with them, there are reliquaries of various forms. These include:
- Reliquary crosses. Among them are pectoral and altar crosses. Among the latter is the one that belonged to Efrosinya Polotskaya.
- The Ark is a small box designed to hold relics. The relics of several saints can be placed in it at once.
- Reliquary - attached to the icon.
- Encolpion is a small container for relics, which can have various shapes, for example, round or rectangular. In addition, there are crosses and encolpions. We will talk more about them below.
Definition
So, the type of cross under consideration is a small casket for relics. Particles of prosphora are also placed there. This is liturgical bread, which is used during worship for the sacrament of the Eucharist in Orthodoxy, as well as for the remembrance of the living and the dead during the Proskomid.
Particles of relics and prosphora are designed to protect a person from all sorts of misfortunes, which is especially important during long trips and travels. When placed in the holy cross, particles of relics are poured with a special composition, which is a wax mastic that protects them from damage or loss.
Device
The cross encolpion 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 wings are connected by 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 ringlet designed to be worn by an enkolpion on a thread or on a chain called gaitana. It was originally a wooden cross.
Story
In the time 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 "Enclopia." The word is of Greek origin. Translated, it means "on the chest", "behind the bosom." It was these little things that were the predecessors of the pectoral cross. The word "pectoral" also means "worn on the chest", that is, "on the Persians." He was worn around the neck, worn under clothes or on top.
Initially, encolpions were made in the form of four-sided drawers, which were empty from the inside. Outside, they had an image of a monogram denoting the name of Jesus Christ. Usually particles of relics were put in a box, and during the period of persecution of Christians - lists made from holy books. 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 date back to the 4th century AD. e.
Testimony of John Chrysostom
About their existence in the 4th century there is a testimony of John Chrysostom. In one of his speeches, which was directed against the Gentiles and Jews, he argued that Jesus - this is the True God. The theologian asked why all Christians periodically come to the same tree to which the holy body of Christ was nailed?
“Why do many men and women, having received a small particle from this tree, encase it with gold and hang it around their neck in the form of jewelry, because it used to be a sign of punishment and condemnation?” Asks the question of the Archbishop of Constantinople.
In the same speech, John the Evangelist 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, and made the earth heaven. He and this most shameful of all and hated instrument (cross) exalted above heaven itself.
Many modern people do not know that a man who was previously hanged on a tree was considered a cursed God. Therefore, death crucified on the cross was considered the most shameful. This explains the speech of Chrysostom.
In the shape of a cross
When the encolpies took the form of a cross, they still had a void inside them to hold the relics. As such, they were worn by bishops on top of their vestments. In 1862, in Rome, in the ruins of the Basilica of St. Lawrence, which was built by Constantine the Great, an ancient specimen was found. He was on the chest of a skeleton buried near the church. Most likely, it was a bishop.
Even the crosses of the encolpius in Constantinople were also an important detail of the solemn royal vestments. Later they appeared in Russia. This happened before Peter I. Sometimes they were worn under the clothing and ordinary monks, as well as pious laity, such as pilgrims. Encolpies of various sizes and patterns can be found in church and archaeological collections. So, they are present in the funds of the Museum of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.
Reliquary cross - encolpius variety
In some cases, such a cross (the most common today) is considered as a variety of reliquary. To be more precise, it should be noted that, in fact, it is a kind of encolpie. Sometimes they call him that. Outwardly, this is an ordinary Orthodox cross with a crucifix. However, the encolpies are intended to store particles of holy relics and other sacred relics. For this reason, it is hollow inside.
It can be either pectoral or altar. The main thing in it is its great protective power. It is believed that even small particles of relics in it transmit 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 table is the Orthodox altar cross, the crucifix, which is stored 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. As well as at the end of baptism, weddings, confessions, unification. If a reliquary is altarized, then, of course, it cannot be called an encolpion, and a pectoral cross is such.
Reliquary pectoral crosses are attributes of pilgrims heading to holy places. Inside them is a small ark with the shrines stored in it. On the front side is the Crucifix.
It is framed by 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 by analogy with acanthus, a herbaceous plant with leaves that have several sharp ends. This form formed the basis of the picture. In Christianity, acanthus leaves are a symbol of the flowering garden of Eden.
Inside the holy cross is placed the image of the Virgin under the name "Sign". On the back is a prayer that begins with the words, “May God rise again”. And along the end - the words from the Jesus prayer.
Value
Reliquaries-enkolpii appeared in Russia in ancient times. Today they can be seen in museums, although many of them have no relics. However, some have them inside and remain miraculous.
For storage of relics caskets are also used. However, for a particular believer, the cross is most preferable in terms of protection. You can always carry it with you. Then the force given by the relics of the saint will support and protect a person at any moment.
As a rule, jewelers make modern crosses of encolpies with special care. They are decorated with portraits of saints and precious stones. Inside they write a special prayer and place an additional image of the cross.