Blackwell Reference Online

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From the reign of constantine the great and the spread of belief that his mother Helena had discovered the True Cross during a pilgrimage to jerusalem , an important cult of the relics of the Precious Cross spread rapidly as fragments of the sacred wood were distributed throughout the Christian world. Cruciform jewels became a common part of lay and clerical attire, often functioning as marks of ecclesiastical rank; crosses surmounted Christian buildings and the crowns of Christian rulers. The cross was woven into or embroidered on cloth used for vestments. Eventually, church buildings were regularly designed to a cruciform plan ( see architecture ). icons of the Crucifixion represent the death of Jesus, icons of the empty Cross symbolize the Resurrection. The Cross is often represented as the tree of life with burgeoning leaves or flowers: both the life-giving Cross itself and Christ, symbolized by the burgeoning cross, are thought of as the tree of life. Complex carved crosses known as khatchkar are typical of Armenian Christian art. Carved metal crosses of great intricacy are found in Ethiopia. In coptic christianity use is made of the crux ansata , the hieroglyphic sign ankh , meaning life, as a symbol of the Cross. Priestly blessings are usually given by tracing a cross in the air or over the person or thing to be blessed; in Byzantine and several other traditions ... log in or subscribe to read full text