VINTAGE X-LARGE 2 7/8" 27g ORTHODOX PECTORAL CRUCIFIX WITH ST. PETER THE APOSTLE

Description: Vintage large and massive (approx. 2 7/8" tall with rotating bale; weight approx. 27.1 g) pectoral Crucifix pendant featuring a traditional Slavonic Orthodox design with iconic image of the Crucified Savior's Cross flanked with the two Instruments of the Passion standing above the skull (Adam's head). The reverse displays an icon of Holy Apostle Peter. The large size of the Crucifix suggests that it was meant to be a pectoral Cross worn by an Orthodox priest or a monk. It appears to have been hand made from a heavy historical bronze or brass or similar copper-based metal alloy of unknown exact composition. The Crucifix was originally decorated with white and blue enamel inlays (mostly preserved). The item has visual vintage or antique appearance with signs of aging and wear that might include diminished quality of the artwork, deformations of its original shape, scratches, dents, lost fragments of enamel, discoloration of remaining enamel due to aging, and patches of patina/oxidation. Some of the original patina has been removed using gentle manual cleaning and polishing. The size and weight of the item are shown on the photographs for this listing. The obverse displays an image of the Crucifixion recreated according to the ancient Orthodox iconographic tradition. The Savior is depicted crucified on the three-bar Suppedaneum cross that is venerated as the True Savior's Cross in the Slavonic Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate inscribed on this Cross with smaller Cyrillic letters as "INЦI", and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified. The Savior's head is crowned with large, cruciform halo. In the theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church, such an icon represents a "Window into Heaven" through which Christ Himself in heaven can be seen and communicated with. The halo around Christ’s Head is a symbol of the Uncreated Light (Greek: Ἄκτιστον Φῶς), or grace of God shining forth through the icon. The left and right side ends of the horizontal crossbar bear the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right and just below Christ’s hands. Parallel to the vertical crossbar, there are images of the two Instruments of the Passion which are subjects to adoration along with the Cross. The Holy Lance (spear) of a Roman soldier is marked as "K" for the Church Slavonic "Копие" ("Kopiye") in the space just below the horizontal crossbar of the Savior's Cross, whereas the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane is marked as "T" for the Church Slavonic "Трость" ("Trost"). A symbolic image of the skull, or Adam's head, buried in a cave below the Savior's Cross refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site where Jesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of the skull" in Hebrew. The skull is marked with two larger Cyrillic letters, "Г" and "A" next to it, an abbreviation meaning "Head of Adam". According to ancient tradition of the Church, it was also the burial place of the first man, Adam. The reverse bears an icon of Saint Peter depicted as a full-length portrait of the Holy Apostle Simon Peter holding the Keys of Heaven, with the abbreviated Church Slavonic inscription meaning "Holy Apostle Peter" displayed at the left and right sides. St. Peter is known as one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and “the Rock”, one of the first prominent leaders of the early Christian Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church regards St. Peter, together with St. Paul, as "Preeminent Apostles". Another title used for St. Peter is the Coryphaeus, which could be translated as "Choir-director", or lead singer. Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International shipping is handled by Ebay. International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.

Price: 89 USD

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2025-02-15T01:49:18.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD