Symbol
The Russian Orthodox Cross
Three bars, a slanted footrest, and the two thieves.
The eight-pointed cross of the Russian Orthodox Church — three horizontal bars on a vertical beam — is the most recognisable Orthodox symbol in the world. Every bar carries a meaning drawn from the crucifixion narrative.
The three bars
- The short upper bar is the titulus, the board Pilate nailed above Christ's head. In Slavic use it bears the abbreviation ІНЦІ — 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'.
- The long middle bar is the beam to which Christ's hands were nailed.
- The lower slanted bar is the suppedaneum, the footrest.
Why the footrest is slanted
The slant is read as the balance of the two thieves crucified with Christ. The raised end points toward the repentant thief on Christ's right, who was promised Paradise; the lowered end toward the one who blasphemed. It is sometimes called the 'balance of righteousness'.
Russian, Greek and Latin crosses
- The Greek cross has four equal arms, common in Byzantine architecture and on vestments.
- The Latin cross has one crossbeam.
- The Russian eight-pointed cross adds the titulus and the slanted footrest and is the standard form on Russian church domes and pectoral crosses.
Frequently asked
- What do the three bars on the Russian Orthodox cross mean?
- The top bar is Pilate's inscription, the middle bar held Christ's hands, and the slanted bottom bar is the footrest, pointing up to the repentant thief and down to the unrepentant one.
- Why is the bottom bar slanted?
- It represents the two thieves crucified alongside Christ — one raised to Paradise, one descending.