Bronze processional cross

The arms of the cross are flared, their eight corners each adorned with a disc. A silver medallion at the intersection of the two arms is enamelled in blue. The surface of the cross is decorated with very fine engraved vegetal and geometric designs. The upper part of the vertical arm bears the inscription “Ο ΑΓΗΟC ΠΕΤΡΟ(Ο)C + Η ΟΛΗΟΥ +” [Saint Peter of Elion], which most probably indicates the church in which the cross was kept. At the bottom of the vertical arm, a lance-shaped device has survived which was used for inserting the cross into a wooden frame. Large crosses of this kind were used for church processions. They usually preceded the Great Entrance of the Eucharistic Gifts and processions accompanying icons or holy relics; this is why they came to be known as processional crosses. In Constantinople in particular, processions played a major role in the ecclesiastical life of the faithful, with large weekly processions accompanied by the emperor, the patriarch and crowds of devotees.

PUBLICATION
Skampavias K. 2007. Catalogue no. 85, in Skampavias K.—Chatzidakis N. (eds), Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum. Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art, Athens, 92.