Byzantine crosses, originating in Constantinople in the 4th century, are a fusion of Roman, Greek, and Christian styles. They have multiple crossbars, a reliquary compartment, and come in various designs, including the bud-shaped cross with a shamrock. Modern versions are often modeled after traditional styles and can be highly decorative.
Byzantine crosses originated as early as the 4th century in Constantinople and represent a fusion of Roman, Greek and Christian imagery and style. Different designs developed over time, but the characteristics of most Byzantine crosses differ from the simple straight cross with a single crossbar that is common in Western Europe and the areas it influenced. The Byzantine cross with two or three crossbars spread to Russia and Greece and is still used by the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches. Some early Byzantine crosses have a single crossbar with all four ends of the cross flaring out. Another style, still popular today, is a bud-shaped cross with a shamrock, or three-leaf shape, at the end of each bar.
Multiple cross bars are features of Byzantine crosses that are distinctly different from the single bar cross more familiar to Westerners. This style is also known as the patriarchal cross. It is believed to have developed in the Byzantine Empire and spread from there to other parts of Europe and Russia. In these crosses, a smaller crossbar is located above the main one. There may also be a slash near the bottom of the cross.
Another feature of some Byzantine crosses is a reliquary compartment within the cross. These special crosses are called encolpion, or enkolpion, and often contained a relic of the True Cross. Encolpias are hinged at the top and may have a simple cross or crucifix with the body or body of Christ on the front and back. The bronze encolpia is found in archaeological sites throughout the range of the Byzantine Empire. Less common reliquary crosses made of precious metals were often gifted by emissaries from Constantinople to Europe.
Modern versions of Byzantine crosses are generally modeled after traditional styles. They can be made of bronze or precious metals and decorated with enamels. Hanging style crosses are often of the bud type. Many have a three bar cross inside the face of the outer cross. The internal three-bar cross can be highlighted with enamel or a different metallic color.
Other popular modern Byzantine crosses are highly decorative with bars of equal length. Ornate or openwork designs often adorn this style. The ends of the cross may be flared or flared. Another style is a very simple Byzantine cross that lacks ornamentation and has narrow bars with intricate work. Most of these decorative Byzantine crosses do not have a corpus.
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