A crucifix is a cross with a figure of Christ attached to it, heavily used in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox religions. Some Christians use a simple cross instead. The crucifix is used in Catholic Mass and ceremonies, and some have small ones in their homes. There are different styles, including the resifix, which depicts a resurrected Jesus. It is considered an object of meditation and a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.
A crucifix is a cross with a figure of Christ attached to it. It is a symbol heavily used in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox religions. Some sects of Christianity do not use the crucifix, but may symbolize the crucifixion by wearing or displaying a simple cross. The main difference between the two is that the crucifix will always have a figure of Christ attached to it, while the cross simply looks like a lowercase alphabet “t”.
In the Catholic Mass, the priest’s procession down the aisle at the beginning of the Mass usually features the priest or one of the altar boys holding the crucifix. In recent times, the one serving in the church will hold up the large crucifix while the priest giving the sermon holds the text of the Bible above his head.
Some Catholic ceremonies, such as those on Good Friday, also offer the opportunity to kiss the large church crucifix. Church members approach and place a light kiss on Christ’s feet. Many Catholics and other Christians have small crucifixes in their homes to remind them of both Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
There is no single style of crucifix. Many Roman Catholics feature the letters “INRI” above the head of Christ. This stands for “IESVS NAZERENVS REX IVDAEORVM” which translates to “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews”. This symbol was thought to have been written and possibly affixed to the cross by Pontius Pilate. Some styles are quite graphic, showing blood marks on Jesus’ feet and hands and the wound on his side. Others are more metaphorical.
In Eastern Christian religions, the crucifix tends to look a little different. Instead of the simple “t” formation as seen on many Western crucifixes, the Eastern version has two bars or pieces extending from the ends of each “t” point to the top of the vertical portion. While the four-pointed crucifix is traditional among Western Christians, there’s nothing wrong with owning one with the added bars. Indeed, in homes, any crucifix of any style, as long as it is not sacrilegious, is considered appropriate for those Christian sects of the West.
One style of crucifix that has become popular is called the resifix or resurrection cross. Instead of featuring Christ dying on the cross, it depicts a resurrected Jesus triumphant. Some people prefer the resifix to the more traditional crucifix as the emphasis in the symbol shifts from Christ’s death to his resurrection.
A crucifix in a church or home is considered an object of meditation. In churches, people often pray before it. In homes, people may put crucifixes on walls where they will be seen frequently. They can pray in front of their crucifix or simply use it in an obvious place as a frequent reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, his love for mankind, and his resurrection.
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