Ablessing cross is a hand cross held by apriest orbishop inEastern Christianity when he gives abenediction. It is often made of precious metal and may be adorned withenamelwork, and precious or semi-preciousgemstones. The cross may also have other icons on it, such as theTheotokos (Mother of God),John the Baptist, theFour Evangelists orProphets.[1]
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In theEastern Orthodox Church and thoseEastern Catholic Churches which follow theByzantine Rite, the hand cross is kept on theHoly Table (altar) and used at certain moments during the liturgy, most noticeably at thedismissal when he holds it in his right hand as he gives the finalblessing. After the dismissal of theDivine Liturgy (Eucharist) all of the faithful come forward to kiss the cross.[2][3]
The blessing cross is also used in the blessing ofholy water, when the priest will dip the cross in the water, making theSign of the Cross with it three times. AtPascha (Easter), the blessing cross may be attached to thePaschal troitza carried by the priest at the services duringBright Week.[citation needed]
It is common but not universal for Eastern Orthodox priests to hold a blessing cross while givinghomilies.[4]
In the Greek practice,deacons will carry blessing crosses during theLittle Entrance.[citation needed]
InOriental Orthodox Churches, and the clergy will often carry the blessing cross for a majority of the service. In some traditions, the priest will have the blessing cross with him all the time, even when he is outside the church.[citation needed]
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The blessing cross used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches often has anicon on it, together with the lettersIC XC NIKA (meaning, "Jesus Christ conquers").[5] blessing crosses may also be two-sided, having an icon of the Crucifixion on one side and an icon of theResurrection on the other. The side with the Resurrection would be held out towards the people on Sundays and throughout theafterfeast ofPascha (Easter).
Blessing crosses in Oriental Orthodox churches tend not to have icons on them.
InEthiopia, blessing crosses are often made out of brass or iron, and may have a lattice-like oropenwork design made of smaller crosses. These may also have strips of fabric attached to them, not unlike thesudarium on thecrosiers of Western bishops. At the opposite end from the cross, the handle terminates in a decorative finial.
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