Patriarchal Cross - Other Variations

Other Variations

The Orthodox cross can be considered a modified version of the Patriarchal cross, having two smaller crossbeams, one at the top and one near the bottom, in addition to the longer crossbeam. One suggestion is the lower crossbeam represents the footrest (suppendaneum) to which the feet of Jesus were nailed. In some earlier representations (and still currently in the Greek Church) the crossbar near the bottom is straight, or slanted upwards. In later Slavic and other traditions, it came to be depicted as slanted, with the side to the viewer's left usually being higher. During 1577–1625 the Russian use of the cross was between the heads of the double-headed eagle in the coat of arms of Russia.

One tradition says that this comes from the idea that as Jesus Christ took his last breath, the bar to which his feet were nailed broke, thus slanting to the side. Another tradition holds that the slanted bar represents the repentant thief and the unrepentant thief that were crucified with Christ, the one to Jesus' right hand repenting and rising to be with God in Paradise, and one on his left falling to Hades and separation from God. In this manner it also reminds the viewer of the Last Judgment.

Still another explanation of the slanted crossbar would suggest the Cross Saltire, as tradition holds that the Apostle St. Andrew introduced Christianity to lands north and west of the Black Sea: today's Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, and Romania.

• Roman Catholic metropolitan archbishop's coat of arms (version with pallium

• Saint Stephen, the first King of Hungary (1000–1038). The most ancient element of the Coat of arms of Hungary is the double cross.

• Coat of arms of Hungary under king Béla III

• Present-day coat of arms of Hungary

• Coat of arms of Slovakia

• Serbian Tsar Stefan Dušan holding the patriarchal cross.

• The Orthodox cross, with slanted cross-bar

• A variation of the Orthodox cross, so called "Calvary cross"