The San Damiano Cross
Icon
Our beloved Saint Francis did not start out life as a fiercely devout and pious man. His early years were spent indulging in the extravagances available to those born to money and privilege. As he approached adulthood, however, he found himself in crisis, searching for deeper meaning in his life.
This inner conflict led him to the deserted church of San Damiano in his hometown of Assisi. It was here, praying before the San Damiano Crucifix, that Francis first heard the Word of God. "Francis, go and rebuild my house, which is falling into ruins."
When Francis heard these words, he responded by quickly taking up a collection to restore the churches of Assisi, which were in disrepair. Through his efforts, many chapels and churches were rebuilt.
Francis eventually realized that God was not merely asking him to restore chapels, but to rebuild His Church around the world as a community. Francis responded with decisive action. He embraced a life of poverty, prayer and service, and began to preach the Word of God.
Our beloved Saint Francis did not start out life as a fiercely devout and pious man. His early years were spent indulging in the extravagances available to those born to money and privilege. As he approached adulthood, however, he found himself in crisis, searching for deeper meaning in his life.
This inner conflict led him to the deserted church of San Damiano in his hometown of Assisi. It was here, praying before the San Damiano Crucifix, that Francis first heard the Word of God. "Francis, go and rebuild my house, which is falling into ruins."
When Francis heard these words, he responded by quickly taking up a collection to restore the churches of Assisi, which were in disrepair. Through his efforts, many chapels and churches were rebuilt.
Francis eventually realized that God was not merely asking him to restore chapels, but to rebuild His Church around the world as a community. Francis responded with decisive action. He embraced a life of poverty, prayer and service, and began to preach the Word of God.
Let’s
understand this cross Icon:
·
Top
of the Cross shows the resurrected Jesus arriving in heaven in glory,
surrounded by angels and blessed by the hand of God (above).
·
The
main figure show Christ both crucified and risen (his halo includes the
glorified cross and his empty tomb can be seen behind his out stretched arms).
Inscription above Christ’s head reads IESUS NAZRE REX IUDEORUM (INRI).
·
Head
and shoulders of four angels can be seen along the crossbar discussing the
wonders of resurrection. The figures at each end may represent angels or
possibly John and Peter arriving at Christ’s empty tomb.
·
The
five main figures standing beside Jesus are (L-R) St Mary, St John, St Mary
Magdalene, Mary Clopas and the Centurion who professed his belief in Jesus. The
smaller figure are of soldiers who pierced Christ and the one who gave him
sponge soaked in wine.
·
Beneath
the cross is a damaged section depicting six figures possibly John, Michael,
Rufino, John the Baptist, Peter and Paul.
The
San Damiano Cross is an "icon cross," meaning it contains not just a
depiction of Christ, but icons of various people and scenes relevant to the
story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. The Cross is in the Eastern style
and was crafted in Umbria, Italy (the region where Assisi is located) in the
12th century. It is made of painted walnut and measures 75 inches high, 47
inches wide, and slightly less than 5 inches thick. The original Cross is now
located in the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi; a replica hangs in the San
Damiano church.
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