RARE 15-16th CENTURY CROSS "HOLY FACE OF JESUS" SAINT NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER

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Seller: godblessyou21 ✉️ (1,417) 100%, Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 202461638425 RARE 15-16th CENTURY CROSS "HOLY FACE OF JESUS" SAINT NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER. Rare ancient Eastern Orthodox sword-shaped iconic Cross pendant featuring images of the Holy Face of Jesus (the Veil of St. Veronica), the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Cast from bronze or similar copper alloy, covered with beautiful original uncleaned dark green patina from the past centuries. Origin likely c. 15th-16th century Imperial Russia (according to the literature describing similar artifacts - please see the pictures for the listing). Antique condition; lightly deformed and worn out; has two small holes in the horizontal crossbar end (next to the image of St. John the Baptist) likely resulting from original metal casting defect or subsequent wearing off. The reverse bears marks from a grinding file tools suggesting that the cross was handmade by a master coppersmith. The necklace loop/bale is sound and robust. Authentic antique symbol of Eastern Christianity. The cross bears iconic images of Jesus Christ, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Nicholas of Myra, and Saint John the Baptist.  The shape of the cross is similar to the Russian Orthodox crosses dated 15-16th century that are "sword"-shaped.  In the Western Europe, such a shape of crucifixes and crosses was popular in the medieval period because of the Crusades. In a more general context of the Gospels, a sword-shaped cross refers to the preaching of Christ: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34), and "...if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:36).  The top part (just below loop) bears a worn-out inscription of the Holy Name of Jesus as the "ICXC" Greek Christogram. The centerpiece of the cross below bears an image of the Holy Face of Jesus ("Not Made by Human Hands"). This image is considered to be the oldest known Christian icon, and also the oldest known portrait of Jesus. According to the Eastern Church, or Byzantine tradition, King Abgar of Edessa was a leper. He sent his servant to Galilee with a request to Jesus asking Him to come to Edessa and heal him. When Jesus learned about the Abgar's faithful request, He washed Himself with some water. Then, by wiping His face with a linen cloth, He made an imprint of His features, and sent the cloth back to Edessa. When Abgar beheld the cloth, his leprosy was cured. The image of the Holy Face of Christ on the cloth was preserved for centuries in Edessa as the most sacred treasure. In 944, the Byzantines brought it with a great veneration to Constantinople. It remained there until the capture of the city by the Crusaders in 1204, when it was lost. However, by that time, numerous copies of the image were painted as the Holy Icons, preserving the sacred image to this day. In Greek, this icon is called "Achieropoietos", meaning "not made by human hands". In the Byzantine tradition, the image was sometimes called the Mandylion, meaning "small handkerchief". In the Western Catholic tradition, the image is known as the image of the Holy Face of Jesus, as preserved on the Veil of Saint Veronica. The Veil of St. Veronica is a Christian relic of a piece of cloth which bears a true image of the Holy Face of Jesus. The Western Catholic tradition says that Saint Veronica from Jerusalem met Jesus on his way to Calvary. When she wiped the blood and sweat of His Face with her veil, an image has been imprinted on the cloth. The event is commemorated by the Catholic Church as the Sixth Station of the Cross. According to the Western tradition, the Veil bearing a true image of Christ was able to quench thirst, cure blindness, and even raise the dead.  The left and right sides bear iconic images of the sorrowful Most Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist showing the way to Jesus by pointing hands at His image. The bottom vertical crossbar bears an iconic image of Saint Nicholas (Russian: Nicolay or Nicola), one of the most renowned and venerated Christian saints, and a historic 4th-century Greek Bishop of Myra. He is venerated by Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran Christians. Because of many miracles attributed to his intersession, the Saint is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker. His legendary habit of secret gift giving gave rise to the traditional figure of Santa Claus. He is a patron saint of sailors, merchants, students, children, repentant thieves, and many countries and cities, such as Greece, Russia, Moscow, Amsterdam, Liverpool, and others.   Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The U.S. quarter coin, decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference and artistic background. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are unique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International buyers, please ask me for a shipping quote prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.
  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: Rare ancient Eastern Orthodox sword-shaped iconic Cross pendant featuring images of the Holy Face of Jesus (the Veil of St. Veronica), the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Cast from bronze or similar copper alloy, covered with beautiful original uncleaned dark green patina from the past centuries. Origin likely c. 15th-16th century Imperial Russia (according to the literature describing similar artifacts - please see the pictures for the listing). Antique condition; lightly deformed and worn out; has two small holes in the horizontal crossbar end (next to the image of St. John the Baptist) likely resulting from original metal casting defect or subsequent wearing off. The reverse bears marks from a grinding file tools suggesting that the cross was handmade by a master coppersmith. The necklace loop/bale is sound and robust. Authentic antique symbol of Eastern Christianity.
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
  • Material: Bronze or similar copper alloy
  • Featured Refinements: Antique 15-16th century Cross pendant

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