Processional Cross

The processional cross may be plain, ornate or a Crucifix. In the latter case, the cross-bearer holds the cross so that the Corpus is turned in the direction in which the procession is moving. This symbolises Christ leading the procession.

Processional Cross

Processional Cross

Roman standard bearer

Long before Christ, standards were carried to rally and lead warriors. Roman army standards were symbols of honour, held in awe and fiercely protected. These tall poles held impressive insignia and symbols aloft. They were often adorned with animal skins or animal heads bearing teeth. The standards were carried by officers so the troops could see them above the action. This helped the soldiers to stay close to one-another and such cohesiveness enhanced the strength of the unit.

For Christians, St. Augustine, first archbishop of Canterbury (not St. Augustine of Hippo) is often credited as introducing the concept of a Processional Cross in the 6th century.

A couple of hundred years later, Saint Bede wrote Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) in which he describes St. Augustine approaching Ethelbert 'carrying a silver cross for a standard'.

The cross is often surmounted on a staff or handle, long enough for all to see. Traditionally, the handle is removable and when the procession approaches the altar, the handle is detached and the cross is placed on the altar. The foot of the cross may be pointed to fit into the handle and then into a base on the altar. Alternatively, the cross may be transferred to a holder at the back of the altar, hung on a wall behind the altar, or placed somewhere in the vicinity. (This may be the origin of the Altar Cross.)

The material used to manufacture the cross, and its design, are of much less importance than its function. It is used like a military standard, leading the procession. An exception to this is where the Processional Cross itself has some special importance, for example, as a reliquary.

Where a Patriarchal Cross is used in a procession, this is carried directly in front of those clerics in their own archdioceses and never used to lead a procession as a true Processional Cross does. The front of the Patriarchal or Archiepiscopal Cross is always bare, but at the rear, facing the archbishop following the Cross, a small crucifix is mounted in the upper arm of the Archiepiscopal Cross so that the archbishop 'can always keep his eyes on Jesus' as it were.¹

Most often, a Processional Cross bearing a figure of Christ (corpus) is Catholic, while a Processional Cross without a corpus is usually Anglican / Episcopal. Lately Lutherans and some Methodists have begun using Processional Crosses, usually bare, but occasionally with a corpus. Where there is a corpus, the cross-bearer (in Eastern Orthodox monasticism, Stavrophore) holds the cross so that the Corpus is turned in the direction in which the procession is moving. This symbolises Christ leading the procession.

When such a cross is huge enough to represent the True Cross, it will be borne on the shoulder with the base dragging on the floor. It then might be referred to as a Portate Cross.

Christian processions are seen all over the world, and the Processional Cross is often a simple Latin Cross on a staff, although a Tau Cross might also be used or some other cross style. Indeed, it doesn't have to be an actual cross form. An icon, a palm leaf, a flag, or anything at all, can be used to lead the procession.

Below, we see the Pope Benedict XVI carrying a plain Latin Cross as he presides over a Stations of the Cross ceremony at the Colosseum on Good Friday. Russian Orthodox monks carry a more ornate cross in Pskov, as does this Eucharistic procession in Notre Dame, France. And the Salvation Army colour sergeant outside Windsor Castle, England, leads the soldiers with a flag. This includes symbolism of salvation, but curiously, does not include an image of the cross. (The Salvation Army flag is described in a little more detail on our Sun Cross page.)

Pope Benedict XVI (Photo: AFP)

Russian monks, Pskov (Photo: www.orthodoxphotos.com)

Eucharistic procession, Notre Dame, France

Salvation Army Band

(Click any photo to enlarge)

1 : We are indebted to Sean M. Wright for allowing us to copy some of the above information from his forthcoming book: The Very Stones Will Cry Out