Rising Sun Cross
also called the Sunrise, Dawn or New Day Cross
As the sun rises, Gloria, an ancient Latin doxology, is sung (or spoken) at Mass and other solemn occasions. It is perhaps one of the earliest Christian hymns. Sung at daybreak, when light replaces darkness, the rising sun serves as a reminder of the reason Jesus visited us 2,000 years ago.
Latin Mass became less common after Vatican II, just as Gregorian chant gave way to folk guitar.
Indeed, the Christian Church does move with the times, as do most other religions. Christianity today holds many beliefs that contradict the literal interpretation of some passages in the Bible.
For example, “The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.” (Eccles. 1:5). This verse describes the sun’s movement across the sky, which aligns with how it appears to observers on Earth.
We still say "the sun rises in the east and sets in the west", but we now understand that Earth is not stationary. It rotates, which causes the illusion that the sun is moving.
We now know that the Earth's circumference is about 24,901 miles when measured around the equator, and it completes one full rotation relative to the sun in about 24 hours. We also know that if you stand at the equator, you're moving at about 1,000 miles per hour, but you don't feel it because you're moving along with the Earth’s rotation as part of its overall motion.
In addition to the Earth's rotation, it also has an elliptical year-long orbit around the sun. And to add a layer of complexity, the sun itself orbits the centre of the Milky Way galaxy, and both the sun and Earth are part of this larger galactic motion.
None of that was known when the text in Ecclesiastes was written, and the Church accepts that the Bible is not intended as a scientific treatise but rather reflects the world-view and language of the time.
The important point to remember is that the image of the (apparent) rising sun symbolizes Christ's victory over death. It connects the themes of light, new beginnings, and resurrection. The rising sun represents the dawn of a new day, a symbol of hope and renewal. In Christian theology, Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday is seen as the ultimate triumph over death and sin, bringing light to the world after the darkness of the crucifixion.
The cross, which was once a symbol of suffering and death, becomes transformed into a symbol of victory and life because of Christ's resurrection. Just as the rising sun dispels darkness, Christ’s resurrection brings spiritual light and eternal life to believers. This imagery combines the promise of new life and the eternal hope found in Christ's victory, reminding Christians of the hope and renewal that the Resurrection signifies.
See also Glory Cross, Flaming Cross, Sun Cross and the Star Cross.
Sometimes called a New Dawn cross. Puzzling, considering all dawns are new.
