Artist Statement: The word reliquary comes from the French word reliquaire, meaning “a receptacle, such as a shrine, for keeping and displaying sacred relics.” Reliquaries became an important part of Christian practices in Europe beginning in the third century. They could be made from metal or carved wood, often based on an architectural design, such as the form of church with a pitched roof or a Gothic church window. They held precious stones, pictures, and religious relics.

The rare and authentic 18^th century Russian Orthodox cross pendant in the center window of this reliquary is rich in Christian symbolism. The unique vine-like floral design sprouting from the sides of the cross symbolizes the preaching of Jesus in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” It is also symbolic of the life-giving nature of Jesus as Savior and Lord. This ornate bronze cross pendant also features in the center a crescent, or half-moon symbol known as a “Tsata”, an ancient Byzantine symbol of Christ as King and High Priest. The pendant bears a traditional image of the three-bar cross venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The top bar represents the “INRI” inscription meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” placed over Jesus’ head, the middle bar where Jesus’ hands and arms were affixed, and the bottom one, a footrest. The bottom bar is pointing up toward Heaven, on Christ’s right side where the penitent thief was crucified. The side boxed ends of the horizontal crossbar bears the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the Greek Christogram “IC” on the left and “XC” on the right. The bottom of the vertical bar bears a boxed three letter abbreviation in the Slavic Cyrillic letters “HIK”, a portion of the ancient Greek symbol “NIKA”, meaning Victorious and symbolizing the ultimate victory of Jesus over sin and death.