Orthodox icon | Crucifixion of Jesus with inlaid cross | 24721

In the middle: bronze/brass cross with two-tone enamel. Above the mandylion: “the not human-made image of Christ” from the city of Edessa. The crucified in the middle, sun and moon, as symbols for spiritual and worldly power, as well as a spear and hyssop’s stem. Below: the city wall of Jerusalem and Golgotha with the skull of Adam.

On the icon:

Left: The Mother of God with Saint Mary Magdalene (third Sunday of Easter and July 22) and Saint Mary of Clopas (third Sunday of Easter, May 23, June 19).

Right: Saint Apostle John the Theologian (May 8) and Saint Longinus (October 16).

According to the first three Gospels, Saint Mary of Clopas was the mother of the disciple James the Younger (Gospel of Mark 15, 40) – that is why she is also referred to as Mary of James; Mary is mentioned in the Gospel of John (19, 25) as a witness of the crucifixion of Jesus, so she belonged to the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus; therefore, she was a sister of Maria.

Saint Mary Magdalene probably got her name after her hometown Magdala – today’s Migdal in Israel. Mary joined Jesus as a disciple after he had freed her from possession (Gospel Luke 8, 2) – Jesus’ circle of disciples was larger than the known twelve men and also included women, among whom Mary apparently had a special position, for the Women in the New Testament are always led by her.

According to legend, Saint Longinus was the name of the Roman captain of soldiers under the cross of Jesus, who made the confession “Truly this was the Son of God” (Gospel of Matthew 27:54). Having become a Christian, he is said to have been martyred under Emperor Claudius.

Above: Descent from the Cross and the Entombment.

On the edge: Saint Michael the Archangel (November 8th) and Saint Alexander Nevsky (November 14th), Prince of Novgorod, Grand Prince of Kiev and Vladimir-Suzdal.

Poliment-gilded background with hallmarks and engraved ornaments.