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Rosary Symbolism
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The meaning of the rosary cross designs |
The word "rosary" is derived from rosarium,
Latin for garden or a chaplet of roses (a wreath worn on the head).
The configuration of the rosary brings to mind several symbols relative
to our Christian heritage. The cross reminds us that we enter into
our Christian life by way of Christ's Cross and upon our physical
death we enter into life eternal by the same means.
The cross or cruciform symbol is echoed in the four beads around
the circle which break up the four sets of weekdays. The number
seven in Christian tradition brings to mind the seven days of creation
and our earthly week. The number four reminds us of the four gospels,
the four directional points of the earth (N, S, E and W) and our
four earthly seasons (Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall). The total
number of beads, 33, are the number of years Jesus was reported
to have walked this earth.
The history of this powerful Christian symbol is uncertain and somewhat obscure. Legend and folk lore abound as to the origin of the Celtic Cross. In our modern civilization the ringed cross is as much a symbol of ethnic heritage as it is of faith and it is often used as an emblem of ones Irish, Scottish or Welsh identity. Several different faith traditions claim it as their own.
One of the most popular legends of the origin of the Celtic Cross originates from the life of St. Patrick. When preaching to some heathens he was hoping to convert to Christianity, he was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. St. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone making the first Celtic Cross.
It has been discovered that in the formation of Christianity, pagan ideas and beliefs were transformed over time into Christian ideas and practices. History records that St. Patrick converted and ordained many Druids to lives as Christian priests, so this legend appears to have some validity.
The circle that distinguishes the Celtic Cross has stood as a symbol of eternity for centuries.
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The dove is a symbol of peace, purity and reconciliation. The ichthus (fish) comes from the first letters of the words "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" which spells ichthus, the Greek word for "fish." This is one of the first signs for Jesus Christ used by early Christians as an "underground" method of identification. This cross is also "budded" which affirms Christ's redemptive aspect of this ancient form of execution.
At this time in our nation and in our world, prayers for peace are vital and one of the most powerful things we can do as faithful Christians.
This lovely cross has several meaningful symbols that call us to prayer. Perhaps peace is the most urgent. As you pray with this rosary containing the dove of peace remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus as the words were heard from above, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." As followers of the One who modeled for us the essence of peace, this rosary calls us to fervent prayers for peace in our world.
"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but
a means by which we arrive
at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means."
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23
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Who were the Copts?
It was derived from the word Aigyptos, which meant "Egypt" in Greek. The word was modified by the Arabs who invaded Egypt in 641 AD. The Arabs, then, couldn't pronounce it as such and instead they pronounced it as "Gypt" or "Kipt". To them, they called Egypt, the Land of the Kipt, or Copt.
In the first century, the Egyptians or as later were known as Copts, got their Christian Church established by St. Mark, who himself was from North Africa originally. This church was one of the first few Christian churches of the world. Coptic was the language spoken by the Copts, the native populace of Egypt from about the 3rd to the 10th century A.D.
The church that exists today is the same church that was established almost two thousands years by St. Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark. He was considered the first bishop of the church and the present Patriarch, Pope Shenouda III, is the 117th pope of Egypt, or the 116th in succession to St. Mark. The church is also known as the Church of Alexandria the seat of St. Mark See.
The first crosses known in Ethiopia were probably imported from Christian Egypt around 400 A.D., and were developed in ways not found elsewhere in Christianity. This is because pagan symbols with triangles, circles, and crosses were already being used in solar and fertility rites.
This is a classic example of pagan rites being absorbed and transformed by Christian beliefs.
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The San Damiano Cross is the cross in front of which
St. Francis wa
s praying when he heard Our Lord speak to him.
St. Francis was told to rebuild the Church. The original cross
now hangs in Santa Chiarra (St. Claire) Church in Assisi, Italy.
The Origin of Devotion
In the early days of his conversion, Francis was living a penitential life alone in the countryside outside of the walls of Assisi. One day, while passing the rundown church known as San Damiano (St. Damian), Francis heard an internal voice from his spirit tell him to go in and pray. He entered and knelt before the cross. There followed a time of contemplation and ecstasy. While gazing at the cross, Francis saw the lips of Jesus move and he heard the words, "Francis, go repair my house which, as you see, is falling completely to ruin". Francis responded, "gladly will I do so, Lord". At first, Francis concentrated on repairing the church buildings of San Damiano and nearby churches. Then, when the Lord sent him many followers, he understood his commission to build up the spiritual lives of God's people. His commission was confirmed by Pope Innocent III, who had a dream of the church in the form of the Basilica of St. John Lateran leaning over as if to fall and one little man holding it from falling. When the Pope recognized Francis as the little man in his dream, he approved the Franciscan Order and its Rule of life. Throughout the centuries, the cross has symbolized for the Franciscans' mission to bring renewal to the Church.
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The cross is called an icon cross because it contains
images of people who have a part in the meaning of the cross
(the tradition of such crosses began in the Eastern Church and
was transported by Serbian monks to the Umbria district of Italy).
The purpose of the icon cross was to teach the meaning of the
event depicted and thereby strengthen the faith of the people
(these conclusions have been made after a thorough study of the
history of the cross and the literature concerning it).
Source: The San Damiano Cross by Fr. Michael Scanlon
More Icon Cross information below
http://www.classic-crossandcrucifix.com/damiano.htm