(5) Emblem. The sign of the cross is found as a holy symbol among several ancient nations, who may accordingly be named, in the language of Tertullian, crucis religiosos, devotees of the cross, Among the Indians and Egyptians the cross often appears in their ceremonies, sometimes in the shape of the letter T, at others in the usual form of the Roman Cross. At Susa, Tier Porter saw a stone cut with hieroglyphics and cuneiform in scriptions, on which in one corner was a figure of a cross, thus o-14. The cross, he says, is generally understood to be symbolical of the divinity or eternal life, and certainly a cross was to be seen in the temple of Scrams as the Egyptian emblem of the future life, as may be learnt in Sozomen and Rufinus. Porter also states that the Egyptian priests urged its being found on the walls of their temple of Serapis, as an argu ment with the victorious army of Theodosius to save it from destruction. From the numerous on this subject by La Croze, Jablonski. Zocga. Visconti, Pocockc, Pluche, Petit Radel,and others, the symbol of the cross appears to have been most various in its significations. Sometimes it is the Phallus, sometimes the planet Venus, or the Nilometer, or an emblem of the four elements, or the seasons (Crenzer s Symbolik, pp. 168-9). It is not therefore surprising that ancient and even modern Christian writers should nn this sub ject have indulged in some degree of refinement and mysticism. Justin Martyr (Atiol. i :72) says: 'The sign of the cross is impressed upon the whole of nature. There is hardly a handicraftsman but uses the figure of it among the implements of his industry. It forms a part of man himself, as may he seen when he raises his hands in prayer.' In like manner Nlimitius Felix (c :29) : 'Even nature itself seems to have formed this figure for us. We have a natural cross on every ship whose sails are spread, in every yoke that man forms, in every outspreading of his arms in prayer. Thus is the cross found both in the arrangements of nature, and among the heathen.' (Sec Phallic Worship, Rolm. Allen Campbell.) (6) Alleged Discovery of the Cross of Christ. Of the cross on which Jesus was crucified four ecclesiastical historians (Socrates, i:i3; Sozomen, ii:t Rufinus, i :7; Theodoret, :18) concur in stating that it was found by the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. This event is assigned to the year of our Lord 326. Ensebins is silent on the discovery.
"Having built a church river the sacred spot, Helena is reputed to have deposited within it the chief part of the real cross. The remainder she
conveyed to Constantinople, a part of which Con stantine inserted in the head of a statue of him self, and the other part was sent to Rome. and placed in the church of Sta. Croce in Gerusalem me. which was built expressly to receive the pre cious relic. When subsequently a festival to com memorate the discovery had been established, the Bishop of Jerusalem, on Easter Sunday, exhibited to the grateful eyes of eager pilgrims the object to see which they had traveled so far, and endured so much. Those who were persons of substance were further gratified by obtaining, at their full price, small pieces of the cross set in gold and gems; and that wonder might not pass into in credulity, the proper authorities gave the world an assurance that the holy wood possessed the power of self-multiplication. and, notwithstanding the innumerable pieces which had been taken from It for the pleasure and service of the faithful. re mained intact and entire as at the first." The capture of Jerusalem by the Persians. A D. 614, placed the remains of the cross in the hand' of Chosrocs II., who mockingly conveyed than to his capital. Fourteen years afterwards, I leraclius recovered them, and had them carried first to Con stantinople, and then to Jerusalem, in such pomp that on his arrival before the latter city he found the gate barred, and entrance forbidden. In structed as to the cause of this hindrance, the Emperor laid aside the trappings of his greatness, and, barefooted, bore on his own shoulders the sacred relic up to the gate, which then opened of itself, and allowed him to enter, and thus place his charge beneath the dome of the sepulcher.
The figure of a cross has often been represented on the banners of contending armies, thus: Figurative. (I) Troubles and afflictions, chief ly those endured for Christ, are called a cross they are painful, lingering, and attended with shame in the view of carnal men: and to take up this cross is cheerfully to submit to it, from love to Christ (Matt. xvi:24). (2) The whole suffer ings of Christ are called his cross, as on it he suffered in the most excruciating manner, in both sold and body at once (Eph. ; )leb. xii :2). (3) The doctrine of his sufferings is called his cross. ( I Cor. Gal. and vi:12.) (4) Enemies to his cross are such as undermine the necessity or virtue of his righteousness by thei, legal doctrine, worldly care, or licentious life, Phil. iii CROW (krO). Sec RAVEN.