View source for Processional cross

{{Short description|Cross or crucifix held during a Christian procession}}
[[File:Cross of Cong 2021.jpg|thumb|upright|The ''[[Cross of Cong]]'', Irish, 12th century]]
[[File:Ile-de-France students mass 2012-11-08 n02.jpg|thumb|A processional cross carried during the entrance procession of a Catholic Mass]]
[[File:Kirkkoliput.jpg|thumb|[[Russian Orthodox]] [[Crucession]] with lantern, processional cross and [[Khorugv|banners]].]]

A '''processional cross''' is a [[crucifix]] or [[cross]] which is carried in [[Christianity|Christian]] [[procession]]s.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Processional Cross}}</ref>  Such crosses have a long history: the [[Gregorian mission]] of Saint [[Augustine of Canterbury]] to England carried one before them "like a standard", according to [[Bede]]. Other sources suggest that all churches were expected to possess one.  They became detachable from their staffs, so that the earliest [[altar cross]]es were processional crosses placed on a stand at the end of the procession.  In large churches the "{{Lang|la|[[crux gemmata]]}}", or richly jewelled cross in precious metal, was the preferred style.  Notable early examples include the [[Cross of Justin II]] (possibly a hanging votive cross originally), [[Cross of Lothair]], and ''[[Cross of Cong]]''.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Archæology of the Cross and Crucifix}}</ref>

==Eastern Orthodoxy==

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], there are different traditions surrounding the use of the processional cross.  Traditional practice, still followed among churches of the [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian]] or other Slavic traditions, is that the use of the processional cross during the normal cycle of divine services is a [[Primate (bishop)|primatial]] privilege, and will only be done when the [[Patriarch]] or First Hierarch is serving.  In the modern Greek tradition, the processional Cross is often carried during the [[Entrance (Liturgical)|Entrance]] at [[Vespers]], and during the [[Little Entrance|Lesser]] and [[Great Entrance|Great]] Entrances at the [[Divine Liturgy]], regardless of whether the [[Officiant|celebrant]] is a primate.

In all traditions, the cross is carried in outdoor processions, known as [[cross-procession]]s for such events as [[Palm Sunday]], [[Easter|Paschal Matins]], during [[Bright Week]], processions to honour the [[relics]] or [[icon]] of a [[saint]], or on other festal occasions. On its [[patron saint|patronal]] [[feast day]] a [[parish church]] or [[monastery]] will often serve a [[moleben]] (intercessory prayer service) during which a cross-procession will take place around the outside of the church. The processional cross is also used at [[Christian burial|funerals]].

During an outdoor procession, the cross will usually be preceded by a large processional lantern and a [[deacon]] with [[thurible]] (incense). [[Khorugv|Religious banners]] and [[icon]]s will follow. Then the [[chanter]]s and [[clergy]], and finally the people.

When not in use, the processional cross may be placed in the sanctuary, behind the [[Holy Table]]  (altar).

Some Orthodox processional crosses will have an icon of the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Crucifixion]] on one side, and the [[Resurrection of Jesus|Resurrection]] on the other. The side with the Resurrection will face forward on [[Sunday]]s and during the [[Pentecostarion|Paschal season]], the Crucifixion will face forward on other days.

==Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism ==

In the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Lutheran]] and [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches, processional crosses are used in processions and, in Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and [[High Church]] Anglicanism, also preceded by incense. The processional cross in these denominations is usually flanked or followed with candles. The cross is brought up to the altar by an [[altar server]] who has been chosen to serve as [[crucifer]].

Among Roman Catholics, Lutherans and [[High Church]] Anglicans, the processional cross will usually be a [[crucifix]]. In [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|Nonconformist]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]]-oriented parishes, the processional cross will usually be an empty cross.

==Methodism==
In some [[Methodist]] churches the processional cross is brought up to the Communion Table or Chancel by a [[crucifer]] at the beginning of the service and placed behind/ at the Communion Table, then acting as an [[Altar cross]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saintpaulsumc.org/worship/serving_as_an_acolyte/ |title=Saint Paul's United Methodist Church &#124; Serving as an Acolyte |publisher=Saintpaulsumc.org |access-date=2011-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406063440/http://www.saintpaulsumc.org/worship/serving_as_an_acolyte |archive-date=2012-04-06 }}</ref> The acolytes that follow then bow to the cross at the Communion Table.  The Cross represents the Lord's presence at the Communion Table.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/processional.html |title=Processional Cross |publisher=Seiyaku.com |date=2008-11-25 |access-date=2011-04-27}}</ref>
==Via Dolorosa==
[[File:Jeruzalem. Pelgrims in een processie op Goede Vrijdag in de Via Dolorosa op weg, Bestanddeelnr 255-9769.jpg|thumb|150px|Pilgrims carrying the cross on the Via Dolorosa]]
Every Friday devout pilgrims visiting [[Jerusalem]] walk along [[Via Dolorosa]] in the footsteps of Jesus. They walk behind a group leader carrying a large wooden cross and pause at each of 14 stations along the route.<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-last-supper-cave-of-agony-via-dolorosa-an-easter-guide-to-the-holy-city An Easter guide to the Holy City]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="130" heights="140" perrow="6">
File:Processional Cross, National Museum of Ireland (B).jpg|Head of the [[Tully Lough Cross]]. Irish, 8th or 9th century<ref>"[https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/visitor-looks-at-a-processional-cross-the-tully-lough-cross-news-photo/489623920 The Tully Lough Cross]". Getty Images. Retrieved 24 November 2021</ref>
File:Otto Mathilden Kreuz.jpg|[[Ottonian art|Ottonian]] processional crucifix, 10th century [[Essen]] [[Essen Cathedral|cathedral]].
File:Cross of Cong C.jpg|The ''[[Cross of Cong]]'', the most highly decorated of the early 12th-century Irish Christian ornamented processional crosses.<ref>[[Máire de Paor|De Paor, Máire]]. ''Early Irish Art''. Dublin: Department of Foreign Affairs, 1979. {{isbn|0-9064-0403-7}}</ref>
File:Brooklyn Museum - Double-Sided Processional Cross - Master of Monte del Lago.jpg|Double-Sided Processional Cross. Master of Monte del Lago, late 14th century, [[Brooklyn Museum]] 
File:Ringgenweiler Pfarrkirche Tragekreuz.jpg|[[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Processional crucifix (modern)
File:Arby kyrka Processionskrucifix 019.JPG| Lutheran [[Church of Sweden]] processional crucifix (modern)
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Crucifer]]
* [[Altar crucifix]]

==References==
{{commons|Processional crosses}}
{{Reflist}}

{{CatholicMass|collapsed}}
{{Lutheran Divine Service}}
{{Christian crosses}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Crosses by function]]
[[Category:Processional crosses| ]]