The Persian Cross

A Persian Cross as they are found in old Syrian churches in South India venerated as the Life - giving Cross. Its power is symbolized by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove that kisses its summit, and by the four rivers of living water which, like the four rivers of Paradise, flow from its foundation to the four quarters of the world. This Cross is found in the church on Saint Thomas Mount, Madras. It is carved on a granite slab of about two feet square, in the centre of an arch resting on two pillars. The inscription on the arch, not yet deciphered, is believed to be in old Sanskrit of Persia. But the characters are described as Sassanian - Pahlavi, generally dated of the 7th or 8th century.

Though this is a Persian Cross, it is now more generally and quite rightly called the cross of the Saint Thomas Christians, because today it is preserved only in their churches. Archaeologists attribute this representation of the Cross to the 6th or 7th century, and this is confirmed by the Liturgy of the Syrian Churches in which, at this time, flourished a theology of the Lige- giving Cross. Indeed the Mystery of the Exaltation of the Cross is honored during a whole season of the year of grace, the last of the seven seasons of seven Sundays. It is praised as the renewal and fulfillment of all the mysteries:

God of gods, You called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting to the worship of the Cross, and from Jerusalem, by the passion You endured in the flesh, You revealed the glory of our faith... By a feeble piece of wood, You made the earth heaven You made the children of men mingle with the angels and gave them the knowledge of the truth and established the Holy Church. Bu the Life - giving Cross You renew all the festivals of our Lord, sign ourselves with it upon our faces and we find our glory in You, Christ, Saviour of all. (First Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, PWHS IV, 397)

In theology, the bold symbolism of the Tree of Life is applied not only to the Cross but also to Jesus Himself:

Christ our God, Your are the Tree of Life planted in the living source, the Father, the source that never fails. Make us worthy to approach You and to receive from You the fruits of Life the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Grant us to take our delight in them, You who are gracious, generous and compassionate and we will praise You with Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever. (Third Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord, PWHS II, 179).

We recognize You as the Tree of Life and the Immortal Fruit which You Yourself made to grow as a sign in the middle of Paradise. For the Cross is the giver of life and the sower of peace, the uprooter of error and the destroyer of sin, the sign of victory and the token of redemption.. And while the eyes of our hearts are enlightened by the bright rays of the Mystery of the Holy Cross, we are renewed spiritually in our thoughts and in our understanding. (Fourth Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, PWHS IV, 432)