Why does the Orthodox Cross have 3 bars?

The cross usually has three crossbeams, two horizontal and the third one is a bit slanted. The middle bar was where Christ’s hands were nailed. The lower bar is the foot-rest. Thus bottom bar of the cross is like the scale of justice and its points show the way to the Hell and Heaven.

Do Orthodox Christians use the cross?

The Russian (Orthodox) cross (☦) is widely used by the Russian Orthodox Church, and has been widely adopted in the Polish Orthodox and the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Churches, which received their autonomous status from the Patriarch of Moscow in 1948 and 1951 respectively.

What is not allowed in Orthodox Christianity?

The Holy Tradition (written and oral) of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church, while advising avoidance of olive oil, meat, fish, milk, and dairy products every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, additionally includes four principal fasting periods per year when meat as well as dairy products and eggs are …

What is the difference between an orthodox Christian and a regular Christian?

The difference between Orthodox Christianity and Protestant Christianity is that they follow different divine inspirations. The Orthodox follow the ‘Holy Inspiration of Church’ along with the Bible. Whereas, protestants follow only the Bible.

What does IC XC mean on Orthodox cross?

Jesus Christ Conquers
It is sometimes rendered as “ΙϹ ΧϹ ΝΙΚΑ” (Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς νικᾷ), meaning “Jesus Christ Conquers.”

Can Orthodox wear Catholic cross?

There is no rule that demands that a person of one or another denomination only wear a certain type of cross. The crucifix is favored among Roman Catholics, and the Orthodox Cross is favored among the Orthodox, but this is not cast in stone.

Why do Orthodox venerate the cross?

In Byzantine liturgical observance, the Universal Exaltation (also called Elevation in Eastern Orthodox tradition) of the Precious and Life-creating Cross commemorates both the finding of the True Cross in 326 and its recovery from the Persians in 628, and is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the church year.

Why do Serbians fast?

The fast is meant to prepare Christians for the Easter Sunday communion and to purify their bodies and minds. The Serbian Orthodox fast requires the observant to eliminate several main foods from their diets: Not only is meat abstained from for the entire 46 days, but eggs and dairy products as well.

Why do Orthodox fast for 40 days?

The 40-day fasting period otherwise known as Christmas Lent is when the Greek Orthodox Church gives the faithful periods of fasting and reflection in order to refocus on the spiritual life, to challenge them and to help them make adjustments, as they experience the Holy Nativity of our Lord and Saviour in a real and …

How do Greek Orthodox cross themselves?

Home > Greek Orthodox Reli… > For Greek Orthodox Christians, the sign of the cross is the ultimate expression of their faith. While making the sign of the cross, Orthodox Christians do so by touching their thumb, index, and middle fingers together, which represents the Holy Trinity.

Can Orthodox priests marry?

Under Orthodox rules, a celibate priest cannot marry after ordination, and a non-celibate priest cannot remarry and remain a priest, even if his wife dies, he said. Widowers who remain celibate can become bishops, but that’s happened just once.