Processional Cross from Constantinople:
11th century AD
The cross bears a dedicatory inscription
naming two men, Leo Boreas and George the Syrian. The Crucifixion scene
is on the front in the centre; the terminal circles have heads of the Virgin,
St John and St George. On the back is the Virgin flanked by heads of St
Ermolaos, Cosmos and Damian. The bottom edge of each lateral arm is pierced
three times for special pendants.
When not being carried, a processional
cross would have been displayed in the church to which it belonged.
