The History Of The Jerusalem Cross Or Crusaders Cross

The Jerusalem cross, or Crusaders cross, is depicted as one large cross (vertical

and horizontal lengths are equal) with a smaller cross (same as the large one) in each of the four quarters. Historically, this cross was on a banner given to the warriors (Crusaders) by Pope Urban II in the middle ages. Pope Urban II was quite the manipulator, and I have added a bit more information about him further down in this article, if you care to delve deeper. Back to the cross now. It was not original to Pope Urban, and was around much earlier than the middle ages. Today it is a symbol for Christians everywhere, as well as a symbol of Jerusalem. Youll find it everywhere if you visit the Holy land. Actually, its not that hard to find it here in the USA. You will find it on jewelry, flags, and even cremation urns! Interestingly, it is also the national flag for the country of Georgia (just north of Turkey). The main religion in Georgia is Christianity (Eastern Orthodox). No separation of church and state here!

It is said that the main/middle cross represents Christ, and the four smaller ones represent the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Another interpretation is that the smaller crosses represent the four corners of the world (as in - spreading the gospel to the four corners of the world). Yet another interpretation is that each cross represents the wounds of Christ - hands, feet, and side. Its a lovely cross, no matter what the meaning.

Pope Urban II, as I mentioned above, was quite the manipulator. In 1095 the long festering relations between Constantinople and Rome (both wanting to be the head/center of Christianity and the world) mended a bit when Alexius Comnenus appealed to Pope Urban for assistance against attacks by the Muslims. Nothing like a common enemy to bring people together. But - Pope Urban II, being who he was, had his interests centered on his own aims - a holy mission to reclaim the sacred sites of Palestine for Christianity.

A huge army of mostly lesser French nobility arrived in the East, wrecking havoc along the way. They were a huge disappointment to Alexius Comnenus - he was expecting disciplined troops who would recover his lost land. Once these crusaders found that they were not allowed to plunder any recovered land, they quit giving it back to Comnenus, and took it for themselves and plundered to their hearts content. All this did little to mend the split between Constantinople and Rome.

by: Haden Swift Tirey

POST COMMENT

Instructions On How To Set Up Facebook The Complete Guide To Registering Your Free Facebook Username History Of Tube Forming Manufacturers Best eBooks for Your iPad! Unlimited Lifetime Access! Align Your Team in 2011 – The Leadership Story Pagoda: Its History and Function Do You Know The History Of Footherapy? Facebook Fan Pages - Your 7 Step Blueprint to Get More Highly Qualified and Consistent Traffic No Award For Ivorys Inaccurate Atrazine Story The History Of Sledding Might Surprise You The History Of Wrestling Accountants - The Multi-skilling Success Story 3 Essentials Before You Submit To Article Directories