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Cross - Russian Orthodox, Metal, pre 1976 Reg. No: SH 980285

Summary:: Metal cross which would most likely have been worn around the neck. The engraved design on the front of the cross is a Eastern Orthodox Cross also known as a Byzantine, Greek Orthodox, Macedonian, Russian Orthodox, Slavic, Slavonic or Ukraine Cross. The slanted lower bar on the engraved cross along with the Cyrillic text on the back of the cross suggest it is a Russian Orthodox cross, as the lower bar of Greek Orthodox and Ukraine crosses are generally straight.

The letters IC XC which are adjacent to the upper beam of the cross are an abbreviation for Jesus Chris. IC represents the Greek characters Iota and Sigma, the first and last letters of Jesus, while the letters XC represent Chi and Sigma, the first and last letters of Christ.
Description:: Small metal cross has rounded edges and engraving on both sides. At the top of the cross is a round metal loop, used to attach the cross to something else. On one side of the cross is a smaller engraved cross, and on the other side Russian engraved miniature writing.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1998

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	5.00 cm (Height), 0.10 cm (Width), 3.00 cm (Length)

Tagged with:	jewellery, cultural identity, religions, religious artifacts, russian immigration
Themes this item is part of:	Cultural Diversity Collection, Migration Collection, Leaving Home, Immigration Museum Exhibition, 2007-2017
Primary Classification:	RELIGIONS
Secondary Classification:	Christianity - Russian Orthodox
Tertiary Classification:	devotional objects
Inscriptions:	On one side the cross is inscribed with a smaller cross design. The other side of the cross has miniature Russian writing engraved on it.
Date Made:	pre 1976