Дванадцять хрестів
Twelve crosses
A small selection of handcrafted wrought iron crosses that grace the domes and cupolas of both large and small Ukrainian churches in the beautiful province of Manitoba. Enjoy!
Saint Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church (1900/1921)
Venlaw, Manitoba
July 24, 2022
Saint Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church (1900/1921)
Venlaw, Manitoba
July 24, 2022
Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (1904/1933)
Ozerna, Manitoba
July 25, 2022
Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ascension (1911)
Ruthenia, Manitoba
July 26, 2022
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church (1904)
Rossburn Farms, Manitoba
July 26, 2022
Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church (1918)
Glenhope, Manitoba
August 19, 2022
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church (1940)
Sundown, Manitoba
August 21, 2022
Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church (1908)
Sirko, Manitoba
August 21, 2022
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church (1898)
Stuartburn, Manitoba
August 22, 2022
Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church (1924)
Rosa, Manitoba
August 22, 2022
Anyone interested in the symbolism of the crosses may find the above collection thought-provoking as well as a little bit puzzling. My overall view is not so much an explanation as it is an understanding.
From what I've read the crescent moon motif was introduced after the seventeenth century in Ukraine to commemorate the triumph of the Christian faith over Islam. When Ukrainian settlers immigrated to Canada the crescent moon was kept as an ornamental element on the wrought iron crosses that decorated the domes and cupolas of their churches.
During the early days of immigration it seems that at times both Catholic and Orthodox churches used the crescent moon at the base of their crosses and both faiths used the trefoil (three-barred) cross and the Latin (crucifix) cross.
As is was, there were no "set rules" so the artists who designed and sculpted these attractive wrought iron crosses had a creative hand in expressing their native heritage and displayed it proudly on the churches they built in their new homeland.
Thanks to Crosses of East Slavic Christianity among Ukrainians in Western Canada by A. M. Kostecki.
Yes, I had already figured out why the crescent moon was there. As you probably know, that's why croissants ("crescents") were created too, so triumphant Christians could symbolically devour the symbol of their enemy.
ReplyDeleteFresh croissants taste so good! :-)
DeleteI look at the crosses as well whenever I am at a church.
ReplyDeleteLots of symbolism in the crosses at these wonderful pioneer churches.
DeleteI think you chose the correct term when you refer to the cross-makers as being artists.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly were artists. Not just anybody could make ironwork so beautiful.
Delete