A processional or parish cross is a crucifix that is used in religious and Easter brotherhood processions to guide and represent the parish.
This Cross, generally mounted on a long pole or rod, is placed at the front of the procession so that it is visible to all participants.
The origin of the parish cross is found in the first centuries of Christianity.
Early Christians, when they held parades or religious processions, used to begin with a Cross that was placed at the front. Generally, they used the same Cross on the altar with a slight modification: they placed a stick attached to the Cross so that it could carry the Cross above the head of most attendees.
This practice spread. The altar Cross suspended from a wooden rod or shaft evolved over the centuries. The altar Crosses were becoming larger and larger. An altar Cross is on the table; attendees must see it, but it cannot cover the priest. On the other hand, a processional Cross has no size limitation except for the manageability of the person carrying it.
Parish crosses developed new anchors on poles and rods. The Crosses no longer needed to have feet since they would not be placed on the altar table.
On the other hand, the simpler Crosses evolved into Crosses with increasingly elaborate Crucifixes and ornaments. The greater surface of the poles and feet allowed artisans and metalworkers to develop their art, making increasingly complex works.
A greater differentiation between parish crosses led to an entrenchment and linking of the parish cross with the parish. Processional Crosses began integrating identifying elements of the church for which it would be purchased into their ornamentation. In this way, parish crosses became symbols of their churches or parishes.
At the same time, the rods on which the Crosses are carried were developed, in addition to the supports or feet to hold the rod and the Cross when not in use.
The Parish Cross had the privilege of opening processions. The Cross always bore the image of Christ on the front and was flanked by decorative candles.
The parishioners organize themselves behind the Cross to show devotion and respect during the processions. It is a time when the union of the religious community is staged, which demonstrates its faith by following the figure of Christ represented in the Cross.
Parish crosses and the rods or poles on which they are mounted, can be made of different materials:
- Wooden processional Cross
- Silver processional Cross
- Metal parish Cross
- Bronze parish Cross
Most parish crosses for sale in our online store include rods or poles in the purchase price.
Parish crosses are decorated with different motifs. Most of the Crosses include the crucified Christ.
The Guide Cross, also known as the Raised Cross, is an evolution of the Catholic processional Cross to Easter brotherhoods processions.
The Guide Cross is a symbol processional Cross of the Easter Brotherhood that heads the Holy Week processions.
There is a wide variety of Guide Crosses since each Easter Brotherhood has adapted the Cross to its own identity and peculiarity. There are large carved wooden Crosses formed by two wooden crossbars, Crosses with rods, etc.
Cross bearers, feet and bases for processional Crosses are for sale in different materials, sizes and diameters.
When purchasing a base for a parish cross it is crucial to take into account the diameter of the rod of the Cross. Based on this measurement, one type of foot for a parish cross or another must be chosen.
The diameter of the cross bearer's base must also be considered. Depending on the diameter of the support area on the ground, the foot for the parish cross will support more or less weight.
Online sale of processional Crosses and Crucifixes, Cross holders and bases.
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