Crosses and crucifixes

For more than 20 years, under the Alfa trademark, our company has been producing a wide range of funeral items, including such coffin decorations as crosses and crucifixes. In this article, you will learn about the features of these ritual paraphernalia.

The cross and crucifix have been revered since ancient times

Ancient monuments of writing, as well as the results of archaeological excavations, indicate that the image of the cross has been revered since the 1st century. The use of such images in church worship and in art began later (from the beginning of the 4th century), after the Roman Empire abolished the baptismal execution (people were no longer crucified on the cross). The cross began to be perceived as a testimony of God's Love, a symbol of victory over the devil. It was meant to remind Christians of the price of their Salvation.

Already in the 4th century, the burial sarcophagus of a Christian contained an image of a cross.

Modern ritual traditions also involve the use of a cross. Placed on the coffin lid, it symbolizes the unity of the deceased's soul with the Savior.

Features of crosses and crucifixes

According to the clergy, the ideal Orthodox cross should always be with a crucifix. However, it is not a violation to place a cross without a crucifix or a crucifix without a cross on the coffin lid. It is only necessary to distinguish between them in essence: to which faith — Orthodox or Catholic — the image belongs.

The Catholic tradition envisages a four-pointed cross. According to Orthodoxy, the cross can be four-, six-, or eight-pointed. The most commonly used image is the eight-pointed Orthodox cross, which is considered the most powerful means of protection against any evil.

The Catholic Crucifix depicts Christ in a naturalistic way: dead, often with blood streaming down his face, with bloody wounds. His image here is the personification of suffering and torment; there is no triumph over death. In addition, Christ's feet are pierced by a single nail. Christ on the Orthodox cross does not die; he freely spreads his arms, as if he is embracing all people, giving them love. In addition, on the Orthodox crucifixion of Christ, each of his legs is nailed separately.

We show respect for the dead

This section of the site presents crosses and crucifixes that can be attached to the coffin lid of any price category: from "economy" to exclusive. Made of particularly durable plastic by injection molding, these accessories are painted "gold or silver" or subjected to the process of metallization (spraying) with particles of these metals or a titanium alloy. Any type of decoration is of high quality, since our organization has both the necessary technologies and capacities, as well as a staff of qualified employees. Our craftsmen regularly take part in the largest domestic and international exhibitions of ritual art and are winners of many of them.

We offer crosses of different content and form:

Catholic and Orthodox;
small (13.5 * 7.5 cm), medium and large (40 * 18.3 cm);
with and without lining;
with a picture or with a crucifix;
openwork or classic.

The crucifix can be chosen to decorate a simple cross or attached without a cross to the coffin lid.

The use of these ritual accessories will help you to express respect for the memory of a loved one, the hope of facilitating the deceased's transition to the next world. Relatives of the deceased with any financial means will be able to make a choice of this or that accessory: all the decorations look worthy.