19th Century Russian/Ukrainian Orthodox St. Barbara Pectoral Cross

- Listing by Walter Jr

 This is one of those little treasures where the worn surface only seems to add to its story.

 This antique Orthodox pectoral cross, dating to approximately the 19th century, is cast in an old copper alloy and bears the Crucifixion of Our Lord on one side. But it is the reverse that makes this particular cross especially interesting.

 Across the arms is the worn Church Slavonic inscription identifying St. Barbara the Great Martyr — one of the most beloved early Christian martyrs in the Eastern Church.

And there is something especially beautiful about that devotion.

For centuries, Christians have turned to St. Barbara particularly for protection against sudden death, praying for the grace not to leave this life unexpectedly without repentance and the Holy Mysteries. Crosses associated with her were therefore deeply personal devotional pieces meant to be worn close to the body.

 The symbols surrounding her inscription appear to represent the instruments and emblems of her martyrdom, making the reverse almost a tiny devotional icon in its own right.

 Examples of this type are associated with the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox world, and similar St. Barbara crosses have been connected with Kyiv, where devotion to the saint was especially strong because her relics were venerated there. While we cannot know exactly where this particular cross was made or who first wore it, it belongs to that beautiful old tradition of personal Christian devotion.

 It was made to be worn, prayed with, and carried through ordinary days and difficult ones alike. The considerable wear and dark old patina are part of that history rather than something I would ever want polished away.

 It remains in wonderfully untouched antique condition, with surface wear, oxidation, deposits and losses consistent with considerable age and use. Please look closely at the photographs, as they form an important part of the description.

 A remarkable little piece of Orthodox Christian history, centered upon the Cross of Our Lord and the ancient devotion to St. Barbara the Great Martyr — and a beautiful reminder of the generations of Christians who carried their faith quite literally close to their hearts.