Jerusalem Cross Necklace

Despite its irregular form and mother-of-pearl inlay, this olive wood cross is within established standards of Christian canonicity. Its shape dates back to the time of the ancient world’s decline and early Middle Ages, when the Holy Land was part of the powerful Eastern Roman Empire.

The form of this cross has been known since the time of Byzantine emperor Constantine, who was canonized, along with his mother Helena, as Equal-to-the-Apostles saints – a title bestowed in recognition of their outstanding service in spreading of the Christian gospel, comparable to that of the original Apostles. According to Holy Tradition, the emperor saw with his own eyes the cross of light in the heavens, shown to him as a sign of the forthcoming victory – being exactly this kind of cross with all four arms of equal length also known as Greek cross. The fivefold composition symbolizes the Five Holy Wounds suffered by Jesus during the Crucifixion for our sins.

The wooden cross necklace blessed on the Stone of Anointing at Jerusalem’s Temple of the Holy Sepulcher comes with a cord included. The mother-of-pearl inlay is not just for the looks – this material is believed to give strength and energy to fight against both physical and emotional pain.