Orthodox Cross Pendant with Blue Inlay Ref 698589

Orthodox Cross Pendant with Blue Inlay. 14K Yellow Gold. Bluefire enamel on the front and "Protect and Save" inscribed on the back in Russian.

This is a 20th century design engraved with the Russian St. Andrew Cross, IC XC for "Jesus Christ", and a symbol representing the light of Christ at the top. On the reverse side is the Slavonic phrase "spasi I sokhrani", meaning "save and protect". Tradition teaches that when the Apostle Andrew preached in southern Russia he placed a life-size three-bar cross at his side. While explaining the Last Judgement he tilted the foot plate to signify that those on the right side of Christ will go up into heaven and those on the left will go down into hell.