Are there examples of Coptic crosses found in Coptic monuments and antiquities?

The answer

a. A carved stone from the fifth century, now in the Louvre. It contains a Coptic cross

(sign of life) that closely resembles the ankh used by ancient Egyptians. As for the alpha and omega, these refer to the divinity of the crucified Lord.

b. A Coptic cross, sign of life, that was depicted with two birds on both sides as a symbol

of the people of the Old and New Testaments as they behold the cross as a source of life, under which they take refuge and find comfort.

c. A cross with the nails as in Figure 1.

d. Figure 2 is of Byzantine origin, found in the decorations of ancient Coptic

iconostases.

e. Figure 3 is a triangular cross, also known as Botonnee or Trefflee. The four

extremities of its arms are triangular and ornamented with trefoils. This type is also used by the Byzantine Church.

f. Figure 4 has three points to each point of the cross as a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

The total number of edges is twelve, representing the twelve apostles and the Holy Trinity’s kingdom in the four corners of the world.

g. Figure 5 was first found in Egyptian houses and then became the sacred heart symbol

of worship and adoration in the Catholic Church.¹²⁴⁶

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

h. Processional Crosses: Socrates¹²⁴⁷ the Church historian notes that Empress Eudoxia

presented some crosses to the Church, and St. John Chrysostom used them in night processions during praises. These processions were intended to counteract what the Arians were doing. The Coptic Church now uses a gold-plated or silver-plated cross mounted on a long pole carried by a deacon at the front of the procession. Two deacons walk behind him carrying two fans that are plated with gold or silver, during every procession in church or when a bishop is entering the church.

It is important to note that the processional cross usually bears an icon of Christ crucified on one side and the icon of the risen Christ on the other side. In most cases, the procession is done three times around the church and in the third circuit, the deacon shows the other side of the cross to declare that the reason for the Church’s joy is the cross of Christ and His resurrection. The fans are usually shaped like the Cherubim, so that the procession can show that the heavenlies partake with us in our spiritual joy.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty