Description

Ancient Cross with Bust of Christ, Mary and the Apostle John

The Byzantine Crosses were forged by hand starting from the 4th century AD. Crosses such as this silver Byzantine cross served as a reminder of Jesus’ death on the cross. Christianity had spread across the Roman Empire, and pilgrims came to the Holy Land to visit the places where Jesus had walked among men. The journey was long and arduous, and a visit to the land of the Bible was a once-in-a-lifetime event. These pilgrims wanted meaningful souvenirs to remember their visit to the Holy Land.

This Silver Byzantine cross is very unique because of the three busts of three important figurers on the cross, St Mary, Apostle John next to Jesus on the cross. It commemorates one of the final events before Jesus’ death on the cross.

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour, that disciple took her to his own home.” – John 19:26–27

Zak’s Antiquities is the website of Zak’s fine art and antiquities located on the Christian Quarter road in Jerusalem’s Old City. The shop began in 1964 and has remained as a family owned and operated business till this day. For the past 50 years Zak’s Antiquities has sold ancient coins, antiquities and art authentic to Israel and Jerusalem.