Sacred Signposts: Salvation and Warning
The ordinary cross is perceived as a powerful symbol of salvation, embodying the energy of Christ, protection, and blessing for believers. It symbolizes victory over evil and the power of Christ’s saving presence in the life of every Christian. In contrast, the fallen cross indicates a state in which a person loses their orientation on the spiritual path. It symbolizes the loss of guiding light, the destruction of spiritual and moral foundations, which can lead to spiritual demise. Thus, the fallen cross is seen as a warning about the instability of faith and straying from the true path to salvation.Supporting citation(s):"On the Orthodox cross, there are three horizontal bars. The top bar, above Christ’s head, symbolizes the sign INCI that was on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The middle bar is the cross on which the hands of Jesus Christ were nailed. The bottom bar, the footrest of the cross, often depicted diagonally, symbolizes the step taken by the righteous on the path to salvation, while the sinful step into eternal torment. The fallen cross, by contrast, symbolizes the loss of orientation on the path to salvation, the destruction of spiritual and moral foundations, leading to spiritual demise. The fallen cross can be viewed as evidence of the instability of human faith, as a warning against drifting away from God." (source: link txt, page: 21)"The symbol of the cross as the mark of a Christian is not only a sign of Christ’s victory but also the banner of our spiritual service. Therefore, the cross holds enormous significance in each believer’s life. In this context, the fallen cross may symbolize the loss of guiding light in a Christian’s life, which results in spiritual death. Christ said that the path to salvation is narrow, and the cross is our guide on that path." (source: link txt, page: 593)