Bible Encyclopedias
Cross-Alphabets

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Cross, William G.

Next Entry
Cross-Bearer

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

is a name applied to certain characters; made by the pope at the dedication of churches. A pot of ashes is provided, which, in the course of the ceremony, is strewed in two lines, each about a span in breadth, in the form of a cross, transversely from angle to angle of the church. During the chanting of the Benedictus the pontiff scores with the point of his pastoral staff on one of these lines the Greek alphabet, and. on the other the Latin.