Cross of Saint Anthony: Teaching On the Nature of Christ
Also known as the "cross of Saint Anthony", the Tau cross is not new.
It is even a symbol particularly dear to thousands of Christians around the world... and for good reason!
This reason, moreover, we are going to discover together today.
Tables of contents :
- Greek and Hebrew alphabets
- Greater resemblance to the Holy Cross of Christ
- The cross of Saint Anthony… and Saint Francis of Assisi!
Greek and Hebrew alphabets
In fact, tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and was a symbol very widely used in the Old Testament. It was already mentioned in the book of Ezekiel:
“The LORD said to him, Pass through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and make a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan because of all the abominations that are committed there. " - Ezekiel 9:4
The religious symbol of the Tau (or Saint Anthony) cross was therefore used by the Israelites to differentiate those who needed to be saved from those who committed crimes.
If the Tau cross has been widely adopted by Christians, it is however for two other reasons.
Often, when talking about Jesus Christ, we use the expression “ the alpha and the omega ”.
This means that he is the beginning and the end of everything. This comes from the New Testament passage:
“I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts, I will give the water of the spring of life freely” - Revelation 21:6
Just as omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Obviously, the connection was quickly made...
In short, if this kind of consideration of religion interests you, you will undoubtedly appreciate our collection dedicated to the Christian faith : each of the objects you find there will carry a deep spiritual meaning.
Greater resemblance to the Holy Cross of Christ
Besides this, some say that this letter, and therefore the cross of Saint Anthony, would be similar to the one on which Jesus our Savior was crucified. This is neither the majority opinion nor that of the Church but, not knowingly, we had to point it out to you.
In short, the Tau Cross is a concrete sign of Christian devotion, and a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and commitment to saving us. It is a sign of the conscience of a Christian, that is to say of a child of God, of a child who has escaped danger, of one who has been redeemed and saved by the sacrifice of his loving father. It is a sign of powerful protection against evil.
The cross of Saint Anthony… and Saint Francis of Assisi!
If there is one saint to whom the Tau cross was dear, it is Saint Francis of Assisi.
According to him, this Christian cross had a downright prophetic power, and expressed the beatitudes arising from poverty, a central element in the life of a Franciscan monk. Apparently, at the end of his life, a cross of Saint Anthony appeared to him in the form of stigmata.
The Tau cross was greatly worn by this great man who forever marked the Catholic Church, Saint Francis of Assisi. (To learn more about his life, here is a short biography about him. )
With the figure of the crucified Christ, whoever has it in mind will certainly never forget either the message of Jesus or the teachings of Saint Francis.
Following these teachings, an idea spread in the Church according to which the Tau cross had protective properties...
Everyone will have their own opinion on the matter. One thing is sure and certain: if Saint Francis had been right, it could well be that the Christian cross we are talking about is truly special.
Yes, if Saint Francis of Assiss loved the Tau cross so much, it is for a good reason.
Symbolically, it represents the “total” nature of God. Because tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, this symbol reminds us that the Lord is the beginning of everything, yes, but is also the end...
