The St. Andrew's Cross & Other Symbols

The St. Andrew’s Cross & other symbols
Christianity is rich in tradition and symbolism. The most recognized and cherished symbol, of course, is the cross, the instrument of our salvation. There are believed to be more than 400 different representations of the cross, many of which are featured prominently in church architecture and stained glass. But there are many other symbols as well. Some are easily recognizable; the meaning of others somewhat obscure. Yet they all bear witness to God, who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

St. Andrew's Cross The St. Andrew’s Anglican Church cross and logo features the St. Andrew’s cross superimposed over a Latin cross with pointed ends, which symbolizes the Passion of Christ. Behind the cross is a design element that suggests a circle, representing eternity. The circle is actually composed of four pieces, representing the four Gospels, as well as the four corners of the Earth to which the Gospel has been spread. From time to time you may see just the design element, or medallion, or just the St. Andrew’s cross over the Latin cross, depending on the application. The dark red color symbolizes the blood of the martyrs, as well as the Holy Spirit, and gold represents the kingship of Christ.

Fish One of the earliest Christian symbols is the fish. To the apostles, most of whom were fishermen by trade, Jesus said, “Come, follow me … and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17). Furthermore, the initial letters for the Greek word for fish, “Ichthus”, form an acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” This symbol was used by early believers when Christians were under persecution as a secret sign of their shared faith. One person would draw an arc on the ground, and another would complete the sign to show their identify as a follower of Christ. The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand also featured fish, as Christ multiplied the two fish and five loaves of bread. (Matthew 14:17).

Anchor Another Christian symbol, the anchor, frequently in the form of a cross, symbolizes the Christian’s hope in Christ. Both the fish and the anchor, as well as a net, are symbols closely associated with fishing, and thus identified with our patron, Andrew, who was the first of the fishermen called by Jesus, and was the disciple who brought the boy with the fishes and loaves to him.

St. Andrew's Saltire The most common symbol for Andrew, however, is the cross in the form of a “X”, known as a Saltire cross, because according to tradition he was crucified on a cross of that shape, having claimed he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as our Lord.

The national flag of Scotland features a white Saltire on a blue field, and the official cross of the Eastern Orthodox Church, placed on the top of their spires, is formed by two horizontal arms and a third, slanting arm symbolic of the St. Andrew’s cross representing the tradition that the apostle was the first missionary to take the Gospel message to the Russian people.