SAN DAMIANO CROSS - 10 INCHES

San Damiano Cross 10-inch from the esteemed Goldscheider collection brings museum-quality craftsmanship to your sacred space. Handcrafted in Italy, this devotional piece showcases delicate gold leaf and acrylic detailing on a pressed crucifix with a printed corpus, combining traditional artistry with refined elegance. Each cross is meticulously finished to exacting standards, ensuring lasting beauty and spiritual presence.

Your purchase arrives fully insured against loss or damage, reflecting our commitment to preserving this heirloom-quality work.

The San Damiano Cross is one of the most famous Christian crucifixes in the world. It is especially associated with Saint Francis of Assisi and the beginning of the Franciscan movement.

What Is It?

The original San Damiano Cross is a large painted crucifix in the Byzantine iconographic style. It was originally displayed in the small church of Church of San Damiano near Assisi.

It was painted around the 12th century by an unknown Umbrian artist and combines Eastern Christian iconography with Western devotional traditions.

Why Is It Famous?

According to tradition, while praying before this cross around 1205, Saint Francis heard Christ speak to him:

"Francis, go and repair my house, which, as you can see, is falling into ruin."

At first, Francis thought Christ meant the physical church of San Damiano, so he began repairing it stone by stone. Later he realized the command referred to the renewal of the entire Church through holiness, poverty, and evangelization.

This moment is considered the beginning of Francis's vocation.

Symbolism in the Cross

Unlike many Western crucifixes that emphasize Christ's suffering, the San Damiano Cross portrays Christ as:

• Victorious rather than defeated
• Alive and glorified
• The triumphant Savior reigning from the Cross

Notable figures include:

• The Blessed Virgin Mary
• Saint John the Apostle
• Mary Magdalene
• Roman centurion figures
• Angels rejoicing around Christ
• Christ ascending into heaven at the top of the cross

Unique Artistic Features

Some details often overlooked:

• Christ's eyes are open, symbolizing His victory over death.
• The gold background represents heavenly glory.
• The small rooster near Peter recalls Peter's denial of Christ.
• The top image shows Christ ascending to the Father.
• The hand emerging from heaven at the very top symbolizes God the Father receiving the Son.

Where Is the Original Today?

The original San Damiano Cross is no longer in the church of San Damiano. It is preserved in the Basilica of Saint Clare, where it has been kept since the Poor Clares moved it there for safekeeping in the 13th century.

Why Catholics Love It

The San Damiano Cross is treasured because it reminds believers that:

• Christ reigns even through suffering.
• Every Christian is called to help "repair" the Church through prayer and holiness.
• The Cross is not only an instrument of sacrifice but also a sign of victory and resurrection.