## Many Catholic Depictions of Christ Crucified Show the Piercing into the Right Side. ## **Here are some examples of crucifixes from monastery.com:** - **Crucifixion Icon ** - **Byzantine Crucifix ** And - **San Damiano Crucifix ** It was from the image of Christ in the crucifix at **San Damiano** which miraculously spoke these words to **St. Francis of Assisi**: > **"Go repair My Church."** ## What is the Catholic Basis and Support from the *depositum Fidei* for the Depiction of the Piercing into the Right Side of Christ? ## The **best answer** will have arguments from the **72 Books of the Catholic Bible** and **from the writings of the Church Fathers**. *If there is any relevant supporting information on the topic, such as from the well known private revelations, that may be included in an Endnote.*

We read in Jn 19:30 (KJKV): > When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Lealani Acosta and her colleagues scoured the archives of the world’s art museums to inspect 550 images of Christ on the cross, and discovered that over 90 per cent portrayed Jesus with his head turned to the right, his left cheek towards the viewer (Courtesy: Weird.com) There are a number of theories explaining why Jesus may have bowed his head towards his right at the moment of death. One for instance, postulates that the Lord was acknowledging the “chosen ones” on his right (Matthew 25: 33-34). Another says that artists who depicted Jesus on the cross simply drew the best appealing look. Yet another states that the depiction had something to do with neuro-science and human receptivity to suggestion. My question therefore is: **Is there a deeper meaning for the depiction of Jesus' head tilted towards his right on the Crucifix?** Inputs from any denomination are welcome.

Many oriental rites of Catholic Church have the plain cross signifying the Risen Lord, on their altar, whereas others use the crucifix signifying the Redemption. Of course, these days one sees churches of even oriental rites using the crucifix. My question therefore is: Does the Catholic Church have a standard instruction on placing of crucifix or plain cross on the altar of its churches across the world?

Some of us are aware that painting of the ***White Crucifixion*** by Marc Chagall is well liked by our present Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Francis. ***White Crucifixion*** Although it seems to deviate from the traditional form of a Crucifixion Scene and some even consider it somewhat scandalous. Are there any examples as to other types of Crucifixion Scenes that have Jesus in some sort of non-traditional attire that are acceptable to Catholics thought (either via painting, icon or Crucifix)? Some think it is scandalous because Our Lord is not wearing a ***crown of thrones*** or a ***loin cloth***! We know historically that the Romans crucified their victims naked . Do we know what made Pope Francis likes this form of art, since it deviates from a classical perspective?

I am trying to find the age of a silver cross that I have found on a site that had a benedictine priory on it from 1149 to 1540. I believe that clues to its age are the use of a two bar Patriarchal Cross with "IHC" on the top bar. Jesus' head is bowed No wound mark in the abdomen, although wound marks on the hands and feet. I would appreciate any advice as to age that you could provide. Thanks Kev Johnstone

At John 19:19-20 we read: > Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. In the crucifixes that we see today, we only see the inscription as **INRI** which is the short-form of what Pilate actually wrote. It is quite unlikely that Pilate used the abbreviated form, since the inscription was meant to be form of charge-sheet, as is evident from John 19:21 : " Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” My question is: is there any denomination which uses the full text of the inscription that Pilate placed on the Cross of Jesus, in the crucifix used by it ?

Why do Catholics have crucifix in their home and Churches; priest, bishops, cardinals, popes and the faithful wear crucifix in their neck and make a sign of the cross before and after prayer and always say “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, amen”. Would this mean that the culmination of the Catholic Faith of salvation was on Christ death and His triumph over death in order for a man’s death to sin will be brought back to immortal life in unity to Christ? If this is so, the sign of the cross will forever in history and the age to come to be remembered and not forgotten in our hearts. Are there theological, history, catechism, canon on this?

I have been seeking after our Lord for many years now, I pray that the Holy Spirit amplify my faith and discerning of truth. Having researched for many years I find myself wondering how has the church fallen so far from truth when truth is found in the teaching of Yeshua? Yeshua says that the law is forever so no idols or graven images. Yet the amount of paintings of Jesus even the works of Leonardo, the masses of Jesus on the cross statues and paintings, the cross itself, the rosiery. These images, symbols and statues are idolized and given holy power. Also is the position of the "Vicar of Christ" not idolitry?....how is this practice reconciled in the church?

Each year on the Good Friday service at my parish we venerate the cross, but I really wish it were a crucifix, and I've wondered why we don't have one for that purpose. I've been trying to find one to just drop off at the church with a note saying "this is better, keep it", but before I do, I would like to know if the Catholic Church has any restrictions as to what kind of a cross can be venerated during the Good Friday service? Does the cross have to be a certain size, of a certain material, or are we even allowed to venerate a cross sans-Corpus?

My observation of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is portrayed, worshiped and promoted in his state on the cross: suffering, crucified, having wounds. I don't see what sense this makes. This seems like a form of sadism. Why is he not portrayed healthy? Why aren't his good deeds before the last supper remembered instead?

According to Catholics, is Jesus depicted as dead or alive on a crucifix?

On the crucifix there is sometimes a plate above Jesus' head that has the letters INRI. What does INRI mean or stand for? Why is it there?

I want to know if Protestant churches and chapels in Germany have crucifixes with Jesus depicted on them, or just empty crosses. Correct me if I am mistaken, because I am ignorant of christian theology and practice: a cross is not an object of worship, and is preferred by many Protestants because it is not an "idol", whereas a crucifix is considered by many Protestants to be an idol, and is therefore objectionable. I am asking all this because someone wishes to visit a Protestant church/chapel in Southern Germany (Karlsbad), but objects to the presence of "idols".