CHRIST OUR KING AND SHEPHERD
This cross design is part of a series of jewelry pieces that are all derived from the pectoral cross I made for The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle. Each piece features different elements of his pectoral cross. This design features the Good Shepherd, lion and lamb, and grapevine that are all part of Bishop Doyle’s cross. In gratitude for Bishop Doyle’s blessings to share his cross with others, I donate a percentage of my sales of these derivative designs to be used in his ministry.
FLEUREE CROSS SHAPE
The ends of the cross terminate with stylized fleurs-de-lys. The liliform ends represent the Trinity and the total twelve petals represent the Apostles. The arm-ends also have the appearance of crowns. The crown symbolizes that Christ is King, and it is also a reminder that crowns await all faithful Christians. “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
There are numerous biblical accounts using the analogy of Christ as The Good Shepherd. One of the most familiar is from the Gospel of John when Christ said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
THE LION AND LAMB
The familiar lion and lamb imagery has developed from a combination of biblical verses from Isaiah to symbolically convey a message of peace. The verses paint a picture of ferocious beasts (like the lion) feeding and lying with gentle animals (like the lamb). The depiction in the cross with a lion and lamb lying together at the feet of the Good Shepherd reminds us that peace and unity is available to us through our Great Mediator.
CHRIST THE TRUE VINE
The vine represents Christ who tells us in John 15, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser…I am the vine, you are the branches.” In referring to Himself as the stem that sustains the branches, and his Father as the vinedresser, He was using a metaphor that was well understood, since grape growing was widely practiced in the Holy Land. He describes how the vinedresser prunes so that it will bear more fruit and how a branch thrives in its connection with the stem and root system.
This cross is in the early design stages with a projected availability date of February 2010. To follow the making of this cross, subscribe to my blog or become a “fan” of my facebook business page. A photo journal of the making of Bishop Doyle’s pectoral cross may be viewed on my website: http://nancydenmark.com in the special projects section.
Art & Faith 