Cross of Justin II

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Cross of Justin II

The Cross of Justin II or Crux Vaticana]' (Latin for Vatican Cross) in the Treasury of Saint Peter's in St. Peter's Basilica, is a processional cross and also a reliquary of the True Cross, one of the oldest surviving, if not the oldest. It is a crux gemmata or jewelled cross, silver-gilt and adorned with jewels in gold settings, dating from the sixth century, given to the people of Rome by the Roman Emperor Justin II, who reigned from 565 to 578, and his co-ruler and wife, the Empress Sophia. The cross bears a Latin inscription reading: "ligno quo Christus humanum subdidit hostem dat Romae Iustinus opem et socia decorem" which is commonly mistranslated as "For the wood [of the cross] with which human Christ was overcome by the enemy, Justin [and his consort?] give Rome this wealth and decoration" A more accurate reading is: "With the wood with which Christ conquered man's enemy, Justin gives his help to Rome and his wife offers the ornamentation." To mark the end of restoration and conservation work on the cross, it was placed on display in the main Basilica of Saint Peter's from November 2009 to April 12, 2010.

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