Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem Cross - Large central cross symbolizing Jesus Christ, surrounded by four smaller crosses, symbolizing four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the four corners of the world.

The Jerusalem Cross is one of the most immediately distinguishable Christian symbols anywhere. It comprises a large central cross, called a cross potent, usually with crossbars at the four ends, nesting four smaller Greek crosses. It is a deceptively simple design that has now been used for centuries to represent the Church in Jerusalem and to remind the faithful and the world of the Evangelists, Jerusalem and the suffering of Christ. It is also the heraldic insignia closely associated with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and especially the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. 

The Jerusalem Cross or "Crusader's Cross" (five-fold cross) became a prominent symbol of the Crusades, notably appearing on the papal banner granted by Pope Urban II during the First Crusade (1095–1099). It was later adopted as the coat of arms for the Kingdom of Jerusalem, established in 1099, representing Christ and the four corners of the earth.

While closely linked to the 11th-century Crusades, some sources indicate similar symbols were used earlier, such as in 10th-century Georgia. In other cases the symbol dates back to 4/5th century.

Godfrey of Bouillon was a medieval Frankish nobleman best known for his role as one of the main leaders during the First Crusade. As a consequence of this successful military expedition to the Holy Land, Godfrey became the first ruler of the newly-established Kingdom of Jerusalem. Godfrey is said to have refused to accept the title ‘King’, choosing to adopt the title ofAdvocatus Sancti Sepulchri, which means ‘Advocate / Protector of the Holy Sepulchre’ instead.

After capturing Jerusalem, Crusaders, particularly Godfrey of Bouillon, used the Jerusalem Cross as the coat of arms for the new kingdom, symbolizing the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem.

Even after the end of the Crusader era, pilgrims carried the image of the Jerusalem Cross, connecting their own faith journeys to the passion of Our Lord and the desire to see the Holy City. 

Visitors and pilgrims to Jerusalem will also often receive a tattoo of the cross at the completion of their pilgrimage. This is a tradition that dates more than 700 years.

Today, the Jerusalem Cross is still the main insignia of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — the Latin Catholic diocese for the Holy Land — the Custody of the Holy Land run by the Franciscan Order, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The Order of the Holy Sepulchre is a lay institution and Catholic order of knighthood placed under the protection of the Holy See that has as its main aim to deepen the faith among its members and to support the charitable and social works and institutions of the Church in the Holy Land.

Jerusalem Cross resurfaced back to the Christian sight after the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" starred the Leper King of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV, has caught the eye of Christians world wide.

Baldwin IV(1161–1185), known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin ascended to the throne when he was thirteen despite having leprosy. He launched several attempts to curb the increasing power of the Egyptian ruler Saladin, though much of his life was marked by infighting amongst the kingdom's nobles. Throughout his reign, and especially at the end of his life, he was troubled by his succession, working to select a suitable heir and prevent a succession crisis. Choosing competent advisers, Baldwin ruled a thriving crusader state, protecting it from Saladin.

"We who bear the cross for our Lord, and those who came before us!" - Fideles Dei