Why is the Crucifixion Cross draped?
The drapery of the cross is a Christian tradition to commemorate important events in the life of Jesus.
Several colors are associated with Easter and have deep symbolic meanings in Christian contexts. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, these associations began as early as the 1100s, when Pope Innocent III set out descriptions of the appropriate colors to be used during specific liturgical proceedings. www.britannica.com/
Today, many of these colors are still used to celebrate the Easter season: purple, white, red, pink, black, green, gold.
Three different colors of fabric are used in draping the cross during the Easter season (beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through His Ascension to Heaven): purple, black, and white.
On Palm Sunday, the cross should be draped in purple fabric, which represents Jesus' royalty - it signifies the importance of Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem as King.
On Good Friday, the cross should be draped in black fabric, representing the death of Jesus Christ as full payment for the sins of all mankind.
On Easter Sunday, the cross should be draped in white until Ascension Day, which occurs 39 days after Easter Sunday. The white draping represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
The empty cross is a reminder to all the world that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.
Do you drape the cross that is placed over the baptistery with a cloth at Easter?
By Betty
The cross gets draped with a purple cloth (and thorn of crowns if you want) during Holy Week; replace it with a white cloth before Easter morning.
How long do you leave the white pall on the cross after Easter?
By Leanne from Destin, FL
The white cloth should remain on the cross from Easter Sunday to Ascension Day. This is celebrated on a Thursday, 39 days after Easter Sunday.
