Krzyż na ołtarzu lub obok niego
Cross on the altar or near it

Summary/Abstract: In the Church of the West the cross placed near the altar appeared much earlier than the cross on the altar. The processional cross was used in the 5th century. Originally it was without a figure of Christ. The first information about the placement of the cross on the altar comes from the 11th century. According to the theologians of the middle ages, the cross is at the center of the altar between the two candlesticks, to give him honor and to remind the passion of Christ and his mediation between two nations: Jewish and pagan. In the Roman Missal of 1570 appears an obligation to place a cross in the middle of the altar. However, it was not respected in some churches still in the 18th century. The altar cross in the liturgy of Pius V was venerated by the incensation and bows. The Second Vatican Council has reintroduced a possibility of putting the cross near the altar, and a few years later the General Instruction to the Roman Missal has informed that the processional cross may be placed next to the altar to serve as the altar cross (n. 122). This decision has created a significant diversity concerning the placement of the cross, and has provoked criticism from some of the clergy. The most significant critic was expressed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. He has argued that the cross announces our Lord’s Second Coming, and in the earliest liturgical tradition the sign of the cross was linked with the symbol of the assembly facing the East during a celebration. Where nowadays a direct common turning toward the East is not possible, the cross can serve as the interior “East” of faith. Thus the cross on the altar is an important reference point for the celebrant and the faithful. Cardinal Ratzinger has expressed an opinion that moving the altar cross to the side was a mistake and an example of the truly absurd phenomena of recent decades. The altar cross has a great importance during the celebration of the Eucharist. Its appreciation is evident especially in the solemn celebration, when it is venerated by incensation and profound bows. The celebration of the Eucharist with a cross in the middle of the altar, as exemplified by the Pope Benedict XVI and recently also Pope Francis, seems to be the best option. Such positioning of the cross helps the priest to pray to God and protects him from distraction. It places before his eyes the figure of the crucified Christ, recalling his sacrifice. Therefore it seems that the return of the cross to its position at the center of the altar is desirable in all the Catholic churches.

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