what is a crucifix

A crucifix is a cross with an image of Jesus on it, as distinct from a bare cross. The representation of Jesus himself on the cross is referred to as the corpus. The crucifix is a principal symbol for many groups of Christians, especially in the Catholic Church, but is also used in the Eastern Orthodox Church, most Oriental Orthodox Churches, Lutheranism, Moravianism, and Anglicanism. It is less common in churches of other Protestant denominations and in the Assyrian Church of the East and Armenian Apostolic Church, which prefer to use a cross without the figure of Jesus. The crucifix emphasizes Jesus sacrifice—his death by crucifixion, which Christians believe brought about the redemption of mankind. It is a reminder of the trials and tribulations that human beings face and the hope that comes from the redemption offered through Christs death on the cross to those who believe. The crucifix is a symbol of salvation and Christ’s ultimate act to atone for the sins of the world, representing Jesus’ mission to reconcile our relationship with God. The Catholic Church uses the crucifix as a symbol instead of other Christian churches that use an empty cross because it captures the great sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity and is a symbol of salvation and Christ’s ultimate act to atone for the sins of the world.