processional crosses for four churches in the Kristiansand region.
Hånes kirke – inaugurated 2019
Processional cross in polished brass with Christogram – a symbol well known from the Early Church. The symbol combines the first two Greek letters of Christ (Chi = X and Rho = P), an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ. The Christogram is surrounded by Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letter in the Greek alphabet, meaning that Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Oddernes Church — inaugurated 2017
Processional cross carved in birch, painted emerald green with a gold plated cross. The base is carved in soapstone.
The shape of the cross is derived from the so-called Lily Stone that has been lying in the Oddernes Church graveyard since the twelfth century. The pattern on the stone is severely eroded and only its contour remains – faintly. The arms of the cross are of equal length and can be seen as a stylized flower with leaves growing out from the stem. This is symbolically linked to the Tree of Life, to belief in the Resurrection and Life Everlasting.
The ornamental elements within the central form of the processional cross have been inspired by Syrian Byzantine decoration, in solidarity with our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in war-torn Syria. The fusion of the Syrian and ancient Norwegian elements into a contemporary expression thus forms a link to the worldwide church.
Oddernes Church is a Romanesque stone church, dating from 1040, the oldest building in Kristiansand.
Randesund Church — inaugurated 2010
Processional cross with silver cross. The pinewood staff has a pale patina and is swathed in natural linen at handling level.
The cross is shaped according to Greek tradition with arms of equal length, surrounded by four leaf rosettes, inscribed in an infinity circle. The cross is perforated, letting the light filter through and shine out from the centre. The five largest perforations symbolize the five wounds of Christ. The silver of the cross connects it to the altar silver. When the cross is not carried it is placed in a base of light coloured limestone.
Randesund Church is a wooden cruciform church from 1864, designed by the architect Grosch.
Lund Church — inaugurated 2004
Processional cross carved in perforated white patinated birch, with inlaid red glass. The base is of white fibre-reinforced concrete.
The Greek cross with its arms of equal length refers both to the crosses in the altar cloth and to the crosses in Else Marie Jakobsen’s large tapestry which mainly celebrates the first Holy Communion. The five red glass points symbolize the five wounds of Christ. From each wound there blooms a flower.
Lund Church in Kristiansand is from 1987. Architects: Landsverk and Nordbø.
