San Damiano Cross

The San Damiano Cross, best known because it is beneath it that Saint Francis was asked by Christ to rebuild His Church.  The original cross painted in the 12th century, measures almost 75 inches high, 47 inches wide, and is almost five inches thick.  It is housed in the Basilica of St. Clare of Assisi.

Eastern Church Icon Cross

The cross is called an icon cross because it contains images of persons who have a part in the meaning of the cross. The tradition of such crosses began in the Eastern Church and was carried by the Serbian Monks to the Umbrian district of Italy.  The Byzantine style was common in Italy before Cimabue and Giotto.  The San Damiano Cross was one of a number of crosses painted with similar figures during the 12th century in Umbria. The purpose of an icon cross was to teach the meaning of the event depicted and thereby strengthen the faith of the people.

If you want your dream to be,

Build it slow and surely.

Small beginnings greater ends.

Heartfelt work grows purely.

If you want to live life free,

Take your time go slowly.

Do few things but do them well.

Simple joys are holy.

Day by day, stone by stone,

Build your secret slowly.

Day by day, you'll grow, too,

You'll know heaven's glory.

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