Tau Cross
The cross of St. Anthony or tau cross is a cross in the form of the Greek letter tau.
Symbolic Meaning of the cross, tau
In the Bible , it has a special significance and history of art, a long tradition. Pope Innocent III speaks at the opening of the Fourth Lateran Council ( 1215 ) as a sign of penance.
The sign at the Franciscan Tau
Francis of Assisi often used the sign. He drew on houses, walls and trees. This sign is blessed men and signed his letters. Thus, we find the blessing to Brother Leo when it was in a hurry and fear. Brother Leo That meant comfort and strength. This blessing of the saint he carried on him constantly.
The Tau was for Francis a sign of divine election, as described in the book of the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 9.
Before the punishment falls on the city of Jerusalem, the Lord leaves it to the fair to sign on the forehead with the letter Tau. Thus, at the end of time all those who belong to Christ will be recognized and released through this sign.
The tau is a symbol for the Franciscan Family: Will Francis, a sign of blessing and peace. This sign reminds the Cross, it is a sign of liberation.
Tau, to Francis of Assisi , is:
- certainty of salvation , because Christ's victory over evil;
- universality of salvation: "By your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world";
- symbol of ongoing conversion and total renunciation. Convert, let's mark Tau is to be poor;
- requirement for mission and service to others, because he recalls that the Lord himself made himself our servant until death. Francis will therefore also the servant of God and servant of his brothers, in all his actions, in his prayer as in his preaching;
- sign of kindness and love of God.
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