Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 2/Canons/Canon LXXIII

Canon LXXIII.

the life-giving cross has shewn to us Salvation, we should be careful that we render due honour to that by which we were saved from the ancient fall.&#160; Wherefore, in mind, in word, in feeling giving veneration (&#960;&#961;&#959;&#963;&#954;&#8059;&#957;&#951;&#963;&#953;&#957;) to it, we command that the figure of the cross, which some have placed on the floor, be entirely removed therefrom, lest the trophy of the victory won for us be desecrated by the trampling under foot of those who walk over it.&#160; Therefore those who from this present represent on the pavement the sign of the cross, we decree are to be cut off.

Notes.

If there is a cross upon a pavement it must be removed.

This canon defines that to the image of the cross is to be &#8220;given veneration (&#960;&#961;&#959;&#963;&#954;&#8059;&#957;&#951;&#963;&#953;&#962;) of the intellect, of the words, and of the sense,&#8221; i.e., the cross is to be venerated with the interior cultus of the soul, is to be venerated with the exterior culture of praise, and also with sensible acts, such as kissings, bowings, etc.