Cross Veneration in the

Medieval Islamic World

Christian Identity and Practice Under Muslim Rule

Courtney Gunter
 “It is only just, therefore, [. . .] that the
medium through which God showed [his] love
to all, should also be the medium through
which all should show their love to God.”
—Timothy I
The cross is “the symbol before our eyes to stir our
hearts that we may give thanks to him who
ministers it and has bestowed it upon us. It is to him
we direct our worship and praise, not to the wood
or anything else of which the cross is made.”
—al-Kindī
 “No one should blame the Christians for their love of the
cross, because many successes [. . .] have come to them
through it. This is because the cross is the standard of
power, the banner of victory and of salvation from error. If a
Christian professing belief in Christ and in the sign of the
cross wished to drink lethal poison, to expel demons by
force, or to enter fire naked, in the name of Christ and with
the sign of the cross he should do it.”
—Jirjī
Questions?
Thank you for listening!
Sources
Griffith, Sidney H. "Cross Veneration in the Medieval Islamic World: Christian Identity
and Practice Under Muslim Rule." Church History 87, no. 1 (2018).

Jensen, Robin Margaret. The Cross: History, Art, and Controversy. Cambridge,
Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2017.

Nelson, Robert S, Kristen M Collins, and J. Paul Getty Museum. Holy Image, Hallowed
Ground: Icons from Sinai. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2006.

Tieszen, Charles Lowell. Cross Veneration in the Medieval Islamic World: Christian
Identity and Practice Under Muslim Rule. The Early and Medieval Islamic World. London:
I.B. Tauris, 2017.

Tieszen, Charles Lowell, ed. Theological Issues in Christian-Muslim Dialogue. Eugene,

Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 2018.