The Crucifixion of Christ. The Deesis. The Guardian Angel. Reliquary Cross

The front of the cross depicts the Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, attended in supplication by the Most Holy Mother of God and John the Forerunner, Baptist of the Lord. This composition is called the Deesis.

The reverse bears the prayer "Let God Arise", a protective prayer recited in times of danger:

"Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face. As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish; as wax melts before the fire, so let the demons perish before the face of those who love God and who sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, saying in gladness: Rejoice, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, driving away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified upon thee, who descended into hell and trampled down the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His precious Cross, for the driving away of every adversary. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord! Help me, together with the holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God, and with all the saints, unto the ages. Amen."

On the inner panels is the Guardian Angel leading the human soul, shown in the form of a child. This is the image of the holy Angel's guidance of the soul through life and through every spiritual obstacle.

Beside it is inscribed a prayer to the Guardian Angel: "Forsake not the path of my journeying soul, O holy Angel."