Meredith

 The Eastern Orthodox Cross

The Eastern Orthodox Cross is also know as the Russian, Ukraine, Slavic, Slavonic, and Byzantine Cross. This cross has two additional cross beams which is distinctly different from Christian crosses. The top beam represents the plaque with the inscription by Pontius Pilate, "Jesus the Nazorean, King of the Jew." The lower beam, however, has a slant. This beam represents a footrest. Its purpose is to support the weight of the body.The slant also symbolizes a balance scale showing the "good thief", also known as St. Dismas, and his acceptance of Christ's accession into heaven. A popular interpretation of this beam would be the balance-scale. It is thought that the Cross is a balance-scale of justice. I chose this particular church decoration because it represented many different countries faith. They may have had different cultures and ideas but they worshiped in the same way with this cross.

works cited http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/eastorth.html