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Celtic Jewellery >> Celtic
Crosses >> The Dromiskin Cross
The original 8 foot plus granite cross is found in the church
of Ireland graveyard in the town of Castledermot, Ireland.
The church dates back to the 12th century and beside the
church stands a Round Tower. A monastery was founded here
by St Dermot, which was plundered on numerous occasions
by the Vikings. This was why the Irish round towers were
built - to preserve the monks' treasures and themselves!
Monks are thought to have used scenes from many of the high
crosses to teach about Christ and the Bible. The scenes
from the bottom upward are thought to be:
1. Suggestions include the three children in the fiery furnace, the journey to Emmaus, or perhaps a scene from the Paul and Anthony cycle.
2. Susanna delivered from her tempters, or the temtation of St Anthony.
3. Daniel in the Lion's Den.
Centre: Eve handing the apple to Adam in the Garden of Eden.
Left of centre: David the Psalmist playing his harp.
Right of center: Sacrifice of Isaac.
Top panel: Fall of Simon Magus, or David delivered from
Goliath.
In a sparsely populated land with few church buildings, this was probably one of a series of crosses raised throughout Scotland to signify consecrated ground on which the Worship of God could be conducted, and where the Sacraments could be administered.
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