"Christianity is a religion founded on the mystery of the cross of Christ." --Leo the GreatAt the center of Christianity sits the cross of Christ. From the beginnings of Christianity, followers of Christ have taken the cross as a symbol of their faith. It has been used in churches as the visual center of worship, carved into rough tombstones, pressed onto loaves of bread and set out as a sign of sanctuary among other things.In this book Judith Couchman engages forty different images of the cross taken from life and art from early Christianity up to the year 1000. As we discover the meaning and significance of each of these uses, we learn a little more about the early church. More than that, we are reminded to focus on the meaning of the cross and the sacrifice of the Savior.Ideal for Lenten devotional reading, this book includes original illustrations of each cross image. The Mystery of the Cross will enrich your understanding of Christian tradition and draw you into Christ's presence.