Fragments of Cross Used for Jesus’ Crucifixion to Be Used during King Charles’ Coronation

King Charles' Coronation Cross Will Include Fragments Believed To Be From Jesus' Crucifixion

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Fragments of wood believed to be from the cross Jesus was crucified on more than 2,000 years ago will be included in the cross that will lead the coronation service for King Charles III next month at Westminster Abbey. 

The two splinters, believed to be from the "true cross," were gifted to the monarch by Pope Francis ahead of his coronation and will form their own cross at the center of the processional cross, according to Reuters. The Church of Wales also noted on its site that the processional cross "will incorporate a relic of the True Cross," and called it a "significant ecumenical gesture." 

The processional cross, which is known as the Cross of Wales, was formed from recycled silver bullion, Welsh slate and timber, and gifted to the monarch by the Church of Wales. There are also words from the last sermon of St David on the back in Welsh: "Byddwch lawen. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain." It translates to: "Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things."

It was blessed by the Archbishop of Wales on Wednesday. 

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 © Getty/Reuters Fragments of wood believed to be from the cross Jesus was crucified on more than 2,000 years ago will be included in the cross that will lead the coronation service for King Charles III next month at Westminster Abbey. Getty/Reuters

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"Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources and our commitment to sustainability," Andrew John, the Archbishop of Wales, said at the blessing service in Llandudno, Wales. "We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide their majesties into Westminster Abbey at the Coronation Service."

Ahead of the service, the Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia, Mark O’Toole — on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church in Wales — said, "With a sense of deep joy we embrace this Cross, kindly given by King Charles, and containing a relic of the True Cross, generously gifted by the Holy See. 

"It is not only a sign of the deep Christian roots of our nation but will, I am sure, encourage us all to model our lives on the love given by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We look forward to honouring it, not only in the various celebrations that are planned, but also in the dignified setting in which it will find a permanent home."

The cross was designed by Micahel Llloyd who said the project "started with a love of the material, its malleability, its potential for expression."

 © REUTERS/Phil Noble Archbishop of Wales Andrew John blessed the Cross of Wales on Wednesday. REUTERS/Phil Noble

"The commission has allowed me to delve into the previous 1,000 years of faith and history," Lloyd continued. "Now, with more than 267 thousand hammer blows, the cross has emerged from the inanimate sheets of silver, and I am delighted it will be used as part of the Coronation Service on 6th May."

The cross was commissioned by the king in 2020 to mark the centenary of the Church of Wales while he was still the Prince of Wales. After he became king when Queen Elizabeth II died last September, Charles passed the Prince of Wales title on to Prince William. 

 © HANNAH MCKAY / POOL / AFP King Charles III's coronation will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. HANNAH MCKAY / POOL / AFP  © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort will both be crowned during the coronation. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The coronation at Westminster Abbey will take place on the morning of May 6 and will be followed by a weekend of festive events, including a star-studded public concert at Windsor Castle. 

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Small shards of wood from what some believe is the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified have been incorporated into a cross that will lead King Charles' coronation procession.

 © PA The Cross of Wales contains what is believed by some to be relics from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified

Two pieces have been gifted to King Charles by the Pope, and have been fixed into the Cross of Wales, which will be carried into Westminster Abbey next month.

Legend has it that the mother of Roman emperor Constantine I discovered the hiding place of three crosses sometime between 326AD and 328AD, one of which was said to bear Jesus's name.

 © PA King Charles laying some of the elements of the Cross of Wales

Fragments from the cross have been shared among mostly Catholic organisations around the world, while protestant churches largely question its authenticity.

The tiny fragments are shaped like crosses - one of which is 1cm and the other is only 5mm, and have been set into the larger silver cross behind a rose crystal gemstone, and can only be seen up close.

The Cross of Wales was gifted from Charles to the Church in Wales, and will be blessed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, in a service in Llandudno on Wednesday, and when it arrives in London, it will be shared between the Anglican and Catholic Churches.

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It was made from recycled silver bullion, which was provided by the Royal Mint in South Wales, and includes a shaft of Welsh windfall timber, and Welsh slate.

The words from the last sermon of St David are inscribed in Welsh, which say: "Byddwch lawen. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain" (translated as: "Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things).

A full hallmark and a leopard's head make up part of the silver element, and were applied by King Charles himself last November.

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Archbishop Andrew said: "We are honoured that His Majesty has chosen to mark our centenary with a cross that is both beautiful and symbolic.

"Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources and our commitment to sustainability.

"We are delighted too, that its first use will be to guide Their Majesties into Westminster Abbey at the Coronation Service."

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia, Mark O'Toole, said: "With a sense of deep joy we embrace this cross, kindly given by King Charles, and containing a relic of the True Cross, generously gifted by the Holy See.

"It is not only a sign of the deep Christian roots of our nation but will, I am sure, encourage us all to model our lives on the love given by our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

"We look forward to honouring it, not only in the various celebrations that are planned, but also in the dignified setting in which it will find a permanent home."

Designer and maker Michael Lloyd said: "The commission has allowed me to delve into the previous 1,000 years of faith and history. Now, with more than 267 thousand hammer blows, the cross has emerged from the inanimate sheets of silver, and I am delighted it will be used as part of the Coronation Service on 6 May."

King Charles Gifted Fragments Of Jesus Christ's Cross By Pope Francis For The Royal Coronation

Pope Francis gifted fragments from the cross believed to be used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to King Charles III ahead of the royal's upcoming coronation.

 © Knewz

Two fragments from the "True Cross" were formally presented as gifts to the Royal Household by Vatican representatives last week. They have reportedly been incorporated into the Cross of Wales, which is set to be carried into Westminster, leading the procession as millions watch worldwide.

The fragments, both shaped like crosses themselves, are estimated to measure 1cm and 5mm. They were placed into the center of a more prominent silver crucifix behind a rose crystal gemstone, meaning they can only be seen if you get up close and personal with the artifact.

 © Knewz

Both fragments will be shared between the Anglican and Catholic churches in Wales after the royal ceremony.

Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales, said: "We are honored that His Majesty has chosen to mark our centenary with a cross that is both beautiful and symbolic."

"Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources, and our commitment to sustainability," he continued. "We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide Their Majesties into Westminster Abbey at the coronation service."

 © Knewz

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia, Mark O'Toole, also told the outlet, "With a sense of deep joy we embrace this cross, kindly given by King Charles, and containing a relic of the True Cross, generously gifted by the Holy See.

"It is not only a sign of the deep Christian roots of our nation but will, I am sure, encourage us all to model our lives on the love given by our Saviour, Jesus Christ," they continued. "We look forward to honoring it, not only in the various celebrations that are planned but also in the dignified setting in which it will find a permanent home."

 © Knewz

According to the Vatican, the "True Cross" was found by St Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, in 326AD during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The earliest references to it can be found around the mid-4th century.

 © Knewz

King Charles' coronation is set to take place on May 6. An estimated 2,000 guests are expected to file into Westminster Abbey's pews for the 60-minute-long service.

Most of the royal family is expected to attend, including Prince Harry, although his wife, Meghan Markle, is expected to be a nno-show.