Wayside Crosses

[topum]

There are a lot of wayside crosses in Moldova. Most crossroads and wells have them. Today I saw a well with two identical ones.

Comments

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

This reminds me of that story in the bible where Jesus meets up with the Samaritan woman at the well and asks her for a drink. 

Why do they put crosses beside their wells? 

Is it to give the well a blessing or to protect the well from drought? 

Athena

[topum.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. They like to stress here that only God blesses or protects not objects and they tend to frown on "magic" approach of "I do this, I get this". Although this approach can be popular among some older folks.

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

There was a time crosses were an extreme method of punishment for crime.  Romans used to crucify their more dangerous criminals.  The murderers and those who committed treason.  Now they're decorations for churches and homes ect. 

Athena

[topum.livejournal.com]

They are not really decorations though, or not just decorations, they are more like symbols and they became such because of a specific event which redefined what a cross is to many people I think?

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

Yes.  A symbol of God's love.  Victory over Satan. 

Perhaps people have them as reminders of God's love. 

Athena

[topum.livejournal.com]

They usually use "victory over death" here. And yes, love.