Akathist Cross

[Waldemar]

A few years ago I went into a Byz-Cath bookstore (formerly EO, but that's another story) and looked into the case of SALE items. I saw a display of some badly tarnished crosses from Russia. One in particular caught my eye.

This cross had a standing figure of the Theotokos of the Sign in the middle. On the top, arms and bottom of the cross were words in Slavonic. I've seen two sided crosses before, but this one only had the icon of the Mother of God on the front and the writing.

I purchased the cross, cleaned it up and had it blessed. Father looked long and hard at it before he blessed it because he had never seen a cross like it before. He doesn't read Slavonic so he couldn't tell me what the words were.

Later I found a Russian Father Deacon who translated the words for me, literally: "O All Hymned Mother, Bearer of Holiest of Holies, Word"
(Akathist to the Mother of God: Kontakion 13)

My questions to you all:

Does anyone else have a cross like this?

Is it irregular to wear a cross with only an icon of the Theotokos and a prayer on it? I mean, I still have never seen a cross like this anywhere else.

Thanks.

[away]

Sounds to me like a beautiful thing, having the cross and the Mother of God as well. The Mother of God is so good, she is so good to pray to, she helps and protects us. If she didnt bear the word, there would have been no cross. She stood before the cross and she saw her son and our God on it. Dont worry about if it is irregular or not. At least, I wouldnt worry about it, but I dont really know what Im talking about. It sounds very beautiful.