orthodox cross

[jacqueline]

Why do some crosses have a skull & bones at the base of the cross. What is the meaning of this? Isn't that a masonic symbol?

[TomS]

From another site:

The skull is a great reminder of human mortality. Jesus Christ was crucified on Golgotha - “the place of the skull”. There is a legend that Christ, the New Adam, who conquered sin and death, was crucified on the gravesite of the first man, Adam, who brought sin and death into the world through his disobedience to God (another explanation is that the great flood washed Adam's bones to the Golgotha site). The skull is a symbol of Adam’s grave - antique prints of the Crucifixion often show a skull at the foot of the Cross. Most important of all, the skull and bones are placed beneath Jesus’ feet, to show that He triumphed over death and sin on our behalf.

[Priest Siluan]

Maybe, it could answer your questions.

http://www.churchofthenativity.net/explain/crsmain.html