size: 2 1/4"x1 1/4" The Imperial Cross of St Petersburg. Reversible The Cross-is suspend from the bail by a “Double Headed Eagle.” The “Double Headed Eagle” was originally the symbol of the Byzantine Empire, which was considered the second Rome. The eagle has two heads, one looking East and the other looking West. After the fall of Constantinople, Russia considered itself the successor of the Empire and the Third Rome. Thereby adopting the “Double Headed Eagle” as its symbol. The circular panels on each bar: Top Circular – a representation of a dove representing the Holy Spirit perched on an open gospel book. Left Circular – St Peter the Chief of the Apostles. Right Circular – St John the Beloved. Bottom Circular – St John the Baptist. Christ, in the Russian tradition, is often portrayed “alive” on the Cross. Above his image are the Greek letters IC XC for Jesus Christ. The VERSO contains in a diamond shape is the Virgin of Kazan – the Protectress of Russia. The icon of the Kazan Mother of God is the most beloved icon of the Russian people. Many miracles are attributed to this icon – including the saving of St Petersburg from Hitler and the German invasion of the Second World War. Below a prayer of intercession to the Virgin Mary. The circular panels on each bar: Top Circular – St Alexander Nevsky, the founder of modern Russian State and the Patron of St Petersburg. Left Circular – St John of Kronstadt, the Saint the Island of Kronstadt on the route to St Petersburg from the Gulf of Finland. Right Circular – St Catherine of Alexandra. patroness of the famed Empress Catherine the Great. Bottom Circular – St Peter the Apostle, the Patron Saint of Peter the Great with a representation of the Church of SS Peter and Paul where the city of St Petersburg was founded.