Church cross

It is generally considered that ecclesiastical activities began in Finland in 1155, when Bishop Henry and King Erik of Sweden made the first crusade to Finland. Jewellery marking the 850th anniversary of the church in Finland features the date engraved in Roman numerals. The motif for the jewellery comes from the consecration cross that the bishop drew in holy oil on the walls of old churches to signify their consecration and the twelve apostles. The church cross is a well-known motif appearing in many murals in mediaeval Finnish churches.