The Crucifix of San Damiano was brought by the Poor Clares to the Proto-Monastery of Saint Clare in Assisi, in 1257, when they moved from the church of San Damiano. It is the crucifix before which St Francis prayed in 1205 receiving the call to work for the Church of the Lord: “Go Francis, and rebuild my house which, as you can see, is falling into ruin”. Francis first interpreted the voice of Christ as a request for the restoration of the little church of San Damiano, only later did he understand that the Lord was calling him to work for the Church made of living stones.
The byzantine Christ in all probability was painted in the first half of the XII century by an unknown author, on a sheet of coarse linen and laid out on a walnut table.
Description of the Crucifix
Above Christ’s head: His Ascension to the Father.
In the middle of the horizontal beam: Christ triumphant with eyes wide open.
On each side of the horizontal beam: Two Angels and a saint.
Under Christ’s right arm: St. John, the Virgin Mary and Longinus.
Under Christ’s left arm: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and the centurion.
Near the left leg: A small rooster, image of the dawning day (“ales diei nuntius”).
At Christ’s feet: Blood washes six unidentified saints.
