crofs upon which the body of Christ is fastened in effigy, used by the Roman-catholics to excite in their minds a strong idea of our Saviour's passion.
They esteem it an essential circumstance of the religious worship performed at the altar; and on Good Friday they perform the ceremony of adoring it, which is done in these words, O crux ave, spes unica; Hail, thou crofs, our only hope. The officiating priest uncovers the crucifix, elevates it with both his hands, and says, Ecce lignum crucis; Behold the wood of the crofs. The people answer, in quo salus mundi pendit; on which the Saviour of the world suffered death. Then the whole congregation bow with great reverence, and devoutly kiss the holy wood.