THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - { PT. 14 }

{ PT.  14 } - Over the millennia it came to be the symbol we know of as the cross on which Christ was crucified. So how did you deduce that it was meant in its modern context? asked Christiano. It was quite clear, not least because the positioning of each star formed the shape of a cross. And specifically, the Greek cross. Thus the use of the word stauros. In Greek Orthodox religion when they make the sign of the cross, they move their hand from right to left. He demonstrated on himself. As opposed to the Catholic church where we cross left to right, said Christiano. That's right. So the use of the word stauros made a clear distinction as to the sequence for opening the secret compartment, replied Kurush. And you're the reincarnation of this Jannara? asked Angelica. I believe so. Tell me more about the message, said Christiano. Of course. You see the spiral design? He pointed to the lid of the box. Christiano and Angelica moved forward for a closer look. My fiftieth birthday, at midnight, was the time chosen for me to open the box. The clockwork circuitry inside--he pointed to it--was an ingenious, timed, locking mechanism that would only open on the designated night by pressing a pin into each of these minute pin holes. The Prophet Zarathustra, the founder of the Zoroastrian faith--the faith of the Magi--spoke of four Royal stars. Each pinhole represents one and forms the stauros--hence the sequence by which I was to push a pin into each hole.                          _______________________________________________________