Where did the tradition of wearing crosses come from? Why wear it? “I believe in God in my soul, but I don’t need a cross. The Bible does not say anywhere that you have to wear a cross, and nowhere does it say that the first Christians wore crosses. People who consider themselves Orthodox Christians say this or something like this, but do not express their faith in any way. Most unchurched people do not have a Christian understanding of what a cross is and why it should be worn on the body. So what is pectoral cross? Why does Satan hate it so much and does everything so that no one wears it, or wears it simply as a meaningless decoration?
The custom, along with Baptism, to put on a pectoral cross around the neck of the newly baptized did not appear immediately. In the first centuries of Christianity, the cross was not worn, but medallions with the image of the slain Lamb or the Crucifixion were worn. But the Cross, as an instrument for the salvation of the world by Jesus Christ, has been the subject of the greatest honor among Christians from the very beginning of the Church. For example, the church thinker Tertullian (II-III centuries) in his "Apology" testifies that the veneration of the cross existed from the earliest times of Christianity. Even before Queen Helena and Emperor Constantine found the life-giving Cross on which Christ was crucified in the 4th century, it was already common among the first followers of Christ to always have the image of the cross with them - both as a reminder of the sufferings of the Lord, and to confess their faith in front of others. .According to Pontius, the biographer of St. Cyprian of Carthage, in the III century, some Christians depicted the figure of the cross even on their foreheads, by this sign they were recognized during persecution and betrayed to torment. The first Christians who wore a cross on their chests are also known. Mention it and the sources of the II century.
The first documentary evidence of the wearing of pectoral crosses dates back to the beginning of the 4th century. Thus, the acts of the VII Ecumenical Council testify that the holy martyrs Orestes (+304) and Procopius (+303), who suffered under Diocletian, wore a cross made of gold and silver around their necks.
After the weakening and subsequent cessation of the persecution of Christians, the wearing of the cross became a widespread custom. At the same time for all Christian churches crosses began to be erected.
In Russia, this custom was adopted precisely with the baptism of the Slavs in 988. Starting from Byzantine times in Russia, there were two types of pectoral crosses: in fact, they themselves "vest" (worn on the body under clothing), etc. « encolpions" (from the Greek word "chest"), worn not on the body, but over clothing. Let's say two words about the latter: initially, pious Christians carried with them (on themselves) an ark with particles of St. relics or other sacred things. A cross was placed on this ark. Subsequently, the ark itself acquired the shape of a cross, and bishops and emperors began to wear such a cross. The modern priestly and episcopal pectoral cross traces its history from encolpions, that is, boxes with relics or other shrines.
Russian people swore allegiance on crosses, and exchanging pectoral crosses, they became cross brothers. During the construction of churches, houses, bridges, the cross was laid in the foundation. There was a custom to cast many crosses from a broken church bell, which enjoyed special reverence.
The cross of Christ is a symbol of Christianity. For modern man a symbol is just an identification mark. The symbol is, as it were, an emblem that points to something with which we are dealing. But the symbol has a much wider meaning than just the meaning of the emblem. In religious culture the symbol is involved in the reality that it symbolizes. What is the reality that the Cross of Christ symbolizes for Christians? .. This reality: The Redemption of the human race, accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ through Death on the Cross.
The veneration of the Cross has always been understood by the Teachings of the Church as the worship of Jesus Christ in the light of His redemptive feat.The Cross of Christ, which Orthodox Christians always wear on their bodies, points out to us and reminds us at what price our Salvation was bought.
For Christians, the cross is not just a sign. For Christians, the cross is a symbol of victory over the devil, a banner of the triumph of God. The cross reminds the believer of Christ, of the sacrifice the Savior made for us.
What does the pectoral cross symbolize?
The cross is the greatest Christian shrine, a visible evidence of our redemption.
The cross, as an instrument of a terrible and painful execution, thanks to the sacrificial feat of Christ the Savior, became a symbol of redemption and an instrument for the salvation of all mankind from sin and death. It is on the Cross, through pain and suffering, death and Resurrection, that the Son of God accomplishes the salvation or healing of human nature from mortality, passion and corruption brought into it by the fall of Adam and Eve. Thus, a person who wears the Crucifixion of Christ testifies to his participation in the suffering and feat of his Savior, followed by the hope of salvation, and hence the resurrection of man for eternal life with God.
The pectoral cross is not a talisman or a piece of jewelry. No matter how handsome he may be, from whatever precious metal it would not have been made, it is primarily a visible symbol of the Christian faith.
Orthodox pectoral crosses are very ancient tradition and therefore they are very diverse in their appearance, depending on the time and place of manufacture.
Iconography Orthodox crucifixion received its final dogmatic justification in 692 in the 82nd canon of the Trul Cathedral who approved canon of the iconographic image of the Crucifixion .
The main condition of the canon is the combination of historical realism with the realism of Divine Revelation. The figure of the Savior expresses Divine peace and greatness. It is, as it were, laid on the cross, and the Lord opens His arms to all who turn to Him. In this iconography, the complex dogmatic task of depicting the two hypostases of Christ - Human and Divine - is artistically solved, showing both death and the victory of the Savior.
Catholics, abandoning their early views, did not understand and did not accept the rules of the Troulsky Cathedral and, accordingly, the symbolic spiritual image of Jesus Christ. Thus, in the Middle Ages, new type The crucifixion, in which the features of the naturalism of human suffering and the agony of the execution of the cross become predominant: the heaviness of the body sagging on outstretched arms, the head crowned with a crown of thorns, the crossed feet are nailed with one nail (an innovation of the end of the 13th century). The anatomical details of the Catholic image, conveying the veracity of the execution itself, nevertheless hide the main thing - the triumph of the Lord, who conquered death and reveals eternal life to us, focuses on torment and death. His naturalism has only an external emotional impact, introducing into the temptation of comparing our sinful sufferings with the redemptive Passion of Christ.
Images of the crucified Savior, similar to Catholic ones, are also found on Orthodox crosses, especially often in the 18th-20th centuries, however, as well as the icon-painting images of God the Father of Sabaoth banned by the Stoglavy Cathedral. Naturally, Orthodox piety requires the wearing of an Orthodox cross, not a Catholic one, which violates the dogmatic foundations of the Christian faith.
The most common form of an Orthodox cross is an eight-pointed cross; a prayer is most often applied on the reverse side. "Bless and save".
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Christians who wear a pectoral cross, as it were, offer a wordless prayer to God. And he always protects the wearer.
There is a widespread opinion among Christians that the cross of Christ, the image of God, the Lord Himself should keep us precisely from worldly troubles and troubles. And, of course, many of those who wear the pectoral cross are guided by precisely this pragmatic motive. But in fact, the meaning of wearing a cross and the inscription that we read on its back: "Bless and save", completely different.
In itself, the presence of a cross on the chest does not save and has no meaning for a person if he does not consciously confess what the Cross of Christ symbolizes. Although, of course, the Lord, Undoubtedly, it keeps the believer in it from many everyday misfortunes and troubles. That is, if a person wears a cross with faith and hope in the mercy of God, he, relatively speaking, is “included” in a special “God’s plan” and nothing fatally irreparable will ever happen to him in eternity. The concept of "God's plan" here means precisely the plan of our salvation, and not the management of the world on a broad, universal scale, because the whole world, of course, is contained by the right hand of God and is controlled by His Divine Providence. But, no matter how terrible it sounds, it is precisely the “necessary” and sometimes painful death that becomes for a person the door to the Kingdom of God. This does not mean that God wants such an end for us, but it means that, having endured unjust torment, he will certainly find great consolation. If anything, it is the law of God.
So what does the Lord promise to save us from? Not from worldly troubles, misfortunes and difficulties in the first place, because all this is even necessary for the soul, alas, prone to relaxation and forgetting the purpose of its existence. But The Lord promises to save us, first of all, from the terrible power of sin, through which the enemy of the human race destroys our souls. And this power is truly so great that not a single person can free himself from it by his own strength alone. But with the help of God it is possible. Maybe! Holy Fathers say: "The enemy is strong, but the Lord is omnipotent!"
Simple words "Bless and save" means our tireless, from the bottom of our hearts, our appeal to God with a request that He help us partake of grace-filled eternity.
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The pectoral cross is placed on us in the Sacrament of Baptism in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Whoever wants to follow Me, turn away from yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me"(Mark 8:34).
We must bear our life's cross, and the cross that we have on our chest reminds us of this. Cross “there is always a great power for believers, delivering from all evils, especially from the villainy of hated enemies”,- writes the holy righteous John of Kronstadt.
When the Sacrament of Baptism takes place, at the consecration of the pectoral cross, the priest reads two special prayers, in which he asks the Lord God to pour heavenly power into the cross and that this cross saves not only the soul, but also the body from all enemies, sorcerers, sorcerers, from all evil forces. That is why many pectoral crosses have an inscription "Bless and save!".
By the way, the question is often asked: should the crosses sold in stores be already consecrated, or should the cross be taken to the temple for consecration? The cross must be consecrated in the temple. Sprinkling it with holy water at home will not be enough - it must be lit by a priest, because. in the temple, the crosses are consecrated with a special rite.
Exist superstition that when consecrated, the pectoral cross acquires magical protective properties. But superstitions should be avoided. The Church teaches that the sanctification of matter allows us not only spiritually, but also bodily - through this sanctified matter - to partake of Divine grace, which is necessary for us for spiritual growth and salvation. But the grace of God works unconditionally. A correct spiritual life according to the commandments of God is required of a person, and it is this spiritual life that makes it possible for the grace of God to influence us in a salutary way, healing us from passions and sins.
For an Orthodox Christian, wearing a cross is a great honor and responsibility.Taking off the cross or not wearing it has always been understood as apostasy. During the 2000-year history of Christianity, many people have suffered for their faith, for refusing to renounce Christ and take off their pectoral cross. This feat has been repeated in our time.
If you do not wear a cross now, when you can freely confess your faith, then you will hardly dare to put it on when you have to suffer for it. Can you repeat the feat of a simple Russian guy Evgeny Rodionov ?
... He was a grenade launcher, served in the 479th border detachment special purpose. Exactly a month, Zhenya served at the outpost in Chechnya, and on February 13, 1996, he was captured. Three of his friends were with him: Sasha Zheleznov, Andrey Trusov, Igor Yakovlev. They spent 3.5 months in captivity. During this time, they were bullied as much as they could. But Eugene had a choice, every day they approached him and said: “You can live. To do this, you need to remove the cross, accept our faith, become our brother. And all these nightmares for you will end immediately. But Zhenya did not succumb to these persuasions, he did not take off the cross. And on May 23, 1996, on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, in the village of Bamut, Evgeny and his friends were killed. The day of Eugene's death was also the day of his birth. He was only 19 years old. Zhenya was beheaded, but even from Zhenya's dead body, the enemies did not dare to remove the cross.
I think that this great feat of the warrior Eugene should serve as an example for many, for all those who, for such stupid reasons, do not wear a cross or wear it as some kind of decoration. And then they change the holy cross for an amulet, a zodiac sign, and so on ... Let's never forget about it! Keep this in mind when wearing your cross.
The great Russian elders advised that one must always wear a pectoral cross and never take it off anywhere and never until death. "Christian without a cross, - wrote the elder Savva, he is a warrior without weapons, and the enemy can easily overpower him.” The pectoral cross is called so because it is worn on the body, under clothing, never exposing it to the outside (only priests wear the cross outside). This does not mean that the pectoral cross must be hidden and hidden under any circumstances, but it is still not customary to deliberately put it on public display. It is established by the church charter to kiss your pectoral cross at the end of evening prayers. In a moment of danger or when the soul is anxious, it’s good to kiss your cross and read the words “Save and save” on its back.
"Do not wear a cross as on a hanger, - often repeated the Pskov-Caves elder Savva, Christ left light and love on the Cross. Rays of blessed light and love emanate from the cross. The cross drives away evil spirits. Kiss your cross in the morning and in the evening, do not forget to kiss it, inhale these rays of grace emanating from it, they invisibly pass into the soul, heart, conscience, character. Under the influence of these blessed rays, a wicked person becomes pious. Kissing your cross, pray for close sinners: drunkards, fornicators and others you know. Through your prayers, they will be corrected and will be good, for the heart gives a message to the heart. The Lord loves us all. He suffered for everyone for the sake of love, and we must love everyone for His sake, even our enemies. If you start the day like this, overshadowing grace from your cross, then you will spend the whole day holy. Let's not forget to do this, it's better not to eat than to forget about the cross!
Elder Savva compiled prayers that should be read when kissing a cross. Here is one of them:
“Pour out, O Lord, a drop of Your Most Holy Blood into my heart, dried up from passions and sins and uncleanness of soul and body. Amen. In the image of fate, save me and my relatives and those I know (names)».
You can not wear a pectoral cross as an amulet, as an ornament. The pectoral cross and the sign of the cross are only an outward expression of what should be in the heart of a Christian: humility, faith, hope in the Lord.
The pectoral cross is a visible evidence of belonging to the Orthodox Church, confession of the Christian faith, a means of grace-filled protection.
The cross is real power. They performed and continue to perform many miracles. The cross is a great Christian shrine. In the service on the feast of the Exaltation, the Church sings of the wood of the Cross of the Lord with many praises: "The cross is the guardian of the whole universe, the beauty of the Church, the power of kings, the faithful affirmation, the glory of angels and the plague of demons."
The cross is a weapon against the devil. The Church can reliably speak about the miraculous, saving and healing power of the cross and the sign of the cross, referring to the experience from the life of her saints, as well as to the numerous testimonies of ordinary believers. Resurrection of the dead, healing from ailments, protection from evil force- all these and other good deeds to this day through the cross show the love of God to man.
But the cross becomes an irresistible weapon and an all-conquering force only on the condition of faith and reverence.“The cross does not work miracles in your life. Why? — the holy righteous John of Kronstadt asks and himself gives the answer: “Because of your unbelief.”
Putting on a pectoral cross on our chest or making the sign of the cross, we Christians testify that we are ready to bear the cross meekly, humbly, voluntarily, with joy, for we love Christ and want to sympathize with Him, for His sake. Without faith and reverence, it is impossible to overshadow oneself or others with the sign of the cross.
The whole life of a Christian, from the day of birth to the last breath on earth, and even after death, is accompanied by a cross. A Christian overshadows himself with the sign of the Cross when he wakes up (you must accustom yourself to make it the first movement) and when going to bed - the last movement. A Christian is baptized before and after eating food, before and after teaching, when going out into the street, before starting each business, before taking medicine, before opening a received letter, with unexpected, joyful and sad news, at the entrance to someone else's house, on a train, on on a steamboat, in general, at the beginning of any journey, a walk, a journey, before bathing, visiting the sick, going to court, for interrogation, in prison, in exile, before an operation, before a battle, before a scientific or other report, before and after meetings and conferences, and etc.
The sign of the cross must be made with all attention, with fear, with trepidation and with extreme reverence. (Putting three big fingers on the forehead, say: "in the name of the Father" then, lowering your hand in the same form on your chest, say: "and the Son" moving your hand to your right shoulder, then to your left, say: "and the Holy Spirit." Having made this holy sign of the cross upon yourself, conclude with a word "Amen". Or, when drawing a cross, you can say: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen".) Demons, as St. Simeon the New Theologian writes, are afraid of the image of the Cross and cannot bear to see the sign of the cross depicted even in the air, but flee from it immediately. “If you always use the holy Cross to help yourself, then “evil will not happen to you, and the plague will not come near your dwelling” (Ps. 91:10). Instead of a shield, protect yourself with the Holy Cross, imprint your limbs and heart with it. And do not only put the sign of the cross on yourself with your hand, but also in your thoughts imprint with it your every occupation, and your entrance, and your departure at all times, and your sitting, and rising, and your bed, and any service ... For it is very this weapon is strong, and no one can ever harm you if you are protected by it ”(Rev. Ephraim of Syria).
Glory, Lord, to Your Holy Cross!
Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK
for the Temple Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills
is the understanding of its meaning. It is neither an ornament nor a talisman that can protect against all misfortunes. Such an attitude towards a sacred object is characteristic of paganism, and not of Christianity.
The pectoral cross is a material expression of that “cross” that God gives to a person who wants to serve Him. Putting on the cross, the Christian thereby promises to live according to the commandments of God, no matter what the cost, and endure all trials steadfastly. The one who realized this, of course, needs to be worn.
The pectoral cross is a sign of belonging to the Church. Those who have not yet joined it, i.e. was not baptized, should not wear a pectoral cross.
Do not wear a cross over clothing. According to church tradition, only priests wear crosses over the cassock. If a layman does this, it looks like a desire to put his faith on display, to brag about it. Such display of pride is not befitting a Christian.
The pectoral cross, as its name implies, should be on the body, more precisely, on the chest, closer to the heart. You can not wear a cross in the ear in the form of an earring or on. You should not imitate those people who carry a cross in a bag or in their pocket and say: “I still have it with me.” Such an attitude towards the pectoral cross borders on blasphemy. You can put a cross in a bag only for a while if the chain breaks.
It is sometimes said that only Catholics wear four-pointed crosses, but this is not true. Orthodox Church recognizes all types of crosses: four-pointed, eight-pointed, with or without the image of the crucified Savior. The only thing that an Orthodox Christian should avoid is the depiction of the crucifixion with the utmost realism (a sagging body and other details of suffering on the cross). This is indeed characteristic of Catholicism.
The material from which the cross is made can be any. It is only necessary to take into account the characteristics of a particular person - for example, there are people whose body is getting dark, such a person does not need a silver cross.
No one is forbidden to wear a cross big size or inlaid precious stones, but one should consider: is such a display of luxury compatible with the Christian faith?
The cross must be consecrated. If it was bought in a church, you should not worry about it, they sell it already consecrated. The cross, in a jewelry store, needs to be consecrated in, this is a few minutes. They consecrate the cross once, but if it is not known for sure whether it is consecrated or not, this must be done.
There is nothing shameful in wearing a cross that belonged to a deceased person. The grandson may well receive the cross of the deceased grandfather, and there is no need to be afraid that he will “inherit” the fate of a relative. The idea of an inevitable fate is generally incompatible with the Christian faith.
Considering oneself an Orthodox Christian, it is important to have elementary basic knowledge in the field of Christian culture, and not be led by popular superstitions. And, unfortunately, there are a great many of them, even if we are talking about the main shrine - the cross. They begin with the interpretation of dreams, during which any manipulations with the pectoral cross take place, end with indecision and fear if a cross was found lost by someone. Let's try to deal with the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross and how the church recommends dealing with such an unexpected "foundling".
Jesus was martyred on the cross for the salvation of every living being. Wearing around the neck the crucifixion of Christ, received at baptism, a believer declares his involvement in the sufferings of the Lord, his selfless feat, which gives hope for resurrection. The pectoral cross is a silent prayer with which we turn to the Almighty for the salvation of our souls. A believer should wear a cross all his life, because it is a clear proof of self-sacrifice in the name of love. Russian folk proverbs have survived to this day, symbolizing the attitude towards this shrine: “Whoever has a cross is with Christ”, “We don’t wear a cross, but he wears us.” The crucifix tells about faith in the Lord, is a promise to live according to his commandments. The Almighty hears everyone who addresses him, and opens his arms to him.
The figure of the Savior, superimposed on the cross, shows the human and divine incarnations, the triumph of victory over death. The symbol received its dogmatic validity in the 690s in Constantinople. Since then, the pectoral cross has been a sign of belonging to the Orthodox Christian faith, a silent witness to the "ineffable". There are several principles for wearing it:
People are often interested in whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross. The answers of the priests fit into a few words: "The cross is the cross." They treat the cross as a shrine, reverently. The prayer “Let God rise again” conveys the attitude of a believer to crucifixion as a living, spiritualized being. The clergy do not approve of all kinds of superstitions, predictions, fortune-telling. When asked if bad energy and sins will be transmitted with someone else's cross previous owner, they remark, “What about virtue? Will she pass too?" The priest will advise you to treat the found cross with respect, carefully pick it up and take it for yourself, give it to someone who needs it or take it to the temple. But in no case should you step over it and leave it to be trampled underfoot.
Despite the fact that it is easier to believe in folk signs, it is worth understanding the nuances. Is it possible to wear the found cross, consciously and churchily? On the one hand, if the "foundling" is to your liking, you should not be afraid to wear it yourself. On the other hand, is there a good reason for this and is there some secret mystical goal being pursued? The cross is not a talisman, so there is no strong or weak amulet among them. It is at least naive to pin your hopes or, on the contrary, fears on him. You can simply take the crucifix to the church as a donation. But it should be remembered that there is no trouble in finding a cross, and wearing it does not bode any trouble.
The best gift for a believer is a pectoral cross. Therefore, it can be safely given: for christening, name day, birthday. Both new and found. The main thing is that he be consecrated in the church and gain his power of the cross. If there is no lighting information, it's best to do it anyway. What if one of the relatives offers to wear his crucifix - is it possible to wear the cross of a relative or close friend? Oh sure. After all, such gifts are not made to people whose fate is indifferent.
Exist interesting fact: in Ancient Russia the dead people were betrayed to the earth, having previously removed the cross from them. Russians reasoned like this: "Why a shrine in the ground?". In our time, on the contrary, they put on a cross, because grieving relatives want their loved one to appear before the Creator with a reverent shrine around his neck. Times change and traditions change with them. It happens that a family has a sacred relic, an old cross, passed down from generation to generation through the female or male line after the death of its owner. Sometimes there are fears and concerns about whether it is possible to wear the cross of the deceased, even if it is so valuable. Just as in the case of a cross found or donated, these worries are groundless. Believers are not inclined to trust prejudices and beliefs. Therefore, when asked whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross, they do not need a priest's answer. In their bright God's world there is no place for dark superstitions.
Unfortunately, no one is immune from the unpleasant situation of losing an expensive thing. When it comes to wearing a crucifix or wedding ring experiences are exacerbated by superstitious fears. But there is no supernatural in such a loss, just as there is no omen. AT popular belief it is said that at such a moment a person is, as it were, at a crossroads, and the Lord will give him a second chance. You can believe in such a "miracle of rebirth." But it is better to think about the soul and its immortality, about how to bring it closer to God. Since the cross itself, without faith, means nothing, it is more important to take care not of external manifestations, but of carrying Christ in your heart. If you analyze the situation, it becomes clear that the chain or ribbon may be to blame for the loss, and they do not carry any symbolic load. Therefore, if such a loss occurs, then you should go to the temple or visit the church shop and get yourself a new cross. And to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross, if one of your friends offers it to you in return for the lost one, the answer is definitely positive. You can save and protect your soul with any life-giving cross, no matter who it previously belonged to.
The cross is not a witch's amulet or a dead symbol, not a talisman or jewelry trinket. It is important to worry not about whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross and whether someone else's "cross" will have to be carried along with it. It is much more essential to treat it as a living weapon of grace given by the Lord. Wear a cross around your neck, and faith in your heart.
One of the oldest images of the crucified Jesus Christ that has come down to us is on the door of the Basilica of Santa Sabina, a church on the Aventine Hill in Rome. It dates from the 5th century. Prior to this, Christians did not depict Christ on the cross. Even the so-called crux gemmata - a cross adorned with precious stones, but without the figure of the crucified Christ - appeared only in the 4th century.
Christians avoided depicting the cross. Not so much because it was banned, but because of the controversial nature of the symbol. Indeed, for at least two more centuries after the coming of Christ, crosses with crucified slaves, dying a painful death, stood along the roads of the Roman Empire. So the cross was a very ambiguous symbol that raises questions.
And that's why I wear the cross. It should raise questions - in me! Because, on the one hand, in the Crucifixionno 'neither sight nor majesty» (Isaiah 53:2-3); on the other hand, it recalls the promise given by the Father:This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”(Matthew 3:17). The cross I wear around my neck makes me ask myself, “Am I pleasing to the Father? Are my thoughts, my decisions, words, deeds pleasing to Him? Do I accept my cross? Carrying the cross is thus a daily invitation to a simple examination of one's conscience.
I don't wear a cross for show. The cross that I wear is not a sign of my personal holiness or an expression of my views. And wearing a cross does not say anything good about me.
The mere act of putting on a cross cannot automatically become a witness to the One who died on the cross. After all, there is a cross on many flags and emblems, and people carry them by no means always with good intentions.
I wear the cross because in a world of endless struggles and protests, it is the anchor for my boat of life, moored to another world. I wear it to remember that the land from which I came and to which I will return belongs to another world. The cross for me is the gate behind which I slowly walk to the realm of truth and life, the realm of holiness and grace, the realm of justice, love and peace.
The cross is not a talisman or amulet. I don't wear it to protect myself from an accident or to change my path regardless of my will. Even with a cross around my neck, I could get hit by a car, get cancer, or get fired from my job. In addition, wearing a cross around my neck, I can deceive, spread slander and be a nightmare for those who have to live with me every day. Because the cross doesn't magically change me or the life around me. The transformation of my life and the world around me can only be completed by God - the King of the world and my heart.
But wearing the cross reminds me of the One who created the whole world, of the One who will say in this world the last word. The pectoral cross reminds me that I am bought "with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and the One who redeemed me and washed me with His Blood will never leave me.
The cross around my neck is a promise and an invitation for Him to work in me and with me. Work together for my salvation. Here and now. Where I'm trying to fight right now.
Jesus ascended the Cross todraw everyone to you"(John 12:32). He died and rose again, and yet the dramatic story of my salvation continues.
Pascal wrote that the agony of Christ would continue until the end of the world. So it's still early for us to sleep. I wear a cross because I need a wake up call.
Translation fromEnglish Maria Stroganova
Medallions, scapulars, bracelets with the image of saints - what you will not find in some church shops! How to treat them? Is it possible to wear? Can a cross be an ornament? What to do if earrings in the form of crosses are in fashion? Answered by Archpriest Nikolai Markovsky, rector of the Pokrovsky Church of the village. Zaitsevo.
We must understand that the cross is a symbol of our salvation. We know perfectly well that in ancient times among the Romans it was an instrument of shameful execution, on which criminals of the lowest class were crucified. After Christ atoned for our sins at Calvary, the cross became a banner of victory over death and a shrine for every Christian. It is impossible to replace it with anything - no icons, medallions, amulets.
If a person wants to wear a medallion with the image of a saint - please. Each of us has a heavenly patron. Many people honor Spiridon of Trimifuntsky, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Seraphim of Sarov and other saints. It is impossible to replace a pectoral cross with such an image, but you can wear them together. The cross is irreplaceable, everything else is just an addition to it.
Many people perceive a cross or a medallion with an icon not as a shrine, but as decoration. They are chosen accordingly: in some stores or jewelry stores, based on their aesthetic preferences. They are worn, respectively, over clothes, for show. This is also unacceptable. The cross is very personal. Each of us carries his own cross - the one that is around his neck, and the one that the Lord laid at baptism. When it is put outside, and it turns into an ordinary decoration, this is already a sin. The cross must be worn modestly, under clothing, not to brag about its wealth. The same applies to scapulars and incense.
Some women of fashion wear earrings and other jewelry in the form of crosses. I think this is unacceptable. In the Gospel we read that the Lord carried His cross to Golgotha, He was crucified on it, he absorbed the Blood of God. Images of the cross are sacred for every Christian. When they are worn in the ears, noses, and so on, this is already sacrilege, which requires immediate repentance. For example, let's imagine the banner of the times of the Great Patriotic War, stained with the blood of the fighters who went on the attack, carried it with them, died under it. Would anyone think of using it as a rug or decoration? Everyone understands that this is a shrine for the warriors who survived that battle. And the cross is a shrine for all Orthodox. Wearing it in some indecent places is unacceptable.
I may be asked: what about athletes who go in for contact sports? During training, they remove the cross, as it can be damaged. I will answer: it is allowed to remove the cross and put it in your pocket. It happens that before an operation or some medical examinations, doctors ask to remove the cross - I myself recently was in such a situation. The doctors were believers, so they offered to put a cross on my hand, which I did. Here is another case: a direct necessity, from which there is no escape.
Does a cross have to be with a crucifix?
Of course, it is highly desirable that the cross be a cross - with the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. If it is not there - for example, it was presented or baptized with such once - I do not think that this is fundamentally important. The main thing is to treat it like a shrine, to understand what you wear on yourself.
The cross should be a cross, and to those who look at it, it should be clear that this is exactly a cross - not a pendant, not a toy, not a hairpin. The Lord said: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and the Father and the holy angels”(Luke 9:26). If you are Orthodox Christian, visit the temple, take communion - how can you be ashamed of your cross? A Christian is devoted to Christ, does not betray Him. People who are fond of both this and that, depending on fashion trends, are very difficult to call Christians. For those who want to wear a pendant, it is better to buy a pendant, and leave the crosses to those for whom they are really important.
Often women wear bracelets made from many patterns. How to treat them?
Now in church shops and stores, which is just not found. A lot of various incense, icons, bracelets, it is not clear where and by whom the oil was consecrated, and so on. To be honest, I am very skeptical about such things. The cross cannot replace anything. This is our main shrine. When they put on a bracelet with the image of twenty-five saints, why bother? What, you can’t pray to your favorite saints at home? If such a bracelet is perceived as a talisman, then what kind of a Christian are you? This is already unconditional paganism.
I used to see a whole iconostasis around the neck of some: several crosses, small icons, something else - now this is no longer found. Here, too, Orthodoxy is transformed into paganism. How about in paganism? - the bigger, the better. We need as many gods and rituals as possible. There is no such thing in Orthodoxy. We have one Savior - Christ. There is only one cross. No need to wear twenty icons and palms. There is a holy cross, which Christ sanctified with His Blood. What else does?
After all, it is not the cross itself that protects, but the Lord. Faith protects. Christ says: "According to your faith, be it to you"(Matthew 9:29). If one cross is not enough for you, then you are of little faith. Even if someone tore off a cross from a Christian or a person lost it, broke it, drowned it while diving, this does not mean that he was left without God's protection.
The cross is the symbol of our confession of faith. Don't make a tragedy out of his loss. If something happened to the cross - go to the church shop, buy a new one. The cross is not a charm, not a talisman. The new cross will have the same power as the lost one. Don't be afraid of anything! Lost - went, bought, consecrated and wear. And may the Lord save you!
Recorded by Ekaterina Shcherbakova
