Orthodox cross without crucifix. Jewelry in the online store "Angel"
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Very often, clergy in the Orthodox Church are asked the question whether it is possible to wear a cross without a crucifix. You can also hear another similar question: is it possible to wear a cross with a crucifix. To get the answer, you should carefully study church literature on this topic. First of all, it is worth saying that the Orthodox Church is very lenient about the shape of the pectoral cross and what is depicted on it, unlike many other churches. It is allowed to wear crosses, both with and without a crucifix. However, if the cross is with a crucifix, then it is worth finding out the main differences between it and the crosses that belong to other churches, for example, the Catholic one.
Wearing crosses without an image of Jesus Christ, as Orthodox clergy say, is completely acceptable. It is worth noting that previously it was precisely such crosses that in most cases were worn by Christians at the beginning of the formation of the Church of Christ. The shape of the cross can be four-pointed, six-pointed or eight-pointed. Please note that the Catholic Church only recognizes the four-pointed shape of the cross. In Orthodoxy, form, image and inscriptions are given less importance. The thing is that the main thing is not what the cross looks like, but what role it plays. But, nevertheless, Orthodox crosses differ from the symbols of faith that belong to other churches.
What does a cross look like without a crucifix?
As mentioned above, wearing a cross without a crucifix is possible and acceptable by the Orthodox Church. Most often, the shape of crosses without a crucifix is four-pointed. The front side is smooth, on the back there may be a small prayer or the inscription “Save and Preserve.” Sometimes crosses without a crucifix are decorated with stones: non-precious, semi-precious and precious. Crosses without a crucifix decorated with diamonds look very beautiful. As a rule, crosses are put on chains. You can buy men's silver neck chains. The Orthodox store also has a wide selection of gold chains.
Gold or women's ones in the form of a cross are usually worn under clothes. It is advisable to hide the symbol of faith from prying eyes. If you are a representative of the fair half of humanity and love clothes with a deep neckline, then you should think about such a chain length that you can hide a pectoral cross under the neckline. Sometimes crosses are put on strings, which can always be found in the Temple. What to wear on a body symbol of faith is not at all important. This could be a rope, a chain, or in some cases a pin on the back of the clothing.
Question: “Once my pectoral cross fell out, and they told me that it was Catholic, because it did not have the Crucifixion and the inscription “save and preserve.” Now I am tormented by doubts: is it possible to wear such a cross?”
Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov answers:
“It’s possible. I, too, wear a cross on my body without the inscription “save and preserve.” What does “is it possible or not” mean? Who can forbid you, anyway? What is such a fear of stupid people - it’s possible, it’s not, where is it written? Say: “ Give me a Church decree - ancient or new." There must be a paper - a Resolution of the Holy Synod, or a Council of Bishops, or even just a decree of the Patriarch. That is enough."
O. Alexander: "About the shape of the Cross."
O. Dmitry: “No, but the Cross is Greek. The four-pointed Cross has always been called Greek. Moreover, even if you look at the priestly Crosses, all of them, with rare exceptions, have an image of a four-pointed Cross on them. Then - the Catholic . There is no Catholic Cross, the Cross is exclusively that of Christ, on which Christ was crucified. And so, what tradition it was made in is completely unimportant. So, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. But many people, especially those who were unable to raise children in the Orthodox faith, they make up for it by trying to teach young people, and since they do not know either the Gospel, or the teachings of the Church, or the history of the Church, or its canons, they themselves make up all sorts of “dos and don’ts,” for example, through the left You can’t pass a candle on your shoulder - this is one of those crazy wishes, and they came up with a lot of things like that, “you can’t put a candle upside down” - where they find the legs of a candle is still a mystery to me, for example. And today I read one confession. I’ll tell you secret of confession. One servant of God writes (and I talk about this in every sermon about Lent, and she is our constant parishioner) that she sinned: “On Wednesday I ate ice cream, and asked the saleswoman if it was Lenten? The saleswoman said: “Lenten,” They asked if there was milk there, the saleswoman said: “No,” then she came home and looked at the ice cream with a magnifying glass, and through the magnifying glass she found milk there.” So, finally, this poor sinner woman found something to repent of. Although we don’t talk about milk, and about cottage cheese pancakes, and about everything else during the sermon about Lent, and all the time.
So our life is very difficult. But, if they pester you very much, it’s a wooden cross, well, take it and write there: “Save and preserve.” And I’ll tell you a secret - besides Russia there are several more Orthodox countries, and in these countries people also wear Crosses, and nowhere except Russia you will find Crosses with the inscription “Save and Preserve.” Patriarch Philotheus recently came; if he has a cross on his body, then there is no inscription on it: “Save and preserve.” And the tradition of writing this inscription generally arose only in recent years."
The cross is an indicator of belonging to the Christian faith. From our article you will find out whether it is possible to wear someone else’s cross and why it cannot be worn over clothes.
The cross, according to the clergy, should always be on a believer. But there are also prohibitions associated with it. Some of them are nothing more than superstitions that a believer should not even think about. These include, for example, darkening of the cross. But this is far from the only question that a believer may have about his cross.
Cannot be worn on a chain
There are absolutely no restrictions on the chain. Here, rather, the more important question is convenience and habit. If a person wants to wear a cross on a chain, he can do so; the church does not prohibit such actions. The most important principle to follow in this case is that the cross does not get lost and does not fly off the neck. Both lace and chain are acceptable. Superstitious people, however, claim that by all accounts the cross is not lost just like that.
Cannot be worn over clothing
This is an absolutely true statement. The cross is a symbol of faith and protection. By not wearing a cross outward, a person shows the sincerity of faith without making it ostentatious. Also, all the warmth and blessing that the priest bestows on the cross during the consecration is transferred only to you in this case.
Can't give
You can always give a cross. Of course, it’s great if parents or godparents take care of this, as one of the christening gifts. But this does not mean that another person cannot give you a cross. There is also a tradition when two people exchange crosses, becoming brothers or sisters in Christ. Usually this is done by close people.
Cannot be picked up if found
A superstition that has absolutely no basis. Let us also recall that superstitions are not at all recognized by the church and are considered incompatible with the Christian faith. There are people who believe that by picking up a found cross, you can take on the problems of the person who lost it or abandoned it. The cross, since it is a shrine, must at least be brought to the temple. Or keep it for yourself and store it in a red corner in the house.
You can't wear someone else's cross
If you received a cross from a parent or someone you know, you can wear it. The church does not establish any prohibition here. Especially if you don’t have a cross. Many people believe that things are endowed with the energy of their owner and it can be transferred to a new owner. They may also argue that by giving away a cross, a person gives away a piece of his Destiny. Only such beliefs have nothing to do with the Christian faith and belong to the occult worldview.
You can't wear a cross with a crucifix
Another superstition that you should not pay attention to. There are people who say that a cross with a crucifix will bring a hard life on a person. This is not true at all, just people's speculation. Such a cross symbolizes the salvation and sacrifice of Christ; there is nothing wrong with it. But you need to wear it correctly: the crucifix should be turned outward, not towards you.
You cannot wear an unconsecrated cross
It is best to consecrate the cross. But as such, there is no prohibition on wearing an unconsecrated cross. It is believed that evil spirits avoid even two crossed sticks. Nevertheless, a believer should still consecrate his symbol of faith.
You can choose any cross you like: gold, silver, copper or wood. The material is not very important. It is important to consecrate it and not wear jewelry purchased at a jewelry store as a cross. It is necessary to understand that the church Orthodox cross, which symbolizes faith in God, differs from beautiful, but purely decorative crosses. They do not carry a spiritual load and have nothing to do with faith.
There are also many signs and beliefs associated with the cross. Whether you believe in them or not depends only on you. All the best, and don't forget to press the buttons and
22.07.2016 06:16
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