16.04.2014

Every baptized person wears a cross with the image of Christ on his chest. This is not a decoration, not a badge of distinction, it is a symbol of faith. The cross that a person receives at baptism must be worn throughout his life. It is not recommended to remove it. The cross does not at all interfere with going to the gym, swimming in the pool or visiting the bathhouse. In pre-revolutionary Russia, there were special wooden crosses in the bathhouse, which were given to people going to the steam room. It was believed that it was not good for a person to remain defenseless.

What is the difference between an Orthodox cross and a Catholic one?

It would seem that what difference does it make, a cross is a cross. Jesus is on the cross, the difference is only in the details. But these details radically change everything. The Orthodox cross must have the words “Save and Preserve.” The Savior himself seems to lie on top of the cross, with his embrace he is open to everyone who turns to him. The figure radiates peace and grandeur. God loves us, he protects us, he is in everyone who wears a cross on their chest. The pectoral cross is a silent prayer for help. Wearing it, we pray to the Lord, even when we do not say the words of prayer.

On Catholic cross the suffering of man is depicted, but not of God. He is very naturalistic. A crown of thorns, a man nailed to a cross, immeasurable suffering.

How and what kind of cross to wear

You can wear any cross that is consecrated in the church. If you really want to, you can wear a large and richly decorated cross. Unless you see it as a decoration, as a reason to demonstrate your wealth and importance, as an attempt to decorate yourself and outshine your neighbor. The cross is a symbol of faith; it is valuable in itself, regardless of whether it is gold or wooden. The cross can be worn either on a ribbon or on a chain. But it’s not good to show off your cross. That's what it's called - wearable. It is worn under clothes. Only priests wear a cross over their clothes, although they also have their own pectoral cross, which they do not put on public display.

The Church considers the widespread opinion that you cannot wear someone else’s cross, that you cannot pick up a cross on the street, that you cannot lose it, as a prejudice. Any priest will tell you that the cross simply needs to be consecrated, no matter what its origin. And, if the cross is lost, then you need to buy a new one, consecrate it and continue wearing it. It is not for nothing that there used to be a custom of exchanging crosses. Such people became brothers. Wear your cross, it will certainly help you in difficult times.

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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. Most important principle which must be followed in in this case- so 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 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 where two people exchange body 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 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 toward 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 IR, which symbolizes faith in God, differs from the 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 to you, and don't forget to press the buttons and

22.07.2016 06:16

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The Holy Cross is a symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every true believer, at the sight of him, is involuntarily filled with thoughts about the dying torments of the Savior, which he accepted to deliver us from eternal death, which became the lot of people after the fall of Adam and Eve. The eight-pointed Orthodox cross carries a special spiritual and emotional load. Even if there is no image of the crucifixion on it, it always appears to our inner gaze.

An instrument of death that has become a symbol of life

The Christian cross is an image of the instrument of execution to which Jesus Christ was subjected to a forced sentence imposed by the procurator of Judea Pontius Pilate. For the first time, this type of killing of criminals appeared among the ancient Phoenicians and through their colonists, the Carthaginians, it came to the Roman Empire, where it became widespread.

In the pre-Christian period, it was mainly robbers who were sentenced to crucifixion, and then the followers of Jesus Christ accepted this martyrdom. This phenomenon was especially frequent during the reign of Emperor Nero. The very death of the Savior made this instrument of shame and suffering a symbol of the victory of good over evil and light eternal life over the darkness of hell.

Eight-pointed cross - a symbol of Orthodoxy

The Christian tradition knows many different designs of the cross, from the most common crosshairs of straight lines to very complex geometric designs, complemented by a variety of symbolism. The religious meaning in them is the same, but external differences very significant.

In the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and also in Russia, since ancient times, the symbol of the church has been an eight-pointed, or, as they often say, an Orthodox cross. In addition, you can hear the expression “the cross of St. Lazarus,” this is another name for the eight-pointed Orthodox cross, which will be discussed below. Sometimes an image of the crucified Savior is placed on it.

External features of the Orthodox cross

Its peculiarity lies in the fact that in addition to two horizontal crossbars, of which the lower one is large and the upper one is small, there is also an inclined one, called the foot. She doesn't large size and is located at the bottom of the vertical segment, symbolizing the crossbar on which Christ’s feet rested.

The direction of its inclination is always the same: if you look from the side of the crucified Christ, then the right end will be higher than the left. There is a certain symbolism in this. According to the words of the Savior on Last Judgment, the righteous will stand on his right hand, and sinners on his left. It is the path of the righteous to the Kingdom of Heaven that is indicated by the raised right end of the footstool, while the left one faces the depths of hell.

According to the Gospel, a board was nailed over the Savior’s head, on which was written in hand: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” This inscription was made on three languages- Aramaic, Latin and Greek. This is what the small upper crossbar symbolizes. It can be placed either in the interval between the large crossbar and the upper end of the cross, or at its very top. Such an outline allows us to reproduce with the greatest reliability appearance instruments of Christ's suffering. That is why the Orthodox cross has eight points.

About the law of the golden ratio

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross in its classical form is built according to the law. To make it clear what we are talking about, let us dwell on this concept in a little more detail. It is usually understood as a harmonic proportion, which in one way or another underlies everything that is created by the Creator.

One example of this is the human body. Through simple experiment, we can be convinced that if we divide the value of our height by the distance from the soles to the navel, and then divide the same value by the distance between the navel and the top of the head, the results will be the same and amount to 1.618. The same proportion lies in the size of the phalanges of our fingers. This ratio of quantities, called the golden ratio, can be found literally at every step: from the structure of a sea shell to the shape of an ordinary garden turnip.

The construction of proportions based on the law of the golden ratio is widely used in architecture, as well as other fields of art. Taking this into account, many artists manage to achieve maximum harmony in their works. The same pattern was observed by composers working in the genre of classical music. When writing compositions in the style of rock and jazz, it was abandoned.

The law of constructing an Orthodox cross

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross is also built on the basis of the golden ratio. The meaning of its ends was explained above; now let us turn to the rules underlying the construction of this main thing. They were not established artificially, but resulted from the harmony of life itself and received their mathematical justification.

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross, drawn in full accordance with tradition, always fits into a rectangle, the aspect ratio of which corresponds to the golden ratio. Simply put, dividing its height by its width gives us 1.618.

The Cross of St. Lazarus (as mentioned above, this is another name for the eight-pointed Orthodox cross) in its construction has another feature associated with the proportions of our body. It is well known that the width of a person’s arm span is equal to his height, and a figure with arms spread to the sides fits perfectly into a square. For this reason, the length of the middle crossbar, corresponding to the span of Christ’s arms, is equal to the distance from it to the inclined foot, that is, his height. These seemingly simple rules should be taken into account by every person who is faced with the question of how to draw an eight-pointed Orthodox cross.

Calvary Cross

There is also a special, purely monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross, a photo of which is presented in the article. It is called the “cross of Golgotha.” This is the outline of the usual Orthodox cross, which was described above, placed above the symbolic image of Mount Golgotha. It is usually presented in the form of steps, under which bones and a skull are placed. To the left and right of the cross a cane with a sponge and a spear can be depicted.

Each of the listed items has deep religious meaning. For example, skull and bones. According to Sacred Tradition, the sacrificial blood of the Savior, shed by him on the cross, falling on the top of Golgotha, seeped into its depths, where the remains of our ancestor Adam rested, and washed away the curse from them original sin. Thus, the image of the skull and bones emphasizes the connection of the sacrifice of Christ with the crime of Adam and Eve, as well as the New Testament with the Old.

The meaning of the image of the spear on the cross of Golgotha

The eight-pointed Orthodox cross on monastic vestments is always accompanied by images of a cane with a sponge and a spear. Those familiar with the text remember well the dramatic moment when one of the Roman soldiers named Longinus pierced the Savior’s ribs with this weapon and blood and water flowed from the wound. This episode has different interpretation, but the most widespread of them is contained in the works of the 4th century Christian theologian and philosopher St. Augustine.

In them he writes that just as the Lord created his bride Eve from the rib of sleeping Adam, so from the wound in the side of Jesus Christ inflicted by the spear of a warrior, his bride the church was created. The blood and water spilled during this, according to St. Augustine, symbolize the holy sacraments - the Eucharist, where wine is transformed into the blood of the Lord, and Baptism, in which a person entering the bosom of the church is immersed in a font of water. The spear with which the wound was inflicted is one of the main relics of Christianity, and it is believed that it is currently kept in Vienna, in the Hofburg Castle.

The meaning of the image of a cane and a sponge

Equally important have images of a cane and a sponge. From the accounts of the holy evangelists it is known that the crucified Christ was twice offered drink. In the first case, it was wine mixed with myrrh, that is, an intoxicating drink that allows you to dull painful sensations and thereby prolong the execution.

The second time, having heard the cry “I thirst!” from the cross, they brought him a sponge filled with vinegar and bile. This was, of course, a mockery of the exhausted man and contributed to the approach of the end. In both cases, the executioners used a sponge mounted on a cane, since without its help they could not reach the mouth of the crucified Jesus. Despite such a gloomy role assigned to them, these objects, like the spear, were among the main Christian shrines, and their image can be seen next to the cross of Calvary.

Symbolic inscriptions on the monastic cross

Those who see the monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross for the first time often have questions related to the inscriptions inscribed on it. Specifically, these are the IC and XC at the ends of the middle bar. These letters stand for nothing more than the abbreviated name - Jesus Christ. In addition, the image of the cross is accompanied by two inscriptions located under the middle crossbar - the Slavic inscription of the words “Son of God” and the Greek NIKA, which means “winner”.

On the small crossbar, symbolizing, as mentioned above, a tablet with an inscription made by Pontius Pilate, the Slavic abbreviation ІНЦІ is usually written, meaning the words “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” and above it - “King of Glory.” It became a tradition to write the letter K near the image of a spear, and T near the cane. In addition, from about the 16th century, they began to write the letters ML on the left and RB on the right at the base of the cross. They are also an abbreviation and mean the words “The Place of the Execution is Crucified.”

In addition to the listed inscriptions, it is worth mentioning two letters G, standing to the left and right of the image of Golgotha, and being the initial ones in its name, as well as G and A - Head of Adam, written on the sides of the skull, and the phrase “King of Glory”, crowning the monastic eight-pointed Orthodox cross. The meaning contained in them fully corresponds to the Gospel texts, however, the inscriptions themselves can vary and be replaced by others.

Immortality granted by faith

It is also important to understand why the name of the eight-pointed Orthodox cross is associated with the name of St. Lazarus? The answer to this question can be found on the pages of the Gospel of John, which describes the miracle of his resurrection from the dead, performed by Jesus Christ, on the fourth day after death. The symbolism in this case is quite obvious: just as Lazarus was brought back to life by the faith of his sisters Martha and Mary in the omnipotence of Jesus, so everyone who trusts in the Savior will be delivered from the hands of eternal death.

In the vain earthly life, people are not given the opportunity to see the Son of God with their own eyes, but they are given his religious symbols. One of them is the eight-pointed Orthodox cross, proportions, general view and the semantic load of which became the topic of this article. It accompanies a believer throughout his life. From the holy font, where the sacrament of baptism opens the gates of the Church of Christ for him, right up to the gravestone, an eight-pointed Orthodox cross overshadows him.

Pectoral symbol of the Christian faith

The custom of wearing it on the chest small crosses, made from a variety of materials, appeared only at the beginning of the 4th century. Despite the fact that the main instrument of Christ’s passion was an object of veneration among all his followers literally from the first years of the establishment of the Christian Church on earth, at first it was customary to wear medallions with the image of the Savior on the neck rather than crosses.

There is also evidence that during the period of persecution that took place from the middle of the 1st to the beginning of the 4th century, there were voluntary martyrs who wanted to suffer for Christ and painted the image of the cross on their foreheads. They were recognized by this sign and then given over to torture and death. After the establishment of Christianity as state religion wearing body crosses became a custom, and during the same period they began to be installed on the roofs of churches.

Two types of body crosses in Ancient Rus'

In Rus', symbols of the Christian faith appeared in 988, simultaneously with its baptism. It is interesting to note that our ancestors inherited two types from the Byzantines. One of them was customary to wear on the chest, under clothes. Such crosses were called vests.

Along with them, the so-called encolpions appeared - also crosses, but somewhat larger size and worn over clothing. They originate from the tradition of carrying reliquaries with relics, which were decorated with the image of a cross. Over time, encolpions transformed into priests and metropolitans.

The main symbol of humanism and philanthropy

Over the millennium that has passed since the day when the Dnieper banks were illuminated by light Christ's faith, Orthodox tradition has undergone many changes. Only its religious dogmas and basic elements of symbolism remained unshakable, the main one of which is the eight-pointed Orthodox cross.

Gold and silver, copper or made of any other material, it protects a believer, protecting him from the forces of evil - visible and invisible. As a reminder of the sacrifice made by Christ to save people, the cross has become a symbol of the highest humanism and love for one's neighbor.

The pectoral cross is a sacred symbol, not jewelry. Don't buy a diamond-studded crucifix just to show off your wealth. God is in your soul and does not require expression of love through precious pendants.

When choosing a pectoral cross, pay attention not to the value of the metal from which it is made, but to the type of Crucifixion depicted. It can be Orthodox or Catholic.

Orthodox crosses have very ancient history. Most often they are eight-pointed. The canon of the image of the Crucifixion was approved in 692 by the Council of Trula. Since then, his appearance has remained unchanged. The figure of Jesus Christ on the cross expresses peace, harmony and dignity. He embodies his most important hypostases - Divine and Human. The body of Christ is placed on the cross and opens its arms to all who suffer, trying to protect his novices from evil.

The Orthodox cross has the inscription “Save and Preserve.” This is due to the fact that during the consecration of the Crucifixion the priest reads two prayers calling to protect not only the soul, but also the body from evil forces. The cross becomes a person’s guard against any burdens and adversities.

The Catholic Church did not accept this concept; there the Crucifixion is depicted differently. The torment of Christ is expressed on the cross, his head is in a crown of thorns, his feet are folded together and pierced with a nail, his arms sag at the elbows. Catholics present human suffering, forgetting about the Divine hypostasis.

Before putting on a pectoral cross, it must be consecrated. This can be done in any church by approaching the priest before the start of the service.

It is better to wear a pectoral cross under your shirt, without showing it off. Especially if you go to gambling or drinking establishments. Remember that this is not a decoration, but one of the symbols of the Faith.

The Divine does not accept superstitions, so all the fairy tales are about the fact that the body found cross you cannot pick it up and take it for yourself, or that the Crucifix cannot be given as a gift, are fictions. If you find a Crucifix, you can consecrate it and wear it calmly. Or give it to the temple, where it will be given to those in need. And, of course, you can give a pectoral cross. This will only make you happy loved one, express your love for him.

Should I wear a cross?

Gone are the days when any sign of belonging Christian Church, including wearing a pectoral cross, could entail serious consequences, V best case scenario- ridicule. Today no one is prohibited from wearing a cross. Another question arises: is it necessary to do this?

The main condition for wearing a Christian cross is to understand its meaning. It is neither an ornament nor a talisman capable of protecting against all misfortunes. This attitude towards a sacred object is characteristic of paganism, and not of Christianity.
A pectoral cross is a material expression of the “cross” that God gives to a person who wants to serve Him. By putting on a cross, a Christian thereby promises to live according to the commandments of God, no matter the cost, and to endure all trials with steadfastness. Anyone who has realized this undoubtedly needs to wear a cross.

How not to wear a pectoral cross

A pectoral cross is a sign of belonging to the Church. Anyone who has not yet joined it, i.e. was not baptized and should not wear a cross.

You should not wear a cross over your clothes. According to church tradition, only priests wear crosses over their cassocks. If a layman does this, it looks like a desire to show off his faith, to boast about it. Such a display of pride is not appropriate for a Christian.

The pectoral cross, as its name suggests, should be on the body, more precisely, on the chest, closer to the heart. You cannot wear a cross in your ear as an earring or on a bracelet. You shouldn’t imitate those people who carry a cross in their bag or pocket and say: “It’s still with me.” This attitude towards the pectoral cross borders on blasphemy. You can only put a cross in your bag temporarily if the chain breaks.

What should an Orthodox pectoral cross look like?

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 to avoid Orthodox Christian- This is an image of the crucifixion with extreme realism (the sagging body and other details of the sufferings of the cross). This is truly characteristic of Catholicism.

The material from which the cross is made can be any. You just need to take into account the characteristics of a particular person - for example, there are people whose silver on their body darkens, such a person silver cross no use.

No one is prohibited from wearing a large or inlaid cross precious stones, but one must wonder: is such a display of luxury compatible with the Christian faith?

The cross must be consecrated. If it was bought in a church shop, you don’t need to worry about it; they sell crosses already consecrated. A cross purchased at a jewelry store must be consecrated in the temple; this will take a few minutes. The cross is consecrated once, but if it is not known for sure whether it is consecrated or not, this must be done.

There is nothing wrong with wearing a cross that belonged to a deceased person. A grandson may well receive the cross of his deceased grandfather at baptism, 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.

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The cross is an indicator of belonging to the Christian faith. From this article you will find out whether it is possible to wear someone else’s cross, and why it cannot be worn over clothes.

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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, the darkening of the cross. But this is far from the only question that a believer may have about his cross.

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Myths and superstitions about the cross

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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 or 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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You can't wear a cross with a crucifix

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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.

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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.

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Why wear a cross?

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Why should I go to church if I have faith in my soul? Why wear a cross if I’m already a Christian? Is it really written in the Gospel that everyone should wear crosses? So to wear or not to wear? Similar questions are often asked by unchurched people.

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Let's try to answer.

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Where did this tradition come from?

Wearing a cross without a real Christian life will look like some kind of fake. Treating the cross as a beautiful decoration will also serve to condemn a person. So what happens: you can’t wear it, otherwise you’ll harm yourself?

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Wearing a pectoral cross is not only possible, but also necessary. Many believers can confirm: this is powerful protection person. Why? Because the cross is the instrument of Christ's death. The crucified Jesus washed away the sins of every person with His Blood.

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Therefore, this reminds every Christian of the sacrifices God makes for man, for which Christ suffered. If Jesus had not suffered, the people would have had no hope of salvation. The cross is rightly called the instrument of our salvation. But many people refuse to wear this item on their body.

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Among the arguments, the most popular are:

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1. this in no way confirms that I am a Christian;
2. There are no indications in the Gospel about wearing a cross; the first Christians did not know this either...

Yes, indeed, wearing a cross on a pectoral cross without practicing Christian life is reminiscent of a person trying to sail on a wreck of a ship in a storm.

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Indeed, the Gospel and the lives of the early Christians do not indicate that people supported modern practices.

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But in the life of the early church there was a custom of wearing medallions with the image of the slain Lamb or the Crucifixion. Sources from the 2nd century indicate: some Christians already had crosses or painted them on their foreheads in order to “give themselves away” to their persecutors and suffer for their faith. When the “hunt” for believers subsided, the pious example of the first Christians spread widely.

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Interesting historical fact Archpriest Igor Fomin leads.

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There was one rather humiliating custom in the Roman Empire. Just as we now put a collar on dogs, their slaves wore the same straps around their necks indicating the name of their owner.

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The first Christians, opposing themselves to such a society, wore crosses, as if saying: we do not belong to you. We have another Master who paid for us with his own life.

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Spiritual protection

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Today it is customary to put a cross on a person after performing the Sacrament of Baptism. This is a confirmation of my involvement in the Church and the understanding that the Son of God suffered for my sake.

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- Yes, all this is nonsense! Why wear a cross? - the skeptic will say. — Just think: two wooden sticks or a metal figurine. Can they protect a person?

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The answer is very laconic: they can. A lot of evidence can be found.

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For example, during difficult Soviet times, it was forbidden to wear “metal figures.” If a girl is going to marry a man of other faiths, she is usually required to remove... her cross. It goes something like this: renounce your faith, turn away from Christ.

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And how many stories there are about how, without a cross, people were deprived of spiritual protection! Many became possessed - they were possessed by evil spirits. And when someone approached them with a cross, they began to cower, scream, curse, and bang their heads against the wall...

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Symbol of victory over the devil

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A priest I knew told an incident from his own practice. He served in a village where everyone knew each other. There lived one man who had little contact with people and had no family. He never went to church.

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One day the priest passed by this man. For some reason I decided to stop and talk. Then he says:

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- Alexey, I want to give you a small gift.

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The man was as happy as a child. The priest placed a pectoral cross on his neck.

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Some time passed. The abbot and Alexei met again. The man, almost in tears, said:

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- Father, I couldn’t accept your gift.

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And he told the story. After they hung a cross on his neck, he did not understand what was happening to him. When I came to my senses, I realized: he was already far from home, on the local Bald Mountain. There was no longer a cross on the neck.

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No matter how skeptical we are about this, we certainly don’t know what power this symbol of Christianity has. Therefore, the evil one in different ways trying to stop a person.

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Why wear a cross? To protect yourself. The devil is afraid of losing access to a person, worries that he may take the path of piety and be saved. After all, the cross is a symbol of victory over the forces of darkness, a constant reminder of who we are, why we were created and how to be saved.

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How to choose a chain for a cross and other interesting facts

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