Pilgrimage activities. Legal status of pilgrimage services
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Which cross is considered canonical? Why is it unacceptable to wear a cross with the image of the crucified Savior and other images?
Every Christian from holy baptism to the hour of death must wear on his chest the sign of his faith in the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. We wear this sign not over our clothes, but on our body, which is why it is called a body sign, and it is called octagonal (eight-pointed) because it is similar to the Cross on which the Lord was crucified on Golgotha.
Collection of pectoral crosses of the 18th-19th centuries from the settlement area Krasnoyarsk Territory speaks of the presence of stable preferences in form against the background of a rich variety of individual execution of products by craftsmen, and exceptions only confirm the strict rule. Unwritten legends keep many nuances. So, after the publication of this article, one Old Believer bishop, and then a reader of the site, pointed out that the word cross, just like the word icon, does not have a diminutive form. In this regard, we also appeal to our visitors with a request to respect the symbols of Orthodoxy and monitor the correctness of their speech!
Male pectoral cross
The pectoral cross, which is always and everywhere with us, serves as a constant reminder of the Resurrection of Christ and that at baptism we promised to serve Him and renounced Satan. Thus, the pectoral cross can strengthen our spiritual and physical strength, protect us from the devil's evil.
The oldest surviving crosses often take the form of a simple equilateral four-pointed cross. This was customary at a time when Christians venerated Christ, the apostles, and the holy cross symbolically. In ancient times, as you know, Christ was often depicted as a Lamb surrounded by 12 other lambs - the apostles. Also, the Cross of the Lord was depicted symbolically.
The rich imagination of the masters was strictly limited by unwritten concepts about the canonicity of pectoral crosses Later, in connection with the discovery of the original Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, St. Queen Helena, the eight-pointed shape of the cross begins to be depicted more and more often. This was also reflected in the crosses. But the four-pointed cross did not disappear: as a rule, an eight-pointed cross was depicted inside a four-pointed one.
Along with the forms that have become traditional in Rus', in the Old Believer settlements of the Krasnoyarsk Territory one can also find the heritage of the more ancient Byzantine tradition 
In order to remind us of what the Cross of Christ means to us, it is often depicted on the symbolic Calvary with a skull (the head of Adam) at the base. Next to him you can usually see the instruments of the Lord’s passion - a spear and a cane.
Letters INCI(Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews), which are usually depicted on larger crosses, are given in memory of the inscription mockingly nailed above the head of the Savior during the crucifixion.
The explanatory inscription under the titles reads: King of Glory Jesus Christ Son of God" Often the inscription “ NIKA” (Greek word meaning Christ’s victory over death).
Individual letters that may appear on pectoral crosses mean “ TO” – copy, “ T” – cane, “ GG” – Mount Golgotha, “ GA” – head of Adam. “ MLRB” – Place Execution Paradise Was (that is: at the site of the execution of Christ, Paradise was once planted).
We are sure that many people do not even realize how perverted this symbolism is in our usual deck of cards . As it turned out in, four card suits are a hidden blasphemy against Christian shrines: cross– this is the Cross of Christ; diamonds- nails; peaks- centurion's copy; worms- This is a sponge with vinegar, which the torturers mockingly gave to Christ instead of water.
The image of the Crucified Savior on body crosses appeared quite recently (according to at least, after the 17th century). Pectoral crosses with the image of the Crucifixion non-canonical , since the image of the Crucifixion turns the pectoral cross into an icon, and the icon is intended for direct perception and prayer.
Wearing an icon hidden from view carries the danger of using it for other purposes, namely as a magical amulet or amulet. The cross is symbol , and the Crucifixion is image . The priest wears a cross with a Crucifix, but he wears it in a visible way: so that everyone sees this image and is inspired to pray, inspired to a certain attitude to the priest. The priesthood is an image of Christ. But the pectoral cross that we wear under our clothes is a symbol, and the Crucifixion should not be there.
One of the ancient rules of St. Basil the Great (IV century), which was included in the Nomocanon, reads:
“Anyone who wears any icon as an amulet must be excommunicated from communion for three years.”
As we see, the ancient fathers very strictly monitored the correct attitude towards the icon, towards the image. They stood guard over the purity of Orthodoxy, protecting it in every possible way from paganism. By the 17th century, a custom had developed to place on the back of the pectoral cross a prayer to the Cross (“May God rise again and His enemies be scattered…”), or only the first words.
Women's pectoral cross
In the Old Believers it is still firmly preserved external difference between " female" And " male” crosses. The “female” pectoral cross has a smoother, rounded shape no sharp corners. Around the “female” cross, a “vine” is depicted with a floral ornament, reminiscent of the words of the psalmist: “ Your wife is like a fruitful vine in the countries of your home. ”(Ps. 127: 3).
It is customary to wear a pectoral cross on a long gaitan (braid, woven thread) so that you can, without removing it, take the cross in your hands and make the sign of the cross (this is supposed to be done with the appropriate prayers before going to bed, as well as when performing the cell rule).
Symbolism in everything: even the three crowns above the hole symbolize the Holy Trinity! If we talk about crosses with the image of the crucifixion more broadly, then distinctive feature canonical crosses is the style of depicting the body of Christ on them. Widespread today on New Believer crosses the image of the suffering Jesus is alien Orthodox tradition .
Antique medallions with a symbolic image According to canonical ideas, reflected in icon painting and copper sculpture, the body of the Savior on the Cross was never depicted suffering, sagging on nails, etc., which testifies to His divine nature.
The manner of “humanizing” the suffering of Christ is characteristic of Catholicism and borrowed much later church schism in Rus'. Old Believers consider such crosses worthless . Examples of canonical and modern New Believer casting are given below: the substitution of concepts is noticeable even with the naked eye.
The stability of traditions should also be noted: the collections in the photographs were replenished without the goal of showing only ancient forms, that is, hundreds of types of modern “ Orthodox jewelry " - invention last decades against the background of almost complete oblivion of the symbolism and meaning of the image of the honorable Cross of the Lord.
Illustrations on the topic
Below are illustrations selected by the editors of the “Old Believer Thought” website and links on the topic.
An example of canonical pectoral crosses from different times:
An example of non-canonical crosses from different times:
Unusual crosses supposedly made by Old Believers in Romania 
Photo from the exhibition “Russian Old Believers”, Ryazan Cross with an unusual back side that you can read about
Modern male cross
Catalog of ancient crosses - online version of the book " Millennium Cross » – http://k1000k.narod.ru
A well-illustrated article on early Christian pectoral crosses with high-quality illustrations in color and additional material on the topic on the site Culturology.Ru – http://www.kulturologia.ru/blogs/150713/18549/
Comprehensive information and photos about cast icon crosses from Novgorod manufacturer of similar products : https://readtiger.com/www.olevs.ru/novgorodskoe_litje/static/kiotnye_mednolitye_kresty_2/
The cross is an ancient and significant symbol. And in Orthodoxy it has great value. Here it is both a sign of faith and an indication of belonging to Christianity. The history of the cross is quite interesting. To learn more about this, consider Orthodox crosses: types and meaning.
Orthodox cross: a little history
The cross as a symbol is used in many world beliefs. But for Christians it initially did not have a very good meaning. Thus, the guilty Jews were executed first in three ways, and then a fourth was added. But Jesus managed to change this order in better side. And he was crucified on a pillar with a crossbar, reminiscent of a modern cross.
Thus, the sacred sign firmly entered the life of Christians. And it became a real protective symbol. In Rus', a person with a cross around his neck inspired trust, and they tried not to do any business with those who did not wear a cross. And they said about them: “There is no cross on them,” meaning a lack of conscience.
We can see crosses of various formats on the domes of churches, on icons, on church attributes and as decorations on believers. Modern Orthodox crosses, the types and meanings of which may vary, play important role in broadcasting Orthodoxy around the world.
Types of crosses and their meaning: Christianity and Orthodoxy
There are a huge variety of types of Orthodox and Christian crosses. Most of them come in the following form:
- straight;
- with extended beams;
- a square or diamond in the middle;
- curved ends of beams;
- triangular ends;
- circles at the ends of the beams;
- flourishing decoration.
The last form symbolizes the Tree of Life. And framed with floral patterns, where lilies may be present, grape vines and other plants.
In addition to differences in shape, Orthodox crosses have differences in type. Types of crosses and their meaning:
- St. George's Cross. Approved by Catherine the Great as a reward symbol for clergy and officers. This four-pointed cross is considered one of those whose shape is recognized as correct.
- Vine. This cross with eight ends is decorated with images of grape vines. It may have an image of the Savior in the center.
- Seven-pointed cross. Was common on 15th century icons. Found on the domes of old churches. In biblical times, the shape of such a cross served as the foot of the altar of the clergy.
- Crown of thorns. The image of a thorny crown on the cross signifies the torment and suffering of Christ. This type can be found on icons of the 12th century.
- Gallows-shaped cross. A popular look found on the walls of churches, on the clothes of church employees, and on modern icons.
- Maltese cross. Official cross of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in Malta. It has equilateral rays that widen at the ends. This type of cross is issued for military courage.
- Prosphora cross. It is similar to St. George's, but has an inscription in Latin: “Jesus Christ is the winner.” Initially, such a cross was on three churches in Constantinople. According to Orthodox tradition, ancient words with the famous shape of a cross are printed on prosphoras, symbolizing the redemption of sins.
- Drop-shaped four-pointed cross. The drops at the ends of the beams are interpreted as the blood of Jesus. This view was depicted on the first leaf of a Greek Gospel dating from the 2nd century. Symbolizes the fight for faith to the end.
- Eight-pointed cross. The most common type today. The cross took its shape after Jesus was crucified on it. Before that, it was ordinary and equilateral.
The last form of the cross is the most common on sale. But why is this cross so popular? It's all about his story.
Orthodox eight-pointed cross: history and symbolism
This cross is directly associated with the moment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. When Jesus carried the cross on which he was to be crucified up the mountain, its shape was ordinary. But after the act of crucifixion itself, a footrest appeared on the cross. It was made by the soldiers when they realized where Jesus' feet would reach after his execution.
The upper bar was made by order of Pontius Pilate and was a tablet with an inscription. This is how the Orthodox eight-pointed cross was born, which is worn around the neck, placed on tombstones, and decorates churches.
Eight-pointed crosses were previously used as the basis for award crosses. For example, during the reign of Paul the First and Elizabeth Petrovna, pectoral crosses for clergy were made on this basis. And the shape of the eight-pointed cross was even enshrined in law.
The history of the eight-pointed cross is closest to Christianity. After all, on the sign above Jesus’ head was the inscription: “This is Jesus. King of the Jews." Even then, in the moments of death, Jesus Christ received recognition from his tormentors and from his followers. This is why the eight-pointed shape is so significant and common among Christians around the world.
In Orthodoxy, a pectoral cross is considered to be one that is worn under clothing, closer to the body. The pectoral cross is not displayed, is not worn over clothing and, as a rule, has an eight-pointed shape. Today there are crosses on sale without crossbars on top and bottom. They are also acceptable to wear, but have four ends, not eight.
And yet, canonical crosses are eight-pointed products with or without the figure of the Savior in the center. There has long been debate about whether it is worth buying crucifixes with Jesus Christ depicted on them. Some representatives of the clergy believe that the cross should be a symbol of the resurrection of the Lord, and the figure of Jesus in the center is unacceptable. Others think that the cross can be considered a sign of suffering for faith, and the image of the crucified Christ is quite appropriate.
Signs and superstitions associated with the pectoral cross
The cross is given to a person during baptism. After this sacrament, the church decoration must be worn almost without taking off. Some believers even wash themselves wearing their crosses for fear of losing them. But what does it mean when the cross is lost?
Many Orthodox people They believe that the loss of the cross is a sign of impending disaster. To ward it off, Orthodox Christians fervently pray, confess and receive communion, and then acquire a new consecrated cross in the church.
Another sign is related to the fact that you cannot wear someone else’s cross. God gives each person his own burden (cross, trials), and by putting on someone else’s badge of faith, a person takes on someone else’s difficulties and fate.
Today, family members also try not to wear each other’s crosses. Although previously the cross, decorated precious stones, was passed down from generation to generation and could become a real family heirloom.
A cross found on the road is not raised. But if they pick it up, they try to take it to church. There it is consecrated and purified again, and given to those in need.
Many priests call all of the above superstitions. In their opinion, anyone can wear a cross, but you need to make sure that it is consecrated in the church.
How to choose a pectoral cross for yourself?
You can choose a pectoral cross based on your own preferences. When choosing it, two main rules apply:
- Mandatory blessing of the cross in the church.
- Orthodox view of the selected cross.
Everything that is sold in a church shop undoubtedly belongs to Orthodox paraphernalia. But Orthodox Christians are not recommended to wear Catholic crosses. After all, they have a completely different meaning, different from the others.
If you are a believer, then wearing a cross becomes an act of union with Divine grace. But God’s protection and grace are not given to everyone, but only to those who truly believe and sincerely pray for themselves and their neighbors. He also leads a righteous lifestyle.
Many Orthodox crosses, the types and meaning of which are discussed above, are devoid of jewelry delights. After all, they are not decoration in in every sense this word. First of all, the cross is a sign of belonging to Christianity and its norms. And only then - a household attribute that can decorate any outfit. Of course, sometimes pectoral crosses and crosses on priests’ rings are made from precious metals. But here, too, the main thing is not the cost of such a product, but its sacred meaning. And this meaning is much deeper than it might initially seem.
“The soul by nature is Christian,” Tertullian once said, to which many centuries later V.V. Rozanov said: “Nothing of the kind. The soul is pagan by nature.” This is how the pagan in our man struggles with the Christian, and this struggle sometimes gives rise to numerous dilemmas. So, many people wonder whether it is possible to wear someone else’s cross. Doesn’t someone else’s fate or someone else’s sins pass along with someone else’s cross?
Is it possible to wear someone else's pectoral cross?
Archpriest Alexander Lebedev believes that being afraid of a found pectoral cross because the sins of a person who has lost his symbol of faith will be passed on to another is nonsense, which is easier to invent than to comment on.
To the question: “Is it possible to wear another person’s cross?”, it is enough to also ask yourself: “How can one’s own passions, which belong exclusively to a specific person and give only her the exclusive right to fight her sins, pass to an innocent person? , which, of course, has enough of its own mistakes.”
Orthodox crosses
In addition, everyone receives their own burdens in life, which must be borne with patience and gratitude, because the Lord sends trials to heal the soul. Everyone asks in their prayers: “Lord, have mercy,” which in Greek sounds like “Kyrie elaison.” Elaison translates as “butter”, and olive oil- This is the first human medicine in the world.
It is impossible for a pectoral cross, which was found and put on, to influence the character of a person, to add sins or to get rid of them, and also in some magical way to draw a line of life’s path.
Important. Orthodoxy is, first of all, sanity, and no actions that are not related to a person’s personal, conscious actions, good or evil, can change a person’s personality or influence the life events that happen to a person.
You should not be afraid of the found cross, since the cross is a shrine, and not a pagan amulet. Ever since Christ was crucified for our salvation, the pectoral cross has protected a person from evil spirits just like the sign of the cross. Another person who wore it and lost it cannot change its purpose as protective power against evil.
Therefore, all signs associated with it are superstition.
About superstitions:
Which cross is considered Orthodox?
For a Christian, the basic key aspects. The cross should be:
- four-, six-, eight-pointed forms;
- with the inscription “Save and Preserve” on both sides, and not on the decorative stones(preferably as a recommendation from priests), children are recommended to use simple ones, not encrusted with precious stones;
- purchased in a church, then it is already consecrated; if purchased in a jewelry store or found, it must be consecrated by any Orthodox priest;
- The material of manufacture does not matter. And also how the size is not important, except that it is better for kids to wear small crosses without sharp corners.
What to do with the found cross. Answers from priests
If a person himself finds an Orthodox cross on the street, the priests recommend that it be consecrated, since it is not known whether it was previously consecrated.
Read about the pectoral cross:
If there are still doubts about the found cross, the priests advise, first of all, to consecrate it, and then:
- give it as a gift to a godson or a poor Christian who does not have the financial means to buy it;
- carry it yourself;
- donate to the temple.
Thus, Orthodoxy is unambiguous in the question of a found or lost cross, as well as in the question of “where to read the Gospel”, “with which hand to light a candle in the temple.”
Archpriest Alexander Lebedev proposes to reduce to absurdity the superstitions associated with the found crosses. If sins can be transmitted through things, then why not virtues be transmitted in the same way? Then, as soon as one acquired an item that belonged to a righteous person, a halo would involuntarily appear over the person’s head. Then it would be possible to deliberately lose crosses so that one’s own sins could be thrown off, like an unnecessary burden, on others.
Important! Fear of other people's crosses is a completely absurd thing, contrary to common sense and has nothing to do with Orthodox faith.
Watch the video about the found cross
For believers, the cross is a great power that delivers from all evils, especially from the villainy of hated enemies. A pectoral cross helps to endure illness and adversity, strengthens the spirit, protects against evil people and in difficult circumstances.
The cross is placed on a person at Baptism; in Rus' it is also called “telnik”. During the Sacrament of Baptism, a cross is laid as a fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Whoever wants to come after Me, turn away from yourself, and take up your cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).
The pectoral cross is consecrated by the priest, who reads two special prayers in which he asks the Lord God to pour into the cross heavenly power and so that this cross protects not only the soul, but also the body from all enemies, sorcerers, sorcerers, from all evil forces. That is why many pectoral crosses have the inscription “Save and Preserve!”
How to choose a pectoral cross?
A pectoral cross is primarily a symbol of the Christian faith, and not a beautiful jewelry. Pectoral crosses have always been distinguished by a variety of shapes and materials from which they are made - gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber. When choosing a cross, you need to pay attention not to the metal, but to the shape, which must correspond to Orthodox traditions. The traditional Orthodox pectoral cross has an eight-pointed shape.
Is it possible to wear crosses with a Catholic crucifix?
The main condition in Orthodox iconography is that the figure of the Savior expresses Divine peace and greatness. It is, as it were, placed on a cross, and the Lord opens His arms to everyone who turns to Him. The artist fulfills the task of depicting Christ in the Human and Divine hypostases, showing at the same time the death and victory of the Savior. Catholics in the Middle Ages abandoned the symbolic spiritual image of Jesus. They focus attention on torment and death, thereby hiding the triumph of the Lord, who defeated death and reveals eternal life. The naturalistic features of human suffering and the agony of execution on the cross predominate: The heaviness of the body sagging on outstretched arms. Head crowned crown of thorns. The crossed feet are nailed with one nail. Anatomical details that convey the veracity of the execution. Orthodoxy requires the wearing of an Orthodox cross, not a Catholic one. This is due to different views on the foundations and dogmas of the Christian faith.
How to consecrate a pectoral cross?
To consecrate a pectoral cross, you need to come to the church at the beginning of the service and ask the clergyman about it. If a divine service is already taking place, you can seek help from a church worker who will help transfer the cross to the priest at the altar. If you wish, you can ask to have the cross consecrated in your presence in order to participate in prayer.
What to do with a found cross?
The found cross can be kept at home, you can give it to the temple or to someone who needs it. These are superstitions that one should not take a cross that someone has lost, since by doing so we take on other people’s sorrows and temptations. The Lord gives everyone his own path and his own trials. If you want to wear a found cross, it must be consecrated. The same applies to any “vest” that you for some reason were unable to wear.
Is it possible to give a pectoral cross?
You can give crosses. A person dear to you will be doubly pleased if, when presenting the cross, you say that you went to church and have already blessed the cross.
The main differences between Orthodox and Catholic crucifixions
1. On the Orthodox Crucifixion, Christ is nailed to the Cross with four nails, on the Catholic one - three;
2. The most important thing. The Catholic Crucifixion is very naturalistic and sensual, while the Orthodox Crucifixion reveals the spiritual essence of the event. On Catholic Crucifixions, Christ is depicted with his body sagging in his arms, with a suffering face, with a crown of thorns on his head, with blood and wounds. The classic Orthodox icon of the Crucifixion (Dionysius, 1500) depicts Christ the Victor, His appearance expresses Divine peace and greatness. He does not hang helplessly in His arms, but seems to float in the air, calling the entire Universe into His arms (as indicated by both His hands and open palms). The Mother of God courageously empathizes with the suffering of Her Son.
The iconography of the Orthodox Crucifixion received its final dogmatic justification in 692 - in the 82nd rule of the Trullo Council. The main condition is the combination of historical realism with the realism of Divine Revelation. The figure of the Savior expresses Divine peace and greatness. It’s as if she’s placed on a cross, her arms are outstretched and straight. The Lord opens his arms to everyone who turns to him. This iconography decides difficult task images of two hypostases of Christ - Human and Divine, showing both death and the victory of the Savior over it
The rules of the Tula Council were not accepted by Catholics who abandoned their early views. Accordingly, they did not accept the symbolic spiritual image of Jesus Christ.
This is how the Catholic type of crucifixion arose in the Middle Ages, in which the naturalistic features of purely human torment became predominant: the heaviness of the body on sagging, rather than straight, arms. Head of Jesus crowned with thorns. Crossed feet nailed with a single nail are a 13th-century innovation. The anatomical details of the Catholic depiction, while conveying the veracity of the execution itself, nevertheless hide the main thing - the triumph of Jesus, who defeated death and reveals to us eternal life, focusing on the pain of death.
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(Catholic crucifix) (Orthodox crucifix)
Some components
In the Orthodox crucifixion, the outstretched arms of the Savior should be straight, and not sagging under the weight of the dying body.
A distinctive feature of the Catholic Crucifixion is that both feet of Christ are crossed and pierced with one nail. In the Orthodox tradition, Christ is depicted crucified on four nails: both hands and feet are nailed, each with its own nail. (“From ancient times, crucifixion crosses, both in the East and in the West, had a crossbar to rest the feet of the Crucified One, and His feet were depicted nailed each separately with its own nail. The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed with one nail first appeared as an innovation in West in the second half of the 13th century.")
Also on the Orthodox Crucifixion, the palms of Christ are necessarily open. The question of the inadmissibility of depicting the bent fingers of Christ under Catholic influence was raised in 1553 by the clerk Viskovaty and, although the clerk was condemned for talking about icon painting, the arguments about the need to depict open palms were recognized as correct, and the controversial icons were rewritten.
In the Orthodox cross, unlike the Catholic cross, there are no naturalistic traces of the suffering of Christ.
The crown of thorns is an attribute of the Catholic crucifix. In the Orthodox tradition it is rarely found (for example, on Easter artos).
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(Catholic cross) (Orthodox cross)
Common features
The Monk Theodore the Studite taught back in the 9th century that “a cross of any form is the true cross.” “We venerate the Cross of Christ not by the number of trees, not by the number of ends, but by Christ himself, whose most holy blood was stained with him. Manifesting miraculous power, any Cross does not act by itself, but by the power of Christ crucified on it and by invoking His most holy name,” said Saint Dmitry of Rostov.
Obviously, in Catholicism there are no clear rules regarding the leash of the crucifix. On the most ancient crucifixes, Christ is depicted alive, in robes and crowned. The crown of thorns, wounds and blood collected in a cup appear in the late Middle Ages, along with other details that have a mystical or symbolic meaning.
That is, in the Romanesque era, or in the east, where the Greek tradition was preserved between the Orthodox and Catholic crucifixion, there is no significant differences. Actually, naturalism and realism appeared in the West in the Gothic era and received special development in the Baroque era. The features of this naturalism also carried over into Russian religious painting of the Synodal period, although, of course, they are not considered examples of the canon.
Of course, Orthodox and Catholic crucifixes depict two sides of the same event. And in Catholic images, which depict suffering, death and hopelessness, the further resurrection and victory of the Savior is implied. And, looking at Orthodox crucifixes, where the triumphant Lord the Victor is depicted, we understand that He suffered for the sins of the whole world.
On one type of Catholic Crucifixion, which is called the Crucifixion of the Franciscan Order, the Lord is depicted crucified with four nails (such a Crucifix hangs above the stage in the Church of St. Nicholas (House of Organ and Chamber Music) on B. Vasylkivska Street in Kyiv). And in the Sinai Monastery, icons of the Lord Crucified with three nails are in the temple and are revered on a par with Orthodox crucifixes.
How to choose a gold chain for a cross?
Let's take a look at a lady's jewelry collection, hidden in an exquisite box. Most likely, there will be one or even several gold chains there. But the point is not in quantity, but in making sure that the jewelry looks perfect on you. How to choose the right gold chain?
The color and weight of the metal from which the chain is made are very important, as well as pay attention to the weave and length. In addition, the shape of the neck, the condition of the skin and the age of the future owner of the jewelry are important.
How to choose the right gold chain?
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If the woman is large and has a full, feminine neck, this will suit her perfectly. gold chain with large weaving. On a thin girl, such a product will look much worse, if not ridiculous.
If wrinkles are visible on the neck, then wearing short chains is contraindicated. They will emphasize your age.
Often the chain is selected to wear a pendant, pendant or cross. When it comes to pendants and pendants, it is important to remember that some weaves simply will not work from a functional point of view.
As for the pectoral cross, its color should be matched to the chain, which in turn should be elegant, not too noticeable due to its complex weaving.
The choice of weaving should also be taken into account when purchasing a product for a child. After all, you can’t always hope for neat or careful attitude your child to an expensive item. In addition, not every workshop undertakes to repair very complex weaves.
Remember about the castle. It must be as reliable as possible. Here you can be guided by a simple observation: the more expensive the chain, the better and stronger its lock.
But most importantly, the quality of the decoration should come to the fore. In this case, there is no need to chase cheapness. Many imported goods seduce the buyer with their massiveness, inside of which there is often emptiness. They break quickly and are difficult to repair, since metal that is too thin simply burns.
Eg, Russian manufacturers gold products offer heavier, albeit expensive, jewelry. However, they will last you much longer.
Friends, you can often see women and young girls wearing a cross over their clothes.
They probably don’t think about how to wear a pectoral cross correctly.
Only priests wear service crosses over their clothes, and each clergyman must have his own pectoral cross under his clothes.
This is not a decoration, the cross should be without any “bells and whistles”, a simple shape.
And it makes no difference what material it is made of. What to wear it on? On a chain, leather cord or harsh thread?
In principle, it doesn’t matter, but on chains they are lost more often (the chain breaks and breaks).
Before you buy a sacred product in a store, it must be consecrated.
Some manufacturers offer consecrated products with a special mark on the factory label.
This is a misconception.
Crosses and icons are consecrated in the altar of the church on the throne.
Therefore, it is practically impossible for an enterprise to consecrate all its products.
In addition, in stores they look at products different people, take it in their hands.
The cross is a visible symbol of the Christian faith, a means of grace-filled protection. For Orthodox man this is a shrine.
A pectoral cross is worn on the body. In Rus' they called it that way - vest .
The front side is the one on which Jesus Christ is depicted.
This is the wrong way to wear a cross (pictured)
The cross with which you were baptized, the task of which is to protect, should not be put on public display.
For in this case we violate the third commandment of the Law of God: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain...”
Sin is for those who wear a cross for fashion. Wearing it consciously is a wordless prayer that allows one to manifest true strength The prototype is the Cross of Christ. This always protects the wearer, even if he does not ask for help or does not have the opportunity to cross himself.
I noticed that gold pectoral crosses are displayed on top of clothes by people belonging to the poor segments of the population.
By this they want to show that they have gold. And how can THIS wealth be hidden under clothes?!
But I didn’t come across such “decorations” on top of clothes made of inexpensive metals...
“For believers, the cross is always a great power that delivers from all evils, especially from the villainy of invisible enemies.”
Never part with your amulet. Even for one day.
What to do if a lady is invited to an evening and her outfit requires a necklace, next to which a cross “doesn’t look right”?
There is a solution: pin it to the lining of your dress.
IN Soviet times Many people, forced to hide their faith, never parted with the cross, pinning it with a pin to the lining of their clothes.
Is it possible to wear the cross of a deceased person? Can.
There's nothing wrong with that. For example, grandparents die.
Their crosses remain, sometimes old ones. Why do they need to be put away somewhere else?
You can wear it to your children and grandchildren, passing them on by inheritance.
There is no need to remove the cross in a bathhouse or shower. He should always be with you.
Sometimes it can be removed when playing sports. Wrestling, for example.
At this time, the cross should remain with you in some pocket. It's easy to sew a small pocket into your clothes.
If you find a cross on the street, pick it up, don’t be afraid - it’s a shrine! It's a sin if you just step over it.
Superstitions regarding the fact that we cannot take it, as if by doing so we take other people’s sorrows and temptations, are unfounded.
You can keep the find if the owner is not found.
And if you find a cross in a church, then give it to the priest so that he can announce the find.
Priests do not advise purchasing a pectoral cross unless absolutely necessary.
For example, because of its beauty or simply because you wanted to buy a new one.
This can only be done with ordinary accessories: rings, earrings or bracelets.
But if the old cross has become unusable, it is even necessary to replace it with another one.
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In Rus' there were special bath crosses made of wood. They were worn instead of metal ones when they went to the steam room.
If for some reason you had to take off the cross, say a prayer when you put it back on.
What to do with a broken cross?
If the cross is broken or for some other reason has become unusable, it should not be thrown away as regular garbage.
Not a single consecrated object, church ministers say, be it a bottle of holy water or church calendar, must not be trampled under foot. Therefore, if the cross can still be repaired, it is not forbidden to take it to a regular repair shop.
But if this is no longer possible, it is better to simply give the cross to the church.
The Orthodox Church does not accept any signs or superstitions, including those related to body crosses. All ideas about “damage”, “evil eye”, “transfer of fate” are absurd from the point of view of a Christian: God controls a person’s fate, and sacred symbol cannot carry any " negative energy", the existence of which, moreover, has not been proven. 
For a Christian, a pectoral cross donated by someone is not a source of mythical danger, but a precious gift, full of deep spiritual meaning, associated with a wish. God's blessing. Especially a valuable gift will become a pectoral cross, consecrated in some holy place. Of course, it is possible and necessary to accept such a precious gift.
If a person who received a cross as a gift already has a cross on his body, he can wear both crosses at the same time, alternately, or keep one of them next to the icons and wear the other - none of these options is prohibited by the church.
A sticky situation occurs only if Orthodox Christian received a Catholic cross as a gift. You need to accept the gift, because it is dictated by love, but you should not wear such a cross. 
Pectoral cross and twinning
A special situation arises when two people give each other their pectoral crosses.
Not so long ago, back in the early 20th century, such an action made people “cross brothers” or sisters.
The custom of twinning existed in pre-Christian times - pagans fraternized, mixing blood or exchanging weapons.
In the Christian era, the conclusion of twinning was associated with a pectoral cross - a sacred object inextricably linked with faith and soul. Such “spiritual kinship” seemed even more sacred than blood kinship.
IN modern world The custom of twinning through the exchange of crosses has been almost forgotten, but nothing prevents modern Orthodox Christians from reviving it.
The cross is placed on a person at Baptism; in Rus' it is also called “telnik”.
During the Sacrament of Baptism, a cross is laid as a fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Whoever wants to come after Me, turn away from yourself, and take up your cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).
The pectoral cross is consecrated by the priest, who reads two special prayers in which he asks the Lord God to pour heavenly power into the cross and that this cross will protect not only the soul, but also the body from all enemies, sorcerers, sorcerers, from all evil forces.
That is why many pectoral crosses have the inscription “Save and Preserve!”
The main differences between Orthodox and Catholic crucifixions
Orthodox cross (below)
1. On the Orthodox Crucifixion, Christ is nailed to the Cross with four nails, on the Catholic one - three;
2. The most important thing. The Catholic Crucifixion is very naturalistic and sensual, while the Orthodox Crucifixion reveals the spiritual essence of the event.
On Catholic Crucifixions, Christ is depicted with his body sagging in his arms, with a suffering face, with a crown of thorns on his head, with blood and wounds.
The classic Orthodox icon of the Crucifixion (Dionysius, 1500) depicts Christ the Victor, His appearance expresses Divine peace and greatness. He does not hang helplessly in His arms, but seems to float in the air, calling the entire Universe into His arms (as indicated by both His hands and open palms). The Mother of God courageously empathizes with the suffering of Her Son.
The iconography of the Orthodox Crucifixion received its final dogmatic justification in 692 - in the 82nd rule of the Trullo Council. The main condition is the combination of historical realism with the realism of Divine Revelation.
The figure of the Savior expresses Divine peace and greatness. It’s as if she’s placed on a cross, her arms are outstretched and straight.
The Lord opens his arms to everyone who turns to him.
This iconography solves the difficult task of depicting two hypostases of Christ - Human and Divine, showing both death and the Savior’s victory over it.
The rules of the Tula Council were not accepted by Catholics who abandoned their early views.
Accordingly, they did not accept the symbolic spiritual image of Jesus Christ.
This is how the Catholic type of crucifixion arose in the Middle Ages, in which the naturalistic features of purely human torment became predominant: the heaviness of the body on sagging, rather than straight, arms.
Head of Jesus crowned with thorns. Crossed feet nailed with a single nail are a 13th-century innovation.
The anatomical details of the Catholic depiction, while conveying the veracity of the execution itself, nevertheless hide the main thing - the triumph of Jesus, who defeated death and reveals to us eternal life, concentrating attention on the agony of death.
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“Don’t wear your cross like it’s on a hanger,” Elder Savva of Pskov-Pechersk often repeated, - 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 morning and evening, do not forget to kiss it, inhale these rays of grace emanating from it, they invisibly pass into your soul, heart, conscience, character.
Under the influence of these beneficial rays, a wicked person becomes pious.
Kissing your cross, pray for close sinners: drunkards, fornicators and others you know.
Through your prayers they will improve and be good, for the heart gives the 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, overshadowed by 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!”
PRAYER OF ELDER SAVA WHEN KISSING THE NATIVE CROSS
Elder Savva composed prayers that should be read when kissing the cross. Here is one of them:
“Pour, O Lord, a drop of Your Holy Blood into my heart, which has dried up from passions and sins and impurities of soul and body. Amen. In the image of fate, save me and my relatives and those I know
(names)».
