Orthodox pectoral cross without crucifix has quite ancient history, and, probably, that is why today you can find so many varieties of these items. As we all know from history, throughout the ages different peoples In the Christian world, there were a variety of underwear - with and without a crucifix, with a different number of ends - three-pointed, made in the shape of the letter "T", four-pointed, eight-pointed, equilateral or unequal. But the most common option in the Orthodox world is the eight-pointed pectoral cross, on which the crucifix may or may not be depicted. Although many priests say that there are no strict rules about wearing a pectoral cross of a certain form.
Pectoral crosses, on which there is no crucifixion of the Savior, are considered the most ancient. At the very beginning of the Christian era, only the geometric shape of the cross was depicted, which in itself was a symbol of Christianity. After some time, the cross began to depict the crucifixion of Christ in combination with some other symbolic elements. The crucifixion on body and other crosses began to be depicted only in the second or third century. And already in the seventh century the Greek learned monk Sinai (who at that time was the abbot of Mount Sinai) wrote his polemical essay, which later became famous, and illustrated it with the image of the Crucifixion.
At the same time, in his work, he was the first to use the Greek crucifix, in other words - eight-pointed cross. And later, when the scribes rewrote his work, he asked them to redraw this cross as carefully as possible. And since the Monk Anastasius of Sinai was a very respected person, the image of such a cross becomes widespread in the East.
We can say that the image of the crucifixion on pectoral crosses began to be performed relatively recently. According to many historians and experts, until the seventeenth century, pectoral cross without crucifix. And according to many priests, pectoral crosses, on which there is a crucifix, do not correspond to Christian canons - since they have an image of Christ on them, they automatically turn into an icon, and it, in turn, is intended for prayer and direct perception. And if worn, hiding it from human eyes, then there is a high probability that it will be used for other purposes, that is, as a magical amulet or amulet. After all, the cross is a sacred symbol, and the crucifixion is an image. And if priests wear crosses with a crucifix on their chests, then they wear them in plain sight, so those around, seeing him, are inspired to pray. Well, as for the pectoral crosses that we wear on the chest, it is believed that they should not have a crucifix, since they are a symbol.
But it should be noted that you should not be embarrassed by this circumstance and in any way fight it. But it is desirable to perceive the meaning of this image in the spirit ancient church. And as an example, illustrating the attitude to data, seemingly insignificant rules, we can cite the following episode. As early as the fourth century, the rule of Basil the Great was adopted, which was included in the Nomocanon, which, in particular, said - "Anyone who wears any icon as an amulet must be excommunicated for three years from Holy Communion." As you can see, already in those days the holy fathers of the Church followed quite strictly the attitude towards the image, the icon, stood guard over Orthodoxy and in every possible way protected it from manifestations of paganism.
tradition to wear pectoral cross without crucifix or with the crucifixion is rooted not only in the tradition of honoring the Lord's Cross, but also in the whole content of the existence of a Christian. After all, even during the rite of baptism, when the priest puts a wearable on a person, he reminds him of his life path. That is, Christ said - "Whoever wants to follow me, take up your cross and follow me."
And it turns out that everyone who lives only for himself ultimately turns out to be spiritually incorporeal, and vice versa, those who have passed through the cross receive life with God.
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Question: "I somehow fell out pectoral cross, and they told me that he is Catholic, because. he is without the Crucifixion and the inscription "save and save." Now I am tormented by doubts - is it possible to wear such a cross?
Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov answers:
“It’s possible. Here I also wear a pectoral cross without the inscription “save and save.” What does it mean “possible or impossible”? Who can forbid you, in general? Give me a decree of the Church - ancient or new. "There must be a paper - Resolution Holy Synod, or the Council of Bishops, or simply even a decree of the Patriarch. It's enough."
Father Alexander: "On 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 the image of a four-pointed Cross. Then, the Catholic . catholic cross does not happen, the Cross is exclusively Christ's, on which Christ was crucified. And so, in what tradition it is made, it does not matter at all. So, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. And very many people, especially those who could not raise their 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 they themselves compose all sorts of “it’s possible, it’s impossible”, for example - you can’t pass a candle over your left shoulder - this is one of such crazy wishes, and they came up with a lot of things, “you can’t put a candle upside down” - where they find the candle’s legs, for me, for example , is still a mystery. And today I read one confession. I'll tell you the secret of confession. One servant of God writes (and I talk about this in every sermon on Fasting, and she is our constant parishioner) that she sinned: “I ate ice cream on Wednesday, 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 through a magnifying glass, and through a magnifying glass she found milk there. Here, finally, this poor sinner woman found something to repent of. Although we don’t talk about milk, and curd cheesecakes, and what only we don’t talk about during the sermon about Lent, and constantly.
So our life is very difficult. But, if they really bother you - It's a wooden cross, well, take it and write there: "Save and save." And yet, I’ll tell you a secret, in addition to Russia, there are several more Orthodox countries, and in these countries people also wear Crosses, and apart from Russia, nowhere else you will find Crosses with the inscription "Save and Save". Here Patriarch Philotheus recently came - if he has a pectoral Cross, then there is no inscription on it: "Save and save." And the tradition of writing this inscription, in general, arose only in recent years.
Records found: 65
Hello! Tell me, please, is it possible to wear a double-sided cross, on one side is the Crucifixion, on the other - St. Nicholas. And can this cross mean something bad? And who is patronized by St. Nicholas?
Kseniya
Xenia, the cross can never mean bad. Such a cross can be worn. St. Nicholas patronizes all who pray to Him.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Is it possible to use the rosary as a censer, as a symbol of prayer ascending to God, during the litia (for a layman)? Sorry for such a stupid question.
Gleb
Gleb, how can a rosary become a censer? This is nonsense. You can't, of course. Yes, and the symbolism of the censer is somewhat different - reverent censing in front of the shrine, the Crucifixion, at which litias are usually performed.
hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
Father, hello, sorry to disturb you, I have a small question. They gave me a pectoral cross, I recently damaged mine (sent from Germany) with a crucifix (it has already been consecrated), but there is no inscription "save and save" on it. Can I wear it? Sorry again. Thank you in advance.
Natalya, if the cross was consecrated by an Orthodox priest, then feel free to wear it. Otherwise, it is better to bring the cross to the temple, show it to the priest, and, if the cross is Orthodox, then consecrate it.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
I was baptized as a child and wore an ordinary soft metal cross. Probably, from the influence of external factors and time, after 35 years, the ear broke off on it and it became impossible to wear it. I bought a new cross in a jewelry store that I liked, Orthodox with a crucifix. I consecrated it in the temple and have been wearing it for 10 years now. Based on this, I have 2 questions. 1. The first cross is very dear to me, I don’t want to give it to the temple, but I also don’t want to hide it somewhere in a box, so I attached it near the icon of the Savior in my car, and it turns out that it is always with me too ( moreover, the priest consecrated the car). Is it possible to do this, and is it not a reproach? 2. I chose the second cross among others on the counter, bought it, consecrated it, and it was on it that I did not look at the back. And only years later I discovered that it did not say "SAVE AND SAVE". Is it necessary to give it to a jewelry workshop to make an inscription? After all, they don’t write quickly, which means that they will have to put on another cross for several days. And I would not like to. Please answer and God bless you for all your answers, for your website and for everything you do! Dmitry
Dmitry
1) The way you did it is quite acceptable, because we hang icons in the car, you can also hang a cross, most importantly, do not forget to pray while looking at it. 2) On the pectoral cross, it is not necessary that “Save and save” be written.
Deacon Ilya Kokin
Good day. The question is. I was presented with a crucifix with relics brought to the temple. The wife scolds that it is impossible to take. How to be?
Dmitry
Dmitry, it seems that your wife is a superstitious woman and, probably, a little church. Life-Giving Cross This is our life, our protection and our hope. Especially - a cross with relics. It is very good that you were presented with this Cross. Keep the Crucifix at home and pray to our Savior.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello, father! Is it possible to make silver cross and decorate with stones, and later baptized in the church? Thanks for the advice!
Daniel
Daniel, you can make a custom-made cross. Please note that the cross must be Orthodox, always with a crucifix. You can decorate it with precious stones. Such a cross will definitely need to be consecrated in the church, and it will be possible to baptize with it.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Christ is in our midst, father! Is it possible from the street side to front door a private house to attach a small cross with a crucifix, or it should be on inside doors?
Alexander Skillful
Alexander, the cross is usually hung inside the house. You can, of course, hang the cross outside, but then it is desirable to make sure that the water does not wet the cross, and let it be quite small.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Good afternoon, tell me, is it possible for a seven-year-old child to wear a cross with four stones (they say this is a charm), or is the church against it? Thank you.
Anastasia
Anastasia, the cross is not a talisman, ("the talisman" is generally not a Christian, pagan concept, associated with superstitions), but visible character our belonging to Orthodoxy. The cross must be worn from the very moment of baptism. If the cross is Orthodox and with a crucifix, even if it has jewelry in the form of stones, it can be worn. Only it seems to me that this is useless for a seven-year-old child, at that age it is better to wear a simple cross without any decorations.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello, father! I want to order a gold cross for my husband's birthday. Tell me, please, is it possible and correct if there is no crucifix on the cross, but only the inscription "save and save"? And is it possible to indicate on the cross the name of the person to whom it will belong? Thank you in advance.
Elena
Elena, the cross can be made to order. The cross must be strictly Orthodox and always with the Crucifixion. There should not be any superfluous inscriptions on the cross, only on reverse side"Save and Preserve", and, of course, no names other than the Name of the Savior Jesus Christ (Is. Chr.). The cross must be consecrated in the church.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello! Is it possible not to wear a cross if there is an image of a cross on the wearable icon with a heavenly patron on the back? Or is it better to wear them together (both the cross and the icon)?
Michael
Michael, a pectoral cross must be worn. It should not be a painted, but a full-fledged Orthodox cross, and always with a crucifix. And on the same chain with a cross, you can wear an icon.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Peace to you, father! Please tell me, this is a healthy curiosity - to find out why one way or another is done in the Church? For example, why do I need to be baptized before entering the Church and many such questions, the resolution of these questions helps me to more consciously approach what I learn, because if someone said something, but I didn’t understand why and why necessary to do, this is forgotten, and also if it is done without understanding the meaning, it can develop into Orthodox faith not to live, but to the fulfillment of some laws. Please help if this is correct or not. ask. tell.
Elena
Elena, your desire to meaningfully approach your churching is commendable. By making the sign of the cross, a Christian marks the beginning of his prayer - temple and home. This symbolizes the crucifixion with our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorification of His Sacrifice for us, gratitude to God, worship of Him.
Archpriest Maxim Khyzhiy
Hello, father. My child has a cross, but there is no Jesus Christ on it. I don't know how it happened. He was baptized with him. What do i do? New to buy? Should I continue to wear this one? I am very ashamed of my ignorance.
Tanya
Tanya, a cross without a crucifix can also be worn, but still, according to the rules, the Cross must be with a crucifix. If this bothers you, then get a new cross with a crucifix in a church shop, and let the old cross be kept at your home.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello, I have been wearing a cross all my life, there is a crucifix, but no skull. He is sanctified. This is bad? Is he not real?
Zalina
Hello Zalina! There are various canonical forms of crosses. There is nothing wrong with the fact that a skull is not depicted under the crucifix. Your cross is consecrated, this is the main thing. St. Demetrius of Rostov wrote as early as the 18th century: “Not according to the number of trees, not according to the number of ends, the Cross of Christ is revered by us, but according to Christ himself, with whose Most Holy Blood he was stained. Manifesting miraculous power, any Cross does not act by itself, but by the power of Christ crucified on it and the invocation of His Most Holy Name.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
Hello! Can a cross on a rosary be without a crucifix? He is self-made.
Alexander
Ideally, an Orthodox cross should always be with a crucifix. Even in various small objects with the image of a cross there should be a crucifix. It often happens that even without the Crucifixion, and although there is nothing particularly terrible in this, it is still not correct.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Is it possible to make a small wooden cross on your own (without the image of the Savior), 30 centimeters in height, and if possible, when is it better to consecrate it? Thank you for answering questions!
Dmitry
Dmitry, an Orthodox cross must necessarily be with a crucifix. Such work should be started only with the blessing of the priest. And if you are blessed, then the cross must be made in compliance with the rules, that is, you must fast on the days when you make the cross, and before that take communion.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello! They were in the church, and out of ignorance, placing a candle next to the Crucifixion, they asked the Lord for health for the living, although candles are placed there for the repose. Please tell me how serious this error is and what needs to be done to fix it?
alla
God, you don't have to do anything. With God, everyone is alive. God knows your intentions, and knows that you wish good to those for whom you prayed, and therefore calm down - your prayer is accepted as about health. Now, if you intentionally prayed for the repose of the living, then it would be a serious mistake, but otherwise, it's okay.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
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