Domes Orthodox churches crowned with crosses. Believers wear crosses on their chests to always be under the protection of God.
What should a proper Orthodox be like? pectoral cross? On its reverse side there is an inscription: “Save and preserve.” However, this attribute is not a talisman that can protect against all misfortunes.
The pectoral cross is a symbol of the “cross” that God gives to a person who wants to serve Him - in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him turn aside, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8, 34).
A person who wears a cross thereby gives a guarantee that he will live according to the commandments of God and steadfastly endure all the trials that befall him.
Our story about what to consider when choosing an Orthodox cross will be incomplete if we do not turn to history and talk about the festival dedicated to this Christian attribute.
In memory of the discovery of the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem in 326, near Golgotha, where Jesus Christ was crucified, the Orthodox Church celebrates a holiday called the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. This holiday symbolizes the triumph of the Church of Christ, which has gone through a difficult path of trials and persecution and spread throughout the world.
As legend says, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, Queen Helena, went in search of the Holy Cross to Palestine. Excavations were carried out here, as a result of which the cave of the Holy Sepulcher was found, and three crosses were discovered not far from it. They were placed one by one on a sick woman, who, thanks to touching the Cross of the Lord, was healed.
According to another legend, a dead person carried by a funeral procession was resurrected from contact with this cross. However, what exactly the cross on which Christ was crucified looked like is unknown. Only two separate crossbars were found, along with a sign and a footstool.
Queen Helena brought part of the Life-Giving Tree and nails to Constantinople. And Emperor Constantine erected a temple in Jerusalem in 325 in honor of the Ascension of Christ, which included the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha.
The cross began to be used as a symbol of faith thanks to Emperor Constantine. As the church historian Eusebius Pamphilus testifies, “Christ, the Son of God, appeared in a dream to the emperor with a sign seen in heaven and commanded, having made a banner similar to this one seen in heaven, to use it for protection from the attacks of enemies.”
Constantine ordered images of the cross to be placed on the shields of his soldiers and installed three commemorative Orthodox crosses in Constantinople with gold inscriptions in Greek “IC.XP.NIKA”, which means “Jesus Christ the Victor”.
What should be the correct pectoral cross?
There are different graphic types of crosses: Greek, Latin, St. Peter's cross (inverted cross), Papal cross, etc. No matter how different the different branches of Christianity may be, this shrine is revered by all denominations.
But if in Catholicism Jesus Christ is depicted sagging in his arms, which emphasizes His martyrdom, then in Orthodoxy the Savior appears in power - as a winner, calling the entire Universe into His arms.
The palms of Jesus on the Orthodox cross are usually open; the figure expresses peace and dignity. In Him are embodied His most important hypostases - Divine and Human.
The attribute of the Catholic crucifix is the Crown of Thorns. In the Orthodox artistic tradition it is rare.
Also in Catholic images, Christ is crucified with three nails, that is, nails are driven into both hands, and the soles of his feet are put together and nailed with one nail. In the Orthodox crucifix, each foot of the Savior is nailed separately with its own nail, and a total of four nails are depicted.
The canon of the image of the Orthodox crucifixion was approved back in 692 by the Tula Cathedral and remains unchanged to this day. Of course, Orthodox believers should use crosses that are made in accordance with the Orthodox tradition.
It must be said that the debate about what the Christian cross should be correct form- eight-pointed or four-pointed - has been going on for a long time. In particular, it was led by Orthodox believers and Old Believers.
According to Abbot Luke,
“in the Orthodox Church, its holiness does not depend in any way on the shape of the cross, provided that the Orthodox cross is made and consecrated precisely as a Christian symbol, and not originally made as a sign, for example, of the sun or part of a household ornament or decoration.”
What form of the pectoral cross is considered correct in Orthodoxy?
The Orthodox Church recognizes four-pointed, six-pointed, and eight-pointed types of crosses (the latter, with two additional partitions - inclined in left side for the legs and a crossbar at the head, are used more often), with or without the image of the crucified Savior (however, such a symbol cannot be 12-pointed or 16-pointed).
The letters ІС ХС are a christogram, symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ. Also, the Orthodox cross has the inscription “Save and Preserve.”
Catholics also do not give of great importance in the shape of a cross, the image of the Savior is not always found on Catholic crosses.
Why is the cross called a cross in Orthodoxy?
Only clergy wear crosses over their clothes, and ordinary believers should not wear crucifixes for show, thereby demonstrating their faith, because such a manifestation of pride is not appropriate for Christians.
It must also be said that an Orthodox pectoral cross can be made from different materials– gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber, decorated with ornaments or precious stones. The main thing is that it must be sanctified.
If you bought it in a church shop, you don’t have to worry about this: they sell already consecrated crosses. This does not apply to items purchased in jewelry stores, and such crosses will need to be consecrated in the temple. During this ritual, the priest will read prayers calling to protect not only the soul, but also the body of the believer from evil forces.
The cross is a very ancient symbol. What did it symbolize before the Savior’s death on the cross? Which cross is considered more correct - Orthodox or Catholic four-pointed (“kryzh”). What is the reason for the image of Jesus Christ on the cross with crossed feet for Catholics and separate feet in the Orthodox tradition.
Hieromonk Adrian (Pashin) answers:
In different religious traditions, the cross symbolized different concepts. One of the most common is the meeting of our world with the spiritual world. For the Jewish people, from the moment of Roman rule, the cross, crucifixion was a method of shameful, cruel execution and caused insurmountable fear and horror, but, thanks to Christ the Victor, it became a desired trophy, evoking joyful feelings. Therefore, Saint Hippolytus of Rome, the Apostolic Man, exclaimed: “and the Church has its own trophy over death - this is the Cross of Christ, which it bears on itself,” and Saint Paul, the Apostle of Languages, wrote in his Epistle: “I wish to boast... only by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).
In the West, the most commonly used now is the four-pointed cross (Fig. 1), which the Old Believers call (for some reason in Polish) “Kryzh Latin” or “Rymski”, which means Roman cross. According to the Gospel, the execution of the cross was spread throughout the Empire by the Romans and, of course, was considered Roman. “And not by the number of trees, not by the number of ends, we venerate the Cross of Christ, but by Christ Himself, whose most holy blood was stained,” says St. Demetrius of Rostov. “And showing 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.”
Starting from the 3rd century, when similar crosses first appeared in the Roman catacombs, the entire Orthodox East still uses this form of the cross as equal to all others.
The eight-pointed Orthodox cross (Fig. 2) most closely corresponds to the historically accurate form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified, as testified by Tertullian, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, Saint Justin the Philosopher and others. “And when Christ the Lord carried the cross on His shoulders, then the cross was still four-pointed; because there was no title or foot on it yet. There was no footstool, because Christ had not yet been raised on the cross and the soldiers, not knowing where Christ’s feet would reach, did not attach a footstool, having finished this already on Golgotha” (St. Demetrius of Rostov). Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, first “they crucified Him” (John 19:18), and then only “Pilate wrote an inscription and put it on the cross” (John 19:19 ). It was first that the soldiers “who crucified Him” divided “His clothes” by lot (Matthew 27:35), and only then “they placed an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27: 37).
Images of the Savior’s crucifixion have also been known since ancient times. Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant (Fig. 3), and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear (Fig. 4).
Since ancient times, crucifixion crosses, both in the East and in the West, had a crossbar to support the feet of the Crucified One, and His legs were depicted as nailed each separately with its own nail (Fig. 3). The image of Christ with crossed feet nailed to a single nail (Fig. 4) first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.
From the Orthodox dogma of the Cross (or Atonement) undoubtedly follows the idea that the death of the Lord is the ransom of all, the calling of all peoples. Only the cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus Christ to die with outstretched hands, calling “all the ends of the earth” (Isa. 45:22).
Therefore, in the tradition of Orthodoxy, it is to depict the Savior Almighty precisely as the already Risen Cross-Bearer, holding and calling into His arms the entire universe and carrying on Himself the New Testament altar - the Cross.
And the traditionally Catholic image of the crucifixion, with Christ hanging in his arms, on the contrary, has the task of showing how it all happened, of depicting the dying suffering and death, and not at all what is essentially the eternal Fruit of the Cross - His triumph.
Orthodoxy invariably teaches that suffering is necessary for all sinners for their humble assimilation of the Fruit of redemption - the Holy Spirit sent by the sinless Redeemer, which, out of pride, Catholics do not understand, who through their sinful sufferings seek participation in the sinless, and therefore redemptive Passion of Christ and thereby fall into the crusader heresy "self-rescue".
A believer wears a cross according to the rules. But how to choose the right one and not get confused in their diversity? You will learn about the symbolism and meaning of crosses from our article.
There are a lot of types of crosses and many people already know what not to do with a pectoral cross and how to wear it correctly. Therefore, first of all, the question arises of which of them are related to Orthodox faith, and which ones - to the Catholic one. In both types of Christian religion there are several types of crosses, which need to be understood so as not to be confused.
The main differences of the Orthodox cross
- has three transverse lines: the upper and lower ones are short, and between them there is a long one;
- at the ends of the cross there can be three semicircles, reminiscent of a trefoil;
- on some Orthodox crosses there may be a month at the bottom instead of an oblique transverse line - this sign was inherited from Byzantium, from which Orthodoxy was adopted;
- Jesus Christ is crucified at the feet with two nails, while on a Catholic crucifix there is only one nail;
- There is a certain naturalism on the Catholic crucifix that reflects the torment of Jesus Christ that he endured for the people: the body looks literally heavy and hangs from his arms. The Orthodox crucifix shows the triumph of God and the joy of the Resurrection, the overcoming of death, therefore the body is, as it were, superimposed on top, rather than hanging on the cross.
Catholic crosses
First of all, these include the so-called latin cross. Like everything, it consists of vertical and horizontal lines, with the vertical one being noticeably longer. Its symbolism is as follows: this is exactly what the cross that Christ carried to Calvary looked like. It was previously used in paganism. With the adoption of Christianity, the Latin cross became a symbol of faith and is sometimes associated with opposite things: death and resurrection.
Another similar cross, but with three transverse lines, is called papal. It is associated only with the Pope and is used in ceremonies.
There are also many types of crosses that were used by all kinds of knightly Orders, such as the Teutonic or Maltese. Since they were subordinated to the Pope, these crosses can also be considered Catholic. They look slightly different from each other, but what they have in common is that their lines taper noticeably toward the center.
Cross of Lorraine very similar to the previous one, but has two crossbars, and one of them may be shorter than the other. The name indicates the area in which this symbol appeared. The Cross of Lorraine appears on the coats of arms of cardinals and archbishops. This cross is also a symbol of the Greek Orthodox Church, therefore cannot be fully called Catholic.
Orthodox crosses
Faith, of course, implies that the cross must be worn constantly and not removed, except in the most rare situations. Therefore, you need to choose it with understanding. The most widely used cross in Orthodoxy is eight-pointed. It is depicted as follows: One vertical line, a large horizontal line just above the center and two more shorter crossbars: above and below it. In this case, the lower one is always tilted and its right side is at a level lower than the left.
The symbolism of this cross is as follows: it already shows the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The upper transverse line corresponds to a nailed crossbar with the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” According to biblical legend, the Romans joked about him after they had already crucified him on the cross and were waiting for his death. The crossbar symbolizes the one to which Christ's hands were nailed, and the lower one symbolizes where his feet were chained.
The tilt of the lower crossbar is explained as follows: two thieves were crucified along with Jesus Christ. According to legend, one of them repented before the Son of God and then received forgiveness. The second one began to mock and only worsened his situation.
However, the first cross that was first brought from Byzantium to Russia was the so-called Greek cross. It, like the Roman one, is four-pointed. The difference is that it consists of identical rectangular crossbars and is completely isosceles. It served as the basis for many other types of crosses, including crosses of Catholic orders.
Other types of crosses
St. Andrew's cross is very similar to the letter X or an inverted Greek cross. It is believed that this is exactly what Apostle Andrew the First-Called was crucified on. Used in Russia on the Navy flag. It is also featured on the flag of Scotland.
The Celtic cross is also similar to the Greek one. He is definitely taken into the circle. This symbol has been used for a very long time in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as parts of Britain. At a time when Catholicism was not widespread, Celtic Christianity predominated in this area, which used this symbol.
Sometimes a cross can appear in a dream. This can be either a good or a very bad omen, as the dream book states. All the best, and don't forget to press the buttons and
26.07.2016 07:08
Our dreams are a reflection of our consciousness. They can tell us a lot about our future, past...
The main symbol that accompanies a Christian believer from the moment of Baptism. From now on, it must be worn on your chest for the rest of your life. The cross supports the spirit, protects from demons and black magic, helps to cope with all life’s difficulties, reminding a person of faith, of his connection with the Church and God.
Some people have questions. What should the shape of the cross be in order to comply with the Orthodox faith? Is inlay with precious stones acceptable? How to wear it correctly? Let's look at each of these questions.
About the shape of the Orthodox cross
It is known that Catholic tradition differs from ours in the appearance of this symbol.
Here you need to immediately deal with some prejudices. The classic shape of the cross in Orthodoxy is eight-pointed, it has the Savior’s crucifixion, the words “Save and Preserve” and the Christogram - IC XC. These letters mean the name of Jesus Christ. Such a canon was approved back in the 7th century AD by the Tula Cathedral.
But for an Orthodox believer it is permissible to wear another cross, four- and six-pointed, crosses with or without the image of a crucifixion.
However, if it is depicted, then there are several ways to distinguish the Catholic cross:
- Ultimate naturalism. This, for example, is the sagging of the torso on the cross: this is typical specifically for Catholics, who emphasize the passionate nature of Christ’s suffering, and not His victory over death. On Orthodox crosses the Savior “floats”.
- The number of nails with which Christ was crucified. There are three of them on Catholic crosses. The Orthodox faith teaches that there were four of them; in this case, the legs are located separately.
- Crown of thorns. This is also a traditional attribute of the Catholic crucifix, but it is rare in Orthodoxy.
The types of Orthodox crosses are varied, even within the canon. Various images are possible on it: floral ornaments, skulls (symbolizing death, which Christ trampled underfoot), cherubs, Mary the Mother of God on the reverse side, etc.
Which material to choose?
Since the cross must be durable and yet lightweight, it is traditionally made from metals, although other materials are sometimes used. The most common:
The extent to which pectoral crosses, which are richly decorated and generally considered a luxury item, are acceptable is a debatable issue. However, the Church does not give its parishioners any restrictions in such decisions, and for many believers, choosing an expensive product is an act of love for God and the Church, a sign of how highly a person values them in his life.
The issue of materials, by and large, should be decided based on the individual characteristics of a person. For example, for some people, silver quickly turns black on their skin; in this case, you should protect it from such processes, take care of it more often, or, what is simpler, choose a different metal.
The Question of Sanctification
If a cross is bought in a church shop, there is no need to consecrate it: this has already been done. But if you purchased it at a jewelry store, you should bring it to church and, for example, before the service, ask the priest to perform the ceremony. This also needs to be done if you are not sure whether the crucifix is blessed (although this only needs to be done once).
The exceptions in this regard are the Russian brands “Krasnoselie” and “DAR”: all their products are consecrated before sale.
How to wear?
There are some basic rules on this issue:
- The cross should be removed only in the most exceptional cases; in other cases - even when visiting a bathhouse, say - it should be on the body.
- Traditionally it is worn under clothing, which is why it is called underwear.
Other statements that can often be heard - for example, that it cannot be given as a gift, raised, if you find that you cannot wear the cross of another person (especially a deceased one) - are superstitions that contradict the Orthodox faith. There are no prohibitions on donating or wearing someone else’s crucifix. You need to understand that, first of all, this is a symbol of personal faith and a person’s acceptance of Christ, and not an amulet or amulet, although it protects a person.
Also, despite the widespread misconception, the Church does not prohibit wearing it on a chain, and this issue is not fundamental at all - it is only important that the cross does not get lost (although buying new ones is also not prohibited).
Where to buy?
Do right choice You can on our website. Orthodox jewelry and pectoral crosses from the manufacturers “Krasnoselie” and “DAR” are presented in variety in our catalog. You don't have to worry about the need for consecration, and a wide selection will allow you to find exactly the product that best suits you and expresses your faith.
Contact us, the Mosexpo-Jeweler company!
Among the entire range of Orthodox utensils that we offer, perhaps the most important place is occupied by crucifixes made of silver or gold.
In our store, Orthodox pectoral crosses are presented in a catalog where you can:
- examine each sample in detail,
- read its description,
- choose the one that suits you.
Many people buy quite expensive products without putting the proper meaning into this sign, so we will dwell in detail on what a pectoral cross means and why it is so important to wear it on the chest.
Orthodox pectoral cross: a brief excursion into symbolism
A cross with eight ends symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who rescued the entire human race from the torments of death and gave the souls of believers eternal life.
Orthodox body crosses can
- be made from any material,
- hang from laces or chains
- and worn around the neck, hidden under clothing.
Usually to a small child At baptism, a cross is given by parents or godparents. But, with age, he can choose for himself and buy a larger pectoral cross.
Many people do not wear crosses various reasons. This is not a sin, but rather a reason to figure out why main sign eastern christian church confuses you with its presence in your daily life. The point is not in the symbol itself, but directly in its appearance, size, metal from which it is made, and even in the lace.
You can buy an Orthodox cross:
- at a kiosk at any temple
- or order in the online store.
Pectoral crosses for baptism and more
The most difficult choice faces godparents when purchasing the first Orthodox cross for a child. After all, in theory, pectoral crosses should be the same for life, only the laces and chains change.
It is important to choose both size and material. After all, even if the baby grows up and wants to change his personal Christian symbol, it will be at a conscious age. And for the first ten years of his life he will wear exactly what you chose for him.
Today the situation is such that with age a person can easily buy another pectoral cross, light it up in church and wear it. Therefore, in our catalog you can choose and buy an Orthodox cross with a crucifix (and without) according to the following parameters:
- crosses with enamel;
Who to contact and consult: where to buy a cross in Moscow?
For example, you can buy a classic male pectoral cross at a kiosk at any temple. But the temple and the kiosk have a significant drawback. There's not much large selection, it is difficult to display many copies on the counter. Therefore, believers often still face the question: where to buy a cross in Moscow?
Today the Internet is so relevant in our lives that it would be a sin not to take advantage of the opportunities it opens up. Today, Orthodox workshops also offer their products through online stores. On the pages you can view absolutely the entire range of products, including pectoral crosses, select and order the one you need.
The only negative is that you will not be able to touch or try on the product. For this purpose, it is better to drive to the store.
Why do buyers choose Svyatopolye?
The Svyatopolye Orthodox gift shop offers more than a hundred models in several subsections, where you can buy a pectoral cross in any price category and any appearance. You can easily look at all the copies, decide which one is right for you and order it using a simple form.
In Svyatopolye you can easily buy a cross, order delivery or pick it up yourself, in a store or at a pick-up point.
We will be happy to help you find required product, we will advise not only on the choice of Orthodox crosses, but also on the purchase of chains and laces, icons, images, rings and anything else that interests you.
Our website has an online consultant who will allow you to ask any question to a store employee and immediately receive a comprehensive answer.
