Is it possible to carry someone else's cross found. The opinion of psychics and superstitious people

The cross is an indicator of belonging to the Christian faith. In this article, you will find out if someone else's cross can be worn, and why it should not be worn over clothing.

The cross, according to the clergy, should always be on the 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.

Myths and superstitions about the cross

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Can't be worn on a chain

There are absolutely no restrictions on the chain. Here, rather, the question of convenience and habit is more fundamental. If a person wants to wear a pectoral cross on a chain, then he can do it, the church does not prohibit such actions. Most important principle, which must be followed 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, assure that by all signs the cross is not lost just like that.

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Cannot be worn over clothing

This is an absolutely correct statement. The cross is a symbol of faith and protection. Without wearing the cross outside, a person shows the sincerity of faith, without making it ostentatious. Also, all the warmth and blessing that the priest bestows on the pectoral cross during the consecration, in this case, is transferred only to you.

Can't give

You can always give a cross. Of course, it is great if parents or godparents take care of this as one of the gifts for the christening. But this does not mean that the other person cannot give you a cross. There is also a tradition where two people exchange body crosses, becoming brothers or sisters in Christ. Usually it is done by close people.

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Cannot be lifted if found

A superstition that has absolutely no foundation. Let us also recall that superstitions are completely not recognized by the church and are considered incompatible with the Christian faith. There are people who believe that by lifting a found cross, you can take on the problems of the person who lost or left him. The cross, since it is a shrine, must at least be brought to the temple. Or keep it for yourself and store it in the red corner of the house.

You can not wear someone else's cross

If you got a cross from a parent or someone you know, you can wear it. The church does not establish any prohibition here. Moreover, if you do not 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. It can also be argued that by giving up the cross, a person is giving away a piece of his Destiny. Only such beliefs have nothing to do with the Christian faith and relate to the occult worldview.

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You can not wear a cross with a crucifix

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Another superstition not worth paying attention to. There are people who say that a cross with a crucifix will bring on a person hard life... This is not at all true, only the speculation of people. Such a cross symbolizes the salvation and sacrifice of Christ, there is nothing wrong with it. But it must be worn correctly: the crucifix must be turned not towards you, but outward.

You can not wear a non-consecrated cross

It is best to consecrate the cross. But as such, there is no prohibition on wearing an unconsecrated pectoral cross. It is believed that the evil spirits bypass even two crossed sticks. Nevertheless, a believer should still sanctify his creed.
You can choose any cross that you like: gold, silver, copper or wood. The material is not very important. It is important to consecrate it and not wear jewelry purchased in a jewelry store as a cross. It is necessary to understand that the Orthodox church cross, which symbolizes faith in God, is different 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 pectoral cross?

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Why should I go to church if I have faith in my soul? Why wear a cross if I am already a Christian? Does the Gospel say that everyone should walk with crosses? So to wear or not to wear? Approximately such questions are often asked by non-churches.

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 beautiful decoration will also serve the person in condemnation. So what happens: you can't wear it, otherwise you will harm yourself?

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

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

Among the arguments, the most popular are:

this does not in any way confirm that I am a Christian;
in the Gospel there is no indication of wearing a cross, the first Christians did not know this either ...

Yes, indeed, wearing a pectoral cross without practicing the Christian life resembles a person who is trying to sail in a storm on a wreckage of a ship.

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

But on the other hand, in the life of the early church there was a custom to wear medallions with the image of the slain Lamb or the Crucifixion. Sources of the 2nd century indicate: some Christians already had crosses or painted them on their foreheads in order to "give out" themselves to the persecutors and suffer for their faith. When the "hunt" for believers subsided, the pious example of the early Christians became widespread.

An interesting historical fact is cited by Archpriest Igor Fomin.

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

The first Christians, opposing themselves to such a society, wore pectoral crosses, as if to say: 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 on a cross after the sacrament of baptism. It is like a confirmation of participation in the Church and understanding that the Son of God suffered for my sake.

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

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

For example, in difficult Soviet times it was forbidden to wear "figurines of metal". If a girl is going to marry a non-believer, usually she is required to remove ... a cross. It sounds something like this: renounce your faith, turn away from Christ.

And how many stories there are about how people were deprived of spiritual protection without a pectoral cross! Many became possessed by evil spirits. And when they were approached with a cross, they began to coward, shout, curse, beat their heads against the wall ...

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The symbol of victory over the devil

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A priest I knew related 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, had no family. He never went to church.

One day a priest passed this man. For some reason I decided to stop and talk. Then he calls:

Alexey, I want to make you a little present.

The man was as delighted as a child. The priest put a pectoral cross around his neck.

Some time has passed. The abbot met Alexei again. The man, almost with tears, said:

Father, I could not accept your gift.

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

No matter how skeptical we are about this, the devil knows exactly what power this symbol of Christianity has. Therefore, the evil one tries in various ways to prevent a person.

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Why wear a cross pendant? To keep yourself safe. The devil is afraid of losing access to a person, worries that he can 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, what we were created for and how to be saved.

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

What to do with the found pectoral cross

The found pectoral cross must be picked up. You can keep it at home, you can give it to the temple or to someone who needs it.

Superstitions regarding the fact that if we find somewhere a cross lost by someone, then we cannot take it, since by doing so we take other people's sorrows and temptations, are not only unfounded, but also contradict the Truth, since the Lord is a person, and not a soulless mechanism ...

The image of the Cross of Christ is not only its eight-pointed likeness, but also a simple cross of sticks. St. John Chrysostom writes: "If you are walking along the road and suddenly you see two sticks folded in the form of a cross, then do not be lazy and shift so that someone does not accidentally step on and trample on the symbol of God's love for people."

Neck cross- the apparent consent of a person to co-crucifixion with Christ, evidence of belonging to the Orthodox Church, confession of the Christian faith, a means of grace-filled protection.

There is a superstition that when consecrated, the pectoral cross acquires magical protective properties. The Church teaches that the sanctification of matter allows us not only spiritually, but also physically - through this sanctified matter - to partake of the Divine Grace that we need for spiritual growth and salvation.

Why wearpectoral cross

- The meaning of wearing a cross is revealed in the words of the Apostle Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ"(Gal. 2:19). The consecrated pectoral cross is a symbol of faith and a sign of belonging to the Church of Christ. The cross protects from evil spirits. Anyone who does not want to wear the cross himself rejects the help of God.

The pectoral cross is awarded to a baptized person who becomes a Christian for constant wearing in the most important place (near the heart) as an image of the Cross of the Lord, an outward sign of an Orthodox Christian. This is also done as a reminder that the Cross of Christ is a weapon against fallen spirits, having the power to heal and give life. That is why the Cross of the Lord is called Life-giving!

He is a testimony that a person is a Christian (a follower of Christ and a member of His Church) and a sin to those who wear a cross for fashion, being or not being a Christian; knowingly wearing the cross is a wordless prayer.

While performing the sacrament of Baptism, the priest puts a cross on the baby, which from that moment becomes an inseparable companion of a new member of the Church. It is not customary to remove the cross when bathing or changing clothes (in the old days, there were even wooden crosses in the baths, which they put on in the steam room instead of their own). Unfortunately, there are also "knowledgeable" advisers: nurses, neighbors, girlfriends, who authoritatively persuade the mother to remove the cross from the child: they say it is still small, it will get tangled in the string, rub the skin, etc.

Name, at least one such case ?!

There are canonical forms of crosses - four-, six-, eight-pointed; with a semicircle below and others. Each line has deep symbolic meaning. In Russia, eight-pointed pectoral crosses are more accepted, on the back of which, according to tradition, the inscription "Save and preserve" is made.

St. Demetrius of Rostov wrote in 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 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 Holy Name. ".

There are no special rules about the material for the crosses, but making clay crosses is not blessed. Precious metals are also acceptable here, because for a Christian nothing can be dearer than a cross - hence the desire to decorate it.

Of course, simple wooden or metal crosses are closer in spirit to the Cross of the Lord.

There is also no fundamental difference between a chain and a braid: it is important that the cross stays firmly. The cross must not be removed, incl. during washing and sports activities. Lay people wear underwear ( on the body) a cross under the clothes, without deliberately showing it off.

In the first centuries of the adoption of Christianity by Russia, crosses were worn not on the body, but over clothing "as clear indicators of Christian baptism." Later, until the 18th century, only bishops had the right to wear a cross over clothes, and even later, priests. The priestly pectoral cross is called the pectoral cross (“persi” in Church Slavonic means “chest”). Along with the pectoral cross, priests also wear a pectoral cross.

Russian people on the crosses swore allegiance, and exchanging body crosses, they became brothers-in-arms.

When churches, houses, bridges were built, the cross was laid in the foundation.

There was a custom to cast many crosses from a broken church bell, which enjoyed special veneration.

Taking off the cross or not wearing it is apostasy. Over the 2000-year history of Christianity, many people have suffered for their faith, for their refusal to deny Christ and take off their pectoral cross. This feat was repeated in our time.

There are many associated with the pectoral cross superstition: lost the cross - trouble will happen; a cross lost by someone cannot be lifted; a cross cannot be given, cannot be worn on a chain and the like. All of them have no foundation: you can buy a new cross, wear it as a gift or found, consecrating it in the temple. Those crosses that are sold in the temple are consecrated with a special rite.

Is it necessary to consecrate a pectoral cross in a church, or is it enough to sprinkle it with holy water at home?

Icons and images of the cross are to be consecrated by a priest. There is a special small follow-up in the missal, which includes a priestly prayer for the consecration of "this sign of the cross." (The Trebnik is a liturgical book concerning private services performed on DEMAND (as opposed to public ones - Vespers, Matins and Liturgy).

An incident with a parishioner. Before that, they recently married her husband. The husband has just come to faith. We bought a pectoral Cross. The husband thought: "Why should I go to the Temple. There is baptismal water and a prayer for the consecration of every thing." I read it, sprinkled it three times. Put on and wear. We went to the Pafnutevo-Borovsky Monastery (for the first time). They enter the cell to Fr. Vlasiy. He calls him by name (seeing him for the first time) and says: "Your Cross is not consecrated, go to the prayer service, consecrate." (Zakharin A.G.)

Priest Mikhail Vorobyov answers:

What does the loss of a pectoral cross mean?

Nothing, except for some carelessness and negligence of the one who lost it.

Is it possible to give a pectoral cross

Of course you can.

How to choose a pectoral cross

The pectoral cross is not jewelry... No matter how beautiful he is, no matter what precious metal it would not have been made, it is primarily a visible symbol of the Christian faith.

Orthodox pectoral crosses have a very ancient tradition and therefore are very diverse in appearance, depending on the time and place of manufacture. The traditional Orthodox pectoral cross has an eight-pointed shape.

Veneration of the cross, love for it is manifested in the richness and variety of its decorations. Pectoral crosses have always been distinguished by a variety both in the choice of the material from which they were made - gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber - and in their shape. And therefore, when choosing a cross, one must pay attention not to the metal from which the cross is made, but to whether the shape of the cross corresponds to the Orthodox traditions, which will be discussed below.

Is it possible to wear crosses with the Catholic Crucifixion

The iconography of the Orthodox Crucifixion received its final dogmatic substantiation in 692 in the 82nd rule of the Trul Cathedral, which approved the canon of the iconographic image of the Crucifixion. The main condition for the canon is the combination of historical realism with the realism of Divine Revelation. The figure of the Savior expresses Divine peace and greatness. It is, as it were, imposed on the cross, and the Lord opens His arms to everyone who turns to Him.

This iconography artistically solves the complex dogmatic task of depicting the two natures of Christ - Human and Divine - showing both the death and the victory of the Savior. Catholics, having abandoned their early views, did not understand and did not accept the rules of the Trul Cathedral and, accordingly, the symbolic spiritual image of Jesus Christ.

Naturally, Orthodox piety requires the wearing of an Orthodox cross, not a Catholic cross, which violates the dogmatic foundations of the Christian faith.

How to consecrate a pectoral cross

Traditionally, in the Orthodox Church, the consecration of a pectoral cross is performed by a priest in a church. The rite of blessing the cross to be worn on a persech, i.e. on the chest, contained in the liturgical book - Trebnik.

The cross is consecrated only once. It is necessary to re-consecrate it only in exceptional conditions (if it was badly damaged and restored again, or fell into the hands, but you do not know whether it was consecrated before).

Which cross to choose - gold or silver

- Does not matter; the main thing is that the cross should be worn without removing it, and it would be Orthodox and consecrated.

Is it possible to wear a cross on a chain

- There is no fundamental difference between a chain and a braid. It is important that the cross stays firmly. Better on a strong cord, because chain links are frayed.

Is it possible to wear a cross and a zodiac sign on the same chain

- The pectoral cross is a sign of belonging to the Church of Christ, and the signs of the zodiac, amulets, amulets are evidence of adherence to paganism and various superstitions, therefore, they cannot be worn at all: “What does light have to do with darkness? What is the agreement between Christ and Beliar? Or what is the complicity of the faithful with the unbeliever? What is the compatibility of the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God said: I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people "(2 Cor. 6: 14-16).

Is it okay to wear a cross that my sister wore if she bought a new one

- Necessary. There is a tradition of fraternization in Christ and the mutual exchange of crosses on the wearer. The cross is a shrine, a symbol of salvation, no matter who wore it.

How to distinguish an Orthodox cross from a Catholic?

– Orthodox Church confesses that Christ was crucified not with three, but with four nails. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, the Savior is depicted crucified with four nails, and on the Catholic one - with three (both legs - with one nail). On the back of Orthodox crosses, according to tradition, the inscription "Save and preserve" is made.

Is it possible to pick up a cross found on the street and what to do with it

- The cross found on the street must be lifted, since it is a shrine, and it should not be trampled underfoot. The found cross can be taken to the Church or consecrated and worn (if there is no one of your own), or given to the one who will wear it.

Pectoral cross - why is it worn on the body and is it possible to remove the cross from oneself?

NATURAL CREST

Of all the world religions, Christianity occupies a special position in Russia. According to statistics, at least two-thirds of Russians received the Sacrament of Baptism. In this Sacrament, among other actions, a pectoral cross is placed on a person's neck. About where the tradition of wearing pectoral crosses came from, why it is worn on the body and whether it is possible to remove the cross from oneself - this and another will be discussed in our article.

A bit of history

The custom, along with Baptism, to put on a pectoral cross around the neck of the newly baptized did not appear immediately. However, the cross as an instrument of salvation has been the subject of the greatest honor among Christians from the very foundation of the Church. For example, the ecclesiastical thinker Tertullian (II-III centuries) in his "Apology" testifies that the veneration of the cross existed from the earliest times of Christianity. Even before the finding in the 4th century by Queen Helena and Emperor Constantine of the life-giving cross on which Christ was crucified, even among the first followers of Christ, the custom was widespread to always have the image of the cross with them - both as a reminder of the sufferings of the Lord and to confess their faith in front of others. ... From the acts of the 7th Ecumenical Council (act 4), we know that the holy martyrs Orestes (suffered c. 304) and Procopius (martyred in 303) wore a cross on their chests. Pontius, the biographer of the holy martyr Cyprian of Carthage (d. 258 g..), other. Christians wore the image of the cross on the body, most often on the forehead and chest. If some Christians wore the cross under their clothes for fear of persecution or out of a reverent desire to avoid the mockery of the shrine by the pagans, then there were others who wanted to confess Christ, their faith. Such a bold and decisive confession prompted to make the image of the cross on the forehead as in the most noticeable place of the human body. Today, very few external sources have survived that would report this pious tradition of wearing the cross, because in the first three centuries it belonged to the disciplinae arcanae, that is, to the circle of those Christian beliefs and rituals that were kept secret from the pagans. After the weakening and subsequent cessation of the persecution of Christians, the wearing of the cross became a widespread custom. At the same time, crosses began to be installed on all Christian churches. In Russia, this custom was adopted precisely with the baptism of the Slavs in 988. On Russian soil, crosses were worn not on the body, but over clothing, "as clear indications of Christian baptism." They were called encolpions - from the Greek word for "breastplate". The encolpions were first in the form of a four-sided box, empty inside; on their outer side there was an image of a monogram of the name of Jesus Christ, and later - a cross of various shapes. Particles of relics were kept in this box.

The meaning of the cross

What does the pectoral cross symbolize and why is it necessary to wear it? Thanks to the sacrificial feat of Christ the Savior, the cross as an instrument of a terrible and painful execution became a symbol of redemption and an instrument for the salvation of all mankind from sin and death. It is on the Cross, through pain and suffering, death and Resurrection, that the Son of God accomplishes the salvation or healing of human nature from mortality, passion and corruption brought into it by the fall of Adam and Eve. Thus, a person who bears the Crucifixion of Christ testifies to his participation in the sufferings and deeds of His Savior, followed by the hope of salvation, and hence the resurrection of a person for eternal life with God. This involvement consists not so much in admitting theoretically that Christ once, more than two thousand years ago, physically and mentally suffered in Jerusalem, as in accepting: I, just like the Lord, are ready to offer daily yourself as a sacrifice - through the struggle with your passions, through forgiveness and non-condemnation of your neighbors, through building your life according to the Gospel commandments of the Savior - as a sign of love and gratitude to Him.

A huge honor

For an Orthodox Christian, wearing the cross is a great honor and responsibility. Conscious neglect and blasphemous attitude towards the cross in the Russian people has always been understood as an act of apostasy. Russian people on the crosses swore allegiance, and exchanging body crosses, they became brothers-in-arms. When churches, houses, bridges were built, the cross was laid in the foundation. The Orthodox Church believes that by the faith of a person through the cross of Christ, the power of God manifests (acts) in an invisible way. The cross is a weapon against the devil. The Church can reliably speak of the miraculous, saving and healing power of the cross and the sign of the cross, referring to the experience from the lives of her saints, as well as to the numerous testimonies of ordinary believers. Raising the Dead, healing from ailments, protection from evil forces - all these and other benefits to this day through the cross show the love of God to man.

Worthless superstition

But, despite the life-giving power of the cross, many people trust (follow) various superstitions associated with the cross. Here is an example of one of them: "Seeing a pectoral cross in a dream is an alarming sign, and if you dreamed that you lost a cross, be prepared for troubles that will not slow down on you," the interpreters of dreams unanimously say. But the most common superstition associated with the Crucifixion tells us that if we find somewhere a cross lost by someone, then we cannot take it, since by doing so we take upon ourselves the sins of others. However, when it comes to finding lost money, no one remembers the sins of others, especially the pain of others. And to the "serious question" of many who are worried about what it means when a cross is lost, I would like to answer just as seriously, that it means that the chain or rope on which this cross hung has broken. The presence in a person of a superstitious, that is, a vain, empty attitude towards the cross testifies to a lack of faith and even distrust of Christ, and therefore, of His redemptive sacrificial deed, accomplished on the Cross. In this case, hope and love for God and trust in God's Providence are replaced by distrust and fear of the unknown.

Questionable targets

For what purpose are pectoral crosses worn today and are they worn at all? Here are the answers to this question posted on one of the Internet forums:. I wear it as a talisman amulet; ... because it's beautiful and probably just helps; ... I wear a cross, but not as a symbol of faith, but as a gift from a person close to me; ... I wear it because, they say, it brings happiness; ... I do not wear it, because I consider it idolatry, there is no indication of this custom in the Bible; ... I don’t wear a cross for two reasons: my neck itches terribly from all these chains, and secondly, I am, of course, a believer, but not to the same degree ... This is precisely how unchurched people with a pagan or even consumerist attitude to faith and religion reason. ... But among this type of people there is a part that generally does not accept the wearing of a cross, motivating it with the following: “God is in my soul, and so is it”; “In the Bible, God does not command to wear a cross”; "The cross is a symbol of death, a shameful instrument of execution," etc. What can a person not come up with as an excuse for his elementary ignorance in the field of Christian culture! Thus, most unchurched people do not have a Christian understanding of what a cross is and why it should be worn on the body. The Church says that the cross is a shrine on which the salvation of people was accomplished, testifying to the love of God for us. Upon accepting the Sacrament of Baptism, a person begins to be called a Christian, which means that those who are ready with their whole life to testify to their faithfulness to God by bearing their cross of life and following His commandments. This is what the image of the cross on our chest constantly reminds us of. Orthodox Christians are called, looking at the cross, to treat it with great reverence and responsibility. Such a reverent attitude towards the cross and remembering it as a shrine often keeps a person from committing a bad deed. No wonder in Russia a person who committed a crime was told: “You don’t have a cross”. This phrase is not literal, physical meaning the absence of a cross on the body, but speaks of the absence of remembrance, a serious Christian attitude towards the cross and the Christian faith. In itself, the presence of a cross on the chest does not save and has no meaning for a person if he does not consciously confess what the Cross of Christ symbolizes. A reverent attitude towards the pectoral cross encourages the believer not to remove the cross from the body unless there is a serious need. The fact that in Russia they made special bath crosses made of wood, so as not to burn themselves with a metal cross, suggests that people did not want to remove the crosses even on a short time(during washing). No wonder the Russian people said: "He who is with the cross is with Christ." But there are situations when certain circumstances require it - for example, body surgery. In such cases, one should not neglect the doctor's requirement, it is enough to cross the sign of the cross and rely on the will of God. The question of whether or not to wear crosses for infants causes fear in many people, because the child can allegedly suffocate with a rope or chain on which the Crucifix is located. But not a single such accident has yet been known in which a child would strangle himself with his own hand or inflict wounds on himself with a cross. These are just unnecessary fears or superstitious prejudices of adults. The only advice to parents is not to put too long a rope or chain around their necks. Conclusion The cross is not just a memory of the day of baptism and not a relic that should be kept, not a talisman or a gift, but a shrine through which God gives a believer who leads a correct spiritual life His grace, consolation and support. It is no coincidence that the Russian people have put together a wise proverb: "We do not wear the cross, but he wears us." Being a visible shrine, the pectoral cross is intended to testify to our faith in Christ, our readiness to sacrificially love and forgive people and live according to the Gospel commandments. And God grant us, looking at our cross, more often to remember the words of the Lord and act in accordance with His call: "If anyone wants to follow Me, deny yourself and take up your cross, and follow Me" (Matt 16:24).

Deacon Konstantin Kiosev Source: website "Orthodox"

Can I wear someone else's cross:

If someone else's pectoral cross fell into your hands, and it doesn't matter how it happened - whether someone gave it to you, inherited it, or even just found it, then naturally, the question arises about the possibility of wearing it. About, is it possible to wear someone else's cross, people often ask on forums and other sites. There is no unequivocal answer to this question, but we will try to highlight the two most widespread opinions on this matter: the opinion of the Church and the opinion of psychics and superstitious people.

What the Church thinks

When clergymen are asked the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's pectoral cross, their answer is most often unambiguous - yes, you can. Indeed, for Orthodox Christians, the cross on the neck is not some kind of magical attribute or something else like that. The cross on the neck of the Orthodox is a symbol of his faith.

Their opinion is somewhat different from the opinion of the clergy. Many people believe that putting on someone else's cross, you can take over other people's ailments or troubles. Sometimes among the people you can find stories about how a person, putting on someone else's cross, almost repeated the fate of its former owner. Even more often, you can find stories about how, with the help of a cross, they put some kind of damage on a person. Believe it or not is a personal matter for every person.

Often in many families, some valuable things or jewelry are passed from generation to generation. If you inherited a pectoral cross then you can wear it. However, again, it is better to pre-consecrate it in the church. If you do not go to church, you can just hold the cross under the running water to wash away someone else's energy from him.

Everyone has already found the answer to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross or not. In any case, if any doubts or fear gnaws at you, simply consecrate this object in the church or donate and nothing terrible will happen, because the pectoral cross is a symbol of faith in God and a symbol of the fact that you accept His protection.

How to speak a pectoral cross so that life is long and happy?

For a long and happy life, any of the newlyweds, on any day after the wedding, should go to the temple and buy an ordinary wooden pectoral cross, consecrate it there and immediately go home without looking back.

Upon returning, you need to light a wax candle and fill a small container with holy water. Take the cross by the lace (chain) right hand, place it above the water surface and read the plot 7 times:

My house has four corners and a cross has four ends. To lie on this cross in the house, to drive away adversity, to protect the goodness of God and peace. May it be so!

Spray water in all corners of each room. The candle should burn out completely. Take the remaining wax to the intersection. Hide the cross next to the icon.

Conspiracy-amulet from damage (on a pectoral cross)

They say a pectoral cross, and it becomes a very strong amulet.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The cross is the baptist, the cross is the saint, the cross is the beauty of the church, the cross is the keeper of the whole universe, the cross is the exorcism of demons, the cross is an ulcer for demons. And now and forever and forever and ever. Amen. I, the servant of God (name), will get up, blessing, I will go, crossing myself, from door to door, from gate to gate, into an open field, to the blue Ocean-Sea. On that blue Ocean-sea, in an open field, there is a white curly birch - Mother herself Holy Mother of God... To her, the servant of God (name), I will obey and pray, I will bow to all sides: Most Pure Mother, Most Holy Theotokos Virgin, help, help me, the servant of God (name), dissuade parables and ghosts, wind talks, internal fractures, from the bone, from a brain, from a white vein, from clear eyes, from a zealous heart, from a violent head, from thirty bones, from three veins, from a single core vein, from everything I will become a human being with a servant of God. Always, now and ever, and forever and ever. A key to words, a lock to thoughts. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Charm on a pectoral cross

Read this amulet on a pectoral cross 12 times.
This amulet is very strong, it is difficult to interrupt and remove,
if such a cross is lowered into the water,
then it becomes cleansing.

"In the name of father and son and holy spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, our God,
Save us with your honest cross
The cross is on my servant of God (name).
The cross and my enemy will be afraid
the cross and the thief will be pumped out,
the cross and the murderer will turn into stone,
the cross and all the demonic power runs,
cross and screen for sorcerers.
Cross the cross and conquer all enemies.
Church beauty cross,
Praise to the martyrs,
cross to the angels glory,
cross to demons is an ulcer.
I will close myself with a cross, I will be established with a cross,
cross on my servant of God (name).
Cross consecration,
cross healing,
the cross is deliverance from all troubles.
Glory to the Cross of the Lord
The secret police are strong on me.
Spas's hand, Christ's seal.
God bless.
In the name of father and son and holy spirit.
Amen."

Protection for a pectoral cross.

Rite of passage - protection on a pectoral cross for a child from 1 to 16 years old.

The ceremony is carried out on the growing moon on Wednesday from 12 to 15 noon.
Set icons in a semicircle on a table covered with a white tablecloth:
1. ir. "Isaiah the Almighty"
2. ir. NS. Theotokos "Seven-shot" (it is also called - Softening of Evil Hearts ")
3.Ik. "Archangels Michael and Gabriel"
4. For each icon a church candle.
5. On the right from ourselves we put a small cup with holy water.
6. In the center of the table we put a silver cross consecrated in the church and previously smacked in holy water. (put three zaza in a bowl of holy water and put wet in the middle of the table)
7. Light candles from left to right and read prayers:

"Our Father ..." - 3 times (I hope everyone knows)

"Seven-shot" - 3 times.

" O, Blessed virgin Mary, queen of angels, heaven and earth, my consolation. Blessed Lady, Zealous intercessor of the entire human race! I pray to Thy miraculous icon. You are the sick, healing, correction and admonition of the lost. Be my intercessor and intercessor before the throne of the Almighty. Whom should I turn to if not to You, the gracious wife of our God. Help me weak. Soothe my sorrow and sorrow, heal and save me. Cleanse my mind from sinful thoughts, accept my prayer, from soul and heart, save and give me understanding and give me the grace of the Holy Spirit. Cover me with your robe from all evil. Console the storm of evil enemy attacks and save me from slander, slander of evil people. Hear my voice, do not turn your clear face away from me as a sinner mired in the sea of her sins. Have mercy on me, who repent of my evil deeds, turn my lost, numb soul to the right path. Ask the Most High God and the Son of our Savior Jesus Christ with your most holy prayers for forgiveness for my grave sins. On You, the Lady, I pin all my hopes. Give me a helping hand. Protect me from enemies visible and invisible, from vain death, and grant me repentance before death. Deliver from demons at the hour of death. You will rest after death. Deliver me from all misfortune and misfortune. Be me a cover and consolation from all circumstances, from hunger, coward, flood, fire, sword, deadly virus and ulcer. Ask the Lady of our Omnipresent God for me bodily health and spiritual salvation, a pious and peaceful life, the fruitfulness of the Earth and blessings from above for all good deeds and new beginnings, so that I can glorify You. Do not look down on my tears, asking you. Protect me from thieves and human persecution, damage, evil eye, curse. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, bring back the evil to the one who brought this attack on me in triple size. Protect and protect my family from all kinds of hostile encroachments and intrigues of the devil, from fights and scandals. Turn away any anger that comes from relatives at me. Reconcile all my family and loved ones with each other. Give them time to repent. Bless my family for peace, happiness and tranquility. Strengthen and establish my home. Deliver my unfortunate soul from imprisonment, be my Merciful Intercessor in earthly court. Lift my wretched prayers to the throne of the Most High, but pray to Him. All-merciful Lady, do not put away my tears and sighs, do not forget me all the days of my life, always come with me. Your intercession and intercession from the Lord will give me joy and consolation, protection and help. May I glorify and magnify Thy Most Blessed and All-Singing Name. Amen"

"Archangels" - 3 times

"Holy angels of God: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selafiel, Igudiel, Barachael!
Drive out from the servant of God (name) with your lightning-fast swords the evil spirit tempting the servant of God (name).
Oh, the Great Archangel of God, Michael and Gabriel are the conquerors of demons! Defeat and crush all enemies of the servant of God (name) visible and invisible, and pray to the Lord Almighty, may the Lord save and preserve the servant of God (name) from sorrow and from all illness, from all troubles, from deadly ulcers and vain death. Heal many diseases of the body and soul of God's servant (name). Bless the servant of God (name) to put a good beginning, the correction of her unborn life. Pray the Lord God, may he deliver her from the hell of the underworld, from the damage of the evil eye, curse, accident, from all visible and invisible enemies and premature death. Now and forever and forever Main "

After reading the prayers, drop one drop from each candle on the cross and read the Conspiracy on the cross - 3 times.

"In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The cross is the baptist, the cross is the saint, the cross is the beauty of the church, the cross is the keeper of the whole universe, the cross is the exorcism of demons, the cross is an ulcer to demons. And now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
I will get up, God's servant (name) blessed, I will go crossing myself, from door to door, from gate to gate, into an open field, onto the blue Ocean-Sea. On that blue Ocean - the sea, in an open field there is a white curly birch, and under it is the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Seven Arrows. To her, the servant of God (name) will obey and pray, and ask: - Most Pure Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos Virgin, help, help me the servant of God (name) to dissuade parables and ghosts, windy negotiations, internal fractures, from the bone, from the brain, from the white veins from clear eyes, from a zealous heart, from a violent head, from thirty bones, from thirty veins, from a single core vein, I’ll all become a human being from the servant of God (name). Mother Blessed Theotokos blessed this - a cross, for the servant of God (name). The key to my words, the lock to my thoughts. Always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Amen."

After reading the conspiracy, we put the icons with candles near the cross in the form of a triangle, until the candles are completely burned out. When all the candles are burned out, the guard is ready.

If someone else's pectoral cross fell into your hands, and it doesn't matter how it happened - whether someone gave it to you, inherited it, or even just found it, then naturally, the question arises about the possibility of wearing it. Whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross, people often ask on forums and other sites. There is no unequivocal answer to this question, but we will try to highlight the two most widespread opinions on this matter: the opinion of the Church and the opinion of psychics and superstitious people.

What the Church thinks

The belief of many that, together with someone else's cross, you take over all the worries, troubles and even the fate of the former owner, is most often based on a misinterpretation of the words of the Bible. The Bible says that Jesus called everyone to take up his cross and follow him. The cross in this context refers to the trials that have fallen to the lot of the believer. The pectoral cross worn at baptism has nothing to do with it.

Also, clergy urge not to pay attention to various superstitions and omens, because everyone knows that the Church completely denies them. As many priests say: a believer should not be superstitious and afraid of anything.

What psychics and superstitious people say

Psychics recommend not picking up other people's crosses on the road, and especially at intersections, as damage can be reduced on them. They also advise not to accept crosses as a gift from people who are hostile towards you and do not want good. If, nevertheless, you raised the found cross or was presented with this thing, then there are two options for solving the problem: take the cross to the church and give it away, or again take it to the church, but not give it away, but simply consecrate it. In no case should you throw out the cross, especially if you are a baptized person.

If the cross is inherited

Often in many families, some valuable things or jewelry are passed from generation to generation. If you inherited a pectoral cross, you can wear it. However, again, it is better to pre-consecrate it in the church. If you do not go to church, then you can just hold the cross under running water for a while to wash away other people's energy from it.

The cross connects the person with the God of the sanctuary human soul... This is what a person sacredly believes and sacredly keeps "in the heart of his body."

What to do? If you find a cross, then you should first take it to the nearest church and light it up. If you are afraid to keep it for yourself, give it to the priest. Let him decide what to do with such a find.

If you were presented with a found cross, then be sure to wear it! Shoot only in exceptional cases. For example, when you need to clean or wipe a gold (silver) chain. Notice that the cross presented to you has turned black - take it off and forget about it. It is possible that the person who handed it over dislikes you or has strong feelings of anger, hatred, and envy towards you.

Someone else's donated cross

You can take. Light it up in church and wear it with blessing.

Alien silver cross

You can wear someone else's cross made of silver. Consider how silver "treats" you, since it is not loved by all people.

Silver suits emotional, young, purposeful, optimistic, patient, strong-willed, resourceful and enterprising women born under the zodiacal signs of Pisces and Cancer. Why it comes only about women? Because this metal at all times was considered purely feminine.

Silver does not like people who have the following qualities:

Ruthlessness.
Stiffness.
Pedantry.
Closure.
Greed (stinginess).
Swagger.
Duplicity.
Pragmatic.

Someone else's cross, bought at a pawnshop

In ancient occult literature, there are tips that say, if you want to cleanse any thing, pass it through the pawnshop, they say, even things with strong curses are cleansed in this way. But this is not confirmed data. There is no evidence to indicate that this is exactly what is happening. The Church is for the fact that each person carries only his own cross, do not try on and do not accept someone else's, it can be a hundred times more difficult.

Deceased person's cross

Priests see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a cross that belongs to a deceased person. However, they strongly recommend to bury the deceased with the cross.

You can wear the cross of a person who went to another world, if you do not believe in all sorts of signs and do not live by superstitions.

The deceased's cross cannot be worn if for some reason you stole it and did not confess what you did.

Whether or not to wear a cross without a crucifix

The Orthodox cross, on which there is no crucifixion, is considered the oldest. Indeed, at the very beginning of the Christian era, only the geometric outlines of the cross were depicted. And the crucifixion appeared relatively recently. In this regard, many priests are of the opinion that crosses with crucifixes do not correspond to Christian canons in any way: there is an image of Christ on them and therefore they automatically turn into an icon. Any icon is intended for the perception and reading of a prayer.

They say that it is undesirable for the Orthodox to wear a cross without a crucifixion. And if there is a great desire to wear such a cross, then it is necessary to hide it under clothes and not show it to anyone.

A consecrated cross on the hand can be worn or not

All liturgical books mention a cross to be worn on a persech (on the chest). This means that you should not wear it in a place that is not intended for it, if it is the only one you have.

You can wear a lighted cross on your hand if you have one copy near your heart for a long time.

Is it possible to wear a cross for unbaptized people

There are two completely opposite answers to this question. Now we will deal with each of them.

Unbaptized people are allowed to wear a cross if:

They have decided to be baptized in the near future and are carefully preparing for this important ceremony.
They truly believed in God, and there was not the slightest doubt about their faith.

Some priests say that a cross should not be worn by someone who has never thought about baptism. The person who acquires it for the sake of decoration or creating an image does not have any rights to wear a cross.

Why is someone else's cross dreaming?

If he dreams alone, then this means caring for a neighbor. If you dream of many other people's crosses, then there are many good deeds that you will begin to do in the near future.

If in a dream you see just a beautiful, shining cross, it means that you are an all-forgiving and noble person. Joy and well-being can be expected soon.

If this is a golden cross - a huge positive and joy.

If the cross is silver, it is the embodiment of hope.

If you cross a wooden one - success and good luck.

Considering myself Orthodox Christian, it is important to have a basic basic knowledge of Christian culture, and not to be led by common superstitions. And, unfortunately, there are a great many of them, even if we are talking about the main shrine - the cross. They begin with the interpretation of dreams, during which some manipulation of the pectoral cross occurs, and end with indecision and apprehension if a cross was found lost by someone. Let's try to understand the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross and how the church recommends to deal with such an unexpected “foundling”.

The meaning of the cross in Orthodoxy

On the cross, Jesus died as a martyr for the salvation of everyone living. Wearing the crucifixion of Christ, received at baptism, around his neck, the believer declares his involvement in the suffering of the Lord, his selfless deed, which gives hope for resurrection. The pectoral cross is a silent prayer with which we turn to the Almighty for the salvation of our soul. A believer should wear a cross all his life, because it is a vivid proof of self-sacrifice in the name of love. Russians have reached our days folk proverbs, symbolizing the attitude to this shrine: "He who is with the cross is with Christ", "We do not carry the cross, but he carries us." The crucifixion tells about faith in the Lord, is a promise to live according to his commandments. The Almighty hears everyone who addresses him and opens his arms to him.

Wearing rules

The figure of the Savior superimposed on the cross shows the human and divine hypostasis, the triumph of victory over death. The symbol received its dogmatic validity in the 690s in Constantinople. Since then, the pectoral cross has been a sign of belonging to the Orthodox Christian faith, a mute witness to the "indescribable". There are several principles for wearing it:

The crucifixion is a cross, on one side of which there is an image of Jesus Christ, on the other - the words "Save and Preserve".
The cross can be made of any material: gold or silver, wood or stone, amber or pearls.
The protective effect of the power of the cross comes from the correct cross consecrated in the church. It can be in 4-, 6- and 8-point shapes.
The crucifix is worn constantly, under clothing, with the prayer side to the body.
Treating the cross as an adornment or fetish is unacceptable.

Priests about other people's crosses

People are often interested in whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross. The answers of the priests fit into a few words: "The cross is the cross." They treat the cross as a shrine, reverently. The prayer "May God rise again" conveys the attitude of the believer to the crucifixion as to a living, spiritualized being. The clergy do not approve of all sorts of superstitions, predictions, fortune-telling. When asked if the bad energy and sins of the previous owner will not be passed on with someone else's cross, they remark: “What about virtue? Will it be transmitted too? " The priest will advise you to treat the found cross with respect, carefully pick it up and take it for yourself, give it to someone who needs it or take it to the temple. But in no case should you step over it and leave it to be trampled underfoot.

Is it possible to wear someone else's cross

Despite the fact that it is easier to believe in folk omens, it is worth understanding the nuances. Is it possible to wear the found cross, consciously and churchly? On the one hand, if you like the "foundling", you should not be afraid to wear it yourself. On the other hand, is there a good reason for this and is there some secret mystical goal being pursued? The cross is not a talisman, so there is no strong or weak amulet among them. It is at least naive to associate your hopes or, on the contrary, fears with him. You can simply take the crucifixion to the church as a donation. But it should be remembered that there is no trouble in finding a cross, and wearing it does not promise any trouble.

Cross as a gift

The best gift for a believer is a pectoral cross. Therefore, you can safely give it: for christening, name day, birthday. Both new and found. The main thing is that he is consecrated in the church and gains his crescent power. If there is no information about lighting, it is better to do it anyway. What if someone from your family offers their crucifix to be worn - is it possible to wear the cross of a relative or close friend? Oh sure. After all, such gifts are not given to people whose fate is indifferent.

Deceased's cross

There is an interesting fact: in Ancient Rus the departed people were buried, after removing the cross from them. The Rusichi reasoned like this: "Why put a shrine in the ground?" In our time, the cross, on the contrary, is worn, because grieving relatives want their loved one to appear before the Creator with a reverent shrine around their neck. Times are changing, and with them traditions. It so happens that the family has sacred relic, an ancient cross, passed down from generation to generation through the female or male line after the death of its owner. Sometimes there are fears and concerns about whether it is possible to wear the cross of the deceased, even if it is so valuable. Just as with the found or donated cross, these worries are groundless. Believers are not inclined to trust prejudices and beliefs. Therefore, to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross, they do not need the priest's answer. In their bright world of God, there is no place for dark superstitions.

Loss of the cross

Unfortunately, no one is immune from the unpleasant situation of losing an expensive item. When it comes to wearing a crucifix or a wedding ring, the experience is compounded by superstitious fears. But there is no supernatural in such a loss, just as there is no omen. V popular acceptance it is said that at such a moment a person is, as it were, at a crossroads, and the Lord will give him a second chance. One can believe in such a "miracle of rebirth". But it is better to think about the soul and its immortality, about how to bring it closer to God. Since the cross by itself, without faith, does not mean anything, it is more important to care not about external manifestations, but about carrying Christ in your heart. If you analyze the situation, it becomes clear that a chain or ribbon may be to blame for the loss, and they do not carry any symbolic meaning. Therefore, if such a loss occurs, then you should go to the temple or visit the church shop and get yourself a new cross. And to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross, if someone from your acquaintances offers you one instead of the lost one, the answer is unequivocally positive. You can save and protect your soul with any life-giving cross, no matter who it previously belonged to.

The cross is not a witchcraft amulet or a dead symbol, not a talisman or jewelry trinket. It is important to worry not about whether you can wear someone else's cross and whether you will have to carry someone else's "cross" with it. It is much more essential to treat it as a living weapon of grace, given by the Lord. Wear a cross around your neck and faith in your heart.

The pectoral cross is a reliable talisman for every believer. This holy thing is saturated with the energy of its owner and becomes literally one with him, and even when it is lost, it retains this connection for some time. But if you happen to find a cross, signs strongly advise against wearing it, and there is an explanation for that.

The pectoral cross is a reliable amulet for every believer

Where is the cross usually found and what does it mean?

If you suddenly find a cross, then, according to a common belief, it is better to bypass it. The item can carry the negative left over from the previous owner.

At the same time, the opinion of the clergy on this matter is completely different. They argue that if you happen to find a cross, you should not worry, since this thing is not capable of accumulating bad energy. The Orthodox cross is a shrine that is incapable of causing harm.

In general, there are several superstitions that can interpret this situation... And their interpretation directly depends on where exactly you found the find.

We saw a cross that is gathering dust at the intersection - bad sign... Usually there it is not thrown by accident. The Holy Cross could speak in order to get rid of any disease or in order to ward off trouble. Thus, by lifting it, a person takes all the thrown out misfortunes onto himself.
I had a chance to find a pectoral cross in my house - a sign advises to think about how exactly he got there. If earlier it belonged to one of your relatives and was simply forgotten, this thing will not bring problems. However, there may be another situation when this object is specially thrown into the house in order to attract troubles.
Found on the grass - changes await you. The omen does not explain whether they will be good or bad, and what areas of life they will touch, but that they will happen is for sure.
If the holy thing was lying on the road - get ready for the trip. Moreover, this can be not only a business trip, but also a visit to distant relatives.
Found in a puddle promises trouble for a person. You will find yourself under the gun of envious people and ill-wishers who will begin to weave intrigues. It is possible that these events will entail feelings and tears.

If you find a cross on the street, then in order to neutralize bad luck, the following must be done: take the find to the temple, consecrate it and leave it there.

We saw a cross that is gathering dust at an intersection - a bad sign

Interpretation depending on the material

It is considered a great success to find a cross made of gold or silver. However, a sign categorically does not recommend such a thing to sell or change for anything. This is a kind of test, and if a person nevertheless decides to take the cross, for example, to a pawnshop, he will show an excessive love of money in such a way that it will turn into big trouble for him. According to legend, his soul will be destroyed.

On the other hand, it is believed that Orthodox crosses made from simple materials, such as wood, iron, copper, etc. However, this does not affect the interpretation of the omen, and if you happen to find such a cross, its meaning remains the same.

No matter what material the shrine is made of, it is undesirable to bring it to your home - people say that in this case a person will have to atone for the sins of the owner of the cross for the rest of his life.

What should you do if you find someone else's cross?

On the one hand, signs are not advised to pick up a found cross, especially if it was found at an intersection. It is better to leave such a thing where it lay. However, the clergy say that it is not good when the shrine is lying in the dust.

If you sincerely believe in omens and are afraid of getting yourself into trouble, before picking up this object, you should cross it and read a short prayer.

The ministers of the church are sure that the found cross is a symbol of the manifestation of God's mercy. And if you leave the amulet on the road, then thereby desecrate it.

Hang on a branch of a nearby tree - perhaps the person who has lost the amulet will return to find it.
If you are a deeply religious person, the found amulet should be taken to the church and donated to some icon.
According to superstition, accidentally finding a cross is destined only good man... The sign says that a sinner will never find a shrine under his feet.

If you are a deeply religious person, the found amulet should be taken to the church and donated to some icon.

Can the found cross be worn?

Signs are not advised to wear the found cross. Superstitious people argue that it is impossible to put on such a find, otherwise you will have to shoulder the sins of others.

However, there is an exception to this rule. The priests say that unbaptized people who are just going to convert to Christianity can leave the find with them. And here it is very important that the decision of the person who found the cross is influenced not by an omen, but by a sincere desire.

As you can see, opinions about the found cross differ greatly, and the interpretation of the omen can have both positive and negative meanings. However, remember that you should always tune yourself in only for the good. Found a cross - act like an Orthodox person and take it to the church.

Leaving the cross on the road to be walked on is a great sin, the clergy say. After all, this is a shrine, and it should not be trampled underfoot.

“In our time of troubles, unfortunately, elements of occult consciousness - superstition - are widespread among people,” says the priest Father Dionisy Tolstov. - Of course, people who do not have sufficient faith and spiritual knowledge are afraid of everything. He who does not know God is afraid of his own shadow.

You should clearly understand what the cross is. The cross is the focus of all Christian confessions. The cross is the sign of the Son of God, the instrument of our salvation, the cross is the beauty of the Church. When we see the cross, we rejoice in the Risen Savior, which means that the pectoral cross for each of us is a constant reminder of Christ. The cross is the road to Heaven. Every Christian should have this understanding of the cross. Then there will be no fear of finding the cross. "

If you do not want to take such a cross home, then you can hang it on the branch of the nearest tree or on the fence. But it is best to take the cross to the temple and consecrate it, the priest advises. Then you can wear it or give it to someone. You can donate a cross to some icon. By the way, when you are in church, pay attention: many icons have gold and silver crosses donated by parishioners.

“The soul is by nature a Christian,” Tertullian once said, to which, many centuries later, V.V. Rozanov said: “Nothing of the kind. The soul is by nature a pagan. " This is how a pagan fights a Christian in our person, and this struggle sometimes gives rise to numerous dilemmas. So, many are wondering whether it is possible to wear someone else's pectoral 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 the found pectoral cross due to the fact that the sins of a person who has lost the symbol of faith will be passed on to another is nonsense, which is easier to invent than comment.

To the question: "Is it possible to wear the cross of another person?" , who, of course, has enough mistakes of his own. "

Orthodox crosses

In addition, everyone receives their hardships in life, which must be borne with patience and gratitude, because the Lord sends trials to heal the soul. Everyone asks in prayers: "Lord, have mercy", which in Greek sounds like "Kirie eleison". Elayson translates to "oil" and olive oil is the first human medicine in the world.

It is impossible that the pectoral cross, which was found and put on, influenced by itself the character of a person, to add sins or get rid of them, and also somehow magically draw a line of life.

Important. Orthodoxy is, first of all, sanity, and no actions that are not related to personal, conscious actions of a person, good or evil, can change a person or affect life events that occur with a person.

You should not be afraid of the found cross, since the cross is a shrine, not a pagan amulet. Ever since Christ was crucified for the sake of our salvation, the pectoral cross protects a person from evil spirits in the same way as the sign of the cross. Another person, who wore it and lost, is unable to change its purpose as a protective force against evil.

Therefore, all the signs associated with it are superstition.

About superstitions:

What cross is recognized to be considered Orthodox

For a Christian, basic key aspects are important. The cross should be:

four-, six-, eight-point form;
with the inscription "Save and preserve" on both sides, and not with decorative stones (preferably, as a recommendation from priests), children are recommended to simple, not inlaid with precious stones;
purchased in a church, then it is already consecrated; if bought in a jewelry store or found, it must be consecrated by any Orthodox priest;
the material of manufacture does not matter. And also the size is not important, except that it is better for babies to wear small crosses without sharp corners.

Advice! A person receives a cross during the Sacrament of Baptism, but it happens that the symbol of faith can be lost. You should not take this dramatically and superstitiously expect some kind of disaster, you need to go to the temple and buy a new one.

What to do with the found cross. Answers from the priests

If a person himself found an Orthodox cross on the street, the priests recommend that it be consecrated without fail, since it is not known whether it was previously consecrated.

Read about the pectoral cross:

If, nevertheless, there are doubts about the found cross, the priests advise, first of all, to consecrate it, and then:

to give a godson or a poor Christian who does not have the material opportunity to buy it;
wear it yourself;
donate to the temple.

Thus, Orthodoxy is unambiguous in the question of the found or lost cross, as well as in the question "where to read the Gospel", "with which hand to light a candle in the church."

Archpriest Alexander Lebedev proposes to reduce to the absurd the superstitions associated with the found crosses. If sins can be passed on through things, then why can't virtues be passed on in the same way? Then it would be worthwhile only to acquire a thing belonging to a righteous person, as a person involuntarily had a halo over his head. Then it would be possible to deliberately lose the crosses so that their own sins could be thrown off, like an unnecessary burden, on others.

Important! The fear of other people's crosses is a completely absurd thing, contrary to common sense and having nothing to do with the Orthodox faith.

Watch the video about the found cross