Pectoral cross- this is not only a symbol of commitment to the Christian faith, but also a personal amulet of its owner. There are many rules and taboos associated with this attribute. Many prohibitions are just superstitions that have arisen among the people, and the church categorically does not approve of them. But there are also many very important moments that every sincere believer should know.

So which prohibitions are real, and which are just superstitions - the answers of the priest.

Let's say right away that a pectoral cross, which is given to a person during the Sacrament of Baptism, and ordinary decorative crosses are two different things. decorative ornaments do not carry any spiritual load and are not protection for the one who wears it. In order for the cross to become a talisman, it must be consecrated in the church.

Is it possible to wear a pectoral cross on a chain, and not on a lace

Yes, of course you can! It is the cross itself that is the amulet, and in what way it will be attached to the neck - the church does not set any requirements. This is a personal matter for everyone. The most important thing is that he does not get lost. At the same time, the danger of breaking the chain is higher than that of a strong silk lace.

Is it possible to wear a pectoral cross over clothes

No you can not. That is why it is called wearable. This is a personal thing, a symbol of faith, and it is not worthwhile to flaunt it.

Is it possible to give a cross or change it

Yes, a cross can be presented not only by godparents, relatives, but also by other people. The main thing is to consecrate it correctly. It is also permissible to exchange pectoral crosses - there is even such an old custom: those people who do this become brothers and sisters in Christ (similarly, as God-parents godchildren).

Is it possible to pick up and take the found cross

This is the real superstition. In principle, someone else's pectoral cross cannot bear any problems and threats - this is a shrine. But you don't have to wear it. It is better to take it to the temple or place it near the icon for storage.

Is it possible to wear someone else's pectoral cross

Yes, if it's a gift loved one- and he is consecrated in the church. Superstitions about other people's energy and problems have no basis and are considered heresy.

Taboo on a cross with a crucifix

There is no such ecclesiastical ban. The crucifix is ​​the main symbol of Christianity - the sacrifice of Christ, which guarantees salvation. Such a cross must necessarily be crucifixed outward, and not towards the body.

Is it possible to wear an unconsecrated cross

You can, but only as a decorative attribute. But this is wrong from the point of view of faith - this is not entertainment, but a very serious thing. Regardless of what the cross is made of - wood, metal, gold, donated or bought in a jewelry store, it is better to consecrate it and wear it correctly.

There are different situations in life, falling into the hands of other people's things is no exception. If someone else's cross randomly came to you, do not rush to put it on right away, first figure out if it is possible to wear someone else's cross, chain and other jewelry. For years, various sites and forums have been talking about this issue. Unfortunately, there is no exact and unambiguous answer yet, since each person has his own opinion and life principles. Therefore, we have prepared an article in which everyone can find out the opinion of the church, superstitious people and psychics about wearing someone else's cross.

What does the Church think about this?

The clergy all unanimously repeat that it is possible to wear someone else's cross, they assure that there is nothing to worry about. The cross on the neck of an Orthodox person, first of all, indicates that he is a believer. Many people think that the cross is a magical attribute, and this opinion is erroneous. The priests say that a believer must be strong, but there is no need to believe in various superstitions. The Church never pays attention to omens and superstitions.

The opinion of psychics and superstitious people

As for this category of people, they have a different opinion about wearing other people's crosses. The first thing they pay attention to is the fact that the cross receives the energy of its owner, therefore it can convey troubles and illnesses. Old people often said that with the help of a cross it was possible to cause damage, also that a person who wore someone else's cross fully lived the life of its first owner. To believe in these stories or not is up to you, of course.

Psychics say that you can’t wear someone else’s cross, if you were given it or it was inherited, then before putting it on gently, visit the Church and consecrate the cross. Psychics also warn that in no case should you pick up a cross, and if you could not pass by, then it is better to take it to the Church. If you are a baptized person, in no case should you throw away the cross, this is one of the most important rules.

If you have not found the answer to this question for yourself, then you need to rely on personal opinion and foreboding. Therefore, if you are afraid to wear a cross received as a gift or inheritance, you can donate it to the Church, or consecrate it. Remember that the pectoral cross is a symbol of the fact that a person believes in God and is ready to accept His protection in this form.

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According to Orthodox canons, a pectoral cross on a chain has a special power. It not only accumulates the positive energy of a person, but also repels the negative influence.

On difficult questions get the priest's answer. Read whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross.

Everyone should have their own creed. The church believes that it is necessary to wear an undershirt every day and not to enter the temple without an attribute on a chain.

A lot of myths and signs have been collected around personal jewelry, but the church denies all pagan trends.

Important! It is popularly believed that if the cross darkened or became covered with a black coating, then several strong energy attacks were inflicted on the person's personality.

Perhaps with malicious intent in relation to the individual, rituals, love spells, defacement and other ceremonies were carried out.

By folk omens, you can not wear a pectoral cross to anyone except the owner of the jewelry.

In a small pointed decoration, not only information about the past and present is stored, but also the predestined future.

In ancient times, it was believed that if you wear someone else's underwear, then you can take away the fate of the former owner.

However, the church has a different opinion on this matter: you can wear body jewelry, give it to another and temporarily hang it on the neck of a loved one.

Even the clergy themselves give their own vests to ordinary parishioners or non-believers in order to give a piece of their own faith.

There are a few special cases:

1. Wear a cross that your mother or close relative put on around your neck during your illness. Thus, the soul mate wants to give a piece of positive energy for a speedy recovery.
2. A priest's gift may indicate that the holy father wants to strengthen a person's faith and support him in a difficult moment.

In this case, gifts are not only possible, but must be accepted. You should be wary of such generous gifts from a stranger with a negative aura.

Due to the ability to absorb any energy, the precious metal can be harmful to health.

What to do if you find someone else's cross at home: the priest's answer

Sometimes when moving or just cleaning the apartment, you can find a piece of jewelry lying around on a shelf or on the floor.

The church has one opinion on this matter: a relic that does not belong to your family should be taken to the temple:

• Approach the holy father, tell about the find.
• Consecrate the product with holy water, read a prayer for purification together with the clergy.
• Decide for yourself: keep the jewelry for yourself or donate to charity in the temple.

Important! In everyday life, there is a saying "to take on someone else's cross." This phrase came with paganism, when people accepted Christianity, but remained under the influence of the old faith.

In those days, it was believed that to evoke someone else's underwear was to accept the fate of the person who wore it earlier.

If you are not going to wear a cross, but you don’t want to donate precious metal to charity, then there are several options:

• Consecrate the cross, free it from the old energy of the owner and present it to the goddaughter or godson.
• A cleaned undershirt can be given to a person who needs faith.
• Give to a person who needs money or who lacks health.

Folk signs say that if someone else's cross is found at home, then one of those who came wants to bring damage to the family and destroy happiness in the house.

The more you believe in such conjectures, the more they tend to come true. By getting rid of someone else's cross, you will also cleanse your thoughts.

Important! Ask family and friends. Perhaps someone just dropped the decoration.

Why you can not wear the cross of a dead person

There are various rumors about the decoration from the body of a deceased person. According to popular beliefs, one should not wear an undershirt, so as not to take away the fate of the owner.

The Church answers this question in two ways:

1. If the person was a believer and with positive energy, consecrate the cross and chain with holy water on your own or in a church. Without fear, such a piece of jewelry can be worn.
2. Cross bad man carries evil. This decoration absorbed all his thoughts and anger throughout the life of the deceased. It is better to consecrate such an ornament and donate it to the church.

The cross can be left in the house, but not to wear the product, but to put it in beautiful box and pass on to the next generation as a family heirloom.

According to Orthodox canons, a person is buried along with his personal cross.

Why crosses dream: dream book

Dreams are the embodiment of the past, present and even future of a person. Seeing the sign of the cross in a dream is not a simple sign, but a warning.

Acquainted with detailed description dream book values ​​\u200b\u200bcan be in the table:

What did you dream	Meaning
Found a cross	You are in danger or something wants evil, but you will be able to avoid the harmful effects
The image of the decoration of four, six or eight corners	Higher powers protect from ill-wishers. Perhaps in life you will have a real protector
Find your own bodysuit	Do not despair, do not look at the many obstacles, but keep moving towards your goal
Find a married lady	Family troubles and illnesses of children
Find a chain	Evil does not sleep and will try to lead you astray
Golden undershirt	Expect joyful events
From another material	Wait for trials that will bring relief
Find someone else's cross	Someone around wants harm to your family

Important! The church does not support the interpretation of the dream book. These meanings come from astrology.

How to clear a cross on a chain from someone else's energy

Most effective method- seek help from the church. At the request of the parishioner, the priest will conduct a cleansing ceremony, read a prayer and return the jewelry to the owner.

You can perform the ritual yourself:

• Take holy water from the church.
• Read the prayer and immerse the cross in water for a few days.
• Leave the dishes at the icon.

On the seventh day, the product will be cleared of someone else's energy.

Useful video

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

The cross, according to the clergy, should always be on a believer. But there are also prohibitions associated with it. Some of them are nothing more than superstitions, which 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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Cannot be worn on a chain

There are absolutely no restrictions on the chain. Here, rather, the question of convenience and habit is more important. If a person wants to wear a pectoral cross on a chain, then he can do it, such actions are not forbidden by the church. Most important principle, which must be followed in this case - so that the cross is not lost and does not fly off the neck. Both lace and chain are acceptable. Superstitious people, however, assure that, according to all signs, the cross is not lost just like that.

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Cannot be worn over clothing

This is an absolutely true statement. The cross is a symbol of faith and protection. By not wearing a cross outside, a person shows the sincerity of faith, without making it ostentatious. Also, all the warmth and blessing that the priest gives to 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's great if parents or godparents take care of it, as one of the christening gifts. But this does not mean that the other person cannot give you a cross. There is also such a tradition when two people exchange pectoral crosses, becoming brothers or sisters in Christ. Usually this is done by close people.

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Cannot be picked up if found

A superstition that has absolutely no basis. We 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 raising the found cross, one can take on the problems of the person who lost or left it. The cross, since it is a shrine, must at least be brought to the temple. Or keep it for yourself and store it in a red corner in the house.

You can 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. Especially if you don't have a cross. Many people believe that things are endowed with the energy of their owner, and it can be transferred to a new owner. They may also argue that by giving away a cross, a person gives away a piece of his Destiny. Only such beliefs have nothing to do with the Christian faith and belong to the occult worldview.

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You can not wear a cross with a crucifix

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Another superstition that you should not pay attention to. There are people who say that a cross with a crucifix will bring upon a person hard life. This is not true at all, just people's speculation. Such a cross symbolizes the salvation and sacrifice of Christ, there is nothing wrong with it. But you need to wear it correctly: the crucifix should not be turned towards you, but outward.

You can not wear an unconsecrated cross

The cross is best to consecrate. But as such, there is no ban on wearing an unconsecrated pectoral cross. It is believed that evil spirits bypass even two crossed sticks. Nevertheless, a believer should still consecrate 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 bought in a jewelry store as a cross. It must be understood that the church Orthodox cross, which symbolizes faith in God, differs from beautiful, but purely decorative crosses. They do not carry a spiritual load and are not related to faith.

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Why wear a 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'm already a Christian? Is it written in the Gospel that everyone should walk with crosses? So to wear or not to wear? Approximately such questions are often asked by the unchurched.

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. Attitude towards the cross beautiful decoration will also serve a person in condemnation. So what happens: you can’t wear it, otherwise you’ll hurt yourself?

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

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

The most popular arguments are:

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

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

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

But on the other hand, in the life of the early church it was customary to wear medallions with the image of the slain Lamb or the Crucifixion. Sources of the 2nd century indicate that some Christians already had crosses or drew them on their foreheads in order to “give themselves out” to the persecutors and suffer for the faith. When the "hunt" for believers subsided, the pious example of the early Christians spread widely.

Interesting historical fact cited by Archpriest Igor Fomin.

There was one rather humiliating custom in the Roman Empire. As we now wear a collar for dogs, so their slaves wore the same straps around their necks with 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 a cross on a person after performing the Sacrament of Baptism. This is like a confirmation of belonging to the Church and understanding that the Son of God suffered for me.

Yes, it's all nonsense! Why wear a cross? the skeptic will say. Think two. wooden sticks or metal figurine. Can they protect a person?

The answer is very succinct: they can. There are many testimonies to be found.

For example, in difficult Soviet times It was forbidden to wear "metal figurines". If a girl is going to marry a non-Christian, usually she is required to take off ... 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 - they were possessed evil spirits. And when they were approached with a cross, they began to cowardly, shout, slander, beat their heads against the wall ...

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Symbol of victory over the devil

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A familiar priest told a story 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 the priest passed by this man. For some reason I decided to stop and talk. Then it turns:

Alexey, I want to give you a little gift.

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

Some time has passed. The rector met Alexei again. The man, almost in tears, said:

Father, I could not accept your gift.

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

No matter how skeptical we are about this, he knows inexactly what power this symbol of Christianity has. Therefore crafty different ways trying to stop the person.

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Why wear a pectoral cross? To save yourself. The devil is afraid of losing access to a person, he is worried 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, why we were created and how to be saved.

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

What to do with the found pectoral cross

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

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

The image of the Cross of Christ is not only its eight-pointed likeness, but also a simple crosshair of sticks. St. John Chrysostom writes: “If you are walking along the road and suddenly 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, trample on the symbol of God's love for people.”

pectoral cross- the visible consent of a person to 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 bodily - through this sanctified matter - to partake of Divine Grace, which is necessary for us for spiritual growth and salvation.

Why should you wearpectoral cross

– The meaning of wearing a cross is revealed in the words of the Apostle Paul: "I 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. He who does not want to bear the cross himself rejects the help of God.

The pectoral cross is given to a baptized person who becomes a Christian for constant wear in the most important place (near the heart) as an image of the Cross of the Lord, an external sign 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 evidence that a person is a Christian (a follower of Christ and a member of His Church) and a sin for those who wear a cross for fashion, whether or not being a Christian; the conscious wearing of the pectoral cross is a wordless prayer.

Celebrating the sacrament of Baptism, the priest puts a cross on the baby, which from that moment becomes the inseparable companion of the 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 were put on in the steam room instead of their own). Unfortunately, there are also “knowledgeable” advisers: nurses, neighbors, friends who authoritatively convince the mother to remove the cross from the child: they say it’s still small, it will get tangled in the ribbon, 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 a deep symbolic meaning. In Rus', eight-pointed pectoral crosses are more accepted, on the back of which, according to tradition, the inscription “Save and save” is made.

Saint 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 Most Holy Blood he was stained. Manifesting miraculous power, any Cross does not act by itself, but by the power of Christ crucified on it and by the invocation of His Most Holy Name ".

There are no special rules about the material for crosses, but making crosses from clay is not blessed. Precious metals are also acceptable here, because for a Christian there can be nothing more precious 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 is held firmly. The cross must not be removed, incl. during washing and sports activities. The laity wear underwear ( on the body) a cross under clothes, without deliberately exposing it for show.

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 their clothes, and even later, priests. A priestly pectoral cross is called a pectoral one (“Persi” in Church Slavonic means “chest”). Along with the pectoral, priests also wear a pectoral cross.

Russian people swore allegiance on crosses, and exchanging pectoral crosses, they became cross brothers.

During the construction of churches, houses, bridges, the cross was laid in the foundation.

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

To take off the cross or not to wear it is apostasy. During the 2000-year history of Christianity, many people have suffered for their faith, for refusing to renounce Christ and take off their pectoral cross. This feat has been repeated in our time.

Many are associated with the pectoral cross superstition: lost a cross - trouble will happen; a cross lost by someone cannot be raised; You can't give a cross, you can't wear it on a chain, and the like. All of them have no basis: you can buy a new cross, wear a donated or found one, consecrating it in the temple. Those crosses that are sold in the temple are consecrated with a special rank.

Is it necessary to bless the pectoral cross in the temple, or is it enough to sprinkle it with holy water at home?

Icons and images of the cross are subject to consecration by a priest. In the breviary there is a special small sequence, it includes a priestly prayer for the consecration of "this sign of the cross." (Trebnik is a liturgical book concerning private services performed on REQUEST (as opposed to public services - Vespers, Matins and Liturgy).

An incident with a parishioner. Before that, they recently got married to her husband. My husband has just come to faith. Bought a pectoral cross. The husband thought: "And why should I go to the Temple. There is baptismal water and a prayer for the consecration of every thing." I read it and 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 and consecrate it." (Zakharin A.G.)

Priest Mikhail Vorobyov answers:

What does the loss of the pectoral cross mean?

Nothing but some inattention and carelessness of the lost.

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 handsome he may be, from whatever precious metal it would not have been made, it is primarily a visible symbol of the Christian faith.

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

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

Is it possible to wear crosses with a Catholic Crucifix

The iconography of the Orthodox Crucifixion received its final dogmatic justification in 692 in the 82nd canon of the Trula Cathedral, which approved the canon of the iconographic image of the Crucifixion. The main condition of 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, laid on the cross, and the Lord opens His arms to all who turn to Him.

In this iconography, the complex dogmatic task of depicting the two natures of Christ - Human and Divine - is artistically solved, showing both death and the victory of the Savior. Catholics, abandoning their early views, did not understand and did not accept the rules of the Troulsky Cathedral and, accordingly, the symbolic spiritual image of Jesus Christ.

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

How to consecrate a pectoral cross

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

The cross is consecrated only once. You need to re-consecrate it only in exceptional conditions (if it was badly damaged and rebuilt, or fell into the hands, but you don’t know if it was consecrated before).

Which cross to choose - gold or silver

- Irrelevant; the main thing is that the cross is worn without taking it off, 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 is firmly held. 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 in common with darkness? What agreement is there between Christ and Belial? Or what is the partnership of the faithful with the unbelievers? 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 shall be my people."(2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

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

- Need. There is a tradition of fraternization in Christ and the mutual exchange of pectoral crosses. The cross is a sacred thing, a symbol of salvation, no matter who wore it.

How to distinguish an Orthodox cross from a Catholic one?

– Orthodox Church confesses that Christ was crucified not with three, but with four nails. Therefore, on 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 save" is made.

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

- A cross found on the street must definitely be raised, 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 one is not available), 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?

PEARL CROSS

Of all 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 the neck of a person. About where the tradition of wearing pectoral crosses came from, why they wear it on the body and whether it is possible to remove the cross from oneself - this and other things 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 since the very foundation of the Church. For example, the church thinker Tertullian (II-III centuries) in his "Apology" testifies that the veneration of the cross existed from the earliest times of Christianity. Even before Queen Helena and Emperor Constantine found the life-giving cross on which Christ was crucified in the 4th century, it was already common among the first followers of Christ to always have an 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. This custom is also written by Pontius, the life writer of the Hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage (d. 258.), other. Christians wore the image of the cross on the body, most often on the forehead and on the chest. If some Christians wore a cross under their clothes because of fear of persecution or out of a reverent desire to avoid ridicule of the shrine by the pagans, then there were others who wanted to confess Christ, their faith. Such a bold and resolute confession prompted to make the image of the cross on the forehead as in the most conspicuous place on the human body. Today, very few external sources have survived that would report on this pious tradition of wearing the cross, because in the first three centuries it belonged to the area of ​​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 Rus', 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 indicators of Christian baptism." They were called encolpions - from the Greek word "chest". Encolpions at first had the form of a four-sided box, empty inside; on their outer side was placed the image of the monogram of the name of Jesus Christ, and later - the cross various shapes. This box contained relics.

The meaning of the cross

What does the pectoral cross symbolize and why is it necessary to wear it? The cross, as an instrument of a terrible and painful execution, thanks to the sacrificial feat of Christ the Savior, 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 the mortality, passion and corruption brought into it by the fall of Adam and Eve. Thus, a person who wears the Crucifixion of Christ testifies to his participation in the suffering and feat of his Savior, followed by the hope of salvation, and hence the resurrection of man for eternal life with God. This complicity consists not so much in theoretically recognizing that Christ once, more than two thousand years ago, in Jerusalem suffered physically and morally, but in accepting: I, just like the Lord, am ready daily to bring sacrifice yourself - through the struggle with your passions, through the forgiveness and non-judgment 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 a cross is a great honor and responsibility. Conscious neglect and blasphemous attitude to the cross in the Russian people has always been understood as an act of apostasy. Russian people swore allegiance on crosses, and exchanging pectoral crosses, they became cross brothers. During the construction of churches, houses, bridges, the cross was laid in the foundation. The Orthodox Church believes that according to the faith of a person, through the cross of Christ, the power of God is manifested (acts) in an invisible way. The cross is a weapon against the devil. The Church can reliably speak about the miraculous, saving and healing power of the cross and the sign of the cross, referring to the experience from the life of her saints, as well as to the numerous testimonies of ordinary believers. Resurrection of the dead, healing from ailments, protection from evil forces - all these and other good deeds to this day through the cross show man the love of God.

worthless superstitions

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: “To see a pectoral cross in a dream is an alarming sign, and if you dreamed that you had lost a cross, be prepared for troubles that will not slow down to fall on you,” dream interpreters say unanimously. 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, because by doing so we take on other people's sins. 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” that worries many about what it means when a cross is lost, I want to just as seriously answer what it means that the chain or rope on which this cross hung broke. The presence in a person of a superstitious, that is, a vain, empty attitude towards the cross testifies to little faith and even distrust of Christ, and, therefore, of His redemptive sacrificial feat 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 that were posted on one of the Internet forums:. I wear it as a talisman; . 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 don’t 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 the second is that, of course, I am a believer, but not to the same extent ... This is precisely the unchurched people with a pagan, and even consumerist attitude to faith and religion . But among this type of people there is a part that does not accept the wearing of a cross at all, motivating it as follows: “God is in my soul anyway”; “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 God's love for us. Upon receiving the Sacrament of Baptism, a person begins to be called a Christian, which means that one who is ready to testify to God's fidelity through carrying his life's cross and following His commandments with his whole life. 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 Rus' a person who committed a crime was told: "There is no cross on you." This phrase carries a non-literal, physical meaning the absence of a cross on the body, but speaks of a lack 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 without serious need. The fact that in Rus' they made special bathing crosses made of wood, so as not to get burned with a metal cross, suggests that people did not want to remove crosses even on a short time(during washing). No wonder the Russian people said: "He who has a cross is with Christ." But there are situations when certain circumstances require it - for example, operations on the body. In such cases, one should not neglect the doctor's demand, it is enough to make the sign of the cross over oneself and rely on the will of God. The question of whether or not to wear crosses to infants causes fear in many people, because the child can allegedly choke with a rope or chain on which the Crucifix is ​​located. But there is not yet a single such accident known when a child would strangle himself with his own hands or inflict wounds on himself with a cross. These are just vain fears or superstitious prejudices of adults. The only advice to parents is that children should not be put on too long a rope or chain around their neck. Conclusion The cross is not just a memory of the day of baptism and not a relic that should be kept, not a talisman and not a gift, but a shrine through which God gives a believing person who leads a correct spiritual life His grace, comfort and support. It is no coincidence that the Russian people put together a wise proverb: "We do not wear the cross, but it wears us." Being a visible shrine, the pectoral cross is called upon 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, to remember the words of the Lord more often and act according to His call: “If anyone wants to follow Me, deny yourself and take up your cross, and follow Me” (Mt 16:24).

Deacon Konstantin Kiosev Source: Orthodox website

Is it possible to 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 definite answer to this question, but we will try to highlight the two most common 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, it is possible. Indeed, for Orthodox Christians, a cross around the neck is not some kind of magical attribute or anything else of that kind. The cross around the neck of an Orthodox is a symbol of his faith.

Their opinion is somewhat different from the opinion of the clergy. Many people believe that by wearing someone else's cross, you can take on 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, some kind of damage was inflicted on a person. To believe in it or not is a personal matter for each 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 first consecrate it in the church. If you don't go to church, you can just hold the cross under for a while. running water to wash off someone else's energy.

The answer to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross or not, everyone has already found for himself. In any case, if any doubts or fear gnaw at you, just consecrate this item in the church or donate it and nothing bad will happen, because the pectoral cross is a symbol of faith in God and a symbol that you accept His protection.

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

For long and happy life, one 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 cord (chain) right hand, place it above the water surface and read the plot 7 times:

My house has four corners, and the cross has four ends. This cross lies in the house, drive away misfortune, protect the goodness of God and peace. Let it be so!

Spray water in all corners of each room. The candle must burn out completely. Take the rest of the wax to the crossroads. Hide the cross near the icon.

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Conspiracy-amulet from damage (on a pectoral cross)

The pectoral cross is spoken, 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 guardian of the whole universe, the cross is the expulsion of demons, the cross is the plague of demons. And now and forever and forever and ever. Amen. I will rise, the servant of God (name), blessed, 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. I, the servant of God (name), will submit to her and pray, bow on all sides: Most Holy Mother, Most Holy Mother of God Virgin, help me, help me, the servant of God (name), dissuade parables and prizes, wind negotiations, 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 far away veins, from a single camp vein, from all the human body of a servant of God. Always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Key to words, lock to thoughts. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Charm on a pectoral cross

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

"In the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, our God,
Save us with your honest cross,
The cross is on me as a servant of God (name).
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 demonic power flees,
cross and sorcerers barrier.
Cross the cross and defeat all enemies.
Cross church beauty,
Praise to the martyrs,
glory to the angels,
the cross to demons is an ulcer.
I will close myself with a cross, I will affirm myself with a cross,
cross on me God's servant (name).
cross consecration,
cross healing,
the cross deliverance from all troubles.
Glory to the Lord's Cross
I have a strong guard.
Spasova hand, Christ's seal.
Bless the Lord.
In the name of father and son and holy spirit.
Amen."

Protection on the pectoral cross.

Rite - protection on the pectoral cross of a child from 1 year to 16 years.

The ceremony is performed on the growing moon on Wednesday from 12 to 15 noon.
On a table covered with a white tablecloth, set icons in a semicircle:
1. ik. "Is.Chr. Almighty"
2. ik. Etc. Mother of God "Semistrelnaya" (it is also called - Softening of evil hearts ")
3. ik. "Archangels Michael and Gabriel"
4. Each icon has a church candle.
5. To our right, we put a small cup of holy water.
6. In the center of the table we put a silver cross consecrated in the church and previously smeared in holy water. (dip three zazas into a bowl of holy water and put the wet one in the middle of the table)
7. Light candles from left to right and read prayers:

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

"Semistrelnaya" - 3 times.

" O, Holy Virgin Mary, queen of angels, heaven and earth, my consolation. Blessed Lady, Zealous intercessor of the whole human race! I pray to Your miraculous icon. You are the sick, healing, the erring correction and admonition. Be my intercessor and intercessor before the throne of the Most High. To whom shall I turn, if not to Thee, the Most Gracious Wife of our God. Help me weak. Satisfy my grief and sorrow, heal and save me. Cleanse my mind from sinful thoughts, accept my prayer, from the soul and heart, save and enlighten and give me the grace of the Holy Spirit. Cover me with your robe from all evil. Soothe the storm of evil enemy attacks and save me from slander, slander of evil people. Hear my voice, do not turn away Your clear face from me, a sinner mired in the sea of ​​my sins. Have mercy on me, who repents of my evil deeds, turn my errant, cursed 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 of my grave sins. I place all my hopes on You, Lady. 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 in death. Deliver me from all misfortune and misfortune. Be my cover and comfort from all circumstances, from hunger, cowardice, 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 blessing from above on 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, curses. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, return the evil back to the one who brought this attack on me in a triple size. Protect and protect my family from all hostile encroachments and intrigues of the devil, from fights and scandals. Turn away all anger against me that comes from relatives. Reconcile all my relatives and loved ones among themselves. Give them time to repent. Bless my family for peace, happiness and peace. Strengthen and establish my home. Deliver my unfortunate soul from imprisonment in prison, be my Merciful Intercessor in the earthly court. Lift up my wretched prayers to the throne of the Most High, implore Him. All-merciful Lady, do not reject my tears and sighs, do not forget me all the days of my life, always be with me. Your intercession and intercession with the Lord will give me joy and comfort, protection and help. May I praise and magnify Your most blessed and all-singing name. Amen"

"Archangels" - 3 times

"Holy angels of God: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Igudiel, Barahail!
Defeat from the servant of God (name) with your lightning-fast swords the spirit of the evil one, tempting the servant of God (name).
Oh, the Great Archangels of God, Michael and Gabriel - the conquerors of demons! Defeat and crush all the enemies of the servant of God (name) visible and invisible, and pray to the Lord Almighty, may the Lord save and save the servant of God (name) from sorrows and from any disease, from all troubles, from a deadly ulcer and vain death. Heal many diseases of the body and soul of God's servant (name). Bless the servant of God (name) to lay a good start, to correct her unborn life. Pray the Lord God, may he deliver her from the hell of the underworld, from damage to the evil eye, curses, accidents, from all enemies visible and invisible and premature death. Now and forever and forever and ever Main"

After you have read 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 guardian of the whole universe, the cross is the expulsion of demons, the cross is the plague of demons. And now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
I will get up, the servant of God (name), having been blessed, 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 - the sea, in an open field there is a white, curly birch, and under it is the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos of Seven Arrows herself. I, the servant of God (name), will submit to her and pray, and ask: - Most Pure Mother, the Most Holy Theotokos Virgin, help me, help me, the servant of God (name), dissuade parables and prizes, 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 far away veins, from a single camp vein, I will become a human servant of God (name). The Mother of God blesses this amulet - the cross, for the servant of God (name). Key to my words, lock to my thoughts. Always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Amen."

After reading the plot, we put the icons with candles near the cross in the form of a triangle, until the candles are completely burned. When all the candles burn out, the amulet 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. About whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross, people often ask on forums and other sites. There is no definite answer to this question, but we will try to highlight the two most common 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 unequivocal - yes, you can. Indeed, for Orthodox Christians, a cross around the neck is not some kind of magical attribute or anything else of that kind. The cross on the neck of an Orthodox is a symbol of his faith.

The belief of many that, along 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 their cross and follow Him. The cross in this context refers to the trials that have befallen the believer. The pectoral cross worn at baptism has nothing to do with it.

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

What psychics and superstitious people say

Their opinion is somewhat different from the opinion of the clergy. Many people believe that by wearing someone else's cross, you can take on 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, some kind of damage was inflicted on a person. To believe in it or not is a personal matter for each person.

Psychics recommend not picking up other people's crosses on the road, and especially at intersections, as damage can be reduced to them. They also advise not to accept crosses as a gift from people who are hostile towards you and do not wish well. If, nevertheless, you raised the found cross or you were 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 a cross, especially if you are a baptized person.

If the cross was 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 first consecrate it in the church. If you do not go to church, you can simply hold the cross under running water for a while to wash off other people's energy from it.

The answer to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross or not, everyone has already found for himself. In any case, if any doubts or fear gnaw at you, just consecrate this item in the church or donate it and nothing bad will happen, because the pectoral cross is a symbol of faith in God and a symbol that you accept His protection.

The cross connects a person with God's sanctuary human soul. This is what a person sacredly believes in 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! Take pictures only in exceptional cases. For example, when you need to clean or wipe a gold (silver) chain. If you notice that the cross given to you has turned black, take it off and forget about it. It is possible that the person who gave it does not like you or feels a strong feeling of anger, hatred and envy towards you.

Someone else's donated cross

You can accept. 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 “feels” you, because it doesn’t love all people.

Silver is suitable for emotional, young, purposeful, optimistic, patient, strong-willed, resourceful and enterprising women born under the zodiac signs of Pisces and Cancer. Why we are talking just about women? Because this metal at all times was considered purely feminine.

Silver does not like people who have the following qualities:

1. Ruthlessness.
2. Stiffness.
3. Pedantry.
4. Closure.
5. Greed (stinginess).
6. Swagger.
7. Duplicity.
8. Pragmatism.

Someone else's cross, bought at a pawnshop

In ancient occult literature there are tips that say if you want to clear any thing, pass it through a pawnshop, they say even things with strong curses are cleared 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 each person to carry only his own cross, do not try on and do not accept someone else's, it can be a hundred times heavier.

Cross of a deceased person

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

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

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

To wear or not to wear a cross without a crucifix

The Orthodox cross, on which there is no crucifix, is considered the oldest. Indeed, at the very beginning of the Christian era, only the geometric outlines of the cross were depicted. And the crucifix on it appeared relatively recently. In this regard, many priests are of the opinion that crosses with crucifixes in no way correspond to Christian canons: they have an image of Christ and therefore they automatically turn into an icon. Any icon is intended for the perception and reading of prayer.

It is said that it is undesirable for the Orthodox to wear a cross without a crucifix. 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.

The consecrated cross on the hand can be worn or not

All liturgical books mention a cross for wearing on a persekh (on the chest). This means that you should not wear it in a place that is not intended for it, if you have it alone.

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

Is it possible to wear a cross to 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:

1. They have decided to be baptized in the near future and are carefully preparing for this important ceremony.
2. 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 has no right 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 a lot of 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. Soon you can expect joy and prosperity.

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

If the cross is silver - the embodiment of hope.

If you baptize wooden - success and good luck.

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

PEARL CROSS

Of all 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 the neck of a person. About where the tradition of wearing pectoral crosses came from, why they wear it on the body and whether it is possible to remove the cross from oneself - this and other things 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 since the very foundation of the Church. For example, the church thinker Tertullian (II-III centuries) in his "Apology" testifies that the veneration of the cross existed from the earliest times of Christianity. Even before Queen Helena and Emperor Constantine found the life-giving cross on which Christ was crucified in the 4th century, it was already common among the first followers of Christ to always have an 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. This custom is also written by Pontius, the life writer of the Hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage (d. 258.), other. Christians wore the image of the cross on the body, most often on the forehead and on the chest. If some Christians wore a cross under their clothes because of fear of persecution or out of a reverent desire to avoid ridicule of the shrine by the pagans, then there were others who wanted to confess Christ, their faith. Such a bold and resolute confession prompted to make the image of the cross on the forehead as in the most conspicuous place on the human body. Today, very few external sources have survived that would report on this pious tradition of wearing the cross, because in the first three centuries it belonged to the area of ​​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 Rus', 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 indicators of Christian baptism." They were called encolpions - from the Greek word "chest". Encolpions at first had the form of a four-sided box, empty inside; on their outer side, an image of the monogram of the name of Jesus Christ was placed, and later - a cross of various shapes. This box contained relics.

The meaning of the cross

What does the pectoral cross symbolize and why is it necessary to wear it? The cross, as an instrument of a terrible and painful execution, thanks to the sacrificial feat of Christ the Savior, 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 the mortality, passion and corruption brought into it by the fall of Adam and Eve. Thus, a person who wears the Crucifixion of Christ testifies to his participation in the suffering and feat of his Savior, followed by the hope of salvation, and hence the resurrection of man for eternal life with God. This complicity consists not so much in theoretically recognizing that Christ once, more than two thousand years ago, in Jerusalem suffered physically and morally, but in accepting: I, just like the Lord, am ready daily to bring sacrifice yourself - through the struggle with your passions, through the forgiveness and non-judgment 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 a cross is a great honor and responsibility. Conscious neglect and blasphemous attitude to the cross in the Russian people has always been understood as an act of apostasy. Russian people swore allegiance on crosses, and exchanging pectoral crosses, they became cross brothers. During the construction of churches, houses, bridges, the cross was laid in the foundation. The Orthodox Church believes that according to the faith of a person, through the cross of Christ, the power of God is manifested (acts) in an invisible way. The cross is a weapon against the devil. The Church can reliably speak about the miraculous, saving and healing power of the cross and the sign of the cross, referring to the experience from the life of her saints, as well as to the numerous testimonies of ordinary believers. The resurrection of the dead, healing from illnesses, protection from evil forces - all these and other good deeds to this day through the cross show the love of God to man.

worthless superstitions

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: “To see a pectoral cross in a dream is an alarming sign, and if you dreamed that you had lost a cross, be prepared for troubles that will not slow down to fall on you,” dream interpreters say unanimously. 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, because by doing so we take on other people's sins. 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” that worries many about what it means when a cross is lost, I want to just as seriously answer what it means that the chain or rope on which this cross hung broke. The presence in a person of a superstitious, that is, a vain, empty attitude towards the cross testifies to little faith and even distrust of Christ, and, therefore, of His redemptive sacrificial feat 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 that were posted on one of the Internet forums:. I wear it as a talisman; . 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 don’t 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 the second is that, of course, I am a believer, but not to the same extent ... This is precisely the unchurched people with a pagan, and even consumerist attitude to faith and religion . But among this type of people there is a part that does not accept the wearing of a cross at all, motivating it as follows: “God is in my soul anyway”; “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 God's love for us. Upon receiving the Sacrament of Baptism, a person begins to be called a Christian, which means that one who is ready to testify to God's fidelity through carrying his life's cross and following His commandments with his whole life. 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 Rus' a person who committed a crime was told: "There is no cross on you." This phrase does not carry the literal, physical meaning of the absence of a cross on the body, but speaks of a lack of remembrance, a serious Christian attitude to 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 without serious need. The fact that in Rus' special bathing crosses were made of wood, so as not to get burned by a metal cross, suggests that people did not want to remove the crosses even for a short time (during washing). No wonder the Russian people said: "He who has a cross is with Christ." But there are situations when certain circumstances require it - for example, operations on the body. In such cases, one should not neglect the doctor's demand, it is enough to make the sign of the cross over oneself and rely on the will of God. The question of whether or not to wear crosses to infants causes fear in many people, because the child can allegedly choke with a rope or chain on which the Crucifix is ​​located. But there is not yet a single such accident known when a child would strangle himself with his own hands or inflict wounds on himself with a cross. These are just vain fears or superstitious prejudices of adults. The only advice to parents is that children should not be put on too long a rope or chain around their neck. Conclusion The cross is not just a memory of the day of baptism and not a relic that should be kept, not a talisman and not a gift, but a shrine through which God gives a believing person who leads a correct spiritual life His grace, comfort and support. It is no coincidence that the Russian people put together a wise proverb: "We do not wear the cross, but it wears us." Being a visible shrine, the pectoral cross is called upon 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, to remember the words of the Lord more often and act according to His call: “If anyone wants to follow Me, deny yourself and take up your cross, and follow Me” (Mt 16:24).

Deacon Konstantin Kiosev Source: Orthodox website

Is it possible to 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 definite answer to this question, but we will try to highlight the two most common 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, it is possible. Indeed, for Orthodox Christians, a cross around the neck is not some kind of magical attribute or anything else of that kind. The cross around the neck of an Orthodox is a symbol of his faith.

The belief of many that, along 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 their cross and follow Him. The cross in this context refers to the trials that have befallen the believer. The pectoral cross worn at baptism has nothing to do with it.

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

What psychics and superstitious people say

Their opinion is somewhat different from the opinion of the clergy. Many people believe that by wearing someone else's cross, you can take on 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, some kind of damage was inflicted on a person. To believe in it or not is a personal matter for each person.

Psychics recommend not picking up other people's crosses on the road, and especially at intersections, as damage can be reduced to them. They also advise not to accept crosses as a gift from people who are hostile towards you and do not wish well. If, nevertheless, you raised the found cross or you were 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 a cross, especially if you are a baptized person.

If the cross was inherited

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 first consecrate it in the church. If you do not go to church, you can simply hold the cross under running water for a while to wash off other people's energy from it.

The answer to the question of whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross or not, everyone has already found for himself. In any case, if any doubts or fear gnaw at you, just consecrate this item in the church or donate it and nothing bad will happen, because the pectoral cross is a symbol of faith in God and a symbol that you accept His protection.

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

For a long and happy life, one of the newlyweds, on any day after the wedding, must 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 cord (chain) with your right hand, place it above the water surface and read the plot 7 times:

My house has four corners, and the cross has four ends. This cross lies in the house, drive away misfortune, protect the goodness of God and peace. Let it be so!

Spray water in all corners of each room. The candle must burn out completely. Take the rest of the wax to the crossroads. Hide the cross near the icon.

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Conspiracy-amulet from damage (on a pectoral cross)

The pectoral cross is spoken, 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 guardian of the whole universe, the cross is the expulsion of demons, the cross is the plague of demons. And now and forever and forever and ever. Amen. I will rise, the servant of God (name), blessed, 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 of the Most Holy Theotokos herself. I, the servant of God (name), will submit to her and pray, bow on all sides: Most Holy Mother, Most Holy Mother of God Virgin, help me, help me, the servant of God (name), dissuade parables and prizes, wind negotiations, 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 far away veins, from a single camp vein, from all the human body of a servant of God. Always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Key to words, lock to thoughts. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Charm on a pectoral cross

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

"In the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, our God,
Save us with your honest cross,
The cross is on me as a servant of God (name).
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 demonic power flees,
cross and sorcerers barrier.
Cross the cross and defeat all enemies.
Cross church beauty,
Praise to the martyrs,
glory to the angels,
the cross to demons is an ulcer.
I will close myself with a cross, I will affirm myself with a cross,
cross on me God's servant (name).
cross consecration,
cross healing,
the cross deliverance from all troubles.
Glory to the Lord's Cross
I have a strong guard.
Spasova hand, Christ's seal.
Bless the Lord.
In the name of father and son and holy spirit.
Amen."

Protection on the pectoral cross.

Rite - protection on the pectoral cross of a child from 1 year to 16 years.

The ceremony is performed on the growing moon on Wednesday from 12 to 15 noon.
On a table covered with a white tablecloth, set icons in a semicircle:
1. ik. "Is.Chr. Almighty"
2. ik. Etc. Mother of God "Semistrelnaya" (it is also called - Softening of evil hearts ")
3. ik. "Archangels Michael and Gabriel"
4. Each icon has a church candle.
5. To our right, we put a small cup of holy water.
6. In the center of the table we put a silver cross consecrated in the church and previously smeared in holy water. (dip three zazas into a bowl of holy water and put the wet one in the middle of the table)
7. Light candles from left to right and read prayers:

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

"Semistrelnaya" - 3 times.

"Oh, Blessed Virgin Mary, queen of angels, heaven and earth, my consolation. Blessed Lady, zealous intercessor of the whole human race! I pray to Your miraculous icon. You are the sick, healing, the lost correction and admonition. Be my intercessor and intercessor before the throne of the Most High. To whom shall I turn, if not to Thee, the Gracious wife of our God. Help me, who is weak. Satisfy my grief and sorrow, heal and save me. Cleanse my mind from sinful thoughts, accept my prayer, from the soul and heart, save and enlighten and give me the grace of the Holy Spirit. Cover me with your robe from all evil. Comfort the storm of evil enemy attacks and save me from slander, the slander of evil people. Hear my voice, do not turn away Your clear face from me, a sinner mired in the sea of ​​your sins. Have mercy on me penitent in my evil deeds, turn my erring, cursed soul to the right path. am. I place all my hopes on You, Lady. 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 in death. Deliver me from all misfortune and misfortune. Be my cover and comfort from all circumstances, from hunger, cowardice, 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 blessing from above on 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, curses. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, return the evil back to the one who brought this attack on me in a triple size. Protect and protect my family from all hostile encroachments and intrigues of the devil, from fights and scandals. Turn away all anger against me that comes from relatives. Reconcile all my relatives and loved ones among themselves. Give them time to repent. Bless my family for peace, happiness and peace. Strengthen and establish my home. Deliver my unfortunate soul from imprisonment in prison, be my Merciful Intercessor in the earthly court. Lift up my wretched prayers to the throne of the Most High, implore Him. All-merciful Lady, do not reject my tears and sighs, do not forget me all the days of my life, always be with me. Your intercession and intercession with the Lord will give me joy and comfort, protection and help. May I praise and magnify Your most blessed and all-singing name. Amen"

"Archangels" - 3 times

"Holy angels of God: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Igudiel, Barahail!
Defeat from the servant of God (name) with your lightning-fast swords the spirit of the evil one, tempting the servant of God (name).
Oh, the Great Archangels of God, Michael and Gabriel - the conquerors of demons! Defeat and crush all the enemies of the servant of God (name) visible and invisible, and pray to the Lord Almighty, may the Lord save and save the servant of God (name) from sorrows and from any disease, from all troubles, from a deadly ulcer and vain death. Heal many diseases of the body and soul of God's servant (name). Bless the servant of God (name) to lay a good start, to correct her unborn life. Pray the Lord God, may he deliver her from the hell of the underworld, from damage to the evil eye, curses, accidents, from all enemies visible and invisible and premature death. Now and forever and forever and ever Main"

After you have read 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 guardian of the whole universe, the cross is the expulsion of demons, the cross is the plague of demons. And now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
I will get up, the servant of God (name), having been blessed, 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 - the sea, in an open field there is a white, curly birch, and under it is the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos of Seven Arrows herself. I, the servant of God (name), will submit to her and pray, and ask: - Most Pure Mother, the Most Holy Theotokos Virgin, help me, help me, the servant of God (name), dissuade parables and prizes, 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 far away veins, from a single camp vein, I will become a human servant of God (name). The Mother of God blesses this amulet - the cross, for the servant of God (name). Key to my words, lock to my thoughts. Always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Amen."

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