Gone are the days when any sign of belonging to the Christian Church, including wearing a cross, could have serious consequences, or at best, ridicule. Nobody is prohibited from wearing a pectoral cross today. Another question arises: is it necessary to do this?
The main condition for wearing a Christian pectoral cross is understanding its meaning. He is neither a decoration nor a talisman that can protect against all misfortunes. This attitude towards a sacred subject is characteristic of paganism, not of Christianity.
The pectoral cross is a material expression of the “cross” that God gives to a person who wants to serve Him. By putting on the cross, a Christian promises to live according to the commandments of God, no matter what it takes, and to endure all trials with courage. Those who have realized this, undoubtedly, need to wear a pectoral cross.
How you can not wear a pectoral cross
The pectoral cross is a sign of belonging to the Church. Anyone who has not yet joined her, i.e. was not baptized, should not wear a pectoral cross.
A cross should not be worn over clothing. According to church tradition, only priests wear crosses over their robes. If a layman does this, it’s like wanting to show off your faith, to boast about it. This display of pride is not appropriate for a Christian.
The pectoral cross, as its name implies, should be on the body, more precisely, on the chest, closer to the heart. You cannot wear a cross in the ear in the form of an earring or on a bracelet. You should not imitate those people who carry a cross in a bag or pocket and say: "He is still with me." Such an attitude to the underwear cross borders on blasphemy. You can put a cross in a bag only for a while if the chain is broken.
What should be an Orthodox pectoral cross
It is sometimes said that only Catholics wear four-pointed crosses, but this is not the case. The Orthodox Church recognizes all types of crosses: four-pointed, eight-pointed, with or without the crucified Savior. The only thing that an Orthodox Christian should avoid is the depiction of the crucifixion with the utmost realism (a sagging body and other details of the suffering of the cross). This is really typical of Catholicism.
The material from which the cross is made can be anything. It is only necessary to take into account the characteristics of a particular person - for example, there are people whose silver on their bodies darkens, such a person does not need a silver cross.
No one is forbidden to wear a large cross or inlaid with precious stones, but one should think: is such a display of luxury compatible with the Christian faith?
The cross must be consecrated. If it was bought in a church shop, there is no need to worry about it, there crosses are sold already consecrated. A cross bought in a jewelry store needs to be consecrated in the temple, it will take a few minutes. The cross is consecrated once, but if it is not known for sure whether it is consecrated or not, this must be done.
There is nothing wrong with wearing a cross that belonged to a deceased person. A grandson may well receive the cross of his deceased grandfather at baptism, and there is no need to be afraid that he will "inherit" the fate of a relative. The idea of an inevitable fate is generally incompatible with the Christian faith.
