A pectoral cross for a Christian is not just a decoration, it is an external sign of the Christian faith, a symbol of that “cross” that a person undertakes to accept from God and carry his whole life courageously and resignedly. Such a sacred item evokes a special attitude and as a gift.
There are many folk signs regarding the donation of pectoral crosses. For example, it is believed that giving a pectoral cross is possible only when the sacrament of Baptism is performed, and under any other circumstances, the person who gave the cross will “give up his destiny,” and this can make both himself and the person who received the gift unhappy. They say that if the person who gave the cross falls seriously ill or some other misfortune happens to him, something bad will happen to the one who wears the donated cross. Finally, there is a belief that by giving the cross, some people get rid of "corruption and evil eye."
Position of the Church
The Orthodox Church does not accept any signs and superstitions, including those that relate to pectoral crosses. All ideas about "spoilage", "evil eye", "transfer of fate" are absurd from the point of view of a Christian: the fate of a person is controlled by God, and a sacred symbol cannot carry any "negative energy", the existence of which, moreover, is not proven.
For a Christian, a pectoral cross donated by someone is not a source of mythical danger, but a precious gift full of deep spiritual meaning, associated with the wish of God's blessing. An especially valuable gift will be a pectoral cross, consecrated in some holy place. It is certainly possible and necessary to accept such a precious gift.
If the person who received the cross as a gift already has a pectoral cross, he can wear both crosses at the same time, alternately, or keep one of them next to the icons, and wear the other - none of these options is prohibited by the church.
A delicate situation occurs only if an Orthodox Christian received a Catholic cross as a gift. It is necessary to accept the gift, because it is dictated by love, but such a cross should not be worn.
Pectoral cross and twinning
A special situation arises when two people give each other their pectoral crosses. Not so long ago, at the beginning of the 20th century, such an action made people "brothers of the cross" or sisters.
The custom of twinning also existed in pre-Christian times - pagans fraternized, mixing blood or exchanging weapons. In the Christian era, the conclusion of twinning was associated with the cross, a sacred object inextricably linked with faith and soul. Such "spiritual kinship" seemed even more sacred than blood kinship.
In the modern world, the custom of twinning by exchanging body crosses is almost forgotten, but nothing prevents modern Orthodox Christians from reviving it.
