Is it possible to wear a cross without a crucifix. Stop and look at your pectoral cross! If you see a crucifix or other symbols...

Orthodox pectoral cross without crucifix has quite ancient history, and, probably, that is why today you can find so many varieties of these items. As we all know from history, over the course of time, different peoples of the Christian world had a variety of underwear - with and without a crucifix, with a different number of ends - three-pointed, made in the shape of the letter "T", four-pointed, eight-pointed, equilateral or unequal. But the most common option in Orthodox world an eight-pointed pectoral cross is considered, on which a crucifix may or may not be depicted. Although many priests say that there are no strict rules about wearing a pectoral cross of a certain form.

Pectoral crosses, on which there is no crucifixion of the Savior, are considered the most ancient. At the very beginning of the Christian era, only the geometric shape of the cross was depicted, which in itself was a symbol of Christianity. After some time, the cross began to depict the crucifixion of Christ in combination with some other symbolic elements. The crucifixion on body and other crosses began to be depicted only in the second or third century. And already in the seventh century, the Greek scholar monk Sinai (who at that time was the abbot of Mount Sinai) wrote his polemical essay, which later became famous, and illustrated it with the image of the Crucifixion.

At the same time, in his work, he was the first to use the Greek crucifix, in other words, the eight-pointed cross. And later, when the scribes rewrote his work, he asked them to redraw this cross as carefully as possible. And since the Monk Anastasius of Sinai was a very respected person, the image of such a cross becomes widespread in the East.

We can say that the image of the crucifixion on pectoral crosses began to be performed relatively recently. According to many historians and experts, until the seventeenth century, pectoral cross without crucifix. And according to many priests, pectoral crosses, on which there is a crucifix, do not correspond to Christian canons - since they have an image of Christ on them, they automatically turn into an icon, and it, in turn, is intended for prayer and direct perception. And if worn, hiding it from human eyes, then there is a high probability that it will be used for other purposes, that is, as a magical amulet or amulet. For the cross is sacred symbol, and the crucifixion is an image. And if priests wear crosses with a crucifix on their chests, then they wear them in plain sight, so those around, seeing him, are inspired to pray. Well, as for the pectoral crosses that we wear on the chest, it is believed that they should not have a crucifix, since they are a symbol.

But it should be noted that you should not be embarrassed by this circumstance and in any way fight it. But it is desirable to perceive the meaning of this image in the spirit ancient church. And as an example, illustrating the attitude to data, seemingly insignificant rules, we can cite the following episode. As early as the fourth century, the rule of Basil the Great was adopted, which was included in the Nomocanon, which, in particular, said - "Anyone who wears any icon as an amulet must be excommunicated for three years from Holy Communion." As you can see, already in those days the holy fathers of the Church followed quite strictly the attitude towards the image, the icon, stood guard over Orthodoxy and in every possible way protected it from manifestations of paganism.

tradition to wear pectoral cross without crucifix or with the crucifixion is rooted not only in the tradition of honoring the Lord's Cross, but also in the whole content of the existence of a Christian. After all, even during the rite of baptism, when the priest puts a pectoral on a person, he reminds him of his life path. That is, Christ said - "Whoever wants to follow me, take up your cross and follow me."

And it turns out that everyone who lives only for himself ultimately turns out to be spiritually incorporeal, and vice versa, those who have passed through the cross receive life with God.

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Question: "I somehow fell out pectoral cross, and they told me that he is Catholic, because. he is without the Crucifixion and the inscription "save and save." Now I am tormented by doubts - is it possible to wear such a cross?

Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov answers:
“It’s possible. Here I also wear a pectoral cross without the inscription “save and save.” What does it mean “possible or impossible”? Who can forbid you, in general? Give me a decree of the Church - ancient or new. "There must be a paper - the Resolution of the Holy Synod, or the Council of Bishops, or simply even - the decree of the Patriarch. That is enough."
Father Alexander: "On the shape of the Cross."
O. Dmitry: “No, but the Cross is Greek. The four-pointed Cross has always been called Greek. Moreover, even if you look at the priestly Crosses, all of them, with rare exceptions, have the image of a four-pointed Cross. Then, the Catholic There is no Catholic Cross, the Cross is exclusively Christ's, on which Christ was crucified. And so, in what tradition it was made, it does not matter at all. So, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. And very many people, especially those who could not raise children in the Orthodox faith, they make up for it by trying to teach young people, and since they do not know either the Gospel, or the teachings of the Church, or the history of the Church, or its canons, they themselves compose all sorts of “possible, impossible”, for example, through the left you can’t pass a candle on your shoulder - this is one of these crazy wishes, and they came up with a lot of things, “you can’t put a candle upside down” - where they find their legs by the candle, for example, is still a mystery to me. And today I read one confession. Russ I tell the secret of confession. One servant of God writes (and I talk about this in every sermon on Fasting, and she is our constant parishioner) that she sinned: “I ate ice cream on Wednesday, and asked the saleswoman if it was Lenten? The saleswoman said: “Lenten,” they asked if there was milk there, the saleswoman said: “No”, then she came home and looked at the ice cream through a magnifying glass, and through a magnifying glass she found milk there. Here, finally, this poor sinner woman found something to repent of. Although we don’t talk about milk, and curd cheesecakes, and what only we don’t talk about during the sermon about Lent, and constantly.
So our life is very difficult. But, if they really bother you - It's a wooden cross, well, take it and write there: "Save and save." And yet, I’ll tell you a secret - in addition to Russia, there are several other Orthodox countries, and in these countries people also wear Crosses, and except for Russia, you will not find Crosses with the inscription "Save and Save" anywhere else. Here Patriarch Philotheus recently came - if he has a pectoral Cross, then there is no inscription on it: "Save and save." And the tradition of writing this inscription, in general, arose only in recent years.

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Which cross is considered canonical, why is it unacceptable to wear a pectoral cross with the image of the crucified Savior and other icons?

Every Christian, from holy baptism until the hour of death, must bear on his chest the sign of his faith in the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. We wear this sign not over our clothes, but on our body, which is why it is called wearable, and it is called octagonal (eight-pointed) because it is similar to the Cross on which the Lord was crucified at Calvary.

Collection of pectoral crosses of the 18th-19th centuries from the area of ​​settlements Krasnoyarsk Territory indicates the presence of stable preferences in form against the background of a rich variety of individual execution of products by craftsmen, and exceptions only confirm the strict rule.

Unwritten legends keep many nuances. So, after the publication of this article, one Old Believer bishop, and then the reader of the site, pointed out that the word cross, as well as the word icon, does not have a diminutive form. In this regard, we also appeal to our visitors with a request to respect the symbols of Orthodoxy and monitor the correctness of their speech!

Male pectoral cross

pectoral cross, which is always and everywhere with us, serves as a constant reminder of the Resurrection of Christ and that at baptism we promised to serve Him, renounced Satan. Thus, the pectoral cross is able to strengthen our spiritual and physical forces to protect us from the devil's evil.

The oldest surviving crosses often take the form of a simple equilateral four-pointed cross. This was the custom at a time when Christians venerated Christ, the apostles, and the holy cross symbolically. In ancient times, as is known, Christ was often depicted as a Lamb surrounded by 12 other lambs - the apostles. Also, the Cross of the Lord was depicted symbolically.

The rich imagination of the masters was strictly limited by unwritten concepts of the canonicity of pectoral crosses.

Later, in connection with the acquisition of the genuine Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, St. Queen Elena, the eight-pointed shape of the cross begins to be depicted more and more often. This was also reflected in pectoral crosses. But the four-pointed cross did not disappear: as a rule, the eight-pointed cross was depicted inside the four-pointed one.

Along with the forms that have become traditional in Russia, in the Old Believer settlements of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, one can also find the legacy of an older Byzantine tradition.

In order to remind us of what the Cross of Christ means to us, it was often depicted on a symbolic Golgotha ​​with a skull (Adam's head) at the base. Next to him you can usually see the instruments of the passions of the Lord - a spear and a cane.

Letters INCI(Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews), which are usually depicted on larger crosses, commemorate the inscription mockingly nailed over the head of the Savior during the crucifixion.

The inscription TsR SLVA IS XC SN BZHIY explaining under the titles reads: “ King of Glory Jesus Christ Son of God". The inscription " NIKA” (Greek word, means the victory of Christ over death).

Separate letters that can be on pectoral crosses mean “ To” – copy, “ T”- cane, “ GG”- Mount Golgotha, “ GA” is the head of Adam. “ MLRB”- The Place of the Execution Paradise Became (that is: Paradise was once planted at the place of execution of Christ).

We are sure that many do not even realize how much this symbolism is perverted in our usual deck of cards . As it turned out in, four card suits are a hidden blasphemy on Christian shrines: baptize- this is the Cross of Christ; diamonds- nails; peaks- a copy of the centurion; worms- this is a sponge with vinegar, which the tormentors mockingly gave Christ instead of water.

The image of the Crucified Savior appeared on pectoral crosses quite recently (at least after the 17th century). Pectoral crosses depicting the Crucifixion non-canonical , since the image of the Crucifixion turns the pectoral cross into an icon, and the icon is intended for direct perception and prayer.

Wearing an icon in a form hidden from the eyes is fraught with the danger of using it for other purposes, namely as magic amulet or guardian. The cross is symbol , and the Crucifixion is image . The priest wears a cross with a Crucifix, but he wears it in a visible way: so that everyone sees this image and is inspired to pray, inspired to a certain attitude towards the priest. The priesthood is the image of Christ. And the pectoral cross that we wear under our clothes is a symbol, and the Crucifixion should not be there.

One of the ancient rules of St. Basil the Great (4th century), which was included in the Nomocanon, reads:

“Everyone who wears any icon as an amulet must be excommunicated from communion for three years.”

As you can see, the ancient fathers very strictly followed the correct attitude to the icon, to the image. They stood guard over the purity of Orthodoxy, in every possible way protecting it from paganism. By the 17th century, it was customary to place a prayer to the Cross on the back of the pectoral cross (“May God arise and oppose Him…”), or only the first words.

Women's pectoral cross

In the Old Believers, the external difference between “ female" and " male” crosses. The “female” pectoral cross has a smoother, rounded shape without sharp corners. Around the “female” cross, a “vine” is depicted with a floral ornament, reminiscent of the words of the psalmist: “ Your wife is like a fruitful vine in the countries of your house. ” (Ps., 127, 3).

It is customary to wear a pectoral cross on a long gaitan (braid, braided thread) so that you can, without removing it, take the cross in your hands and overshadow yourself with the sign of the cross (this is supposed to be done with the appropriate prayers before going to bed, as well as when making a cell rule).

Symbolism in everything: even the three crowns above the hole symbolize the Holy Trinity!

If we talk about crosses with the image of the crucifixion wider, then distinctive feature canonical crosses is the style of depicting the body of Christ on them. Widespread today on New Rite crosses the image of the suffering Jesus is alien to the Orthodox tradition .

Ancient medallions with a symbolic image

According to canonical ideas, reflected in iconography and copper plastic, the body of the Savior on the Cross was never depicted as suffering, sagging on nails, etc., which testifies to His divine nature.

The manner of “humanizing” the sufferings of Christ is characteristic Catholicism and borrowed much later than the church schism in Russia. Old Believers consider such crosses worthless . Examples of canonical and modern New Believer casting are given below: the substitution of concepts is noticeable even to the naked eye.

The stability of traditions should also be noted: the collections in the photographs were replenished without the goal of showing only ancient forms, that is, hundreds of types of modern “ Orthodox jewelry ” - an invention of recent decades against the backdrop of an almost complete oblivion of the symbolism and meaning of the image honest cross Lord's.

Related illustrations

Below are illustrations selected by the editors of the site "Old Believer Thought" and links on the topic.

An example of canonical pectoral crosses from different times:

An example of non-canonical crosses from different times:

Unusual crosses, presumably made by the Old Believers in Romania

Photo from the exhibition “Russian Old Believers”, Ryazan

A cross with an unusual back that you can read about

Male cross of modern work

Catalog of ancient crosses - online version of the book " Millennium of the Cross » – http://k1000k.narod.ru

A well-illustrated article on early Christian pectoral crosses with high-quality illustrations in color and additional material on the topic on the site Culturology.Ru – http://www.kulturologia.ru/blogs/150713/18549/

Comprehensive information and photos about cast icon-case crosses from Novgorod manufacturer of similar products : https://readtiger.com/www.olevs.ru/novgorodskoe_litje/static/kiotnye_mednolitye_kresty_2/

What should be Orthodox pectoral cross? Wooden or gold, large or small, with or without a crucifix, or maybe with the image of other saints? And what about wearable icons? These questions haunt many lay people.

Pectoral Orthodox cross

I remember, back in school days, on an excursion in one of the Christian cathedrals, all participants at the entrance were given wooden crosses. And those who wore their shirt under their shirt were asked to take it off and put on the church one. They explained this by the fact that ours are just an ornament, and it is impossible to enter the temple without a consecrated cross.

Today's editorial "So simple!", figured out Orthodox iconography and will tell you what kind of cross an Orthodox Christian should wear. After all, as stated in Holy Scripture: “But I do not want to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is crucified for me, and I for the world”(Gal. 6:14).

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In the Orthodox world, opinions regarding the pectoral cross vary. Some priests strictly forbid wearing a cross without a crucifix and the inscription "Save and save", while others, on the contrary, do not attach much importance to this and recommend wearing simple crosses, without inscriptions and images.

The only thing that opinions agree on is that the cross must be consecrated in Orthodox Church . The material from which it is made is completely irrelevant. It is strictly forbidden to talk about the religious advantages of expensive crosses over simple ones, because this will not affect the quality of the holy power of the cross. A person should not honor gold and silver, but power and the image on the cross.

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An Orthodox cross can be eight-pointed, six-pointed, four-pointed drop-shaped, shamrock or Latin four-pointed.

The image of the crucifixion is the subject of heated debate between representatives different confessions. Catholics believe that Jesus was crucified on the cross with three nails, Orthodox that four. Therefore, on catholic cross the Savior's feet are thrown one on top of the other, and on the Orthodox one they are located side by side.

Historically, the crucified Jesus on the cross appeared only in the IV century. Until that time, only the image of the cross itself was revered. And only in the 5th century did the tradition of depicting the crucified Christ take root. Hence the conclusion that for the believer Orthodox Christian It is permissible to wear a pectoral cross with and without a crucifix.

The combination of the crucifix and the cross received the final justification in 692 in the 82nd rule Trulsky Cathedral. It established the canon of the iconographic Orthodox image of the crucifixion, which shows both death and the victory of the Savior. Catholics did not accept these rules and the symbolic image of Christ. They have established new type crucifixion, in which the features of human suffering and the agony of crucifixion predominate.

Therefore, the strictness of some holy fathers regarding inscriptions and crucifixion is quite understandable. The crucifix symbolizes faith in Christ, who died and rose again for our salvation. The crucifix is ​​another visible symbol of the Christian faith.

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Saint John of Kronstadt explains: “The Byzantine four-pointed cross is actually a “Russian” cross, since, according to Church Tradition, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir brought from Korsun, where he was baptized, just such a cross and was the first to install it on the banks of the Dnieper in Kyiv. A similar four-pointed cross has been preserved in the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral, carved on the marble board of the tomb of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, son of St. Vladimir. It is necessary to honor both one and the other equally, since the form of the cross itself has no fundamental difference for believers. ”.

Abbot Luke: “In the Orthodox Church, its holiness does not depend on the shape of the cross, provided that the cross is made and consecrated precisely as a Christian symbol, and not originally made as a sign, for example, of the sun or part of a household ornament or decoration”.

©DepositPhotos

The main rule of a Christian is do not display the cross and don't make a decoration out of it. The cross must be worn humbly, not forgetting what this wearing really means. The cross is a symbol, and the crucifix is ​​an image that inspires prayer.

But only Old Believers are of the opinion that there should not be a crucifix on the pectoral cross. The image of the Holy Crucifix can only be worn by priests, and this is a very strict rule. Also, in the Old Believer traditions, the concepts of a female and male cross are still preserved. In modern Orthodoxy there is no such severe division.

If in doubt is it possible to wear a cross with a crucifix do not hesitate to ask the priest about it. Remember, the most important thing is to be baptized in the Orthodox Church,.

And, is it possible to store it, or is it better to put it in the coffin of the deceased? The spiritual fathers do not answer this question. general recommendation. You can leave as a memory, you can bury. You can even wear such a cross, but only after consecration.

Alexandra Dyachenko is perhaps the most active editor of our team. She is an active mother of two children, a tireless hostess, and Sasha also has an interesting hobby: she loves to make impressive decorations and decorate children's parties. The energy of this man cannot be put into words! Dreams of visiting the Brazilian carnival. Sasha's favorite book is "Unstoppable Wonderland" by Haruki Murakami.

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