Do I need to wear a cross
Do I need to wear a cross
Gone are the days when any signbelonging to the Christian Church, including wearing a cross, could lead to serious consequences, at best - ridicule. Today wearing a cross is not forbidden to anyone. There is another question: is it necessary to do this?
The main condition for wearing a ChristianThe cross is an understanding of its meaning. He is neither an ornament, nor a talisman, capable of protecting from all misfortunes. This attitude to the sacred object is characteristic of paganism, and not for Christianity. A particular cross is the material expression of that "cross" that God gives to a person who desires to serve Him. Putting on the cross, the Christian thereby promises to live according to the commandments of God, whatever it costs, and endure all trials. One who has realized this, of course, should wear a cross.
How can I wear a cross
Native cross is a sign of belonging toChurches. He who has not yet joined her, i.e. was not baptized, wear a cross should not. Do not put a cross on top of clothes. According to the church tradition, only priests wear crosses over their cassocks. If a layman does this, it is like trying to show his faith in a show, to boast of it. Such a manifestation of pride is not appropriate for a Christian. A particular cross, as its name implies, should be on the body, more precisely, on the chest, closer to the heart. You can not wear a cross in the ear in the form of an earring or a bracelet. Do not imitate those people who wear a cross in your bag or in your pocket and say: "He's still with me." Such an attitude toward the nativity cross borders on blasphemy. Put a cross in the bag can only be for a while, if the chain has torn.What should be the Orthodox cross?
Sometimes it is said that four-pointed crosses are wornonly Catholics, but it's not. 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 image of the crucifix with ultimate realism (the sagging body and other details of the suffering of the cross). This is really characteristic of Catholicism. The material from which the cross is made can be anything. You just need to take into account the specific features of a particular person - for example, there are people who have silver on their body darkening, such a person does not have a silver cross for anything. No one is forbidden to wear a large cross or inlaid with precious stones, but one should think: is such a demonstration compatible with the Christian faith luxury? The cross must be consecrated. If he was bought in a church shop, worry about it is not worth it, there crosses are already being consecrated. A cross bought in a jewelry store must be consecrated in the temple, it will take a few minutes. They consecrate the cross once, but if it is not known whether it is sanctified or not, it must be done. There is nothing shameful in wearing a cross belonging to a deceased person. The grandson may well receive the cross of the deceased grandfather at the christening, and one should not be afraid that he will "inherit" the fate of a relative. The idea of an inevitable fate is altogether incompatible with the Christian faith.
