The boy’s main godfather is his godfather, and according to church custom, he is the one who is supposed to buy a cross for his godson. Additionally, you can purchase a pendant with the Guardian Angel, Archangel Michael or a small icon with the face of the Savior, Nicholas the Wonderworker. This will further strengthen the spiritual connection that has arisen. The godfather, as a rule, also makes a donation for the ceremony. But by agreement, these expenses can be borne by the child’s parents or relatives.
The pectoral cross is placed by the priest on the chest of the newly baptized immediately after immersion in the font three times and putting on baptismal clothes, therefore it is an integral attribute of the Sacrament. After Baptism, it is worn around the neck constantly as a symbol of faith and a reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the atonement of human sins.
The tradition of giving a cross and a chain for a child's christening
It is believed that the Life-giving Cross heals the soul and body, fills them with the grace of God, and protects them from evil: visible and invisible. An adult who is consciously preparing to accept Christianity chooses a cross for himself. They give it to the child. After Baptism, the cross is not removed when changing clothes and bathing, but is constantly worn under clothing so that it is in contact with the body. This is where the name “wearable” comes from. In the Orthodox Church there are no strict rules regarding who exactly should buy a cross for a baby’s Baptism. By prior agreement, these can be the parents of the person being baptized, godparents, grandparents, and other close relatives. The main thing is that the gift must be presented with pure thoughts and from the heart. In addition to the cross, you will need a chain or rope to wear around your neck. For newborns, it is better to choose a soft gaitan with a clasp, which can later be replaced with a chain.
Who should buy a cross for a girl's Christening?
There are times when a godfather buys a cross for a boy at Christening, and a godmother buys a cross for a girl. This is done when, for some reason, the child has one recipient, who must be of the same sex as the baby. The girl has a woman, the boy has a man. But most often there are two godparents, and the godfather gives the cross to the goddaughter, and the godmother buys a towel (kryzhma) and baptismal clothes. Also, godparents must buy an icon that depicts the namesake Saint or Savior (for a boy), or the Mother of God (for a girl).
Who buys a cross for a boy's Christening?
The boy’s main godfather is his godfather, and according to church custom, he is the one who is supposed to buy a cross for his godson. Additionally, you can purchase a pendant with the Guardian Angel, Archangel Michael or a small icon with the face of the Savior, Nicholas the Wonderworker. This will further strengthen the spiritual connection that has arisen. The godfather, as a rule, also makes a donation for the ceremony. But by agreement, these expenses can be borne by the child’s parents or relatives.
How to choose the material of a cross for a child’s baptism?
The child should wear the body accessory at all times. It is not advisable for the baby to be separated from him even during hygiene procedures. Therefore, a children's cross should ideally be gold or silver - these materials are resistant to corrosion. There are other precious metals, but religious pendants are rarely made from them.
Most jewelry crosses are made of 585-carat gold and 925-carat silver. In terms of durability, the second option is better, since the material consists almost entirely of noble metal. And in a gold alloy, almost half of the composition is occupied by impurities such as copper, zinc, etc. Because of them, the product becomes more vulnerable to moisture. Some added metals can cause allergies in a child. When purchasing a cross, you need to take into account not only the main component of the alloy, but also the properties of the alloy.
The most allergenic metals are zinc and nickel
The church does not limit parishioners in terms of design and material of manufacture, but puts forward strict requirements for the shape of the product. Any cross for baptism will not work: it must be four- or six-pointed. A rarer variety is a cross-shaped figure with eight ends. The presence of a central element - a crucifix - is mandatory. Christ must have two nails at his feet. The back side, as a rule, has the inscription: “Save and preserve” or another appeal to God. But the option without engraving is also allowed.
How to choose it
Children are very active. When a baby grows and learns about the world around him, he tries everything “by tooth.” And the cross will not be an exception. Therefore, when choosing a pectoral cross, safety, material and appearance are important.
Safety
Children are active and curious creatures. Kids may put the cross in their mouth or try to chew the chain on which it hangs. Therefore, a gaitan with a clasp is often chosen for them.
Gaitan is a lace made of hypoallergenic textile. The colors of the gaitan are different: flesh-colored, pink, blue, purple, the lock is gilded or silver-plated.
If you want to buy your baby a cross on a chain, choose chains with simple weaving. It would be good if there was a small cut in the lock ring. With a sharp jerk, the chain will break and will not cause harm. The shape of the cross should have rounded edges so that the baby does not get hurt.
What to choose: chain or rope? There is no clear answer. Some buy a gaitan while the baby is still small, others immediately give it a cross on a chain. If a cross is usually chosen one for life, then the chains can be changed at your discretion. The length of the gaitan or chain should be such that the cross is not located in the neck, but approximately in the middle of the child’s chest.
Gaitans vary in cord thickness and length
Material
- Silver crosses cost less than gold ones. But among them there are unusual models. Rhodium-plated crosses do not oxidize, which means they do not darken. In our catalog you will see crosses with full and partial gilding, which are no different in appearance from gold ones. We also offer crosses with blackening.
- Gold crosses have a higher price. They are often made of 585 red gold. Some models have white gold inserts, as well as cubic zirconia.
Crosses made of gold and silver are made according to all Orthodox canons. The design of crosses for boys is more strict, but for girls they often choose openwork crosses.
Consecration
Bring the cross to any church (not necessarily the one in which the Sacrament of Baptism is planned). Approach the temple employees and ask them to invite the priest to you. He will examine the small crucifix and check whether it complies with the established canons. Usually only the cross itself is blessed, but it must be hung on a chain or waxed cord. The priest will serve a rite at the altar, during which he will ask God to pour His Power into the cross. Thanks to this, the cross will protect the child’s soul throughout his life and protect him from dark forces.
Silver crosses should not be too thin, otherwise they may break
Who buys a cross for a child? Most often, the baby accepts such a gift from his godfather, but if there is only one recipient - the mother (of a girl), then she presents the cross. And remember that this visible symbol of faith will accompany the child all his life, so choose a cross for him with love and care.
A pectoral cross is not just a precious decoration or an expensive gift. The cross demonstrates belonging to the Orthodox Church and is a symbol of Christianity. Of course, when preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism, you need to purchase a pectoral cross.
Choose a baptismal cross for a child | Sets, clothes
The custom of wearing a pectoral cross as the main symbol of faith and a sign of adherence to the Orthodox tradition came to Rus' from Byzantium along with the adoption of Christianity. For a long time, during the sacred sacrament of Baptism, it was customary to give a child a vest, which, according to church canons, was supposed to accompany him throughout his life and serve as a reminder of God. In the old days, the parents or godparents of the baby selected a cross for baptism with particular seriousness, paying attention to the size, shape and material from which the product was made.
Centuries later, the tradition of presenting a cross to a child for baptism has been preserved. However, with today's variety of models and shapes, choosing the first decoration for your baby may not be easy. In addition, few modern jewelers pay due attention to observing Christian traditions when creating authentic jewelry. The Vladimir Mikhailov Gallery offers a luxurious collection of baptismal crosses made of silver, gold and platinum, made based on Orthodox traditions.
Types of baptismal crosses
Since the advent of Christianity in Rus', everyone knew that they needed to have their own pectoral cross for baptism. Wealthy people ordered “pectorals” made of gold or silver for their children from experienced craftsmen, while ordinary people made baptismal crosses from available materials: wood, iron, stone, and in rare cases, silver.
The shape of the Christian pectoral cross changed periodically with the course of history and the strengthening of Orthodoxy in Rus'. Until now, it has not been canonically fixed in one option. According to legend, the first cross that Prince Vladimir brought to Rus' from Byzantium was four-pointed or Byzantine. This is exactly the kind of pectoral cross that was originally made and given for baptism in Rus'.
In addition to the four-pointed cross, six-pointed Orthodox crosses with an image of an empty cross and a prayer on the back were also popular. It was also customary to give them as a gift and put them on a child at baptism. In Tsarist Russia, an eight-pointed cross was given as a gift for christenings, which even now remains quite in demand among Orthodox Christians.
Which cross to choose for baptism
With each new century, the skill of jewelers grew, which made it possible to make baptismal crosses of more complex shapes with rounded outlines, petals, patterned edges, crescent-shaped, teardrop-shaped, in the form of a vine and others.
With the variety of designs available today, choosing the first iconic piece of jewelry for your baby can seem like a daunting task. However, a solid knowledge of the basic rules will make the purchase easy.
Since when a child is baptized in the Russian Church, it is necessary to have a cross on the body, it is important to pay attention to the details characteristic of the Orthodox tradition, so as not to make a mistake in choosing a piece of jewelry. So, perhaps, the main difference between the Orthodox cross and the Catholic crucifix is the lower crossbar, to which, according to the Orthodox version, Christ’s feet were nailed with two nails. The Catholic tradition is always characterized by one nail at the bottom of the crucifix.
When choosing a cross for a baby’s baptism, it is also important to take into account the size, nature of the outline and the material from which the decoration is made. It is best to buy a children's cross made of gold or silver, since these noble metals are considered the most harmless to the baby's delicate skin. The product should be small in size and round in shape so that the child can wear it comfortably. In addition to the cross, you can also purchase a gold or silver chain. It is customary for newborns to wear a cross on a soft ribbon for baptism.
You can buy a baptismal cross, which will not only be distinguished by its external charm, but also strictly comply with Orthodox canons, in the designer salons “Vladimir Mikhailov” and on our website.
Baptism crosses “Vladimir Mikhailov”
Crosses for children from the “Vladimir Mikhailov” collection are distinguished by highly artistic execution, smooth lines and unsurpassed quality of jewelry design. Inspired by the tradition of the old masters, biblical scenes and natural ornaments, the artist creates original and elegant Orthodox veils for children and adults, differing in shape and manner of execution.
The catalog includes crescent-shaped, teardrop-shaped, Latin, flourished, eight- and four-pointed crosses. The collection also demonstrates a luxurious selection of Byzantine crosses with rounded ends, six-pointed crosses framed by the streamlined lines of a quatrefoil, and laconic straight-pointed silver crosses with the prayer “Save and Preserve” on the reverse side. Each piece of jewelry from the “Vladimir Mikhailov” collection is not only the fruit of an artistic citation of biblical stories, but is also evidence of the master’s many years of practice, his creative intuition, and deep immersion in history and traditions.
In his jewelry collection, the author focuses on creating an impressive assortment of children's crosses and offers models of crosses for baptism for adults. Thus, the collection includes majestic and monumental men's crosses made of gold, platinum and silver. There are also expressive women's crosses, filled with subtle, filigree motifs. Orthodox crosses made from high-quality noble materials are often decorated with precious stones and decorative elements that turn the products into real works of jewelry art.
Clothes for baptism
In addition to choosing a pectoral cross, in preparation for the first church Sacrament, clothing for the baby’s baptism is of no small importance. Like the cross, the baptism kit is purchased in advance, usually by the godmother or parents of the child. The baptismal linen set includes a spacious shirt made of cotton, linen or silk, a scarf or cap, a white towel and a sheet. Orthodox tradition allows the baptism set to be complemented with festive and openwork or personalized embroidery.
In the designer salons “Vladimir Mikhailov” and on our website you will find ceremonial baptismal sets, as well as crosses for the baptism of children, distinguished by their miniature shapes and smooth outlines. You can also buy standard clothes for a baby’s baptism in a store at any church.
Should a child's cross be silver or gold?
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Buying a cross for Epiphany is not an easy task. Not only do you need to choose between a baby silver cross and a gold cross, you also need to choose a model that will be ideal for the newborn in size and shape. It should be said right away that there are no strict criteria in choosing a metal when buying crosses for a child - silver or gold, they are equally suitable for performing the very first Sacrament. In this matter, relatives and godparents, as well as grandparents, should proceed only from their financial capabilities and aesthetic preferences, since the hero of the occasion, as a rule, cannot yet say anything about this. Many people choose silver children's crosses, guided by the rational consideration that the baptismal cross is usually worn for a very short time: for fear of losing such a valuable family shrine from the point of view of memory, it is removed and replaced with another as soon as the child begins to take his first steps.
Why a silver baby cross is ideal for baptism
The Orthodox Church insists that after Baptism the pectoral cross should not be removed, but should remain on the child’s neck as protection against evil forces. That's why baby silver crosses are ideal for this purpose: they usually have rounded edges that won't hurt baby's skin. Another argument in favor is the antiseptic properties of silver, due to which this metal does not cause a negative reaction even when it comes into contact with the skin of children with allergies. However, if possible, you can also buy a gold children’s cross: in terms of its qualities, it is in no way inferior to a silver one.
Under no circumstances should you buy even the thinnest and most delicate chain for both types of Orthodox crosses for children - silver and gold. It will mercilessly rub the baby's neck, so a well-washed and crushed cotton cord, the length of which is usually equal to the circumference of the baby's head, is better suited for this purpose. It is better to buy a gold or silver children's cross with a chain a little later, in preschool or school age.
For the Sacrament of Baptism you should buy a consecrated cross
A consecrated cross, which can be bought in an icon shop at any Orthodox church, is not only a Christian shrine, but also a priestly blessing to a new member of the Church of Christ. Saying a prayer for the consecration of the pectoral cross, the priest asks the Lord that He will preserve the one who will wear it on himself in memory of the redemptive Passion of Jesus Christ.
The prayer contains a request to God to protect the soul and body of the future owner of the children's silver cross, to guide him on the true path. If for some reason it was not possible to buy a consecrated cross, then the ceremony of consecrating the pectoral cross can be carried out immediately before Baptism.
Why do you need a cross?
Baptism is considered the second birth of a person, only spiritual. Wearing a cross is like a wordless prayer for protection, health and overcoming difficulties. The cross is a symbol of Christianity; it reminds us at what price the Son of God purchased salvation for sinful people. The cross also speaks of victory over the devil, of the power of God.
The cross is usually put on a child during the Sacrament and it is not recommended to remove it. But for safety reasons, until the child grows up, some parents remove it from the baby and hang it above the crib or near the icon. You can discuss this issue with the priest.
If you buy a cross outside of a church shop, you must have it blessed in the church.
Decorate the cross with cubic zirconia and other stones
