After many decades, when atheism was not just fashionable, but also a state-approved worldview, there has been a new turn of Russians to the church. There are more believers, but for many people, ardent religiosity is purely demonstrative.
However, we will not criticize the religious views of other people - this is their own business. Another thing is that the symbols of religion began to be used both appropriately and inappropriately, and true faith often gets bogged down in the quagmire of superstitions.
The topic of our conversation today is the pectoral cross and the possibility of donating it. In this case, the position of the Orthodox Church is diametrically opposed to the generally accepted opinion. Let's find out why.
Mix of religion and history for dummies
Almost all the peoples of the world began with polytheism, that is, paganism. Likewise, our ancestors honored numerous gods, demigods, spirits and other sacred entities - they all had a place in the ancient Slavic world order.
As a rule, over time, paganism was replaced by monotheism, that is, belief in a single god. In the case of the Slavs and Europeans, Christianity is indicative: it is the belief in God the Father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that is most popular in Europe.
By the way, the cross is one of the oldest sacred symbols of fire, revered back in the days of polytheism. He came to Christianity much later, and, of course, under a different “sauce.” It is interesting that Christians, until the 4th century, considered the cross to be an openly pagan symbol and did not use it in any way in religious rituals.
Christianity came to Rus' at the end of the 10th century. Our ancestors were not happy that the sanctuaries of ancient deities were desecrated, the Magi were simply slaughtered, and ordinary people were forced into the water to perform an incomprehensible rite of baptism.
Over time, the ancient gods began to be forgotten, Christianity took root throughout almost the entire territory of Europe, albeit divided into many movements, the main of which were Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Until the twentieth century, Russian people could not imagine giving up baptism, regular visits to church and wearing a cross.
From godfather
Before the ritual, the godfather gives his godson or goddaughter a pectoral cross, which the clergyman puts on the baby at the end of the ritual. It can be gold, silver, metal or wood, the most important thing is that it is pre-consecrated.
Traditionally, a cross is given with a chain, but you need to understand that on a baby’s delicate skin it will be better to wear a cotton rope of a suitable and safe size. You can crochet such a strong thread yourself using a simple technique.
Another contribution of the godfather is to make a donation for performing the sacrament in the church and to give the godson some significant thing that appeals to the child’s soul and contributes to the development of his skills. This can be a religious book if the family is a believer, any other educational literature, a high-quality wooden toy, clothing or educational games, as well as a souvenir item that will be cherished first by the parents, and then by the child himself.
Gift from godfather
Superstitions and Christianity
Despite the official rejection of ancient beliefs, many of them are still alive today. Many of them bizarrely overlapped with the Christian religion, giving rise to monstrously intricate superstitions, many of which are associated with the Christian cross.
The official Orthodox Church is fighting with all its might against superstitions and mysticism, but they have proven to be very tenacious. Let's highlight a few fundamental points:
- The Christian pectoral cross is a symbol of faith and a reminder of the torment of Jesus Christ.
- A pectoral cross can be considered as a spiritual symbol only after consecration in the church.
- The cross is not a talisman or an amulet: the Christian Church has a negative attitude towards all sorts of esoteric teachings.
However, according to Christian doctrine, the presence of a cross in combination with sincere faith strengthens the connection with God. This means that sincere prayers will be heard and the Almighty will send the one asking for what he asks for: health, good luck, a happy family.
Silver pendant with ceramics (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)
So people who want to give a cross to someone should understand their own views: either you accept Jesus Christ and the doctrine of the official church, or you stand on the position of atheism or other confessional beliefs.
If we put aside superstitions, it is better to take the official point of view of the Orthodox Church as an axiom. A cross is a wonderful gift from a believer to a believer!
What should a child's pectoral cross look like?
Taking into account the age of the future owner of the jewelry, a cross for him is chosen according to special criteria:
- production technology - stamped models are not suitable for children, as they have sharp edges that can scratch the skin. They are easier to break;
- weight - the smallest crosses weigh about one gram. They are very tiny in size and look ridiculous on older children. When purchasing a jewelry pendant, it is better to choose a medium-sized model with a weight of 1.5–2 g and a height of up to two centimeters. Otherwise, the suspension will have to be changed after 2-3 years;
- shape – models with sharp edges or protruding large gems can be dangerous for a child. Preschool children need to buy products either with a smooth surface or with a smooth, rounded relief;
- design - the appearance of the cross may differ depending on who it is intended for: for the baptism of a boy, simple models without additional decor or with a modest finish in the form of blackening or black enamel inserts would be suitable options. Products with decor are more suitable for girls: beautiful shiny stones, openwork or floral patterns.
The symbol of faith can be worn on a cord, rope or chain. The first option is most suitable for infants
Along with the cross, they often give additional decoration related to religion. Usually this is a pendant with a figurine of a Guardian Angel or a mini-icon of a saint: Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archangel Michael, etc. When buying a cross or religious pendant in a jewelry store, do not forget to consecrate them first. Church shops sell accessories that are completely ready for the sacrament.
You will learn more information about how to choose the right children's cross and the main nuances by watching the video:
Is it possible to give a cross for a birthday?
In light of the above, the question arises: is it possible to give a cross for a birthday? There is a popular belief that crosses can only be given on Christenings, name days and major religious holidays. This is why many people are afraid to give a cross as a birthday gift to loved ones.
The official church does not prohibit giving a pectoral cross to fellow believers for any reason or without any reason at all. A person, as it were, shares the most precious, intimate, wishing only goodness and God's protection to the recipient. Of course, it is absolutely forbidden to give a symbol of faith with bad intentions. Popular beliefs claim that bad intentions will crumble in the light of true faith, and evil will return to the ill-wisher.
If such a gift was given by a loved one, you should thank him and wear the gifted cross fearlessly. But there are plenty of ill-wishers: people are imperfect. Therefore, many people recommend that such gifts be pre-blessed in church. If the cross has already been consecrated, it would be useful to hold it in holy water.
In this case, the official church takes a strange position. On the one hand, she seems to deny all mysticism, including the evil eye and damage caused through objects. And then there is the cross - a powerful symbol of faith. However, the church does not object to sprinkling donated crosses with holy water; on the contrary, it recommends it as a preventive measure.
Without consecration, any cross is nothing more than a decoration. But you cannot consecrate the cross twice, so you should ask the giver about this point. All crosses that are sold in church shops have already been consecrated!
Baptism age
The Orthodox tradition presupposes the baptism of the baby at a very early age, since after this sacrament the child can acquire the grace of the Lord, and he finds an intercessor angel. Most often, the eighth or fortieth day from birth is chosen for this purpose. If the baby was born very sickly, then baptism is allowed even in the first day of life. Because it is believed that this will help protect the baby and give her Divine protection.
It is recommended that the girl be baptized on the fortieth day, since until this moment the woman in labor cannot be allowed to participate in church events. The clergyman must read a cleansing prayer over the mother before she takes part in the ritual.
In addition, newborn children tolerate contact with unfamiliar people much better. This applies not only to the godmother, who will have to hold the girl in her arms throughout the entire ceremony, but also to the priest, who is completely unfamiliar to the baby. If the girl will be immersed in the font, then it is better to carry out baptism in the first months of life, while the intrauterine reflexes have not yet completely died out.
Who buys a cross for a christening?
Christians believe that the Life-giving Cross is capable of healing the soul and body, strengthening one’s faith, and filling a person with God’s grace. Whether this is true or not is a rhetorical question, to which each person answers in accordance with his own beliefs.
Modern parents increasingly prefer to baptize their children immediately after birth in order to immediately secure the protection of the Almighty. Naturally, a child at such a tender age cannot have any beliefs, so he is usually raised in the religious environment of his parents. Godparents, who are usually chosen from among close friends or relatives, should have a huge influence on the child’s religious upbringing.
It is believed that one of the godparents, preferably the mother, should buy a cross for a boy’s christening. And the opposite situation: the godfather buys a cross for a girl’s christening, and her mother gives her a christening robe.
The Church does not have a clear opinion on this matter: according to its position, a cross for a child’s baptism can be bought by anyone belonging to the same faith. It could be anyone: blood parents, grandparents, complete strangers by blood, but people close in spirit.
See all pendants in the “Cross” theme in the SUNLIGHT catalog
It happens that parents want to reward their child with a gold cross and buy it themselves, since the godparents cannot pay for the expensive purchase. But all the same, godparents remain the main spiritual mentors of the child.
It happens that a person comes to the Christian religion already at a conscious age. An adult is not forbidden to buy a cross on his own, from his own funds.
The presence of godparents who take responsibility for the spiritual upbringing of the child is fully approved by the church. However, not a single priest will refuse to perform the sacrament of Baptism even without godparents.
Do you need a cake for a girl's christening?
The presence or absence of a cake at the baby’s christening depends only on the personal wishes of the family. The Church does not forbid the celebration of the sacrament after it has taken place. There is nothing wrong with celebrating such a significant event with your loved ones.
However, it is important to remember that the ritual does not cancel fasting, and therefore it is necessary to take this into account. Perhaps you should not schedule the sacrament for the most strict periods of fasting, so as not to have to postpone the celebration indefinitely.
It is best if the cake is prepared by the girl’s mother or grandmother, who will make it with love. Of course, the baby will not be able to appreciate the culinary abilities of his family, but those invited will enjoy the treat with pleasure.
Is it possible to give a cross as a gift to a man or a woman?
People believe that you should not give a cross to a loved one. Allegedly, everyone carries his own cross, like Christ walking to Calvary. Of course, this is an allegory: the cross symbolizes troubles and illnesses that are meted out to a person from birth. And if you give someone a pectoral cross, you thereby transfer your own suffering onto him.
Such beliefs are completely contrary to the position of the Christian Church. On the contrary: the cross is the most valuable gift that a true believer can imagine.
So you can give a pectoral cross to a husband from his wife, to parents from his children, to children from his grandparents! This is a particle of God’s blessing, a sign of sincere love and respect, a symbol of support in difficult times. People believe that a cross presented by a representative of an older generation to a younger one is a desire to pass on to young brothers and sisters in Christ a piece of their own wisdom and the faith supported by it.
So if a man gives a cross as a gift to a woman, this symbolizes concern for her health, well-being and spiritual development. And in accordance with church regulations, this means that a brother recognizes his sister in Christ and shares God’s grace with her.
The most reasonable thing to do would be to ask whether the person would like to receive such a gift. Surprises in this case are inappropriate: perhaps the person is captivated by superstitions and believes that in this way they can be damaged.
Even if you find a cross on the street, you can pick it up without fear. Under no circumstances should you leave a symbol of faith lying in the dirt - this is not Christian. Contrary to superstitions, troubles and misfortunes cannot be transmitted through a symbol of faith, much less damage can be sent.
Gold pendant from the “ELEGANT CLASSICS” collection in the SUNLIGHT catalog
In such a situation, it is better to take the cross to church. There you can consecrate it and calmly wear it or give it as a gift, and if you are still afraid, you can leave the find as a gift to the church.
Why can't you wear a cross with a crucifix?
9. Wear a cross with a crucifix Some people believe that a pectoral cross should not have the shape of a crucifix. It is believed that such a symbol of faith can bring trouble to its owner and make his life unbearably difficult.
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Is it possible to give your own cross?
In accordance with religious canons, a true believer must take care of his pectoral cross in every possible way. That is why they wear it constantly, under clothes, keeping it away from prying eyes, but not taking it off even during training or in the bathhouse.
However, sometimes the decision to give your cross to another person is directly welcomed by the church. This should be a truly exceptional case when a believer sees that someone needs the Lord’s protection more than he does (he gets sick, finds himself in a very difficult life situation, goes on a risky business trip, and so on).
Moreover, the giver in this situation should feel that he is giving away the most valuable thing, and not just a trinket - then the gift will really benefit both parties. Naturally, the recipient should accept such a valuable gift with appropriate feelings.
Our ancestors fraternized in a similar way. They exchanged pectoral crosses, which meant the emergence of an unbreakable spiritual connection, much stronger than the bonds of blood.
Chain or braid
When choosing a cross for a baby, you should take care of the baby’s comfort and health. The safest option for hanging a cross would be a soft rope-ribbon rather than a metal chain. It will not scratch or damage baby's skin. For an adult, you can choose a metal chain, and the material of the chain and the cross must match.
