Is it possible to enter a church without a cross: rules and in what cases it is removed

The revival of Christian religious traditions in modern society can only be welcomed - this is a step towards understanding the culture of ancestors (even if not the most distant) and spirituality, which is now in short supply.

However, for a long time, religiosity was not welcomed in our country, which is why people have many questions regarding Christian laws and confessional symbols. One of them is whether it is necessary for a believer to wear a cross and how to do it correctly.

Yes, wearing a cross around your neck is a sign of a person’s membership in the Christian church. Some particularly zealous guardians of religious dogmas consider the absence of a cross on the chest of a fellow believer almost a mortal sin. However, even clergy are not so categorical on this issue.

Everyone can come to church

Translated from Greek, the word “church” means a gathering of people who followed a call or invitation. The Apostles were called by Jesus Christ, so he is considered the Head of the Church. The temple is called the house of God, where the community gathers for joint prayer and worship of the Almighty.

If an unchurched person has expressed a desire to go to church, then he has the right to do so and the clergy do not prevent this. On the contrary, they are interested in non-believers coming to church to listen to the Holy Scriptures, since this moves their hearts and many become Christians by receiving Holy Water Baptism. Even if a person is intoxicated, this is not a reason for prohibiting entry into the temple, unless, of course, he is causing a row.

Jesus said that it is not saints who need him, but sinners, and since the temple is the house of the Lord, He accepts everyone without exception.

However, there are rules that must be followed in the church, both parishioners and non-believers:

It is not recommended to wear bright and provocative clothes to the temple - this applies to both men and women.
It is necessary to monitor the behavior of children so that they do not run around the church and distract those gathered from the service.
Before entering the temple, you should turn off your mobile phone, or it is better to leave it at home.
Since many people in church put their lips on icons, girls need to visit the holy place without lipstick.

How to wear a cross correctly

Let's look at the basic rules for wearing crosses and at the same time dispel some myths that exist among not very enlightened adherents of Orthodoxy:

If the cross turns over on its back, the person sins a lot. A misconception that does not stand up to criticism: perhaps it has to do with clothing, incorrect selection of a chain or gaitan, or simply high physical activity of the wearer.
It is a sin to wear two crosses at the same time. And again we have a myth! You can wear at least five crucifixes at the same time - there will be no harm from this, however, there will be no benefit either. Faith is within and does not depend on the number of crosses.
It is correct to wear a pectoral cross around your neck exclusively on a gaitan cord. Church rules do not contain any instructions in this regard, so using the chain for this purpose is not prohibited. True, it is better for a baby to wear a cross on the gaitan, but only because it is more convenient and safer.
It is correct to wear a wooden cross or a symbol made of simple metal - allegedly, gold and silver is unacceptable for a true Christian. This is not true: just look at the luxurious crosses of the clergy.

Gold pendant with cubic zirconia (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)

You can wear an icon instead of a cross. The small image is an appeal to the guardian angel or Jesus Christ. Wearing it is encouraged, but the icon does not replace the pectoral cross.
It is allowed to wear a cross on a pin as a remedy for the evil eye. There is generally a confusion of concepts here. The evil eye is a pagan concept that is denied by the Christian Church. And wearing a pin as a remedy for the evil eye is equivalent to idolatry.
You can wear a gold cross with other pendants. It is better to refrain from this: a symbol of faith is worthy of a separate cord or chain, its proximity to worldly jewelry, and even more so, pagan symbols, is extremely unwelcome.

A man or woman of a conscious age should understand that a cross is not just a decoration. And the symbol of faith should be worn with a sense of reverence for the sacrificial deed of Christ.

Is it possible to rent at night?

According to the canon, the symbol of faith must be worn at all times. However, if you experience some discomfort, you can remove the cross at night - God will definitely not be angry with you from this act.

You can also remove the cross when you wash, especially since water and care products can have a negative effect on metal, and they are definitely detrimental to wood. You can remove the cross during training, visiting the bathhouse and swimming pool, on the beach: we do not so orthodoxly follow church dogmas that we do not allow ourselves minor liberties. The main thing is the feelings that the believer experiences: if without the cross he is deprived of some kind of internal support, it is better not to remove the cross.

Is it possible to enter church without a cross?

As mentioned above, Orthodox Christians wear the cross constantly, but people who do not adhere to all religious dogmas are allowed to remove it.

However, when visiting church, it is advisable to wear a cross. He will not be seen under his clothes and will not be scolded for his absence, but it is better to demonstrate respect for his own religion. It is especially important to wear a cross at communion, weddings, confession - in a word, at church ceremonies.

Why should a cross be hidden under clothes?

It is believed that wearing a cross over clothing is prohibited: this is allowed only to Orthodox priests, and even then in order to simplify the rituals. The custom of hiding a cross has deep roots. It is believed that one should not show a cross because non-believers may mock the shrine, which is unacceptable for a true Christian.

On the other hand, one should not wear a cross in plain sight because this shows a certain pride, especially if the symbol of faith is made of gold and studded with precious stones. You need to prove your piety through deeds and actions, and not through an external demonstration of your own religiosity.

Vladimir Yasno Solnyshko, who baptized the Russians, put crosses on them right on top of their clothes. But if you consider that Rus' was baptized “with fire and sword,” mainly for political reasons, and no one asked people’s opinions, it is hardly worth focusing on this example.

Participation in church sacraments without a cross

The cross is a symbol of a person’s belonging to the Christian faith. A person receives it the moment he receives Holy Water Baptism. From now on, he must constantly wear a cross, thereby testifying to the world about his faith.

When a person puts on a pectoral cross, he renounces dark forces and receives the protection of Heavenly forces.

It is not worth wearing it as a decoration, for show, as it is a symbol of faith. There is an opinion that it is impossible to remove the cross, but situations arise when this still needs to be done. For example, if a person attends a solarium or a workout, in this case, an attribute of the Orthodox faith may deteriorate under the influence of high temperature, or be damaged by getting caught in a chain on sports equipment.

Some people have a question about whether it is possible to enter an Orthodox church and take part in the Sacraments if one is not wearing a cross. Priests do not prohibit attending services without this attribute, however, if a person constantly comes to services without it, the priest may have questions.

However, there are cases when the presence of a cross on the body is considered mandatory. This is, first of all, the Sacrament of Communion, as well as Baptism and Confession. In other cases, if a person has forgotten his symbol of belonging to the Christian faith at home, this is not considered an obstacle to visiting the temple and participating in worship.

Is it necessary for baptized people to wear a cross around their neck?

True Christians wear a cross as a sign of belonging to the corresponding religion. By this they demonstrate admiration for Christ, who accepted martyrdom for his own convictions and thereby atoned for human sins.

Contrary to popular superstition, a pectoral cross is not an amulet or a talisman. It has nothing to do with mysticism. However, it is a symbol of faith, endowed with the grace of God and therefore capable of providing protection to a sincere believer.

A person receives the first cross in his life during the baptismal ceremony. After this, you are supposed to wear it constantly. It is believed that such a person is endowed with the mercy of God, strengthened in faith, and receives protection from sinful temptations and life’s adversities.

According to church dogmas, you need to wear a cross secretly, on your chest under your clothes. However, some people choose to wear a cross on their arm, in their ear, and sometimes on their navel as a piercing decoration.

The Christian Church has a negative attitude towards such liberties: if a person considers himself to be a member of the corresponding religion, then he must comply with some canonical codes. And if not, then the cross is just a decoration, and you can wear it either in the nose or in the nipple - the essence will not change.

Opponents object: according to the same dogmas, faith is inside a person, in his soul, and the cross is just its material symbol. And what difference does it make where it will be located? But on the other hand, Orthodoxy welcomes modesty as one of the virtues. A cross on a bracelet or prayer beads on the hand is all right, but in the navel or even more intimate place - this is already blasphemy.

Another common superstition: changing a pectoral cross for another is strictly prohibited. Yes, human rumor gives the first baptismal cross the greatest power, but the clergy are not so categorical on this issue.

If a person has lost or given his cross to another person, it is not forbidden to purchase a new one: it must be consecrated in the church and can be worn with the same success. Even if you want to replace a simple symbol of faith with a luxurious gold crucifix with diamonds, the church will not have anything against it. Just don’t forget to bless your purchase!

A person stopped wearing a cross - is it scary? Yes, this is not very good for a Christian, but if he still believes in God and is not going to change his religious affiliation, there is nothing wrong with that - faith is within!

The tradition of constantly wearing a cross to a baptized person did not appear immediately. The first Christians even considered the cross a pagan symbol. This custom was born only in the 4th century, when several centuries had passed since the execution and resurrection of Christ.

Why do the baptized walk without a cross?

Just because a person has been baptized does not always mean that he is a Christian.
In the modern world, many people are baptized in infancy, and often parents do this without much faith, just because “it’s customary.” In such a family, a person, even a baptized one, will not grow up as a Christian. If a person does not believe in Christ, then he does not need to wear a cross, and loved ones should not insist on this. Wearing a cross without faith - as a decoration or a magical talisman - is a desecration of a shrine, offending the feelings of Christians. You may not believe it yourself, but it is necessary to respect the faith of others. People who consider themselves Christians and even attend church do not always wear crosses. They may give different reasons. Someone has lost their cross and has no time to buy a new one; someone values their cross so much that they are afraid of losing it and therefore do not wear it, but keep it in a secluded place. Someone is convinced that faith must be in the soul; it has no need for external expressions. Some people are afraid that someone might notice that they are wearing a cross, and they are embarrassed to tell others about their religious beliefs.

From a Christian point of view, all these excuses do not look convincing. If the cross is lost, a new one can easily be bought in the same church that a person regularly visits, and it is not appropriate for a Christian to visit a church too rarely. The fear of losing the cross is, of course, a sign of a reverent attitude towards the shrine, but one must know the limit in everything, including reverence. Material expressions of faith - including wearing a cross - are needed because a person has not only a soul, but also a body, and faith must embrace the entire human being as a whole, and not just one part of it. Of course, you shouldn’t flaunt your faith, which is why the cross is worn under clothes, but you shouldn’t hide it as something shameful.

Thus, if a person is not only baptized, but also a believer, then there is no reason to walk without a cross. Refusal to wear a cross in this case indicates a not entirely clear understanding of Christian doctrine.

Is it possible to enter church without a cross - rules and prohibitions