In earlier times, jewelry was used to visually demonstrate status, religion or material well-being; now we live in a time when symbolic things, including religious ones, are not always directly associated with their original meaning.
From sacred objects, crosses have also turned into decorative elements, to which everyone can give their own meaning in their wardrobe.
Such crosses differ from church body crosses in that there is no crucifix on them. Decorative models are more free in rules: they are given to family and friends for birthdays. But it is appropriate to present an Orthodox or Catholic cross exclusively to loved ones for christenings, Christmas, name days or one of the church holidays.
In modern fashion history, the brands Christian Lacroix and Dolce&Gabbana were the first to work with crosses. For example, starting in the late 80s, Christian Lacroix used crosses in clothing decoration. In 2008, crosses, only in the form of richly decorated pendants, appeared in one of the latest Christian Lacroix haute-couture collections.
The Dolce&Gabbana show in 2013 at Milan Fashion Week was perhaps the most striking demonstration of large decorative crosses. This can be considered a kind of manifesto of the fact that after rethinking the religious symbol of the cross, many began to perceive it as a fashion accessory.
The style of presenting crosses as decorative ornaments was adopted by other designers. Currently, we are seeing trends in different styles. While leading designer brands in their interpretations of decorative crosses clearly and clearly strive for maximalism and extreme festivity, young jewelry designers have the opposite approach.
Decorative crosses have acquired a completely new meaning, various jewelry brands regularly release their interpretations of the cross in a variety of styles: Tiffany&Co, Damiani, Cartier, Theo Fennell, Dionea Orcini and others.
When choosing a decorative cross made of silver or gold, you need to focus on your own taste and the recommendations of gurus from the fashion world. As a rule, such jewelry is complemented with various precious stones, crystals, and decorative inserts made of glass or ceramics. They come in both very small and large sizes. There are also a great variety of color options for decorative crosses. For example, a simple gold cross can be worn both in a business environment and in everyday life. But large cross pendants are best left for the holiday.
How to wear a decorative cross?
Crosses without a crucifix or religious symbols are made in a free design, which depends only on the boldness of the imagination of the jeweler and artist. And the rules on how and where to wear such accessories are not so strict. Rings, earrings, and entire necklaces made from several crosses are in fashion. Designers decorate the clasps on bags, shoes and embroider clothes with the sign. Sometimes creators, like D&G or Versace, come close to the theme of religion, drawing symbolism and secret meanings from there. This is not a sin or blasphemy, as some believers claim.
Religion is one of the themes of fashion. Deep and interesting. For many, fashion itself is a religion and faith. But serious symbolism should not be confused with attempts by designers to simply create and touch society with provocative themes.
When buying a cross, decide which one you need: a sign of faith or an accessory for creating original images? And in our store catalog there are options that will please everyone. The choice is yours.
Tips on how to wear fashionable crosses:
- with other pendants on one chain or several chains, each of which has a pendant;
- on the ear in the form of a pendant earring;
- like a ring with a pendant on it or in the form of a cross;
- combining different colors of metals, creating contrast;
- on chain bracelets in the form of pendants.
How to consecrate a pectoral cross?
Traditionally, in the Orthodox Church, the consecration of the pectoral cross is performed by a clergyman in the church. The rite of blessing the cross to be worn on the forehead, i.e. on the chest, contained in the liturgical book - Trebnik.
The cross is consecrated only once. It needs to be reconsecrated only in exceptional conditions (if it was severely damaged and restored again, or fell into your hands, but you do not know whether it was consecrated before).
There is a superstition that when consecrated, the cross acquires magical protective properties. The Church teaches that the sanctification of matter allows us not only spiritually, but also physically - through this sanctified matter - to join the Divine grace that we need for spiritual growth and salvation. But the grace of God does not act unconditionally. A person is required to have a correct spiritual life according to God’s commandments, and it is this spiritual life that makes it possible for God’s grace to have a salutary effect on us, healing us from passions and sins.
Sometimes you hear the opinion that the consecration of crosses is a late tradition and that this has never happened before. To this we can answer that the Gospel, as a book, also once did not exist and there was no Liturgy in its current form. But this does not mean at all that the Church cannot develop forms of worship and church piety. Is it contrary to Christian doctrine to invoke God’s grace on the creation of human hands?
How to wear a pectoral cross with a crucifix?
The answer lies in the question itself - on the body. That’s why in Rus' the shrine was called a vest. It is not advisable to wear it over clothes or combine it with a deep neckline - in both the first and second cases, it is worth knowing that the cross is not worn for demonstration. The cross is a protection that is not made public. You need to wear a product with a crucifix consciously: it has its own special function. And this is definitely not a demonstration of the beauty of the cross itself or your appearance. Moreover, it is stupid to use a cross made of precious metal as a way to show your wealth.
Why Baptists Avoid Crosses
Many people know that Baptists follow the commandment, which says that one must avoid worshiping anything or anyone. According to them, it became like an object of worship for believers who belong to Christianity. These people believe that Jesus Christ is part of God. And according to the Bible, Jesus is not God, but rather like God. Jesus is the son of God, he is the firstborn, which means he has a beginning, while God has no beginning. In addition, a very important fact for Baptists is that the Bible does not clearly indicate that believers should wear a cross.
Reference! According to Baptists, the cross is a symbol of crucifixion and torture, because Jesus Christ was executed on it by the Roman legions.
Is it possible to wear a religious attribute with other jewelry?
If you have already bought a cross with the image of Christ or the inscription “Save and Preserve”, and follow church laws, then it is absurd to hang a pendant in the form of the letter of your name or Zodiac sign next to the face of a saint. Firstly, the church and astrology are different poles. Secondly, from a stylistic point of view it looks absolutely rude and inappropriate. A cross with a crucifix is exclusively a sign of belonging to the faith. At the same time, it is acceptable to wear them with other pendants if they do not carry a special meaning, are not made in the form of funny inscriptions or are decorated with bright paintings or funny designs.
There is nothing wrong with combining a pectoral cross with a laconic diamond stone on a miniature chain. Incense should also be worn with a cross on different chains or laces.
Pectoral cross: rules of circulation and common misconceptions
The pectoral cross of an Orthodox Christian must be of a canonical shape (4, 6 or 8 ends) and consecrated. There is no special canonical teaching of the Church on wearing the cross. However, as already mentioned, traditionally the shrine is not worn for show, but under clothing.
The cross can be wooden or metal, on a string or a chain - it doesn’t matter. The main thing is to wear it with faith and reverence. It is not customary to remove the cross in everyday circumstances (when bathing, changing clothes, etc.). This is acceptable in special situations, such as during medical procedures. You don’t have to wear the same cross your whole life; you can change it. It is also not forbidden to give this shrine or receive it as a gift.
Archpriest Nikolai Markovsky warns against superstitions associated with the pectoral cross. For example, some people are convinced that dropping or losing it will bring bad luck. The priest notes:
“People work, rush about business, play sports. It may happen that a person loses his pectoral cross. You can't attach any significance to this. You need to buy another one from the icon shop. Put on a new one and wear it with faith and prayer.”
If the cross on the neck has darkened, it means that the metal has oxidized. One should not look for mysticism in this either. Another example of superstition: supposedly you cannot pick up, much less carry, a cross that someone has lost. It is believed that this will change fate and “hang” other people’s sins on a person. Father Nikolai reminds us that in Christianity there are no concepts of predestination and fate. Man has free will and builds his own life. The priest calls not to allow the shrine to be trampled underfoot. The found cross should be picked up and taken to the temple.
Chain or lace: what to wear with a cross?
In the context of faith, this has no meaning. It all depends on financial capabilities, taste and comfort. The only thing you should not do: hang a symbol of faith on a massive chain in complex weaving. It looks unaesthetic and like an attempt to demonstrate your well-being. Luxury and Christian values, if you really follow them, should not be combined. And for very young children under three years old, it is better to buy a cord made of leather or silk for every day: the child will be much more comfortable than wearing a chain.
Do not wear over clothing
The pectoral cross should be worn under clothing. Only priests have the right to wear crosses over their clothes, and even then only in the Russian Orthodox Church. Among the Greeks, even priests wear a cross under their clothes. You cannot boast about an expensive cross, showing it to everyone - this is a sign of pride and boastfulness.
The cross is worn secretly so that the pagans cannot desecrate the shrine. A priest from the village of Aleksino near Moscow, Archpriest Igor Fomin, believes that faith must be demonstrated through deeds and actions. He says that passers-by twice tried to spit on his crucifix - once in Moscow, and the second time in Jerusalem.
Pectoral crosses in our catalog
Our store's assortment includes decorative and Christian/Catholic models of crosses with silver and gold plated for women, men and children. You can purchase crosses with various inserts: cubic zirconia, semi-precious and precious stones.
Crystals
Pectoral cross with crystals
29.00 rub.
Pectoral Orthodox cross Save and Preserve golden
28.00 rub.
Jewelry glass PreciosaJewelry glassGlass
Ancient tradition
According to Protodeacon Sergius Shalberov, initially wearing a cross was a purely individual action, and was regulated only by a person’s personal desire and piety.
However, over time, this tradition was transformed into one of the foundations of the Orthodox faith, in which refusal for any reason to constantly wear a cross around the neck began to be perceived as a sin, and even apostasy from the faith.
Reflecting on this issue, the Monk Ephraim the Syrian in his work “A Sermon on the General Resurrection, on Repentance and Love, on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” quotes from the Psalter [90: 10]: “Let us mark the life-giving cross both on our doors and on our foreheads, and on our foreheads, and on our lips, and on every member of ours, and let us arm ourselves with this invincible Christian weapon, the conqueror of death, the hope of the faithful, the light for the ends of the earth, the weapon that opens paradise, overthrows heresies, the affirmation of faith, the great repository and saving praise of the Orthodox. We will... carry this weapon with us in every place, day and night, at every hour and at every minute. Don't do anything without it; whether you are sleeping, getting up from sleep, working, eating, drinking, on the road, sailing on the sea, crossing a river - decorate all your members with the life-giving cross, and evil will not come to you, and no wound will come close to your body.”
The pectoral cross hanging near the very heart, according to the Apostle Paul (Galatians 2:19), is the physical embodiment of the phrase: “I have been crucified with Christ,” who in the Gospel of Mark [8: 34] utters the significant words: “If anyone wants according to Me go, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and come after Me.”
Never, never take it off?
If people of a different faith, pagans or atheists demand that you remove your cross, you should turn yourself in so as not to renounce Christ, says priest Pavel Konkov. He also stipulates that in exceptional cases it can be worn secretly on the body. But there are places in which you really have to remove the shrine - for example, during an operation or during an examination in a tomograph, where the patient should not have metal objects on him. In this case, it is better to remove the cross or put on a wooden cross on a cord in advance.
During the operation, says Fr. Andrey Efanov, you can attach the cross to your wrist or take it off and entrust yourself to God. This is dictated by the safety of the patient and is not a renunciation of Christ. If you are asked to remove the cross on a water slide or in another place of entertainment, then you should think about whether you need this entertainment?
