Taking off baptismal cross

[AMM]

I believe I've heard that traditionally, one doesn't remove their baptismal cross. Since receiving mine in December, I have taken it off I believe twice or thrice because the chain had gotten really tangled, but besides that I always wear it. I didn't like removing it even those times, and tried to untangle it first without removing it so that I wouldn't have to be without the cross at all.

Anyway, I ask about this because in high school I did martial arts and I've been thinking about getting back to it. But we aren't allowed to wear any jewelry, so I would have to take off my cross. I want to start doing karate again, but I feel uncomfortable removing the cross. Has anyone had a situation like this before? Any thoughts on my situation?

 

[~Anastasia~]

I've taken mine off for surgery and to untangle it and to protect it from certain situations. Always briefly and especially I am careful not to lose it.

It's not "magical" and we shouldn't get into superstitious thinking. But it is a blessed Cross and is important to wear.

You could probably ask your priest - not so much because we worry about removing it for a moment, but to talk through how we think of such questions.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I have taken mine off when doing army training. it felt bad at first, but it's better than having my cross snap off in the woods somewhere.

 

[AMM]

I've taken mine off for surgery and to untangle it and to protect it from certain situations. Always briefly and especially I am careful not to lose it.

It's not "magical" and we shouldn't get into superstitious thinking. But it is a blessed Cross and is important to wear.

You could probably ask your priest - not so much because we worry about removing it for a moment, but to talk through how we think of such questions.

okay that makes sense. I hadn't thought about the superstition side of things, although upon reflection perhaps I am being a bit superstitious about it. Maybe best to just talk to a priest about it (like most things! haha)

I have taken mine off when doing army training. it felt bad at first, but it's better than having my cross snap off in the woods somewhere.

Yeah, that's true. I'd hate to lose mine. But I wonder if this is a bit different. Thinking out loud here - Being in the army, you have mandatory army training, right? So it's almost like your options are (1) take off the cross for training or (2) potentially lose it in the woods. But since mine is not mandatory, it's just a hobby I used to do, it feels like the options are (1) practice karate in a dojo and remove cross or (2) not practice karate or practice it by myself where I won't be at risk of losing the cross in the first place.

 

[All4Christ]

I believe I've heard that traditionally, one doesn't remove their baptismal cross. Since receiving mine in December, I have taken it off I believe twice or thrice because the chain had gotten really tangled, but besides that I always wear it. I didn't like removing it even those times, and tried to untangle it first without removing it so that I wouldn't have to be without the cross at all.

Anyway, I ask about this because in high school I did martial arts and I've been thinking about getting back to it. But we aren't allowed to wear any jewelry, so I would have to take off my cross. I want to start doing karate again, but I feel uncomfortable removing the cross. Has anyone had a situation like this before? Any thoughts on my situation?

I unfortunately had my chain break when I was wearing it all the time - and I lost my baptismal cross! I’ve been in a quandary now about it - buy another? Or not get one since I can’t really replace it? I got a different version just so I can have a cross, but I really miss having my baptismal cross specifically.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yeah, that's true. I'd hate to lose mine. But I wonder if this is a bit different. Thinking out loud here - Being in the army, you have mandatory army training, right? So it's almost like your options are (1) take off the cross for training or (2) potentially lose it in the woods. But since mine is not mandatory, it's just a hobby I used to do, it feels like the options are (1) practice karate in a dojo and remove cross or (2) not practice karate or practice it by myself where I won't be at risk of losing the cross in the first place.

while you probably would not have to worry about losing it, there is the risk of it getting scuffed up if you'd practice with others.

 

[All4Christ]

while you probably would not have to worry about losing it, there is the risk of it getting scuffed up if you'd practice with others.

What would you recommend as a priest if a parishioner’s baptismal cross chain broke - and it fell off during the day? Buy another cross? Or not get one since it is a baptismal cross is only given once?

 

[ArmyMatt]

What would you recommend as a priest if a parishioner’s baptismal cross chain broke - and it fell off during the day? Buy another cross? Or not get one since it is a baptismal cross is only given once?

if you can't find it, I would buy another cross.

 

[All4Christ]

if you can't find it, I would buy another cross.

Unfortunately it broke and fell off during the day somewhere at work and I didn’t notice the chain was broken until I got home for the evening. I bought a different style Orthodox cross which I wear, but I will take a look at the baptismal style ones.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I am not wearing my baptismal cross anymore, sadly. It was gold plated apparently, and after a few years of wearing it pretty much continually I noticed one day it was turning grey. I didn't want it to get worse, so I started wearing instead my Nouna's baptismal cross, which they gave me after she reposed.

When I am able, I plan to have my cross re-plated (I read that is possible) and will start wearing it again. I like my Nouna's cross and it has a sentimental value, but I LOVE my baptismal cross and it makes me sad that I can't wear it right now.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I unfortunately had my chain break when I was wearing it all the time - and I lost my baptismal cross! I’ve been in a quandary now about it - buy another? Or not get one since I can’t really replace it? I got a different version just so I can have a cross, but I really miss having my baptismal cross specifically.

Does your place of work have a lost and found or a way to circulate a request if anyone found it, letting them know how precious it is to you? Probably you've already thought of that, but it's sad to think of losing it so I just wanted to mention it.

 

[All4Christ]

Does your place of work have a lost and found or a way to circulate a request if anyone found it, letting them know how precious it is to you? Probably you've already thought of that, but it's sad to think of losing it so I just wanted to mention it.

That’s a great idea! I’ll ask about it. It’s been something I keep thinking about and wishing I could get back somehow!

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I was never given a baptismal cross. I have bought various crosses that I wear.

 

[Anhelyna]

At my Chrismation , the cross I was wearing , had been given to me by my GodPapa probably about 10 years before. My priest suggested I removed it for my Chrismation and my GodPapa put it back on me after I was tonsured and Chrismated.

 

[nutroll]

For a long time my baptismal cross was on a string, so I would take it off to shower. Because I would take it off, I managed to lose it more than once, but it always found it's way back to me. Now it's on a chain and doesn't leave me.

 

[Andrei D]

I don't have one. I had a tiny one when I was a baby, but of course I couldn't wear it. Not sure what happened to it. Is this a thing?

 

[~Anastasia~]

I don't have one. I had a tiny one when I was a baby, but of course I couldn't wear it. Not sure what happened to it. Is this a thing?

It is a "thing" among our jurisdiction. Children are usually given regular-sized crosses and they are often pinned on the back of their clothing while they are babes-in-arms, later to be worn around the neck. It is cherished and most hope to wear them. But they can be replaced if necessary (lost, etc.) or sometimes by choice (wearing a loved one's baptismal cross) or even just a matter of taste, though often the cross would be blessed before wearing it. (I've also heard that crosses are blessed just because they ARE crosses, so it's not strictly necessary. I think our priest would be ok with it either way if someone had strong feelings about it ... though he might explore the basis for those feelings/thoughts.)

 

[JasonV]

This seems to be the proverbial straining at a gnat, swallowing a camel.

 

[RobNJ]

This seems to be the proverbial straining at a gnat, swallowing a camel.

^^^What he said!! ^^^^^

 

[Coolbutclueless]

I wasn't baptized in the orthodox church, but when I converted and chrismated I got a cross. I use to take it off when I would shower and when I would sleep. Now I mostly just take it off when I shower. Its one of the more meaningful emotions attached to it for me. Becoming orthodox was a huge change in my life and the cross represents all the things I went through, all the struggles and research and soul searching I did in order to find the true faith. I cherish it, I take it off so that the water/soap doesn't cause damage over time.