Any rules...

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

concerning laity wearing crosses/crucifix? I'm interested in purchasing this crucifix: http://www.easternchristian.com/product224.html

God bless, Freak4JC

Maximus · Jul 5, 2005

Freak4JC said:
concerning laity wearing crosses/crucifix?

God bless, Freak4JC

I don't think so, but I don't know everything.

You should take your cross to an Orthodox priest and have it blessed.

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

Maximus said:
I don't think so, but I don't know everything.

You should take your cross to an Orthodox priest and have it blessed.

Thanks! That's what I hoped.

Matrona · Jul 5, 2005

As long as it isn't a pectoral cross, yes.

choirfiend · Jul 5, 2005

Sheez, look at that price....

Maybe you should look around...If you're concerned about parents buying you books, there are a lot of crosses you could get for just a few $$...

Matrona · Jul 5, 2005

choirfiend said:
Sheez, look at that price....

Maybe you should look around...If you're concerned about parents buying you books, there are a lot of crosses you could get for just a few $$...

From its size and cost I suspect it's a pectoral cross which are special crosses to be worn by priests and bishops. Luckily Eastern Christian Supply also has neck crosses for the laity, which are generally a bit smaller but much less expensive.

RobNJ · Jul 5, 2005

That is a Pectoral Cross, the style is called Tsar Nicholas, and here's the description from another model of it (silver plated)

"A cross worn by Russian priests by privilege granted to them by Tsar Nicholas II. The reverse reads: "Be an example to the faithful in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity." The date of the establishment of the privilege, January 14, 1896, along with the crown and monogram of Nicholas II"

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

Thanks, I was wondering if I couldn't wear it. I'm glad that I didn't purchase it.

RobNJ · Jul 5, 2005

Freak4JC said:
Thanks, I was wondering if I couldn't wear it. I'm glad that I didn't purchase it.

Not until after your ordination!

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

RobNJ said:
Not until after your ordination!

I haven't even decided whether or not Orthodoxy is correct yet.

RobNJ · Jul 5, 2005

Freak4JC said:
I haven't even decided whether or not Orthodoxy is correct yet.

Hmmm... I think I said that very thing a few months ago!

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

Matrona said:
From its size and cost I suspect it's a pectoral cross which are special crosses to be worn by priests and bishops. Luckily Eastern Christian Supply also has neck crosses for the laity, which are generally a bit smaller but much less expensive.

I was going to purchase it with my birthday money. This is the cross that I currently wear: http://www.gallerybyzantium.com/cgi...reen=PROD&Store_Code=byzg&Product_Code=3316-B From what I've searched they don't make a small Tsar Nicholas crosses.

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

What makes a cross pectoral? The size of the cross, the length of the chain, or both?

choirfiend · Jul 5, 2005

The fact that it's listed as a pectoral cross! lol. They're large crosses that priest wear, that they are given at ordination. I guess it is the size, but also the fact that no one but ordained priest/bishops wear them. They're part of their vestments. Check out http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=48 to see a brief article on the various vestments and what they mean.

Matrona · Jul 5, 2005

Pectoral crosses are recognized by their larger size. The one you posted was actually relatively inexpensive, many of them are around $600 or more because of the precious metal and stones. They're more ornate due to being part of a priest's vestments, although a priest who is blessed to wear one will usually wear it outside church in public, as well as during the divine services.

Here's a picture I found that has some priests in the foreground wearing their crosses to give you an idea of what they look like when worn by a priest.

gzt · Jul 5, 2005

They're pectoral crosses because they're worn to be displayed on the chest. It is an award given to priests [though in the Russian [etc] tradition every priest wears a pectoral cross, fanciness varies]. The laity definitely wear crosses, they are given crosses at baptism to wear, but they're not for display, not an award, but a sign that we are baptized into Christ and have our own cross to bear.

Zacharias · Jul 5, 2005

Thanks for the replies.

Xpycoctomos · Jul 5, 2005

Here's something else to keep in mind. While I don't believe it is forbidden to where the cross on the outside, I have learned from reading and from talking with others that it is general orthodox practice to wear one's cross under their shirt. This is, in part, to remind ourselves that symbols do not make the Christian. It also can protect us from pride, secretly hoping that others see your cross. It helps us focus on the biblical verse that tells us that others will know we are Christ's disciples by our love. It is also practical because you can often feel it touch your chest and so it reminds you of the cross. I often push it against my chest to remind myself. This also helped me when I first became Orthodox because I struggled with pride about being different. Conversations about my cross only made things worse in my heart. This is not to say that it is wrong to wear it on the outside of their shirt (I know many orthodox who do and I would never dare to judge their intentions) and, if you struggle with being embarrassed about the faith this may be a good way to get over that. But, generally this is not an issue for Americans. We are generally prone to pride in what makes us different from everyone else because it calls attention to the individual and not the community as a whole. Either way, I have personally found it helpful to where my cross as advised to me by articles and priests, but not everyone is the same. Just wanted to throw that out for you to chew on.

John

Maximus · Jul 5, 2005

Xpycoctomos said:
Here's something else to keep in mind. While I don't believe it is forbidden to where the cross on the outside, I have learned from reading and from talking with others that it is general orthodox practice to wear one's cross under their shirt. This is, in part, to remind ourselves that symbols do not make the Christian. It also can protect us from pride, secretly hoping that others see your cross. It helps us focus on the biblical verse that tells us that others will know we are Christ's disciples by our love. It is also practical because you can often feel it touch your chest and so it reminds you of the cross. I often push it against my chest to remind myself. This also helped me when I first became Orthodox because I struggled with pride about being different. Conversations about my cross only made things worse in my heart. This is not to say that it is wrong to wear it on the outside of their shirt (I know many orthodox who do and I would never dare to judge their intentions) and, if you struggle with being embarrassed about the faith this may be a good way to get over that. But, generally this is not an issue for Americans. We are generally prone to pride in what makes us different from everyone else because it calls attention to the individual and not the community as a whole. Either way, I have personally found it helpful to where my cross as advised to me by articles and priests, but not everyone is the same. Just wanted to throw that out for you to chew on.

John

I used to wear mine outside my shirt until an old babushka on the Moscow Metro told me I should wear it inside. "Next to your heart," she said.

When in Moscow there is a benefit to wearing a cross outside your shirt: the Moscow police generally won't stop you. They will stop anyone who looks like a Chechen (I don't; too Nordic), but if you're wearing a cross they will pass you by as no Muslim and probably not a threat.

If your cross is gold, tuck it inside your shirt. Someone will rip it off your neck if you don't.

Xpycoctomos · Jul 5, 2005

Maximus said:
I used to wear mine outside my shirt until an old babushka on the Moscow Metro told me I should wear it inside. "Next to your heart," she said.

When in Moscow there is a benefit to wearing a cross outside your shirt: the Moscow police generally won't stop you. They will stop anyone who looks like a Chechen (I don't; too Nordic), but if you're wearing a cross they will pass you by as no Muslim and probably not a threat.

If your cross is gold, tuck it inside your shirt. Someone will rip it off your neck if you don't.

Very good to know... in such a case, I will wear it outside should I visit Russia (God willing!). Luckily, I'm not big on gold (too Nordic! too pale lol).

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