Wearing a cross

[HalupkiMonster]

In my old denomination, everyone wore a cross, all the time. It was a tradition, and people felt naked without them.

In some denominations, crosses are viewed as images of death and aren't worn.

What do my fellow Anglicans do?

What type of cross do you have?

I wear a Celtic cross at all times, except to bed and shower. It reminds me of my faith in Christ and makes me feel closer to my Celtic heritage.

 

[LewsTherin]

I always wear a Celtic cross also, except when sleeping or showering. For me, it's a symbol of commitment, like my wedding ring. I also have Celtic roots, so the Celtic cross seemed natural.

 

[Scottish Monk]

I wear a Celtic cross at all times--under my shirt next to the skin (and hairs!) on my chest, EVEN when I shower and sleep.

When I attend church, I wear the cross outside my shirt so it hangs on the front of my tie, or hangs on the front of my shirt or sweater if I am not wearing a tie.

In short, I always wear my Celtic Cross, except when I soak it in boiling water on the stove to clean it.

...Scottish Monk

 

[Adam Warlock]

I would wear one if I had it.

 

[nkygreg]

I wear a crucifix. It helps me to both, remind me the the cost of my salvation, and that I am to take up my cross daily.

 

[ebia]

Often either a wooden "holding cross" or one of these:

http://esvc000174.wic001ss.server-shop.com/store/viewItem.shop?idProduct=50

Under my shirt.

 

[Adam Warlock]

I wear a crucifix. It helps me to both, remind me the the cost of my salvation, and that I am to take up my cross daily.

Good to see ya over here

 

[Cappadocious]

In some denominations, crosses are viewed as images of death

Isn't that part of the point?

 

[LewsTherin]

Isn't that part of the point?

Indeed. Taking up your cross involves dying to yourself. For me, displaying a cross also signifies that in Christ there is no reason to fear death.

 

[seeking_perfection]

I wear a crucifix under my shirt every day.

 

[HalupkiMonster]

Thank you for all of your answers! I'm pleasantly surprised that so many fellow Anglicans also have Celtic ancestry!

Question - Can I have my cross blessed by a priest at Church, or is that not something that is done in Anglicanism?

 

[ebia]

Thank you for all of your answers! I'm pleasantly surprised that so many fellow Anglicans also have Celtic ancestry!

Question - Can I have my cross blessed by a priest at Church, or is that not something that is done in Anglicanism?

Anglican clergy at the more evangelical end of the spectrum are likely to decline to bless items, but many others would be happy to.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I wear a crucifix. It helps me to both, remind me the the cost of my salvation, and that I am to take up my cross daily.

Me too, for the same reasons.

Anglican clergy at the more evangelical end of the spectrum are likely to decline to bless items, but many others would be happy to.

Such is also the case in our tradition; my present Pastor will bless them if requested; our Service Book does provides a specific Liturgical formula for doing so (different from the one for blessing a cross or crucifix for use in Church).

 

[Catherineanne]

I wear a prayer ring and either a cross or a miraculous medal all the time, and a rosary when I go out. Apart from the ring I hide them under whatever else I am wearing because they are worn for me, not for show.

 

[Anna Scott]

I wear a crucifix. It helps me to both, remind me the the cost of my salvation, and that I am to take up my cross daily.

Good to see ya over here

I second that welcome! Good to see you nkygreg!

Anna

 

[Anna Scott]

In my old denomination, everyone wore a cross, all the time. It was a tradition, and people felt naked without them.

In some denominations, crosses are viewed as images of death and aren't worn.

What do my fellow Anglicans do?

What type of cross do you have?

I wear a Celtic cross at all times, except to bed and shower. It reminds me of my faith in Christ and makes me feel closer to my Celtic heritage.

I used to wear my cross at all times, until I broke the gold chain. Need to have it repaired. I miss my cross.

The cross is a very powerful reminder of all that Christ suffered and all that Christ conquered. It is a reminder for me, as it is for others. It is also a reminder to the spiritual realm, whether we are wearing a cross or making the Sign of the Cross.

I posted the following on the One Bread, One Body - Catholic section in another discussion:

Catholic author, Scott Hahn, wrote in his book entitled The Lamb's Supper (pages 43-44):
"Among early Christians, the Sign of the Cross was probably the most universal expression of faith. . .Great saints also testify to the tremendous power of the sign. St. Cyprian of Carthage, in the third century, wrote that 'in the. . .Sign of the Cross is all virtue and power. . .In this Sign of the Cross is salvation for all who are marked on their foreheads' (a reference, by the way, to Revelation 7:3 and 14:1). A century later, St Athanasius declared that 'by the Sign of the Cross all magic is stopped, and all witchcraft brought to nothing.' Satan is powerless before the cross of Jesus Christ. The Sign of the Cross is the most profound gesture we make. It is the mystery of the Gospel in a moment. It is the Christian faith summarized in a single gesture. . . ."

I read the full section in Hahn's book to my best friend (a Southern Baptist). She now crosses herself during her prayers. She is probably the only Southern Baptist who does this. (I'm a former Southern Baptist.)

 

[gordonhooker]

As a franciscan novice of the TSSF I wear a tau cross it is made of pewter and has all the imagery of the 'Canticle of Sun' embossed into it, and it reminds me of St. Francis love of God's creation. When am professed later next year we wear the profession cross which is bronze and has Christ inlayed into the metal.

 

[HalupkiMonster]

Christians should wear a cross on their clothes every day as "a symbol of their beliefs", according to the head of the Catholic church in Scotland.

In his Easter Sunday homily, Cardinal Keith O'Brien will call on Christians to make the cross "more prominent in their lives".

Speaking at Edinburgh's St Mary's Cathedral, he will tell them to "wear proudly a symbol of the cross of Christ on their garments each and every day of their lives".

He will say: "I know that many of you do wear such a cross of Christ, not in any ostentatious way, not in a way that might harm you at your work or recreation, but a simple indication that you value the role of Jesus Christ in the history of the world, that you are trying to live by Christ's standards in your own daily life."

As I'm not permitted to post links yet, I'll tell you that I got this article from the Guardian, and the article is called "Christians urged to wear a cross with pride"

I thought that I'd put this here. I think it's a fantastic idea for all Christians to wear a cross daily, even if it's not over their clothes. I think that for lent, I will wear a cross outside my shirt daily, to remind me that I am a representative of the Christian faith when I wear it, and to act accordingly.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I don't have a church tradition of wearing one or not wearing one.

I haven't been in the habit of wearing one, but I probably should. It would remind me of things I could use to be reminded of. I'll look for a suitable one.

 

[Sean611]

My wife got me a cross on my birthday last year and I always wear it, except in the shower and when I go to bed.