What's the biggest size a cross can be without being considered a pectoral cross?

[Zacharias]

What's the biggest size a cross can be without being considered a pectoral cross?

 

[gzt]

I don't think there are any guidelines. But pectoral crosses are big, thick, solid, heavy, and meant for external wear [ie, on the chest, as the name indicates]. Other crosses are generally thin, light, and mean for internal use. What brings this up?

 

[gzt]

If it's over 1.5 inches, that sounds pretty big. Over two inches is insane. Pectoral crosses, though, are usually, I don't know, probably 3-4 inches, but at least 2.5 inches.

 

[Zacharias]

I don't think there are any guidelines. But pectoral crosses are big, thick, solid, heavy, and meant for external wear [ie, on the chest, as the name indicates]. Other crosses are generally thin, light, and mean for internal use. What brings this up?

At my old church I always wore big crosses, but in the Orthodox Church one can't wear a pectoral cross. So I'm wondering what the biggest size a cross can be without be called pectoral?

 

[gzt]

Like, how big? Inside or outside your clothes?

 

[Zacharias]

Like, how big? Inside or outside your clothes?

Outside my clothes. 2 or 2 1/2 inches?

 

[gzt]

2-2.5 inches probably wouldn't be confused for a pectoral cross, especially if it's not hanging onto your chest like a pectoral cross and isn't styled like one, but, I don't know, you'd have to see. You'd have to check with your priest, some don't like men wearing their cross outside their clothing at all, not because it'd be confused with a pectoral cross, but because it's making a show of their piety and turning the cross into a mere ornament.

 

[Zacharias]

some don't like men wearing their cross outside their clothing at all, not because it'd be confused with a pectoral cross, but because it's making a show of their piety and turning the cross into a mere ornament.

I always thought of it meaning, "I'm not ashamed/afraid to say that I'm a Christian".

 

[ExOrienteLux]

The best reason I've heard for wearing your cross inside your clothes is that our actions as Christians are supposed to speak louder than our attire.

 

[gzt]

As I said, it depends on your priest.

 

[Zacharias]

Thanks

 

[Khaleas]

There was a discussion on this on one of the Finnish ort. boards. One person told about a former Finnish archbishop who had said: A cross should be worn closest to your body, because that's where Christ is suppose to be. It should be worn at the level of your heart. The cross is a symbol of the cross we bear together with Christ. It reminds us of the love as well as the humbleness and suffering. That the cross is to be covered from the world as we should attempt to rise above.

This of course is no rule or regulation... but I think it sounds good. I wear a cross that is about and inch and a half and it's rather big. I'm still looking for a chain that would be a bit longer but right now you can see it if I wear a v-neck shirt. Someone also wrote that it is a Russian tradition to keep the cross inside your clothes. Father noted that the cross was very beautiful when he blessed it at my Chrismation.

 

[choirfiend]

Just look around on the websites til you see one you like. Pectoral crosses are obviously such. They are usually labeled as such. Regular crosses for lay people are also rather obviously such. If it's a cross that would look ridiculous on a chain that had it laying on your collarbone, it's probably too big. Regular crosses will also generally NOT be as expensive as the priestly cross you were looking at last. If you find another one you like and you are not sure about it, just post and ask, but most Orthodox don't go for the "bigger is better" approach.

 

[Zacharias]

Just look around on the websites til you see one you like. Pectoral crosses are obviously such. They are usually labeled as such. Regular crosses for lay people are also rather obviously such. If it's a cross that would look ridiculous on a chain that had it laying on your collarbone, it's probably too big. Regular crosses will also generally NOT be as expensive as the priestly cross you were looking at last. If you find another one you like and you are not sure about it, just post and ask, but most Orthodox don't go for the "bigger is better" approach.

How about this $10, 3 inch, wooden one: http://www.skete.com/moreinfo.cfm?Category=83&Product_ID=809

It's from the category: "Neck Crosses".

 

[ExOrienteLux]

That looks like something I'd hang from the rearview mirror of my van, not wear around my neck...

 

[RobNJ]

That looks like something I'd hang from the rearview mirror of my van, not wear around my neck...

 

[Zacharias]

That looks like something I'd hang from the rearview mirror of my van, not wear around my neck...

So it's a pectoral cross?

 

[choirfiend]

It's certainly the size of a pectoral cross. Remember my rule of thumb? If it would look silly resting on your collar bone....That sort of cross would get hung on the wall above ones bed or something. My family has crosses that look like the medium filligree olivewood cross that are doing just that. I suppose it's possible to wear it, especially if one didnt wear a cord that would have it reaching one's midsection like priests wear pectoral crosses, but I have to say that anything of that size simply isn't worn, because it looks like a pectoral cross gone awry.

 

[Zacharias]

Thanks, you've been a great help.

 

[Maximus]

At my old church I always wore big crosses, but in the Orthodox Church one can't wear a pectoral cross. So I'm wondering what the biggest size a cross can be without be called pectoral?

I know people have told you you cannot wear a pectoral cross because only priests should wear those, etc.

Please be aware, there are no absolute laws with regard to jewelry in the Orthodox Church.

If you want a pectoral cross, buy one; it's no sin. Just be aware that if you wear it around outside your clothing, you will get some odd stares and questions, especially from other Orthodox. If that doesn't bother you, then go and do what you want.

Beware of getting caught up in man-made rules.

I wear a small cross and I like it. I think you will get tired of sporting one of those big ones, but the choice is yours.