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Which cross is considered canonical, why is it unacceptable to wear a pectoral cross with the image of the crucified Savior and other icons?

Every Christian, from holy baptism until the hour of death, must bear on his chest the sign of his faith in the crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord and our God Jesus Christ. We wear this sign not over our clothes, but on our body, which is why it is called wearable, and it is called octagonal (eight-pointed) because it is similar to the Cross on which the Lord was crucified at Calvary.

The collection of pectoral crosses of the 18th-19th centuries from the area of ​​settlements in the Krasnoyarsk Territory indicates the presence of stable preferences in form against the backdrop of a rich variety of individual products made by craftsmen, and exceptions only confirm the strict rule.

Unwritten legends keep many nuances. So, after the publication of this article, one Old Believer bishop, and then the reader of the site, pointed out that the word cross, as well as the word icon, does not have a diminutive form. In this regard, we also appeal to our visitors with a request to respect the symbols of Orthodoxy and monitor the correctness of their speech!

Male pectoral cross

The pectoral cross, which is always and everywhere with us, serves as a constant reminder of the Resurrection of Christ and that at baptism we promised to serve Him and renounced Satan. Thus, the pectoral cross is able to strengthen our spiritual and physical strength, protect us from the evil of the devil.

The oldest surviving crosses often take the form of a simple equilateral four-pointed cross. This was the custom at a time when Christians venerated Christ, the apostles, and the holy cross symbolically. In ancient times, as is known, Christ was often depicted as a Lamb surrounded by 12 other lambs - the apostles. Also, the Cross of the Lord was depicted symbolically.

The rich imagination of the masters was strictly limited by unwritten concepts of the canonicity of pectoral crosses.

Later, in connection with the acquisition of the genuine Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, St. Queen Elena, the eight-pointed shape of the cross begins to be depicted more and more often. This was also reflected in pectoral crosses. But the four-pointed cross did not disappear: as a rule, the eight-pointed cross was depicted inside the four-pointed one.

Along with the forms that have become traditional in Russia, in the Old Believer settlements of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, one can also find the legacy of an older Byzantine tradition.

In order to remind us of what the Cross of Christ means to us, it was often depicted on a symbolic Golgotha ​​with a skull (Adam's head) at the base. Next to him you can usually see the instruments of the passions of the Lord - a spear and a cane.

Letters INCI(Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews), which are usually depicted on larger crosses, commemorate the inscription mockingly nailed over the head of the Savior during the crucifixion.

The inscription TsR SLVA IS XC SN BZHIY explaining under the titles reads: “ King of Glory Jesus Christ Son of God". The inscription " NIKA” (Greek word, means the victory of Christ over death).

Separate letters that can be on pectoral crosses mean “ TO” – copy, “ T”- cane, “ GG”- Mount Golgotha, “ GA” is the head of Adam. “ MLRB”- The Place of the Execution Paradise Became (that is: Paradise was once planted at the place of execution of Christ).

We are sure that many do not even realize how much this symbolism is perverted in our usual deck of cards . As it turned out in, four card suits are a hidden blasphemy against Christian shrines: baptize- this is the Cross of Christ; diamonds- nails; peaks- a copy of the centurion; worms- this is a sponge with vinegar, which the tormentors mockingly gave Christ instead of water.

The image of the Crucified Savior appeared on pectoral crosses quite recently (at least after the 17th century). Pectoral crosses depicting the Crucifixion non-canonical , since the image of the Crucifixion turns the pectoral cross into an icon, and the icon is intended for direct perception and prayer.

Wearing an icon in a form hidden from the eyes is fraught with the danger of using it for other purposes, namely as a magical amulet or amulet. The cross is symbol , and the Crucifixion is image . The priest wears a cross with a Crucifix, but he wears it in a visible way: so that everyone sees this image and is inspired to pray, inspired to a certain attitude towards the priest. The priesthood is the image of Christ. And the pectoral cross that we wear under our clothes is a symbol, and the Crucifixion should not be there.

One of the ancient rules of St. Basil the Great (4th century), which was included in the Nomocanon, reads:

“Everyone who wears any icon as an amulet must be excommunicated from communion for three years.”

As you can see, the ancient fathers very strictly followed the correct attitude to the icon, to the image. They stood guard over the purity of Orthodoxy, in every possible way protecting it from paganism. By the 17th century, it was customary to place a prayer to the Cross on the back of the pectoral cross (“May God arise and oppose Him…”), or only the first words.

Women's pectoral cross

In the Old Believers, the external difference between “ female" and " male” crosses. The “female” pectoral cross has a smoother, rounded shape without sharp corners. Around the “female” cross, a “vine” is depicted with a floral ornament, reminiscent of the words of the psalmist: “ Your wife is like a fruitful vine in the countries of your house. ” (Ps., 127, 3).

It is customary to wear a pectoral cross on a long gaitan (braid, braided thread) so that you can, without removing it, take the cross in your hands and overshadow yourself with the sign of the cross (this is supposed to be done with the appropriate prayers before going to bed, as well as when making a cell rule).

Symbolism in everything: even the three crowns above the hole symbolize the Holy Trinity!

If we talk about crosses with the image of the crucifixion more widely, then the distinctive feature of the canonical crosses is the style of depicting the body of Christ on them. Widespread today on New Rite crosses the image of the suffering Jesus is alien to the Orthodox tradition .

Ancient medallions with a symbolic image

According to canonical ideas, reflected in iconography and copper plastic, the body of the Savior on the Cross was never depicted as suffering, sagging on nails, etc., which testifies to His divine nature.

The manner of “humanizing” the sufferings of Christ is characteristic Catholicism and borrowed much later than the church schism in Russia. Old Believers consider such crosses worthless . Examples of canonical and modern New Believer casting are given below: the substitution of concepts is noticeable even to the naked eye.

The stability of traditions should also be noted: the collections in the photographs were replenished without the goal of showing only ancient forms, that is, hundreds of types of modern “ Orthodox jewelry ”- an invention of recent decades against the backdrop of an almost complete oblivion of the symbolism and meaning of the image of the honest Cross of the Lord.

Related illustrations

Below are illustrations selected by the editors of the site "Old Believer Thought" and links on the topic.

An example of canonical pectoral crosses from different times:

An example of non-canonical crosses from different times:

Unusual crosses, presumably made by the Old Believers in Romania

Photo from the exhibition “Russian Old Believers”, Ryazan

A cross with an unusual back that you can read about

Male cross of modern work

Catalog of ancient crosses - online version of the book " Millennium of the Cross » – http://k1000k.narod.ru

A well-illustrated article on early Christian pectoral crosses with high-quality illustrations in color and additional material on the topic on the site Culturology.Ru – http://www.kulturologia.ru/blogs/150713/18549/

Comprehensive information and photos about cast icon-case crosses from Novgorod manufacturer of similar products : https://readtiger.com/www.olevs.ru/novgorodskoe_litje/static/kiotnye_mednolitye_kresty_2/

CROSS. CRUCIFICATION. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS DEATH OF CHRIST. THE DIFFERENCE OF THE ORTHODOX CROSS FROM THE CATHOLIC CROSS.

Among all Christians, only Orthodox and Catholics venerate crosses and icons. They decorate the domes of churches, their houses with crosses, they wear them around the neck. As for the Protestants, they do not recognize such a symbol as the cross and do not wear it. The cross for Protestants is a symbol of a shameful execution, a tool by which the Savior was not only hurt, but also killed.

The reason why a person wears is different for everyone. Someone thus pays tribute to fashion, for someone the cross is a beautiful piece of jewelry, for someone it brings good luck and is used as a talisman. But there are also those for whom the pectoral cross worn at baptism is indeed a symbol of their infinite faith.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SAVIOR'S DEATH ON THE CROSS

As known, the emergence of the Christian cross is associated with the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, which he accepted on the cross under the forced sentence of Pontius Pilate. Crucifixion was a common method of execution in ancient Rome, borrowed from the Carthaginians, the descendants of the Phoenician colonists (it is believed that crucifixion was first used in Phoenicia). Usually thieves were sentenced to death on the cross; many early Christians, persecuted since the time of Nero, were also executed in this manner.

Before the sufferings of Christ, the cross was an instrument of shame and terrible punishment. After His suffering, he became a symbol of the victory of good over evil, life over death, a reminder of God's infinite love, an object of joy. The incarnated Son of God sanctified the cross with His blood and made it a vehicle of His grace, a source of sanctification for believers.

From the Orthodox dogma of the Cross (or Atonement), the idea undoubtedly follows that the death of the Lord is the ransom of all , the calling of all peoples. Only the cross, unlike other executions, made it possible for Jesus Christ to die with outstretched arms calling "to all the ends of the earth"(Isaiah 45:22).

Reading the Gospels, we are convinced that the feat of the cross of the God-man is the central event in His earthly life. By His sufferings on the Cross, He washed away our sins, covered our debt to God, or, in the language of Scripture, "redeemed" us (ransomed us). In Golgotha ​​lies the incomprehensible mystery of the infinite truth and love of God.

The Son of God voluntarily took upon Himself the guilt of all people and suffered for it a shameful and most painful death on the cross; then on the third day he rose again as the conqueror of hell and death.

Why was such a terrible Sacrifice needed to cleanse the sins of mankind, and was it possible to save people in another, less painful way?

The Christian doctrine of the death of the God-man on the cross is often a "stumbling block" for people with already established religious and philosophical concepts. Both many Jews and people of the Greek culture of apostolic times found it contradictory to say that Almighty and eternal God descended to earth in the form of a mortal man, voluntarily endured beatings, spitting and shameful death that this feat could bring spiritual benefit to mankind. "It's impossible!"- objected one; "It's not needed!" others argued.

The Holy Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians says: “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in the wisdom of the word, so as not to abolish the cross of Christ. For the word of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but for us who are being saved, it is the power of God. where is the wise man, where is the scribe, where is the questioner of this world? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into foolishness? and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a stumbling block, and for the Greeks foolishness, for the very called ones, Jews and Greeks, Christ, God's power and God's wisdom"(1 Corinthians 1:17-24).

In other words, the apostle explained that what in Christianity was perceived by some as temptation and madness, in fact, is a matter of the greatest Divine wisdom and omnipotence. The truth of the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior is the foundation for many other Christian truths, for example, about the sanctification of believers, about the sacraments, about the meaning of suffering, about virtues, about achievement, about the goal of life, about the coming judgment and resurrection of the dead and others.

Wherein, redemptive death of Christ, being an event inexplicable in terms of earthly logic and even "seductive for those who are perishing," has a regenerating power that the believing heart feels and longs for. Renewed and warmed by this spiritual power, both the last slaves and the most powerful kings bowed with trepidation before Golgotha; both dark ignoramuses and the greatest scientists. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles became convinced by personal experience of what great spiritual benefits the atoning death and resurrection of the Savior brought them, and they shared this experience with their disciples.

(The mystery of the redemption of mankind is closely connected with a number of important religious and psychological factors. Therefore, in order to understand the mystery of the redemption, it is necessary:

a) to understand what actually is the sinful damage of a person and the weakening of his will to resist evil;

b) it is necessary to understand how the devil's will, thanks to sin, got the opportunity to influence and even captivate the human will;

c) one must understand the mysterious power of love, its ability to positively influence a person and ennoble him. At the same time, if love reveals itself most of all in sacrificial service to one's neighbor, then there is no doubt that giving one's life for him is the highest manifestation of love;

d) one must rise from understanding the power of human love to understanding the power of Divine love and how it penetrates the soul of a believer and transforms his inner world;

e) in addition, in the atoning death of the Savior there is a side that goes beyond the limits of the human world, namely: On the cross there was a battle between God and the proud Dennitsa, in which God, hiding under the guise of weak flesh, emerged victorious. The details of this spiritual battle and Divine victory remain a mystery to us. Even Angels, according to ap. Peter, do not fully understand the mystery of redemption (1 Pet. 1:12). She is a sealed book that only the Lamb of God could open (Rev. 5:1-7)).

In Orthodox asceticism, there is such a thing as bearing one's cross, that is, the patient fulfillment of Christian commandments throughout the life of a Christian. All difficulties, both external and internal, are called "cross." Each bears his life's cross. The Lord said this about the need for personal achievement: "Whoever does not take up his cross (turns away from the feat) and follows Me (calls himself a Christian), he is not worthy of Me"(Matthew 10:38).

“The cross is the guardian of the whole universe. The Cross is the beauty of the Church, the Cross is the power of the kings, the Cross is the faithful affirmation, the Cross is the glory of the angel, the Cross is the plague of the demon,- affirms the absolute Truth of the luminaries of the feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross.

The motives for the outrageous desecration and blasphemy of the Holy Cross by conscious crusaders and crusaders are quite understandable. But when we see Christians drawn into this heinous deed, it is all the more impossible to be silent, for, according to the words of St. Basil the Great, “God is given up in silence”!

FORM OF THE CROSS

four-pointed cross

Today, shops and church shops offer a wide variety of crosses of various shapes. However, very often, not only parents who are about to baptize a child, but also sales assistants cannot explain where the Orthodox cross is and where the Catholic one is, although it is actually very simple to distinguish them.In the Catholic tradition - a quadrangular cross, with three nails. In Orthodoxy, there are four-pointed, six-pointed and eight-pointed crosses, with four nails for hands and feet.

So, in the West, the most common is four-pointed cross . Starting from the III century, when such crosses first appeared in the Roman catacombs, the entire Orthodox East still uses this form of the cross as equal to all others.

For Orthodoxy, the shape of the cross does not really matter, much more attention is paid to what is depicted on it., however, eight-pointed and six-pointed crosses received the greatest popularity.

Eight-pointed Orthodox cross most corresponds to the historically reliable form of the cross on which Christ was already crucified.The Orthodox cross, which is most often used by the Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches, contains, in addition to a large horizontal bar, two more. The top symbolizes the tablet on the cross of Christ with the inscription "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews"(INCI, or INRI in Latin). The lower slanting crossbar - a prop for the feet of Jesus Christ symbolizes the "righteous measure", weighing the sins and virtues of all people. It is believed that it is tilted to the left, symbolizing that the repentant robber, crucified on the right side of Christ, (first) went to heaven, and the robber, crucified on the left side, by his blasphemy of Christ, further aggravated his posthumous fate and ended up in hell. The letters IC XC are a Christogram symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ.

Saint Demetrius of Rostov writes that “When Christ the Lord carried the cross on His shoulders, then the cross was still four-pointed; because there was still no title or footstool on it. There was no footstool, because Christ had not yet been lifted up on the cross, and the soldiers, not knowing where Christ's feet would reach, did not attach footstools, finishing it already at Golgotha.. Also, there was no title on the cross before the crucifixion of Christ, because, as the Gospel reports, first they “crucified Him” (John 19:18), and then only “Pilate wrote an inscription and placed it on the cross” (John 19:19 ). It was at first that the warriors “who crucified Him” (Mt. 27:35) divided “His clothes” by lot, and only then “They put an inscription over His head, signifying His guilt: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”(Matthew 27:37).

The eight-pointed cross has long been considered the most powerful protective tool against various kinds of evil spirits, as well as visible and invisible evil.

six pointed cross

Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially in the days of Ancient Russia, was also six-pointed cross . It also has sloping crossbar: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper one - liberation by repentance.

but not in the shape of the cross or the number of ends lies all its power. The cross is famous for the power of Christ crucified on it, and all its symbolism and miraculousness lies in this.

The variety of forms of the cross has always been recognized by the Church as quite natural. In the words of the Monk Theodore the Studite - "a cross of every form is a true cross" andhas unearthly beauty and life-giving power.

“There is no significant difference between Latin, Catholic, Byzantine, and Orthodox crosses, as well as between any other crosses used in the service of Christians. In essence, all crosses are the same, the differences are only in form., - says the Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

CRUCIFICATION

In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, special significance is attached not to the shape of the cross, but to the image of Jesus Christ on it.

Until the 9th century inclusive, Christ was depicted on the cross not only alive, resurrected, but also triumphant, and only in the 10th century did images of the dead Christ appear.

Yes, we know that Christ died on the cross. But we also know that He later resurrected, and that He suffered voluntarily out of love for people: to teach us to take care of the immortal soul; so that we too can be resurrected and live forever. In the Orthodox Crucifixion, this Paschal joy is always present. So on the Orthodox cross, Christ does not die, but freely stretches out his arms, the palms of Jesus are open, as if he wants to embrace all of humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is not a dead body, but God, and his whole image speaks of this.

The Orthodox cross above the main horizontal bar has another, smaller one, which symbolizes the tablet on the cross of Christ indicating the offense. Because Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ, the words appeared on the tablet "Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews" in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. In Latin in Catholicism, this inscription looks like INRI, and in Orthodoxy - IHCI(or ІНHI, “Jesus of the Nazarene, King of the Jews”). The lower oblique crossbar symbolizes footrest. She also symbolizes two thieves crucified to the left and right of Christ. One of them repented of his sins before his death, for which he was awarded the Kingdom of Heaven. The other, before his death, blasphemed and reviled his executioners and Christ.

Above the middle crossbar are the inscriptions: "IC" "XS" - the name of Jesus Christ; and below it: "NIKA" — Winner.

Greek letters were necessarily written on the cross-shaped halo of the Savior UN, meaning - "Truly Existing" , because "God said to Moses: I am who I am"(Ex. 3:14), thereby revealing His name, expressing the self-existence, eternity and immutability of the being of God.

In addition, the nails with which the Lord was nailed to the cross were kept in Orthodox Byzantium. And it was precisely known that there were four of them, not three. So on Orthodox crosses, the feet of Christ are nailed with two nails, each separately. The image of Christ with crossed feet, nailed with one nail, first appeared as an innovation in the West in the second half of the 13th century.

In the Catholic Crucifixion the image of Christ has naturalistic features. Catholics depict Christ dead, sometimes with streams of blood on his face, from wounds on his arms, legs and ribs ( stigmata). It manifests all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but this is the image of a dead person, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The crucifixion in Orthodoxy just symbolizes this triumph. In addition, the feet of the Savior are nailed with one nail.

Differences between the Catholic and Orthodox cross

Thus, there are the following differences between the Catholic cross and the Orthodox:

1. most often has an eight-pointed or six-pointed shape. - four-pointed.
2. Words on a plate on the crosses are the same, only written in different languages: Latin INRI(in the case of a Catholic cross) and Slavic-Russian IHCI(on an Orthodox cross).
3. Another fundamental position is the position of the feet on the Crucifixion and the number of nails . The feet of Jesus Christ are located together on the Catholic Crucifix, and each is nailed separately on the Orthodox cross.
4. different is image of the Savior on the cross . The Orthodox cross depicts God, who opened the way to eternal life, and the Catholic cross depicts a man in torment.

Material prepared by Sergey Shulyak

for the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills

The cross is an ancient and significant symbol. And in Orthodoxy it is of great importance. Here it is both a sign of faith and an indication of belonging to Christianity. The history of the cross is quite interesting. To learn more about this, consider Orthodox crosses: types and meanings.

Orthodox cross: a bit of history

The cross as a symbol is used in many world beliefs. But for Christians, it initially did not have a very good meaning. So, the guilty Jews were executed first in three ways, and then they added one more, fourth. But Jesus managed to change this order for the better. Yes, and he was crucified on a pillar with a crossbar, reminiscent of a modern cross.

So the sacred sign firmly entered the life of Christians. And it became a real protective symbol. With a cross around his neck, a person in Russia was trustworthy, and they tried not to do anything with those who did not wear a pectoral cross. And they said about them: “There is no cross on them,” meaning the absence of conscience.

We can see crosses of various formats on the domes of churches, on icons, on church paraphernalia and as decorations on believers. Modern Orthodox crosses, the types and meanings of which may vary, play an important role in the transmission of Orthodoxy around the world.

Types of crosses and their meaning: Christianity and Orthodoxy

There are a huge variety of types of Orthodox and Christian crosses. Most of them come in the following form:

• rectilinear;
• with expanded beams;
• square or rhombus in the middle;
• wedge-shaped ends of the beams;
• triangular ends;
• circles at the ends of the beams;
• flourishing decor.

The last form symbolizes the Tree of Life. And it is framed with a floral ornament, where lilies, vines and other plants may be present.

In addition to differences in form, Orthodox crosses have differences in types. Types of crosses and their meaning:

• George Cross. Approved by Catherine the Great as an award symbol for clergy and officers. This cross with four ends is considered one of those whose form is recognized as correct.
• Vine. This eight-pointed cross is decorated with images of a vine. In the center may have an image of the Savior.

  

• Seven pointed cross. It was common on icons of the 15th century. It is found on the domes of old temples. In biblical times, the shape of such a cross served as the foot of the altar of the clergy.
• Thorn crown. The image of a prickly crown on the cross means the torment and suffering of Christ. This view can be found on the icons of the 12th century.

  

• Gallows cross. A popular look found on the walls of churches, on the clothes of church employees, on modern icons.

  

• Maltese cross. The official cross of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in Malta. It has equilateral rays, expanding at the ends. This type of cross stands out for military courage.
• Prosphora cross. It looks like St. George's, but has an inscription in Latin: "Jesus Christ is the winner." Initially, such a cross was on three churches in Constantinople. According to the Orthodox tradition, ancient words with a well-known form of a cross are printed on prosphora, symbolizing the redemption of sins.

  

• Drop-shaped four-pointed cross. Drops at the ends of the beams are interpreted as the blood of Jesus. This view was drawn on the first leaf of a Greek Gospel dating from the 2nd century. Symbolizes the struggle for faith to the end.

  

• Eight-pointed cross. The most common type today. The cross took shape after the crucifixion of Jesus on it. Before that, he was ordinary and equilateral.

  

The last form of the cross on sale is more common than others. But why is this cross so popular? It's all about his story.

Orthodox eight-pointed cross: history and symbolism

This cross is directly associated with the moment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. When Jesus carried the cross on which he was to be crucified up the mountain, his form was normal. But after the very act of crucifixion, a footboard appeared on the cross. It was made by the soldiers when they realized where Jesus' feet would go after the execution.

The upper bar was made by order of Pontius Pilate and was a tablet with an inscription. This is how the Orthodox eight-pointed cross was born, which is worn around the neck, set on tombstones, and decorated with churches.

Crosses with eight ends were previously used as the basis for award crosses. For example, during the reign of Paul the First and Elizabeth Petrovna, pectoral crosses for clergy were made on this basis. And the shape of the eight-pointed cross was even enshrined in law.

The history of the eight-pointed cross is closest to Christianity. Indeed, on the tablet above the head of Jesus was the inscription: “This is Jesus. King of the Jews." Even then, in the moments of death, Jesus Christ received recognition from his tormentors and from his followers. Therefore, the eight-pointed form is so significant and common among Christians around the world.

In Orthodoxy, a pectoral cross is considered to be one that is worn under clothing, closer to the body. The pectoral cross is not displayed, is not worn over clothing and, as a rule, has an eight-pointed shape. Today, there are crosses on sale without crossbars above and below. They are also acceptable to wear, but have four ends, not eight.

And yet, canonical crosses are eight-pointed items with or without the figure of the Savior in the center. There has long been a debate about whether to buy crucifixes with Jesus Christ depicted on them. Some representatives of the clergy believe that the cross should be a symbol of the resurrection of the Lord, and the figure of Jesus in the center is unacceptable. Others think that the cross can be considered a sign of suffering for the faith, and the image of the crucified Christ is quite appropriate.

Signs and superstitions associated with the pectoral cross

The cross is given to a person at the time of baptism. After this sacrament, church decoration must be worn, almost without taking it off. Some believers even bathe in their pectoral crosses, afraid of losing them. But what does the situation mean when the cross is still lost?

Many Orthodox people believe that the loss of the cross is a sign of impending disaster. In order to take her away from themselves, the Orthodox pray fervently, confess and take communion, and then acquire a new consecrated cross in the church.

Another sign is connected with the fact that you can not wear someone else's cross. God gives each person his own burden (cross, trials), and by putting on someone else's wearable sign of faith, a person takes on other people's difficulties and fate.

Today, family members also try not to wear each other's crosses. Although earlier the cross, adorned with precious stones, was passed down from generation to generation and could become a real family heirloom.

The cross found on the road is not raised. But if they pick it up, they try to take it to the church. There it is consecrated and cleansed anew, given to those in need.

All of the above are called superstitions by many priests. In their opinion, anyone can wear a cross, but you need to make sure that it is consecrated in the church.

How to choose a pectoral cross for yourself?

The pectoral cross can be chosen based on your own preferences. When choosing it, two main rules apply:

• Mandatory consecration of the cross in the church.
• Orthodox view of the selected cross.

Everything that is sold in the church shop, of course, refers to Orthodox paraphernalia. But Orthodox Christians are not recommended to wear Catholic crosses. After all, they have a completely different meaning, different from the rest.

If you are a believer, then wearing the cross becomes an act of connection with Divine grace. But the protection of God and grace are not given to everyone, but only to those who truly believe and sincerely pray for themselves and their neighbors. He also leads a righteous life.

Many Orthodox crosses, the types and meaning of which are discussed above, are devoid of jewelry delights. After all, they are not decoration in the full sense of the word. First of all, the cross is a sign of belonging to Christianity and its norms. And only then - a household attribute that can decorate any outfit. Of course, sometimes pectoral crosses and crosses on priests' rings are made of precious metals. But here, the main thing is not the cost of such a product, but its sacred meaning. And this meaning is much deeper than it might seem initially.

"Take up your cross and follow me"
(Mark 8:34)

Everyone knows that the Cross plays a big role in the life of every Orthodox person. This also applies to the Cross, as a symbol of the sufferings on the cross of an Orthodox Christian, which he must endure with humility and hope in the will of God, and the Cross, as a fact of confession of Christianity, and a great power capable of protecting a person from enemy attacks. It is worth noting that many miracles were performed by the Sign of the Cross. Suffice it to say that one of the great Sacraments is performed by the Cross - the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Mary of Egypt, having overshadowed the water with the sign of the cross, crossed the Jordan, Spyridon of Trimifuntsky turned the snake into gold, and the sick and possessed were healed with the sign of the cross. But, perhaps, the most important miracle: the sign of the cross, imposed with deep faith, protects us from the power of Satan.

The Cross itself, as a terrible instrument of shameful execution, chosen by Satan as the banner of lethality, caused insurmountable fear and horror, but, thanks to Christ the Conqueror, it became a coveted trophy that evokes joyful feelings. Therefore, Saint Hippolytus of Rome, the Apostolic man, exclaimed: “The Church also has her own trophy over death - this is the Cross of Christ, which she bears on herself,” and Saint Paul, the Apostle of tongues, wrote in his Epistle: “I want to boast (.. .) only by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”

The cross accompanies an Orthodox person throughout his life. “Telnik”, the so-called pectoral cross in Russia, is placed on the baby in the Sacrament of Baptism in fulfillment of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Whoever wants to follow Me, deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8, 34 ).

It is not enough to simply put on a cross and consider yourself a Christian. The cross should express what is in the human heart. In some cases, this is a deep Christian faith, in others it is a formal, outward belonging to the Christian Church. This desire is often not the fault of our fellow citizens, but only a consequence of their lack of education, years of Soviet anti-religious propaganda, apostasy from God. But the Cross is the greatest Christian shrine, a visible evidence of our redemption.

A lot of different misunderstandings and even superstitions and myths are associated with the pectoral cross today. Let's try together to understand this difficult issue.

The pectoral cross is called so because it is worn under clothing, never flaunted (only priests wear the cross outside). This does not mean that the pectoral cross must be hidden and hidden under any circumstances, but it is still not customary to deliberately put it on public display. It is established by the church charter to kiss your pectoral cross at the end of evening prayers. In a moment of danger or when the soul is anxious, it will not be out of place to kiss your cross and read the words “Save and save” on its back.

The sign of the cross must be made with all attention, with fear, with trepidation and with extreme reverence. Putting three large fingers on the forehead, you need to say: “in the name of the Father”, then, lowering the hand in the same form on the chest “and the Son”, transferring the hand to the right shoulder, then to the left: “and the Holy Spirit”. Having made this holy sign of the cross on yourself, conclude with the word "Amen". You can also say a prayer during the laying of the Cross: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen".

There is no canonical form of the pectoral cross approved by the cathedrals. According to Rev. Theodore the Studite - "A cross of every form is a true cross." St. Demetrius of Rostov wrote as early as the 18th century: “Not according to the number of trees, not according to the number of ends, the Cross of Christ is revered by us, but according to Christ himself, with the Most Holy Blood, Whom he was stained with. Manifesting miraculous power, any Cross does not act by itself, but by the power of Christ crucified on it and the invocation of His Most Holy Name. The Orthodox tradition knows an endless variety of types of crosses: four-, six-, eight-pointed; with a semicircle below, petal, drop-shaped, crinoid and others.

Each line of the Cross has a deep symbolic meaning. On the back of the cross, the inscription “Save and save” is most often made, sometimes there are prayer inscriptions “May God rise again” and others.

Eight-pointed form of the Orthodox cross

The classic eight-pointed cross is the most common in Russia. The shape of this Cross most of all corresponds to the Cross on which Christ was crucified. Therefore, such a Cross is no longer only a sign, but also an image of the Cross of Christ.

Above the long middle crossbar of such a cross is a straight short crossbar - a tablet with the inscription "Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews", nailed by order of Pilate over the head of the Crucified Savior. The lower slanting crossbar, the upper end of which is turned to the north, and the lower end to the south, symbolizes the foot, designed to serve to increase the torment of the Crucified, since the deceptive feeling of some support under the feet prompts the executed involuntarily to try to lighten his burden, leaning on it, which only prolongs torment.

Dogmatically, the eight ends of the Cross mean the eight main periods in the history of mankind, where the eighth is the life of the next century, the Kingdom of Heaven, therefore one of the ends of such a Cross points upwards into the sky. It also means that the way to the Heavenly Kingdom was opened by Christ through His Redeeming Feat, according to His word: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

The slanting crossbar, to which the Savior's feet were nailed, thus means that in the earthly life of people with the advent of Christ, who walked the earth with a sermon, the balance of the stay of all people without exception under the power of sin was disturbed. When the crucified Lord Jesus Christ is depicted on the eight-pointed Cross, the Cross as a whole becomes the full image of the Crucifixion of the Savior and therefore contains the fullness of the power contained in the suffering of the Lord on the Cross, the mysterious presence of Christ crucified.

There are two main types of images of the crucified Savior. The ancient view of the Crucifixion depicts Christ with his arms extended wide and straight along the transverse central bar: the body does not sag, but rests freely on the Cross. The second, later view, depicts the Body of Christ sagging, arms raised up and to the sides. The second view presents to the eye the image of the suffering of Christ for the sake of our salvation; here you can see the human body of the Savior suffering in torment. This image is more characteristic of the Catholic Crucifixion. But such an image does not convey the entire dogmatic meaning of these sufferings on the Cross. This meaning is contained in the words of Christ himself, who said to the disciples and the people: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12, 32).

Widespread among Orthodox believers, especially in the days of Ancient Russia, had six-pointed cross. It also has an inclined crossbar, but the meaning is somewhat different: the lower end symbolizes unrepentant sin, and the upper one, liberation by repentance.

Four-pointed cross

The discussion about the "correct" cross did not arise today. The dispute about which cross is correct, eight-pointed or four-pointed, was led by Orthodox and Old Believers, and the latter called the simple four-pointed cross "the seal of the Antichrist." St. John of Kronstadt spoke in defense of the four-pointed cross, dedicating his Ph.D.

St. John of Kronstadt explains: “The “Byzantine” four-pointed cross is actually a “Russian” cross, since, according to Church Tradition, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir brought from Korsun, where he was baptized, just such a cross and was the first to install it on the banks of the Dnieper in Kiev. A similar four-pointed cross has been preserved in the Kiev Sophia Cathedral, carved on the marble board of the tomb of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, son of St. Vladimir. But, protecting the four-pointed cross, St. John concludes that one and the other must be venerated equally, since the form of the cross itself has no fundamental difference for believers.

Encolpion - cross reliquary

Relics, or encolpions (Greek), came to Russia from Byzantium and were intended to store particles of relics and other shrines. Sometimes the encolpion was used to preserve the Holy Gifts, which the first Christians in the era of persecution received for Communion in their homes and carried with them. The most common were reliquaries made in the form of a cross and decorated with icons, as they combined the power of several sacred objects that a person could wear on his chest.

The reliquary cross consists of two halves with recesses on the inside, which form a cavity where the shrines are placed. As a rule, in such crosses there is a piece of fabric, wax, incense, or just a bunch of hair. Being filled, such crosses acquire great protective and healing power.

Schema Cross, or "Golgotha"

The inscriptions and cryptograms on Russian crosses have always been much more diverse than on Greek ones. Since the 11th century, under the lower oblique crossbar of the eight-pointed cross, a symbolic image of the head of Adam appears, and the bones of the hands lying in front of the head are depicted: right on the left, as during burial or Communion. According to legend, Adam was buried on Golgotha ​​(in Hebrew - “place of the skull”), where Christ was crucified. These words of his clarify the tradition that had developed in Russia by the 16th century to produce the following designations near the image of "Golgotha":

• "M.L.R.B." - the place of the frontal was crucified
• "G.G." - Mount Golgotha
• "G.A." - Head of Adam
• The letters "K" and "T" mean a spear of a warrior and a cane with a sponge, depicted along the cross.

Above the middle crossbar are the inscriptions:

• "IC" "XC" - the name of Jesus Christ;
• and under it: "NIKA" - the Winner;
• on the title or near it is the inscription: "SN" "BZHIY" - the Son of God,
• but more often "I.N.Ts.I" - Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews;
• the inscription above the title: "ЦРЪ" "СЛАВЫ" - means the King of Glory.

Such crosses are supposed to be embroidered on the vestments of monks who have taken the schema - a vow to observe especially strict ascetic rules of conduct. The Calvary cross is also depicted on the funeral shroud, which marks the preservation of the vows given at Baptism, like the white shroud of the newly baptized, meaning cleansing from sin. When consecrating temples and houses, the image of the Calvary Cross is also used on the walls of the building on the four cardinal points.

How to distinguish an Orthodox cross from a Catholic one?

The Catholic Church uses only one image of the Cross - a simple, quadrangular one with an elongated lower part. But if the shape of the cross most often does not matter for believers and servants of the Lord, then the position of the Body of Jesus is a fundamental disagreement between these two religions. In the Catholic Crucifixion, the image of Christ has naturalistic features. It manifests all human suffering, the torment that Jesus had to experience. His arms sag under the weight of his body, blood streams down his face and from wounds on his arms and legs. The image of Christ on the Catholic cross is plausible, but this is the image of a dead person, while there is no hint of the triumph of victory over death. The Orthodox tradition, on the other hand, depicts the Savior symbolically, His appearance expresses not the agony of the cross, but the triumph of the Resurrection. The palms of Jesus are open, as if he wants to embrace all of humanity, giving them his love and opening the way to eternal life. He is God, and his whole image speaks of this.

Another fundamental position is the position of the feet on the Crucifixion. The fact is that among Orthodox shrines there are four nails with which Jesus Christ was supposedly nailed to the cross. So, the arms and legs were nailed separately. The Catholic Church does not agree with this statement and keeps its three nails with which Jesus was fixed on the cross. In the Catholic Crucifixion, Christ's feet are folded together and nailed with a single nail. Therefore, when you bring a cross to the temple for consecration, it will be carefully examined for the number of nails.

The inscription on the tablet attached above the head of Jesus, where there should have been a description of his offense, is also different. But since Pontius Pilate did not find how to describe the guilt of Christ, the words “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews” appeared on the tablet in three languages: Greek, Latin and Aramaic. Accordingly, on Catholic crosses you will see the inscription in Latin I.N.R.I., and on Russian Orthodox - I.N.Ts.I. (also found I.N.Ts.I.)

Consecration of the pectoral cross

Another very important issue is the consecration of the pectoral cross. If the cross is purchased in a temple shop, then it is, as a rule, consecrated. If the cross was bought elsewhere or has an unknown origin, then it must be taken to the church, ask one of the church servants or a worker behind a candle box to transfer the cross to the altar. After examining the cross and in accordance with its Orthodox canons, the priest will serve the rites prescribed in this case. Usually the priest consecrates the crosses during the morning water-blessing prayer service. If we are talking about a baptismal cross for an infant, then consecration is also possible during the Sacrament of Baptism itself.

When consecrating the cross, the priest reads two special prayers, in which he asks the Lord God to pour heavenly power into the cross and that this cross saves not only the soul, but also the body from all enemies, sorcerers and from all evil forces. That is why on many pectoral crosses there is an inscription "Save and save!".

In conclusion, I would like to note that the Cross must be honored with its correct, Orthodox attitude towards it. This is not just a symbol, an attribute of faith, but also an effective protection of a Christian from satanic forces. The cross must be honored both by deeds, and by one's humility, and by imitating the feat of the Savior, as far as possible for a limited person. In the order of monastic tonsure it is said that a monk should always have before his eyes the sufferings of Christ - nothing makes a person collect himself, nothing shows the need for humility so clearly as this salutary remembrance. It would be good for us to strive for this. It is then that the grace of God will actually act in us through the image of the sign of the cross. If we do it with faith, then we will truly feel God's power and know God's wisdom.

The material was prepared by Natalia Ignatova

Christianity can be understood by deciphering its symbols. From them one can trace both its history and the development of spiritual thought.

The eight-pointed cross is also called the Orthodox cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. The smallest crossbar marks the title, where it was written “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”, the upper end of the cross is the path to the Kingdom of Heaven, which Christ showed.
The seven-pointed cross is a variation of the Orthodox cross, where the title is attached not across the cross, but from above.

2. Ship

The ship is an ancient Christian symbol that symbolized the church and each individual believer.
Crosses with a crescent, which can be seen on many churches, just depict such a ship, where the cross is a sail.

3. Calvary cross

The cross-Golgotha ​​is monastic (or schema). It symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ.

Widespread in ancient times, now the Golgotha ​​cross is embroidered only on paraman and analava.

4. Vine

The vine is the gospel image of Christ. This symbol also has its meaning for the Church: its members are branches, and bunches of grapes are a symbol of Communion. In the New Testament, the vine is a symbol of Paradise.

5. Ichthys

Ichthys (from ancient Greek - fish) is an ancient monogram of the name of Christ, consisting of the first letters of the words "Jesus Christ God's Son the Savior." Often depicted allegorically - in the form of a fish. Ichthys was also a secret identifying mark among Christians.

6. Dove

The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Also - a symbol of peace, truth and innocence. Often 12 doves symbolize the 12 apostles. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are also often depicted as doves. The dove that brought Noah an olive branch marked the end of the Flood.

7. Lamb

The lamb is an Old Testament symbol of the sacrifice of Christ. Also, the Lamb is a symbol of the Savior himself, this refers believers to the mystery of the Sacrifice on the Cross.

8. Anchor

Anchor is a hidden image of the Cross. It is also a symbol of hope for the future Resurrection. Therefore, the image of an anchor is often found in the burial places of ancient Christians.

9. Christ

Chrisma is the monogram of the name of Christ. The monogram consists of the initial letters X and P, often flanked by the letters α and ω. Chrism was widely spread in apostolic times and was depicted on the military standard of Emperor Constantine the Great.

10. Crown of Thorns

The crown of thorns is a symbol of the suffering of Christ, often depicted on crucifixes.

11. IHS

IHS is another popular monogram for the name of Christ. These are the three letters of the Greek name of Jesus. But with the decline of Greece, other, Latin, monograms with the name of the Savior began to appear, often in combination with a cross.

12. Triangle

The triangle is a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Each of the sides personifies the hypostasis of God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All sides are equal, and together form a single whole.

13. Arrows

Arrows or a beam piercing the heart - an allusion to the saying of St. Augustine in Confessions. Three arrows piercing the heart symbolize the prophecy of Simeon.

14. Skull

The skull or Adam's head is equally a symbol of death and a symbol of victory over it. According to Holy Tradition, the ashes of Adam were on Golgotha ​​when Christ was crucified. The blood of the savior, washing the skull of Adam, symbolically washed all mankind and gave him a chance for salvation.

15. Eagle

The eagle is a symbol of ascension. It is a symbol of the soul that seeks God. Often - a symbol of new life, justice, courage and faith. The eagle also symbolizes the evangelist John.

16. All-seeing eye

The eye of the Lord is a symbol of omniscience, omniscience and wisdom. Usually it is depicted as inscribed in a triangle - a symbol of the Trinity. It can also symbolize hope.

17. Seraphim

Seraphim are angels closest to God. They are six-winged and carry fiery swords, they can have from one to 16 faces. As a symbol, they mean the cleansing fire of the spirit, divine heat and love.

18. Eight-pointed star

The eight-pointed or Bethlehem star is a symbol of the birth of Christ. In different centuries, the number of rays changed, until, finally, it reached eight. It is also called the Virgin Star.

19. Nine-pointed star

The symbol originated around the 5th century AD. The nine rays of the star symbolize the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

20. Bread

Bread is a reference to the biblical episode when five thousand people were satisfied with five loaves. Bread is depicted in the form of ears (sheaves symbolize the meeting of the apostles) or in the form of bread for communion.

21. Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd is a symbolic image of Jesus. The source of this image is the gospel parable, where Christ himself calls himself a shepherd. Christ is depicted as an ancient shepherd, sometimes carrying a lamb (lamb) on his shoulders.
This symbol has deeply penetrated and entrenched itself in Christianity, parishioners are often called flocks, and priests - shepherds.

22. Burning Bush

In the Pentateuch, the Burning Bush is a thorn bush that burns but does not burn out. In his image, God appeared to Moses, calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The burning bush is also a symbol of the Mother of God, who was touched by the Holy Spirit.

23. Leo

The forest is a symbol of vigilance and Resurrection, and one of the symbols of Christ. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Mark, and is associated with the power and royal dignity of Christ.

24. Taurus

The calf (bull or ox) is the symbol of the Evangelist Luke. Taurus means the sacrificial ministry of the Savior, his Cross sacrifice. Also, the ox is considered a symbol of all martyrs.

25. Angel

The angel symbolizes the human nature of Christ, his earthly incarnation. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Matthew.