Is it possible for parents to give a cross to children. Is a pectoral cross a good gift? What about your wearable
Faced with the problem of finding a gift, some people will never agree to opt for a pectoral cross. And not everyone is happy to accept a cross as a gift, being very wary of religious symbols (at the same time, a person can sincerely consider himself a Christian). The prevailing superstitious ideas around the question of whether it is possible to give crosses for a birthday, anniversary or any calendar holidays, so deeply entered the consciousness of the inhabitants that the cross, designed to become a protection from all evils, is regarded almost as a harbinger of future troubles for the one to whom it is presented!
Why are modern people afraid of donated crosses?
The main prejudices look like this:
- a cross accepted as a gift will bring sorrow, changes in life;
- along with the cross, all the troubles of the person who gave it will come to life;
- the cross will break the one who received it as a gift with its trials - a person will not be able to "bear the cross."
What did our ancestors think when they received a cross as a gift?
In the old days, in general, there was no question whether it was possible to give a cross - such a gift was also valuable because people, exchanging it, became brothers, promising to pray for each other before the Lord. To receive a cross as a gift was considered God's blessing, passed through the hands of a loved one.
And until now, this ancient, beautiful tradition has been preserved among church people - to give a pectoral cross, and the clergy do not cease to remind of the perniciousness of superstition!
Let's recap what it means main character faith of Christians - the cross?
The cross is the main symbol of the Christian faith
Two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ was scourged and crucified on Golgotha by Roman soldiers. He himself, spat upon and ridiculed, carried his cross to the place of execution. Before His ascension to the cross, all His clothes were taken off, and then His hands and feet were nailed to the tree with 12-centimeter nails. Christ died alone - the disciples fled from fear, people to whom he preached, healed with a word, showed miracles. Only the Virgin Mary stood at the cross, suffering for her Son, the youngest of the future apostles - John the Theologian, and the crowd hooting, mocking the suffering of Jesus.
After a very small number of years, most of the closest disciples of Christ (82 apostles) will end their life on the cross. Some will ask the executioners to crucify them upside down, considering them unworthy to accept the same death as God. And after them, thousands and thousands of Christians will accept a painful death on the cross, each time ascending the cross, glorifying the Creator, conquering the world with the power of their spirit and faith.
By dying on the Cross and resurrecting, God made him the instrument of his victory. Therefore, for people who believe, the Cross is a powerful weapon given by God in protection from all kinds of evils, misfortunes, sin and death. And there is no doubt that for a believer, a pectoral cross is an expensive, welcome gift.
Who can give a pectoral cross?
Deciding to present a cross as a gift, one cannot but take into account that this is a symbol of belonging to the church, a symbol of a person’s strong connection with God. So, the one to whom you are going to give it must at least correctly understand the meaning of your gift.
Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to give a cross to a loved one, parents, children, of course, is not worth it - close people are well aware of the degree of religiosity of each other and can evaluate in advance the reaction to the gift. But for people unfamiliar, it’s better not to give either crosses or icons - you can’t be sure that the person who accepts your gift is not superstitious and will not be upset?
Is it possible to give a cross that is not consecrated in the church?
It is better if the pectoral cross is bought in a church shop. But if you liked the product from the salon, it doesn’t matter either - you can take it to the church and ask to consecrate it.
Search line: donate a crossRecords found: 18
Hello! I wanted to give my husband a cross with a chain, can I?
Julia
Yes Julia, you can. It will be a very nice, personal gift. Help God.
Priest Sergiy Osipov
Good afternoon, I have lost my pectoral cross. I bought a new one in the church, and a week later I found my lost cross. What is the best thing to do with them now?
Vitaly
Vitaly, one of the crosses can be put at home next to the icons or given to someone.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
Hello, please tell me, my mother wore a cross and decided to buy herself a new cross, and give the worn one to her daughter, is it possible?
Julia
Julia. Everyone Orthodox Christian must wear an Orthodox cross. Close relatives can give their cross to each other, but at the same time they themselves must also wear a cross.
Iromonakh (Viktorin Aseev)
Hello! Can I buy a second silver cross, but larger size, and give yours, which I now wear, close person or native? I also have a gold one, but it just lies, I wore it for several years (it is not consecrated) Do not think that somehow I "collect" them and wear them for show, no. But maybe it's all superficial? Enlighten me please
Nina
Nina, if you need a bigger cross for convenience, you can buy it. The main thing is not to treat the shrine as an ornament.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
Hello. Can a mother give her son a new cross, like, they said that you can’t give it - your cross (fate) will be carried ...
Svetlana
Svetlana! What you describe is nothing but superstition! You don't have to believe the stories. Give your son a cross with all your heart. The cross cannot bring anything bad, the cross is not "fate", it is a shrine.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
Tell me please! I have two crosses, one small with which I was baptized, years later my grandmother, the kingdom of heaven to her, gave me a larger one, as a keepsake, which I now wear and with which I baptized my godchildren. I keep a small cross at home in a box. The question is: is it possible to give a small cross to his wife so that she wears it, because. she is baptized, but there is no cross.
Anton
Anton, you can give the cross to your wife or someone else. There is nothing wrong.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
Hello. Here is my question. I want to give a dear person (boyfriend) a silver pendant (angel). The guy always wears a chain with a cross. Is it possible to wear this angel on the same chain with a cross (if the angel is consecrated in the church). Thanks for the answer.
Jeanne
Zhanna, it’s hard for me to answer in absentia, because I don’t know what kind of angel you want to give, you have to see if it’s possible to wear it at all. On the same rope with a cross, you can wear images of saints. Show this angel in the church to the priest. But I can say for sure that the main thing is the Orthodox cross, it cannot be replaced by anything. Higher and stronger than the cross, neither an angel nor a saint can be.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello, I would like to know: I want to give the girl a silver image of the Guardian Angel, she wears a gold cross on a gold chain, can they be worn together on the same chain? Thanks in advance.
Oleg
Oleg, every Orthodox Christian is obliged to wear, first of all, an Orthodox cross. Icons of saints, the Savior, the Mother of God, the Guardian Angel can be worn together on the same chain with a cross.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello! Yesterday I found an old cross with Nikita Besogon. Can I give it to people who this moment need it (one person does not let them live in peace)? Will they be allowed to pray and will he protect them?
Yuri
Yuri, you can donate, but you just need to properly treat such things. The point is that it protects from temptations Divine Help, grace, and if people do not pray, do not live a church life, do not confess, then there will be no grace, and no crosses or icons will help. It's not a talisman, after all! A person must change, and then the world around will begin to change. Rev. Seraphim of Sarov remarked remarkably about this: “Save yourself, and thousands around you will be saved!”
hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
Good afternoon. I have such a question, can I buy and give my son a pectoral cross, because, as you know, it is considered good form among the Orthodox if parents give a cross to their child. And is it possible to bless the cross with holy water at home, or is it better to go to church? Thank you.
Evgenia
Evgenia, you can, of course, buy a cross, and the point here is not at all a “good form”, but the fact that every Orthodox Christian is obliged to wear a pectoral cross. The cross is consecrated only in the church and only by the priest. Crosses cannot be consecrated at home.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello, father! Tell me, please, what should I do, many times there was a desire to buy certain crosses. In the end, I now have 3 crosses, but I understand that I need to wear one. What to do with the rest? After all, they are not accessories. Can they be taken back to the church? Or how to do it then? Thanks in advance. God bless you.
Anastasia
Hello Anastasia! You are right, the cross is not an accessory and should be treated with reverence. Put the crosses to the icons in the holy corner. You can give them to those who do not have a cross, or give them to the temple.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
Tell me, is it possible to give mom your amulet? In addition, when I was baptized, I hung the cross on a string on which this amulet now hangs.
Yana, of course, you can give your mother your amulet. But in general, every Orthodox Christian is obliged to wear a pectoral cross, and together with a cross, on the same string or chain, you can wear icons and amulets.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello! Tell me, please, is it possible to give a friend a gold cross for her birthday? Thank you.
Katia
Katya, I think you can give a golden cross. But the cross is not just a thing, it is a symbol of victory in death over evil, and it must be treated as a Shrine, carefully, reverently, and it must be worn on the body, and not stored somewhere. The cross protects us, protects us from all evil spirits, the cross can never be removed. Be sure the cross must be consecrated in the temple.
Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)
Hello. My friend gave her cross with a chain into the hands of the sorceress, so that she would cleanse it of everything bad. She placed it in her hand and whispered something. When a friend of mine put it on, she felt an oppressive feeling in her chest, health problems began, and after a while, misfortune happened in her family. She regretted it, repented, the priest consecrated him at home and took him to church to consecrate him. It got easier, but the problems didn't go away completely. Maybe this cross can no longer be worn, maybe sold or donated, for example, to a church? What can be done to help her? Thanks in advance.
Elena
Elena, the cross is consecrated - and that's it. We will not be more philosophic and shift our problems, mistakes, and all their consequences to him. Let a friend wear this cross, and at the same time go to church herself more often. You see, over time, but with God's help, he will forget about his problems.
hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
Good afternoon! Tell me, I want to become a godmother to my nephew, is it possible for him to give his silver cross at baptism, which my godfather gave me. I myself wear gold, consecrated.
Irina
Hello Irina! It is not forbidden to give a cross according to church customs. You can give this cross as a gift, but don't forget to bless it if it's not.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov
The pectoral cross is not just a decoration, but a symbol Orthodox faith, the subject of salvation and redemption of mankind from sins and death. Since ancient times, the cross has been the most secret symbol that has always protected its owner. A lot of signs and superstitions are associated with the pectoral cross. The cross is worn close to the body and hidden from prying eyes. Today we will try to figure out whether it is possible to give a cross for a birthday or accept this sacred gift.
Why can't you give a cross for a birthday?
Exist folk omen, which says that it is impossible to accept a cross as a gift. There is some truth in this, because the giving person, along with the cross, can give away his sins and troubles in life, he will have to wear someone else's cross and his problems all his life. For the same reason, in no case should you pick up a cross found on the street, even if it is from precious metal. Together with the cross, you can take on the problems and illnesses of a person who has lost the creed.
The Church has its own opinion regarding the gift of a cross. The clergy say that in some cases it is possible to give a cross if you are sure of the good intentions of the giver. That is, such gifts should not take place among unfamiliar people. You can give a cross only to close relatives, in whose thoughts you have no doubt. Especially if a person needs a cross, if he has changed his faith or lost (broke) an old cross. In this case, the gift is absolutely appropriate and comes in handy.
In what cases can you give a cross for a birthday?
According to a long tradition, godparents give a pectoral cross during Baptism in the Church. This cross remains with a person for life. However, there are times when the cross breaks or is lost. In such situations, it is necessary to have a new cross. It is believed that godparents should take care of this, even if the child is already an adult and is able to buy himself a creed. A godfather or mother buys a new cross, but a person can buy a chain for him himself. A broken cross cannot be thrown away, it must be taken to the Church and asked the Father to accept it. As a rule, the Church has special ovens for such products.Giving a cross to a loved one with good and good intentions is a wonderful gesture of goodwill. So you wish the gifted person to be closer to God, strengthen his faith. To receive a cross from someone as a gift is a good sign, it symbolizes the person's affection and sincere love for you. Often a cross is given to younger relatives, it is believed that in this way you convey your strength and life experience. But remember that you should give a cross only if a person needs it. It is undesirable to give a second cross if you have your own pectoral cross.
When your loved one needs a new cross, it is not necessary to wait for a birthday. It is very symbolic and correct to receive a cross on the day of the Guardian Angel or on the eve of major Orthodox holidays. If no celebrations are planned, buy the desired gift just like that. The purchased cross can be from any material, the Church does not see any special meaning in this. Gold, silver, copper or wood - there is no difference, the main thing is the meaning that you put into the gift. The purchased product must be consecrated in the Church, remember this.
As noted earlier, you cannot give your own cross, otherwise you can give your sins, illnesses and problems to a person. However, in some cases, giving your own cross is allowed. For example, if the giving person survived a fatal illness and recovered. You can give your cross to a loved one with a similar misfortune. In this case, the cross is the hope for healing from the disease. Sometimes spouses give crosses to each other, that is, they exchange them. This is a sign of special love, respect and affection. But, as a rule, this happens in extreme cases, you shouldn’t give your cross to someone just like that, the symbol must be treated with respect, awe and thrift. If you are tormented by doubts and you do not know what to do at the moment, you can seek advice from the Father, telling him everything. It will help to make the right, not contrary to religion, decision. If you are afraid that you will convey negative qualities with positive energy along with the cross, then before donating, you must definitely consecrate the cross in the Church. The sacred sacrament will cleanse the creed of all negativity and help to transfer to the new person only strength, light and faith in God.
Can I accept a cross as a gift?
As noted earlier, you can accept a cross as a gift only from the closest people, whose intentions you have no doubt. A cross should be accepted as a gift with with great gratitude not only to the giver, but also to God. You can not accept crosses as a gift from people who lead an unrighteous lifestyle. Such crosses, even after illumination, should be left as a gift to the church or given to those in need. If suddenly you were given a second cross, you can wear one of them, and put the other near the icons in the house. The cross can be given to someone close to you, having previously illuminated it. A birthday cross is a very delicate, intimate gift that is made only in the circle of relatives and friends. Naturally, he should not contradict the faith of the birthday man, in no case should you give such a shrine to atheists or representatives of another faith, at least the person will be forced to refuse the gift.Remember that a pectoral cross is not a talisman that brings good luck. This is protection from evil and disasters, which should protect anyone Orthodox person. Wear a cross with respect and awe, and it will help you in difficult situations.
Video: is it possible to give a cross?
For example, it is believed that you can give a cross only when the sacrament of Baptism is performed, and under any other circumstances, the person who gave the cross will “give up his fate”, and this can make both him and the one who received the gift unhappy. They say that if the person who gave it becomes seriously ill or some other misfortune happens to him, something bad will happen to the one who wears the donated cross. Finally, there is a belief that by giving a cross, some people get rid of "corruption and the evil eye."
Position of the Church
The Orthodox Church does not accept any signs and superstitions, including those related to pectoral crosses. All ideas about "damage", "", "transfer of fate" are absurd from the point of view of a Christian: God controls the fate of a person, and the sacred symbol cannot carry any "negative energy", the existence of which, moreover, has not been proven .
For a Christian, a pectoral cross donated by someone is not a source of mythical danger, but a precious gift, full of deep spiritual meaning, associated with the wish of God's blessing. A pectoral cross in some holy place will be a particularly valuable gift. Of course, it is possible and necessary to accept such a precious gift.
If the person who received the cross as a gift already has a pectoral cross, he can wear both crosses at the same time, alternately, or keep one of them next to the icons and wear the other - none of these options is prohibited by the church.
A delicate situation occurs only if an Orthodox Christian received a Catholic cross as a gift. You need to accept the gift, because it is dictated by love, but you should not wear such a cross.
Pectoral cross and twinning
A special situation arises when two people give each other their pectoral crosses. Not so long ago, back in the early 20th century, such an action made people “cross brothers” or sisters.
The custom of brotherhood also existed in pre-Christian times - pagans fraternized, mixing blood or exchanging weapons. In the Christian era, the conclusion of twinning was associated with a pectoral cross - a sacred object, inextricably linked with faith and soul. Such "spiritual kinship" seemed even more sacred than blood kinship.
AT modern world The custom of twinning by exchanging pectoral crosses is almost forgotten, but nothing prevents modern Orthodox Christians from reviving it.
