On the websites of most churches there is a subsection "questions to the priest". People ask about everything related to the Christian life. Neophytes are often interested in whether it is possible to wear two crosses around the neck, is it considered a sin or not. The opinions of the clergy on this matter are almost the same.
What is a cross?
Before we can figure out the meaning of wearing a cross, we need to find out what it is.
The cross is the instrument of Christ's death. The Savior became incarnate "of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human." This is a line from the Bible - a Christian dogma, known to every church person. Jesus Christ accepted death for the sins of the human race, shameful and terrible. He was crucified on the cross, as we know. Since then, it has been a symbol of the victory of love over evil and violence. In other words, death is conquered by sacrificial love. Whether it is possible to wear two pectoral crosses, we will soon find out.
Why wear a cross?
On the neck of an Orthodox Christian, he symbolizes salvation. Jesus Christ saved the human race from eternal hell andof death. As it is sung in the Paschal troparion, "He trampled down death on death, and bestowed life on those in the tombs." Death is defeated and resurrection comes to replace it.
Can I wear two crosses? More on this later. Now we are talking about why Christians wear it. It symbolizes the confession of one's faith, is a weapon of spiritual struggle and, as mentioned above, superiority over death.
When is the cross put on?
You can often hear the question from neophytes, is it possible to wear two crosses around your neck? We will definitely tell you about it later. At the moment, we are talking about when a person has the right to wear a pectoral cross.
In fact, as soon as we are born, we receive our spiritual cross, we carry it throughout our lives. The material ones are hung around the neck after the servant of God was baptized.
Can two crosses be worn?
The cross is a symbol of salvation, it is written above about it. Putting it on, a person accepts the words of the Lord: "Take up your cross and follow Me."
Can I wear two crosses at the same time? It is not customary for Christians to do this, they wear one, often combined with a nominal icon and / or an amulet.
Priests' opinions
Here is what the priests answer to the question of whether it is possible to wear two crosses:
- Priest Sergiy (Shalberov) opposes. Nothing will change in a person's life from wearing two crosses. Will he get closer to God? Will begin to live a more godly life and keep the gospeldoubly commandments? If yes, then let him wear it. But most often the answers to the questions are negative. The cross is not an amulet that protects from sins; it cannot be attributed to jewelry. This is a shrine given to the Orthodox at baptism, it should be treated accordingly.
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Father Dionysius (Svechnikov) has his own opinion on this matter. According to him, many people have a baptismal symbol of salvation. Superstitious people are sure: if you remove it or lose it, there will be a big trouble. In fact, according to the priest, this is a stupid superstition that does not affect the fate of a person in any way. As for wearing two crosses, the priest declares the complexity of this issue, he does not condemn those who do this.
- Archpriest Andrei (Efanov) answers questions from readers of the Orthodox magazine "Foma". Is it possible to wear two crosses? According to him, this is not accepted and is meaningless. The second is better to keep on the icon shelf.
Priests do not welcome the wearing of two crosses at the same time. This conclusion is obvious from the above.
Cross and name icon
On the neck you can wear a nominal icon with the image of your saint. Others prefer the image of a guardian angel, while others wear everything together, including the cross. The Church allows its simultaneous wearing with the icon. Believers believe that this will increase their protection from evil.
Ladanka
Once upon a time, the Orthodox carried an amulet with the relics of one or another saint. Currently, incense is stored in it and worn along with the cross. Frankincense isa weapon against evil spirits, the demons are afraid of him. Previously, a small bag served as an incense, now it is a pendant of two halves. The amulet often depicts the Savior or the faces of saints. When putting it on, it should be remembered that the pendant will not replace the pectoral cross, you can wear them together. Priests agree on this issue:
- The amulets are consecrated in churches, they must be treated with care.
- You can not treat the pendant as a shrine, first of all it is a thing. The amulet itself does not protect against evil spirits.
- Among the neophytes, there are those who prescribe magical properties to the product. This is a great sin, because the consecrated amulet and magic are different concepts, incompatible with each other.
Can I wear two crosses and an amulet? It is better to limit yourself to one, put the second in the "red corner".
Summing up
In Orthodoxy it is not customary to wear two crosses. It is permissible to wear a cross along with a nominal icon, an image of a guardian angel or an amulet.
As for losing him, it's absurd to wait for this trouble and create a panic. Buy another cross, bless it and wear it around your neck - problem solved.
Can I wear two crosses in turn? This action does not make sense, as discussed above. The Church does not welcome such alternation.
Conclusion
Now it has become fashionable to wear crosses as decoration. There is no image of the Savior on them, but there are precious stones. Are madeearrings and rings in the form of crosses, there are bracelets with them.
Christians wear the cross as a symbol of salvation, this is the instrument of execution of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the human race. It cannot be an ornament, those who view the cross from this point of view are sinning.
