Why you can’t wear other people’s pectoral crosses: beliefs

A cross is a geometric figure consisting of two or more intersecting lines that carries a sacred meaning in many cultures and religions. People who profess Christianity wear small metal or wooden crosses around their necks as the main symbol of their faith. You can receive a cross on the day of christening and it is believed that it is impossible to exchange it for another one, a new one or one that already belonged to another person. Is it so?

Is it possible to wear someone else's cross?

Reference! True believing Christians keep their pectoral cross, carefully hiding it from prying eyes. For them, it is not a decoration, but is considered a talisman and a symbol of the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

If the cross is given

It is believed that a pectoral cross can only be accepted as a gift from godparents on the day of the baptism ceremony. The important thing is that the cross must be new, purchased or consecrated in the temple. Unspoken rules establish that the man chosen as godfather must buy a cross, and the godmother must buy a kryzhda.

It is not recommended to accept such a symbolic item as a gift from other people. Thus, many young parents may encounter the fact that one of their relatives begins to offer to baptize their child with their gold pectoral cross, arguing that they want to make an expensive gift. Parents cannot agree to this and here’s why:

1. It is not safe. Relatives who make such gifts most often have malicious intent, which can negatively affect the health and development of the child.
2. It's not hygienic. A product made of any precious or semi-precious metal that has belonged to an adult for a long time can cause irritation and even provoke the development of serious dermatological diseases (fungus).

If the cross is found

Both an adult and a child can find someone else's cross on the street. If it is large, made of gold, silver, or even decorated with precious stones, anyone will have the desire to immediately change their cross to a more interesting and expensive piece of jewelry, but this should not be done.

The fact is that most items of this kind are left by their owners on the street or in public premises for a reason. People who practice black magic and spell casting can perform certain rituals over the cross, which will only bring failures and problems to its new owner. Some people who do not attach special symbolism to crosses can use them as an object to collect negative energy, which can be gotten rid of by getting rid of the decoration itself.

Important! Crosses that owners of houses and apartments find near the front door, near the threshold, inside living rooms, where strangers usually have no access, are considered a particularly dangerous find.

Cross that belonged to a deceased person

People experiencing the bitterness of the loss of a beloved relative or loved one often try to carry with them some of the personal belongings of the deceased. Likewise, widowed wives wear the wedding rings of their deceased husband on their fingers, or vice versa.

Also, the gift of a pectoral cross is often encountered by children or grandchildren of deceased elderly parents, who bequeath it to one of their immediate relatives. In this case, only those who knew in advance about the grandmother’s or mother’s intention to leave a pectoral cross for their beloved granddaughter or great-grandson as a souvenir can accept the gift. Those who learned about the gift for the first time should think about whether to wear it or not. This is especially true for relatives who have not communicated for a long time and have conflicts with each other.

Important! According to Christian customs, the pectoral cross is not removed from a deceased person. It is customary to bury a person with him.

The opinion of the priests

It is known that the Orthodox Church denies the superstitions with which ordinary people surround themselves in worldly life. The same applies to accepting as a gift and subsequent wearing of other people’s crosses. Orthodox priests believe that whether to wear crosses that previously belonged to someone or not is an individual choice of any person.

Important! Saint Basil the Great said that what he does not believe will not happen to a person. Priests often repeat these words to parishioners who doubt the power and truthfulness of this or that superstition.

What clergy focus the attention of parishioners on is that visiting the temple of God without a pectoral cross is not recommended. Also, you cannot sell or throw away the symbol of faith with a crucifixion received at christening.It contains sacred secrets and powers that will protect a person throughout his life.

Important! For those who have lost their cross, you can purchase a new one in a church or jewelry store and then consecrate it.

What to do with a gift or find in the form of a pectoral cross.

Everyone decides for themselves what to do with a find or similar gift; it all depends on what the person believes in and what the person is determined to do. There may be several options:

1. If a friend or close relative with whom relations are strained insists on a gift, it is better to tactfully refuse it.
2. A cross received as a gift from a beloved mother or grandmother can be kept as a keepsake, but not carried with you. It can be kept as a family heirloom and taken out of the box during family gatherings and holidays.
3. If it belonged to a deceased relative, whom you don’t want to let go of in your memory, you can carry it with you - on a chain or bracelet. However, if such memories only bring pain and cause negative emotions, it is better to remove the jewelry.
4. A cross found on the street can only be worn after it has been consecrated in the church. Also, a product made of precious metal can be melted down or sold.

If a cross received as a gift from someone causes a person to have any doubts or discomfort, it is better to get rid of it. The alarming item can be sold and the proceeds donated to charity. A Christian will not desecrate his faith by such actions and will only do a good deed.