Orthodox Life
Website of the Gorlovka and Slavic Diocese
What does a cross on the human body mean? This is a symbol of salvation. As we know from history, death on the cross in ancient Rome was the most shameful. This death was accepted by murderers, thieves, rapists - those people whom society despised. There was a “noble” death - either by hanging or by beheading with a sword. As a rule, people of the upper class were subjected to this execution. And people of the lower class who committed crimes were crucified on the cross.
Everything changed after Christ, our Savior, having atoned for human sins, ascended to the Cross and, together with Himself, lifted the sins of all mankind onto the Cross. From this moment on, the cross becomes a symbol of salvation for every Orthodox Christian. Carrying this banner, every Christian carries his personal cross, which the Lord handed to him during the sacrament of Baptism. Our pectoral cross is the banner of our victory over sin. How to properly handle this banner?
Myth No. 1. The pectoral cross cannot be removed under any circumstances.
The cross really cannot be removed. He protects people. He must always be on us. By wearing a cross, we confess Christ. But there are times when, say, in a hospital during treatment, it is advisable to remove the cross. This does not mean that it should be removed altogether. You can put it on your hand or put it in your pocket. When I had the operation, the doctors told me to remove the cross. But I put it on my hand.
The cross should always be either on the person or next to him. When a person has a cross, he is with the power of God. But, on the other hand, there is no need to treat the cross as some kind of talisman or amulet. The cross is not a talisman. This is the banner of our salvation.
Women's gold cross
There are several reasons why modern women wear gold crosses. The first of these is belonging to the Catholic or Orthodox religion, while the accessory is a kind of attribute. The second reason is the aesthetic side, because the decoration looks neat and elegant. It doesn’t matter which category you belong to, in any case you should choose the most suitable accessory for yourself.
Modern gold crosses for women are very diverse; every self-respecting brand regularly releases new collections of such jewelry. Those for whom the cross is not only a symbol and an attribute pay maximum attention to its design, but quality also plays a huge role - when purchasing expensive jewelry, it is important to be sure that it is reliable. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to well-known brands that are responsible for the quality of their products.
Golden crosses Sunlight
The Russian jewelry manufacturer Sunlight is known in many countries for its stylish and original modern design of accessories. The catalog of his products includes a large number of body pendants in the form of crosses. The golden cross of Sunlight only from afar resembles an attribute of religion - the design of the products is more stylized as exquisite jewelry.
The Sunlight gold women's cross has a very sophisticated design - miniature products look very fragile and elegant. Most models are decorated with a variety of stones, from budget zirconium to expensive diamond. Some models of crosses are designed in a traditional style - a crucifix is depicted on the bottom, they look just as stylish and sophisticated.
Golden crosses of Sokolov
Beautiful and sophisticated pectoral crosses made of white and yellow gold are produced by the famous Russian brand Sokolov. The main advantage of the brand is the high quality of its products - when purchasing something with a rich decor, you can be sure that it will be worn for a long time without losing its appearance. The design of the products is very stylish and tasteful.
In the Sokolov brand collection you will find the following design options for women's gold crosses:
- cast neat models in a laconic design, with minimal or no decoration;
- gold cross with stones for every taste and budget;
- interesting figured design of crosses;
- crosses with a crucifix in different sizes and designs.
Golden cross Adamas
If you need a high-quality and very stylish body jewelry in the form of a cross, you should pay attention to a manufacturer called Adamas. His collections include a wide variety of models, both in neutral designs and with a pronounced religious theme. The material used is white and yellow gold.
Models of gold crosses are very diverse; this manufacturer can offer you a wide range, which includes the following options:
- laconic form with one miniature pebble, or no decoration at all;
- stylish, sophisticated crosses with a curly ornate shape;
- cut gold women's crosses;
- crosses with crucifix.
Myth No. 4. Several crosses are better than one.
You can often see that people wear a cross, an icon, and an amulet. On one hand there is a bracelet with icons, on the other there is a bracelet with a cross, on the belt there is a bandage with a prayer... But this is downright paganism. It seems to a person that the more he puts something on himself, the more protection he will have. This is what the pagans thought - the more sacrifices I make to the gods, the more amulets I put on, the better the gods will protect me.
An Orthodox Christian understands that a pectoral cross is quite enough. There is no need to “strengthen” it with anything. As advanced youth say now, there is no need to “upgrade”. One pectoral cross is enough. But two or three crosses are absolutely useless. After all, then it turns out that a person does not believe in the power of his cross.
In the first centuries of Christianity, the cross on the chest was worn only inside a medallion. This was due to the inability to openly profess their faith. Often, instead of a cross, a Lamb was depicted on the inside of the medallion. For example, St. Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome, in the 6th century sent Queen Feodelinda of Lombardy two flat medallions with an image of a crucifix on them to wear on her chest.
However, in the acts of the VII Ecumenical Council, held in the 18th century, (act 4) it is said that the martyr Procopius (died in 303), who suffered under Diocletian, wore a cross around his neck, half gold, half silver. The same is known about the Christian warrior martyr Orestes (died in 304).
St. John Chrysostom speaks about the pectoral cross given to infants in the sacrament of Baptism in the 4th century. Condemning unreasonable women who placed amulets on baptized babies, he wrote: “You should not place anything on babies except the saving cross.”
It has always been customary for Christians to wear crosses under their clothes. Only clergy or princes wore them over it.
What kind of gold crosses are in fashion now?
Just a few years ago, a pectoral cross spoke of a person’s affiliation with one religion or another - Catholicism or Orthodoxy. Now the approach to such things in the cortex has changed. And accessories bearing religious symbolism are becoming a real trend. Today, a beautiful gold cross on a chain or on a girl’s chest does not at all speak of her religiosity, but it well emphasizes her elegance and sense of style.
Jewelry can also indicate affiliation with a religion, but the difference is that a crucifix must be depicted on the church cross, and on the reverse side there is the inscription “Save and Preserve.” Most crosses sold in jewelry stores do not meet these criteria, that is, you can safely wear such an accessory without being a Christian. How much a gold cross costs depends on its weight and the presence of precious decor.
For many, a piece of jewelry such as a gold cross is not only a stylish, expensive accessory, but also has a deeper religious meaning, so if you want to give it as a gift to a loved one, you should find out what religion the girl belongs to and choose the right model. Catholic and Orthodox crosses have some differences, which is very important for believers, and the main difference is directly in the shape of the product.
The following types of crosses belong to the Orthodox:
- The eight-pointed cross is the most canonical in Orthodoxy. There are three crossbars on the cross - a short horizontal one at the top, then a long horizontal one, and then a diagonal one.
- The six-pointed cross is one of the oldest in Orthodoxy. It has one long horizontal bar and one diagonal at the bottom.
- The four-pointed drop-shaped cross is an Orthodox symbol used to decorate religious books.
- Trefoil - a special feature is the semicircular leaves at the ends. It is extremely rarely used as a body wearable.
Catholic crosses include the Latin form - the simplest and most laconic, symbolizing patience and atonement. This form of the cross is also the oldest - decorations appeared around the third century and were discovered in excavations in the catacombs of Rome. Now the Latin form of the cross is the most common as a religious symbol in the West and as a stylish, elegant body decoration throughout the world, in a wide variety of design and decor variations.
Small gold cross
Each girl has her own approach to choosing jewelry - some like large and massive accessories, while others prefer laconic and elegant minimalism. A small women's Orthodox gold cross looks very elegant and neat; it looks beautiful on a thin gold chain of any length - both on a short one that encircles the neck and on a long one, with which the cross is located on the chest.
A small gold cross can be:
- in a simple, laconic design - smooth cast gold with or without a crucifix;
- interesting design variations - openwork, ornate crosses;
- gold small cross decorated with stones.
Gold cross with cubic zirconia
If you like delicate and sophisticated body jewelry, then a women's gold cross with cubic zirconia is it. What you need. Gold can be either yellow or white, but the stone is white and has a beautiful, delicate shine. Cubic zirconia is classified as semi-precious, it is available to almost everyone, and an elegant cross, brightly decorated with shining stones, can be very inexpensive.
Gold cross with diamonds
This decoration option is not only beautiful and sophisticated, but also status. It can be a luxurious gift for a goddaughter or daughter, with or without a religious context. A women's gold cross with diamonds is, as a rule, a miniature, sophisticated piece of jewelry, the main highlight of which is its dazzling shine. The price of such a product can be either affordable or very high, depending on the weight of the accessory, size and class of stones.
Golden cross with garnet
Bright women with a strong character and exceptional taste will most likely like a women's gold cross decorated with garnet. The highlight of this decoration option is the dark red color of the stone, which, depending on the size, looks very catchy and contrasting against a white or yellow gold background.
A women's gold chain with a cross decorated with garnet will be a stylish and beautiful addition to your look. The appearance of the accessory can be anything. The most popular model is an absolutely straight shape with long thin stones. The price of garnet is very affordable, so this decoration will not cost very much. But it is important to remember that this version of the cross is not very suitable as a church cross.
Golden cross with ruby
A gold chain with a cross decorated with a ruby will highlight and complement the sophistication of a woman’s image. At first glance, this stone is very similar to the garnet described above, but upon closer inspection it is easy to see its amazing hue, purity and transparency. The design of crosses with rubies is usually elegant and laconic; this stone is considered precious and has an impressive price.
Gold cross with rhinestones
If you need a beautiful and elegant gold women's cross with stones at a low cost, then you can pay attention to budget models with rhinestones. Miniature stones shine beautifully and shimmer in the sun, but it is worth remembering that over time, as a result of constant wear, they lose their shine. A gold cross with rhinestones is best worn from time to time, on special occasions.
Gold cross with emeralds
A mesmerizing emerald looks stunning on a graceful female neck, especially on those with green eyes or red hair. A sophisticated gold cross with an emerald will perfectly highlight your exceptional taste. The design of the accessory can be either catchy, massive, or very delicate and laconic. How much a women's gold cross with an emerald costs depends on many factors, but its price will not be less than $100.
Gold cross with sapphires
For those who love tenderness and sophistication, jewelry with sapphire will most likely be the ideal solution. A beautiful crystal clear stone of a delicate blue color will add shades of lightness and elegance to your look, especially in combination with white gold. The most popular is a women's gold cross with sapphire in a very delicate and laconic design, but flashy, massive products with such a stone also find their admirers.
Wooden cross with gold
If you see a wooden cross on a person’s neck, you can confidently say that it is an attribute of religion, although the design of such products can be very stylish and sophisticated, even in combination with gold. Many religious people believe that true faith should not be associated with wealth, so they prefer accessories made from simple materials. The lace for a gold cross with wood is, as a rule, a simple black thread or an interesting weave that is highly durable.
Silver cross with gold crucifix
As a rule, beautiful gold crosses have an impressive price, especially models in large sizes or with interesting finishing options, which not everyone can afford. An alternative solution that is not inferior in aesthetic criteria could be a silver cross with a gold crucifix, which can be both a beautiful decoration and an attribute of faith or church membership.
Myth No. 11. A pectoral cross that is broken should be thrown into the river or buried.
A broken pectoral cross should be taken to the temple. Every church gathers a lot of similar things that people bring. These things are simply stored. Old icons whose faces have already been erased, broken crosses. They are kept in a holy place.
In our Intercession Church of Zaitsevo, at the top of the choir, there is a sacristy, and in it there is a specially designated place where such icons and crosses are preserved, which people brought to the temple with the words “Father, we don’t know what to do with them.” Zaitsevo is an old village, and many people had such things at home. It is imperative to bring such shrines to the temple so that they are not trampled on or someone throws them away.
If the cross is made of noble metal, gold or silver, the owner can take it to a jewelry workshop and ask for it to be melted into another cross. But you cannot smelt it into any other product. It would be wrong to sell it.
Under no circumstances should you throw the shrine anywhere - into a river or lake, or bury it. You can't treat a cross like that. Even if the temple is far away, the person who wears the cross still visits it.
The cross is the banner of our salvation. We don't bury our banners. A banner that becomes unusable is handed over to a museum, where it is kept with honor. If your cross is broken or is already old, take it to the temple, where it will be kept with honor.
