Do You Wear Your Cross Under or Over Shirt?

[AureateDawn]

Do you wear your cross/medallion/etc. over or under your shirt, and why? I always wear mine over, but I had a talk with someone that made me feel bad for it.


May you bear the fruit of the Passion,
Love, in IC XC,
Justin

 

[Andrew21091]

I wear mine over my shirt.

 

[Mysterium_Fidei]

I'm pretty sure the Orthodox will say what we Catholics say:
it's all a matter of perspective.

There are good reasons to wear your cross over your shirt (I do), and good reasons to wear it under. As long as you're not trying to be holier-than-thou (or humbler-than-thou for that matter), I think you're OK.

 

[Macarius]

I am under obedience from my SF not to wear it over my shirt, because, to quote Him, "it's not jewelry."

My current priest (who is not my SF, though the two are good friends), has suggested to our parish that perhaps, as an evangelistic tool, we should wear them over our shirts, since the three-barred-cross often draws questions, which allow us a chance to speak about Orthodoxy, and perhaps plant a seed of curiosity.

Under the shirt is the safer option if you're worried about pride. Over the shirt is the safer option is you're worried about denying Christ publically.

 

[KoolKat]

i usually wear it over my shirt, except if i'm wearing a turtle neck.....

 

[Mysterium_Fidei]

My current priest (who is not my SF, though the two are good friends), has suggested to our parish that perhaps, as an evangelistic tool, we should wear them over our shirts, since the three-barred-cross often draws questions, which allow us a chance to speak about Orthodoxy, and perhaps plant a seed of curiosity.

I had the happy opportunity of stumbling across a Russian Orthodox lady proudly wearing her cross, and I found it very edifying. Partly because there are no Orthodox Churches anywhere around here, and partly because I didn't know there were any Orthodox Christians around here.

I asked her about the cross, and we talked for awhile. It certainly initiated a conversation in my case.

 

[Kristos]

I wear it under.

They will know I am Christian by my love...

Not my cross nor bumpersticker nor leather bound OSB.

 

[Macarius]

I had the happy opportunity of stumbling across a Russian Orthodox lady proudly wearing her cross, and I found it very edifying. Partly because there are no Orthodox Churches anywhere around here, and partly because I didn't know there were any Orthodox Christians around here.

I asked her about the cross, and we talked for awhile. It certainly initiated a conversation in my case.

The alien nature of some of the Orthodox art (alien to western eyes anyways) was part of my conversion.

I drove by St. Spyridon Orthodox Cathedral in Seattle, WA every day on the way to work at a construction site one summer. At first I thought it was a mosque! Then I noticed the unusual cross on top of it. I kept meaning to go there one sunday and ask the people attending what the dealio was. Being the wonderfully disciplined soul that I am, I never did, but it planted a seed of curiosity, and when I changed location to Ashland, OR for a few months, I began attending a mission parish there.

The rest, as they say, is catechism.

 

[RobNJ]

Under... although, if I have 2 shirt buttons open,, on a hot day, it sometimes sneaks out.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I wear mine under at all times.
Though, I need to replace mine as Christ keeps jumping off it

This is no miracle (or at least I don't think it is)...it is just that the glue has worn out.
I've tried sticking him back on with blu-tack

I think the next one I should buy will be all one piece so there is less chance of the Corpus from seperating from the Crux.

 

[cobweb]

Under, although my chain was short enough that it sometimes peeks out depending on the shirt. Unfortunately my chain broke last night while I was combing my hair. It will be a while before I can afford another one.

 

[Anhelyna]

Mine is on a 16 ins chain - so though it's next to me permanently , it's normally on view as I tend to wear open neck blouses and Polo Shirts .

Some folk ask about it - but most don't realise that it's in any way different from an RC Crucifix

 

[Sipahi]

Since so many here wear crosses I have to ask, does wearing one have a particular role in Orthodox church tradition? Among other Christians it really only seems to be a piece of jewellery - is it something more for you?

 

[MariaRegina]

The Cross is given to us at our Baptism/Chrismation as a sign that we have died with Christ and risen with Christ into a New Life.

 

[Breaking Babylon]

My priest said it's also symbolic of the spiritual white robe given to us at baptism, and the robe which the Father gave the prodigal son. Saint John Chrysostom went into detail on the spiritual nature of the gifts in the parable of the prodigal son; the ring, sandals and robe. I couldn't tell you right off my head but it's worth looking into.

My priest and his family wear their crosses underneath. He told me that feeling it against his skin is a constant reminder of his baptism.

 

[Sipahi]

Thanks

 

[Tsarina]

I wear my baptismal cross and medallion of the Theotokos outside my shirt. I think it's a way for people to ask me about what I'm wearing around my neck, so i have the opportunity to talk to non-orthodox people about Orthodoxy.

On the other hand, the guys in the Russian church, were told to put their cross inside their shirts. I don't know why, but the Russian boys keep their crosses inside there shirts, for some weird reason, lols.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I'm a mere catechumen, but I still wear my old RC St. Benedict crucifix and St. Mary medallion outside my shirt. I used to hide my cross around certain folks when I was big into death and black metal, and in my very specific case, wearing my cross under my shirt feels like hiding my faith. If my priest tells me otherwise in the course of catechesis, I will do as he says, but he thus far has not said anything about it.

 

[hungrytiger]

I typically wear mine under my shirt. I'm afraid that seeing me wear one would give people reason to think less of Christians and of Christ. Seems like I've heard so many people who think less of Christianity because of Christians they've encountered. I don't want to contribute to that.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I also wear an old RC St. Benedict crucifix I bought from an ancient shrine near my house.

Incase you're wondering, it's Ladyewell...and yes, that is middle English for "Lady Well".
It was a place of retreat from the reformation and the invading Cromwellian armies and is somewhere I really should visit more often.
Our Church has used it occasionally for the blessing of the waters and the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches also use it.

There is also a wonderful 2 part shop in the house. One part sells new stuff like votive candles, new crucifixes and crosses, medallions, icons and statues. The other part sells old books and old devotional items.
I bought a 2 part volume of the Old Testament Vulgate (£2), and an old crucifix which had a loose corpus. Thus, I had to 'nail' Him back on to the cross.

Hmmm, if my mum and sister weren't coming home tomorrow morning, I would go now, but I have to tidy the house and do shopping for their arrival.