Orthodox crucifix

[tizziale]

I was thinking about starting to wear a crucifix, but was concerned about the style. Do Orthodox only wear the Russian Orthodox style only?

tizzi

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

We wear almost any style. What made you think we only wear the Russian one?

 

[Moros]

I was thinking about starting to wear a crucifix, but was concerned about the style. Do Orthodox only wear the Russian Orthodox style only?

tizzi

Roman Catholic crucifixes are very different from ours regarding symbolism. I tried to find an article explaining the differences but failed.

Here you can find various Greek, Russian, ect neck-jewelry and cross displays:

http://www.gallerybyzantium.com/crosses.html

http://www.easternchristian.com/gold-neck-crosses.html
http://www.easternchristian.com/sterling-silver-crosses.html
http://www.easternchristian.com/page44.html

http://holoviak.com/acatalog/Holoviaks_Crosses_With_Chains_Included_11.html
http://holoviak.com/acatalog/Holoviaks_Gold_Crosses_9.html

https://id23.securedata.net/istok/c597.html

http://www.orthodoxpress.org/catalog/crosses.htm

And some Roman Catholic versions:

http://www.marianland.com/aut_crosses.html
http://www.justcatholic.com/crucifixes.asp

 

[Moros]

Another bit of info is that Orthodox tend to glorify the resurrection and RC tend to glorify the crucifixion, hence crucifixes being somewhat rare as jewelry among Orthodox.

 

[tizziale]

Well, I've noticed the Orthodox crosses are mostly empty. And the Catholic crosses are the crucifix. That's one difference I've seen.

Do you wear a cross?

tizzi

 

[prodromos]

I wear a silver cross of plain design. Prior to this I had worn a simple wooden cross or a more ornate one (which got broken ) which I had bought at a monastery. Generally, Orthodox crosses do not have a figure of Christ on them as Catholic crosses often do, but I don't think it matters too much. It is more a matter of taste. The important thing is not to wear it as a piece of jewellery but as a sign of your faith.

John.

 

[tizziale]

That's what I've been thinking. I've never (NEVER) worn jewelry aside from my wedding band (my girlfriends always had my classring in high school). I can't stand to wear jewelry. But I've been wanting a cross, to remind me of the sacrifice that Christ made for me. To help me walk closer to Him. Is that silly?

tizzi

 

[prodromos]

Sounds like all the right reasons to me

 

[Matrona]

The crosses worn by the Orthodox faithful really run the gamut, as far as style goes. Some like a crucifix, some don't. Some like the 3-bar design, some wear a plain cross. In my church, I see all kinds of crosses--some are wood, some are metal, some are Byzantine, some are Latin, some are Celtic....

I wear a bright gold 3-bar cross with a corpus, the one I got when I was baptized. It came from Holoviak's Church Supply. When I was in France last summer (a lapsed-Catholic country if there ever was one), I was complimented so many times on my cross. A lot of people really loved it and wanted to know where I got it.

 

[Oblio]

That is exactly like mine, except it is silver

 

[Matrona]

That is exactly like mine, except it is silver

Good taste!

 

[Nikolas222]

Wearing a non-crucifix cross is the Orthodox tradition. Wearing a crucifix cross is the Roman Catholic tradition.

Simply put, its tradition. But if you want to wear the crucifix and you are Orthodox, wear it. Its not a sin. Im Orthodox and I go to a Catholic school where i have to pray the Rosary. Praying the Rosary isnt an act against God, thus it is not a sin.

The main thing you want to avoid though, is wearing it just for style. I see great sinners like Ozzy Osbourne wearing the cross e.g. the Black Sabbath logo. That may be a sin because of disrespecting the crosses purpose.

Do what you feel is right.

 

[Moros]

I want to get a regular, silver, 3 bar cross, but the problem is i can't find one over 1in 3/4 in size.

I want one at least 2.5 inches tall.

anyone got any good online sources?

I don't usually like to buy online but Orthodox shops are a bit rare

But if you want to wear the crucifix and you are Orthodox, wear it. Its not a sin.

Yeah, but then you run the risk of being associated with the Roman Catholics. This can be quite offensive.

I was having coffee with an Orthodox priest and his cross was hidden in his overcoat, so the merchant sees his black robe and mentions that he was raised catholic with a bit of disdain and asks him if he's a catholic. Priest jumps back and says whoa there, im not a catholic! dont pin that label on me! guy replies "relax, neither am i."

 

[Aristokles]

Well, I've noticed the Orthodox crosses are mostly empty. And the Catholic crosses are the crucifix. That's one difference I've seen.

Do you wear a cross?

tizzi

Hi,
Well, it is not so much that our crosses are 'empty' but that Orthodox are not to render 3-dimensional images of our Lord. There do exist acceptable 'crucifix'-style crosses showing flat images, however. There are even strict rules in the writing of icons so that they do not even seem, in that two dimensional form, to be in three. A technical difference to be sure but it exists and is also the basis for no statues being in an Orthodox Church.

Technically speaking also, I have been told that the cross should not be worn outside of one's clothing but underneath, upon one's heart - but I don't know if this is a rule. (I've worn my cross for 32 years)
Demetri

 

[MariaRegina]

I want to get a regular, silver, 3 bar cross, but the problem is i can't find one over 1in 3/4 in size.

I want one at least 2.5 inches tall.

anyone got any good online sources?

I don't usually like to buy online but Orthodox shops are a bit rare

Yeah, but then you run the risk of being associated with the Roman Catholics. This can be quite offensive.

I was having coffee with an Orthodox priest and his cross was hidden in his overcoat, so the merchant sees his black robe and mentions that he was raised catholic with a bit of disdain and asks him if he's a catholic. Priest jumps back and says whoa there, im not a catholic! dont pin that label on me! guy replies "relax, neither am i."

Dear Osel:

Our Bishop said that Orthodox Christians shouldn't wear a cross over 1 and 1/4 inches tall because only the Hierarchs and the Priests are allowed to do so. He made the comment with a slight sense of humor because some women who came to the church banquet wore "pectoral crosses" larger than the one His Grace was wearing. "Who's wearing the pants?" becomes "Who's wearing the pectoral cross?"



Yours in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

 

[Moros]

Dear Osel:

Our Bishop said that Orthodox Christians shouldn't wear a cross over 1 and 1/4 inches tall because only the Hierarchs and the Priests are allowed to do so.

Haha - thanks. Sort of assumed but didn't know for sure.

 

[Matrona]

For the record, I've seen an Orthodox nun wearing a cross that had to be at least 5 inches long. It's bigger than any priest's pectoral cross that I've ever seen.Mine's something like an inch and a half long, and I'm a girl, and no one has yet accused me of pretending to be a priest or an archpriest or whatever.

 

[prodromos]

For the record, I've seen an Orthodox nun wearing a cross that had to be at least 5 inches long.

I suspect that it was given to her and is not what she would have chosen for herself.

John.

 

[MariaRegina]

For the record, I've seen an Orthodox nun wearing a cross that had to be at least 5 inches long. It's bigger than any priest's pectoral cross that I've ever seen.Mine's something like an inch and a half long, and I'm a girl, and no one has yet accused me of pretending to be a priest or an archpriest or whatever.

Dear Matrona:

When the Bishop made the comment, he didn't say precisely one and one-fourth inches long -- rather he gestured with his fingers held apart to approximate that length. I don't think he'd mind if the cross was 1 and 3/4 inches in length. So, he wouldn't be upset with yours. He just didn't like the fancy ladies wearing three to four inch pectoral crosses as jewelry. I think he was especially displeased at the immodest display of flesh along with the huge glittering cross. It just wasn't appropriate.

Woman monastics can be given a cross by the Bishop. Poor monastics cannot be picky.

Yours in Christ,
Elizabeth

 

[Moros]

Hi,
Well, it is not so much that our crosses are 'empty' but that Orthodox are not to render 3-dimensional images of our Lord. There do exist acceptable 'crucifix'-style crosses showing flat images, however. There are even strict rules in the writing of icons so that they do not even seem, in that two dimensional form, to be in three. A technical difference to be sure but it exists and is also the basis for no statues being in an Orthodox Church.

This is good information.