“The soul is by nature a Christian,” Tertullian once said, to which, after many centuries, V.V. Rozanov said: “Nothing like that. The soul is by nature a heathen." And so the pagan struggles with the Christian in our man, and this struggle sometimes gives rise to numerous dilemmas. So, many are wondering whether it is possible to wear someone else's pectoral cross. Does not pass along with someone else's cross and someone else's fate or someone else's sins?

Is it possible to wear someone else's pectoral cross

Archpriest Alexander Lebedev believes that being afraid of a found pectoral cross due to the fact that the sins of a person who has lost the creed will be passed on to another is nonsense, which is easier to invent than to comment on.

To the question: “Is it possible to wear another person’s cross?”, It’s also enough to ask yourself: “How can one’s own passions, which belong exclusively to a specific person and give only her the exclusive right to fight her sins, can pass to an innocent person , which, of course, has enough of its own mistakes.

Orthodox crosses

In addition, everyone receives their own life hardships, which must be carried with patience and gratitude, because the Lord sends trials to heal the soul. Everyone asks in prayers: "Lord, have mercy," which in Greek sounds like "Kyrie elaison." Elayson is translated as "oil", and olive oil is the first human medicine in the world.

It is impossible that the pectoral cross, which was found and put on, influenced by itself on the character of a person, on the addition of sins or on getting rid of them, and also in some magical way draws a line of life's path.

Important. Orthodoxy is, first of all, sanity, and no actions that are not related to personal, conscious actions of a person, good or evil, can change a person or affect life events that happen to a person.

You should not be afraid of the found cross, since the cross is a shrine, and not a pagan amulet. Ever since Christ was crucified for our salvation, the pectoral cross protects a person from evil spirits in the same way as the sign of the cross. Another person who wore it and lost it is unable to change its purpose as a protective force against evil.

Therefore, all signs associated with it are superstition.

About superstitions:

Which cross is considered to be Orthodox

For a Christian, the main key aspects are important. The cross must be:

• four-, six-, eight-pointed form;
• with the inscription "Save and save" on both sides, and not with decorative stones (preferably, as a recommendation from the priests), children are recommended simple, not encrusted with precious stones;
• purchased in a church, then it is already consecrated, if bought in a jewelry store or found, it must be consecrated by any Orthodox priest;
• the material of manufacture does not matter. And also, the size is not important, except that it is better for kids to wear small crosses without sharp corners.

What to do with the found cross. Priests Answers

If a person himself found an Orthodox cross on the street, the priests recommend that it be consecrated without fail, since it is not known whether it was previously consecrated.

Read about the pectoral cross:

If, nevertheless, there are doubts about the found cross, the priests advise, first of all, to consecrate it, and then:

• to give to a godson or a poor Christian who does not have the material opportunity to buy it;
• wear yourself;
• donate to the temple.

Thus, Orthodoxy is unambiguous in the question of a found or lost cross, as well as in the question “where to read the Gospel”, “which hand to put a candle in the temple.”

Archpriest Alexander Lebedev proposes to reduce to absurdity the superstitions associated with the found crosses. If sins can be transmitted through things, then why shouldn't virtues be transmitted in the same way? Then it would only be worth acquiring a thing belonging to a righteous person, as a person would involuntarily have a halo above his head. Then it would be possible to deliberately lose crosses, so that one's own sins could be thrown off, like an unnecessary burden, onto others.

Important! The fear of other people's crosses is a completely absurd thing, contrary to common sense and having nothing to do with the Orthodox faith.

Watch the video about the found cross

About the sign of the crossand pectoral crosses

19.1. How to overshadow yourself with the sign of the cross?

- For the sign of the cross, the first three fingers (thumb, index and middle) of the right hand are folded together, and the last two (ring and little fingers) are pressed to the palm.

Making the sign of the cross, the fingers folded like this are placed first on the forehead - to sanctify the mind, then on the womb (stomach) - to sanctify the inner feelings, then on the right and left shoulders - to sanctify the bodily forces. Lowering the hand, make a bow. In this way they depict the Calvary Cross on themselves and worship it.

It is impossible to put the lower end of the cross on the chest, since in this case an inverted cross is obtained (its lower end becomes shorter than the upper one). The sign of the cross must be performed meaningfully and with a prayerful invocation of the Lord.

19.2. What is the meaning of the sign of the cross?

- The sign of the cross, which is placed on oneself or depicted on oneself with a movement of the hand, is a silent, but at the same time loud, for open, confession of faith.

The first three fingers put together express faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as a Consubstantial and Inseparable Trinity, and two fingers bent to the palm mean that the Son of God, after descending to earth, became a Man, being God, that is, it expresses two natures Jesus Christ - divine and human.

The sign of the cross reminds:

- about the fact that the Son of God laid down His soul on the Cross in order to redeem the human race from sin and eternal death, therefore everyone should strive to lay down his soul for his brothers. In other words, the sign of the cross recalls the infinite love of God for the human race and the duty of love of each person to God and to each other;

- secondly, about the insignificance of everything temporary, perishable and about the greatness of the blessings prepared for believers by the love of the Crucified for them in the Kingdom of Heaven;

– thirdly, about the unity of all Christians redeemed by the Cross;

- fourthly, about the unceasing grace-filled omnipresence of the Lord and about His omnipotent power;

- and, fifthly, about the undoubted fulfillment of all the promises of the Redeemer, which are contained in the Gospel.

19.3. What power does the image of the sign of the cross have on itself?

– The sign of the cross gives the soul strength and divine wisdom, as well as the power to drive away and overcome evil and do good. And this, of course, in the event that they make the sign of the cross with faith, reverence and attention.

The power of the sign of the cross is extraordinarily great. In the lives of the saints, there are often stories about how demonic spells dissipated after being overshadowed by the cross. Therefore, those who are baptized carelessly, fussily and inattentively, simply please the demons.

19.4. Why is it important to make the sign of the cross over ourselves?

- Performing the sign of the Cross on himself, a Christian, firstly, brings to mind that he is called to follow the footsteps of Christ, enduring in the name of Christ sorrows and hardships for his faith; secondly, he is strengthened by the power of the Cross of Christ to fight evil in himself and in the world; and thirdly, he confesses that he is waiting for the manifestation of the glory of Christ, the Second Coming of the Lord, which itself will be preceded by the appearance in heaven of the sign of the Son of Man, according to the Divine words of the Lord Himself (Matt. 24:30): this sign, according to the unanimous understanding of the Fathers of the Church , there will be a majestic appearance in the sky of the Cross.

19.5. When should you make the sign of the cross?

- You should make the sign of the cross at the beginning of prayer, during prayer and after it ends, as well as when approaching everything holy: at the entrance to the temple, when applying to the cross, icons, to holy relics. It is necessary to be baptized in all important occasions of life: in danger, in grief, in joy, before the beginning of any work and after its completion, before and after eating, before leaving the house and at the entrance to the house, and in many other situations.

The Sign of the Cross sanctifies all the Divine Mysteries, and it also sanctifies every thing necessary for life.

- You can offer the book "Interpretation of the Canon on the Exaltation of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord", the creation of St. Cosmas, compiled by Nicodemus the Holy Mountaineer. Translation from Greek, edited by Professor I.N. Korsunsky.

In Orthodox stores and church shops today it is not difficult to find many other suitable books and pamphlets on this subject.

19.7. Why is it necessary to wear a pectoral cross?

– The meaning of wearing a cross is revealed in the words of the Apostle Paul: "I crucified with Christ"(Gal. 2:19). The consecrated pectoral cross is a symbol of faith and a sign of belonging to the Church of Christ. The cross protects from evil spirits. He who does not want to bear the cross himself rejects the help of God.

19.8. What to choose a cross - gold or silver?

- It doesn't matter what material the cross is made of - there are no rules about the material for crosses. Obviously, precious metals are also acceptable here, because for a Christian there can be nothing more precious than a cross - hence the desire to decorate it.

But the main thing is that the cross is worn without taking it off, and it would be Orthodox and consecrated.

19.9. Is it possible to wear a cross on a chain?

- There is no fundamental difference between a chain and a braid. It is important that the cross is firmly held.

19.10. Is it possible to wear a cross and a zodiac sign on the same chain?

- The pectoral cross is a sign of belonging to the Church of Christ, and the signs of the zodiac, amulets, amulets are evidence of adherence to various superstitions, so you can’t wear them at all. “What does light have in common with darkness? What agreement is there between Christ and Belial? Or what is the partnership of the faithful with the unbelievers? What is the compatibility of the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."(2 Cor. 6:14-16).

19.11. Is it possible to wear the cross that my sister wore if she bought a new one?

- Can. The cross is a sacred thing, a symbol of salvation, no matter who wore it.

19.12. How to distinguish an Orthodox cross from a Catholic one?

– The Orthodox Church confesses that Christ was crucified not with three, but with four nails. Therefore, on the Orthodox cross, the Savior is depicted crucified with four nails, and on the Catholic one - with three (both legs - with one nail). On the back of Orthodox crosses, according to tradition, the inscription "Save and save" is made.

19.13. Is it possible to raise a cross found on the street and what to do with it?

- A cross found on the street must definitely be raised, since it is a shrine, and it should not be trampled underfoot. The found cross can be taken to the Church or consecrated and worn (if one is not available), or given to the one who will wear it.

19.14. Is it possible to wear an unconsecrated cross?

- Can. St. John Chrysostom writes that demons bypass the place where just two sticks (twigs) fell from a tree and lay down crosswise. But it is better to ask the priest to bless the cross.

19.15. Do I need to remove the cross when washing in the bath?

- The pectoral cross should never be removed, since without a cross a person is not protected, and it is more likely that at this time one can get into trouble or even die.

The sign is very ambiguous and contradictory in interpretation: to find a cross, although it does not carry specific negative information.

Try looking for the owner

However, initially you need to really make sure that it is not possible to find the owner of this thing under any circumstances, and then move on to interpretations and finding the right solution.

Why is this finding so alarming?

It all depends on energy flows

In fact, the pectoral cross is a talisman that is always with its owner, that is, it takes on all its energy, protects from negativity. Since it is initially unknown what kind of energy flows were accumulated by the person who wore the find, it is not recommended to put it on.

On the other hand, in some religions (Buddhism and similar beliefs) there is an opinion that such a find is a good sign. This is explained as a symbol of the fact that a powerful amulet voluntarily chose a new owner for itself, came to protect him. Those who are inclined to share this point of view will consider the found cross to be rather a good omen.

What to do to the finder

It's better to pass

Since opinions are diverse, the best choice would be not to stop looking at such a find, but to go on with your business. In any case, this is too personal a thing to pick up, inside, as a rule, there is a taboo: do not take someone else's.

If by chance or intentionally the thing was nevertheless taken, it is not recommended to put it on. It is best to take the cross to the church and give it to the ministers. It happens that such finds are hung on icons or used in some other way in ritual procedures. Even if the servants refuse to take the found item, you should try to leave it there.

There are also less categorical recommendations. For example, some advise asking for a cleansing ceremony in the same church, using holy water. On the other hand, some clerics believe that the cross itself has a special power, and it makes no sense to consecrate it, it is so symbolic and holy. In any case, it is worth trying to make such a request, and listen to a reasonable answer.

You can try to make a "cleansing" yourself, in front of the icon of the Mother of God, be sure to repeat several times

"I renounce"

to remove someone else's possible negative energy from the subject. The main thing is to carefully listen to yourself after this, whether the wearing of someone else's cross does not disgust the inner consciousness. After all, according to the cult essence of this item - everyone has their own cross, and putting on someone else's, it may happen that this burden will become too heavy.

Although those who truly believe know for sure: a burden beyond one's strength will not be given to a person. Perhaps such a find is a test of weakness. But don't blame yourself too much. All people are sinful, this should not be ashamed, one must repent, do good deeds, and try to correct mistakes.

All major world religions firmly adhere to the general postulate: a believer relies on God in everything and does not try to look into the future. He does not run away from black cats, is not afraid to look at the month over his left shoulder, and calmly sweeps the fragments of a broken mirror into the trash. However... Either the memory of our pagan ancestors, who knew how to find signs everywhere, is too strong in us, or the uncertainty in tomorrow is to blame, but people now and then try to attribute a secret meaning to any non-ordinary event. The main symbol of Christianity is a pectoral cross - and they managed to squeeze it into signs! What does it mean to lose or find it on the street or in the house?

Does it mean anythinglosing your cross?

It would seem that everything is extremely simple. Religion is one thing, superstition is another, and there is no need for them to intersect. It is not for nothing that the Church continually urges parishioners not to believe in superstitions! Everything, the question is closed? ..

It wasn't there. There are too many suspicious people in this world who would like to ignore bad signs, but they cannot. An overturned salt shaker makes them nervous, a bird flying through the window causes panic, and the loss of a cross seems to be a sign of all sorts of misfortunes. To resolve all doubts, let's try to figure out what the signs say about this and how Orthodox priests comment on them.

• The most frightening belief that can lead the insecure and timid to despair is that if the cross falls, it means that higher powers have turned away from the person.

The catch is that this sign contradicts the main idea of ​​Christianity: God is always with us. He never turns away from a person, no matter what he does. The righteous, sinners and staunch atheists are equally under His supervision at any moment of their lives. And the cross on the neck, although it is the most important symbol of faith, does not affect the connection with higher powers. So either you are a Christian and believe that God is always with you. Or an unbeliever, and then where would you get a cross from?

• God has taken off one cross from you and gives you another in return - in other words, you are about to undergo grandiose changes. For a person who led a too riotous lifestyle, such a loss promises problems. But for those who have struggled hard and struggled daily with difficulties, a period of peace and contentment awaits.

Any priest will surely tell you: God every now and then gives a person a chance to change his life, and trials are given not as a punishment, but to teach us something. The problem is that not everyone is ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard for change, because it's much easier to sigh and complain! However, it can be assumed that the loss of a cross will make someone shake themselves up, think and move on to action. And there the desired changes will arrive in time.

For some, the loss of a cross is an occasion to think about their behavior.

• You are reminded of sins. Some people, upon discovering a loss, mentally go over their misdeeds and look for the most unseemly of them. It is believed that in this way a person is called to clear an overloaded conscience: to admit his mistakes, ask for forgiveness and, if possible, try to correct them.

A Christian, like any decent person, must constantly control his actions, without waiting for a "sign from above." But if the loss of the cross greatly excited you, maybe there really is something unpleasant that has long weighed on the soul? In this case, the very fact of loss is not as important as your inner desire to throw off this burden: to put an end to the old quarrel, to correct injustice, to ask for forgiveness from a rashly offended relative.

• For old people, a sign prophesies need and deprivation. However, with a caveat: if the pensioner had not lived well before, his financial situation would suddenly improve, and life would become easier and more pleasant.

The Church does not comment on this belief.

• The cross was lost because it protected its owner from a powerful blow of negative energy.

It is easy to trace where this belief came from - even our ancestors taught that the amulet that saved the owner from great misfortune or witchcraft loses its protective functions and breaks or disappears. Yes, here's the problem! The cross is not a talisman. He does not protect, but God. And how can His strength be exhausted?

Well, it turns out that the Orthodox tradition categorically refuses to see a sign from above in the loss of the pectoral cross? Practically it is. However, in theory, some priests make an interesting assumption. If the loss was due to pure chance, then it should be treated as such. But if your negligence is to blame - for example, you noticed that the chain has weakened, but all hands did not reach to change it - this is a reproach: it is not God who turns away from you, but you rarely remember God. It is not good to treat the creed casually, since you put it around your neck!

If a child dropped a cross, it only means that you have a frisky and agile baby. Some far-sighted parents deliberately make a weak link in the chain so that the baby, accidentally clinging to something, does not harm itself. And they are not at all upset if the cross is lost because of this - the health and safety of the native blood is more expensive than superstition.

Gold, silver or simple on a chain

The material from which the creed is made does not matter.

People say that only crosses made of simple material, iron, copper, wood, have true power. Say, the richer the creed, the less sense from it. On the other hand, the loss of a golden cross is not considered a big misfortune - if it hits, it can only be in the pocket of the owner. However, any priest will surely object that the material does not matter. A gold, silver or wooden cross in the eyes of a true believer is absolutely equivalent.

When lost and then found

If you dropped a cross somewhere in the house or in the yard and after some time you yourself found it, you can forget about worries with a light soul. Even signs say that problems have bypassed you, and if any one appears on the horizon, it will be insignificant. Some are convinced that with this sign the higher powers make it clear: your repentance and good intentions have been heard, and some of your sins have been forgiven.

Another thing is when an outsider finds the loss and returns it to you. Here, the first thing to do is to thank him and give him some small gift. At least a pack of gelatin bears, just not to let go empty-handed! If you don’t really believe in the decency of your guest and suspect that he could try to “whisper” on a cross or harm you in some other way, there is a way to relieve the alarm. Wash the loss returned to you with holy water, put it on a clean napkin in front of the icon of the Mother of God or your Guardian Angel and pray that you and your loved ones will be protected. This will be more than enough.

The meaning of the superstition "to find a pectoral cross on the street"

Here the opinions of the "superstitators" diverge radically.

• Someone else's cross brings with it other people's hardships and troubles. Not something to take with you, even touching it is undesirable! Especially it concerns a cross made of precious metal. What if someone deliberately sent a bad message at him and put him on the street, waiting for a greedy man who could not resist the temptation?
• The cross in any case is a symbol of God's grace. Whoever and whatever whispers over him, the sorcerer is not able to change this fact. With an unusual find, they bless you, and do not try to harm you! Therefore, the cross must be picked up and either taken to the church, or worn by oneself, having previously been consecrated. And one should not be afraid of someone else's energy, after consecration it will disappear without a trace.

Do not be afraid of your find

The church believes that leaving the creed to wallow in the dust is not good in any case. Even if you consider yourself an atheist, it is worth picking it up and hanging it on a tree branch so that someone else can take the find. But picking up and melting down a gold cross into an ornament is completely useless. It's just not pretty. You will be pleased if someone respects your beliefs, right? Show some respect too.

If the find goes to an unbaptized person who is thinking about converting to Christianity, the priests advise to leave the cross with him and, after the sacrament, wear it as a pectoral. But they make a remark: a conscious desire, and not a sign, should move you to the final decision on baptism.

What does a folk omen mean if you find someone else in the house

Here you need to understand how he got to you. Belonged to a distant relative and for many years, forgotten, gathering dust in the corner of a closet drawer? No problem. Do you suspect that an ill-wisher threw it into your house? It's worse, but not fatal. Take the cross to the church, ask the priest to bless it, and all negativity will disappear. And then do what you know. If you want, leave the find in the temple. If you want to take it, take it.

How to neutralize bad omens

First of all, try to look for the missing cross, before praying that God would return the loss to you. You can read prayers known to you, or you can ask in your own words, there will not be much difference in this.

Can't find a cross? It's OK. Go to church and buy another one. It is very good if you fast for several days before this, attend the service in the morning and only then look into the church shop. Just don't hit the magic! Some turn the purchase of a cross into a real ritual, forgetting that they came for a symbol of faith, and not a magical amulet. Sincere prayer and the desire to once again wear the sign of love for God is enough.

The case with the cross does not go out of your head? Then take a look at the Bible, where it directly says: "Do not learn the ways of the Gentiles and do not be afraid of the signs of heaven, which the Gentiles fear." Does it suit a person who considers himself a Christian to fall into omens? If you already wear a cross, have the courage to trust God. Well, listen to common sense, he is unlikely to advise bad.

According to Orthodox canons, a pectoral cross on a chain has a special power. It not only accumulates the positive energy of a person, but also repels the negative influence.

For complex questions, get an answer from a priest. Read whether it is possible to wear someone else's cross.

Everyone should have their own creed. The church believes that it is necessary to wear an undershirt every day and not to enter the temple without an attribute on a chain.

A lot of myths and signs have been collected around personal jewelry, but the church denies all pagan trends.

Important! It is popularly believed that if the cross darkened or became covered with a black coating, then several strong energy attacks were inflicted on the person's personality.

Perhaps with malicious intent in relation to the individual, rituals, love spells, defacement and other ceremonies were carried out.

According to folk signs, you can not wear a pectoral cross to anyone except the owner of the jewelry.

Not only information about the past and present, but also the predestined future is stored in a small pointed decoration.

In ancient times, it was believed that if you wear someone else's underwear, then you can take away the fate of the former owner.

However, the church has a different opinion on this matter: you can wear body jewelry, give it to another and temporarily hang it on the neck of a loved one.

Even the clergy themselves give their own vests to ordinary parishioners or non-believers in order to give a piece of their own faith.

There are a few special cases:

1. Wear a cross that your mother or close relative put on around your neck during your illness. Thus, the soul mate wants to give a piece of positive energy for a speedy recovery.
2. A priest's gift may indicate that the holy father wants to strengthen a person's faith and support him in a difficult moment.

In this case, gifts are not only possible, but must be accepted. You should be wary of such generous gifts from a stranger with a negative aura.

Due to the ability to absorb any energy, the precious metal can be harmful to health.

What to do if you find someone else's cross at home: the priest's answer

Sometimes when moving or just cleaning the apartment, you can find a piece of jewelry lying around on a shelf or on the floor.

The church has one opinion on this matter: a relic that does not belong to your family should be taken to the temple:

• Approach the holy father, tell about the find.
• Consecrate the product with holy water, read a prayer for purification together with the clergy.
• Decide for yourself: keep the jewelry for yourself or donate to charity in the temple.

Important! In everyday life, there is a saying "to take on someone else's cross." This phrase came with paganism, when people accepted Christianity, but remained under the influence of the old faith.

In those days, it was believed that to evoke someone else's underwear was to accept the fate of the person who wore it earlier.

If you are not going to wear a cross, but you don’t want to donate precious metal to charity, then there are several options:

• Consecrate the cross, free it from the old energy of the owner and present it to the goddaughter or godson.
• A cleaned undershirt can be given to a person who needs faith.
• Give to a person who needs money or who lacks health.

Folk signs say that if someone else's cross is found at home, then one of those who came wants to bring damage to the family and destroy happiness in the house.

The more you believe in such conjectures, the more they tend to come true. By getting rid of someone else's cross, you will also cleanse your thoughts.

Important! Ask family and friends. Perhaps someone just dropped the decoration.

Why you can not wear the cross of a dead person

There are various rumors about the decoration from the body of a deceased person. According to popular beliefs, one should not wear an undershirt, so as not to take away the fate of the owner.

The Church answers this question in two ways:

1. If the person was a believer and with positive energy, consecrate the cross and chain with holy water on your own or in a church. Without fear, such a piece of jewelry can be worn.
2. The cross of a bad person carries evil in itself. This decoration absorbed all his thoughts and anger throughout the life of the deceased. It is better to consecrate such an ornament and donate it to the church.

The cross can be left in the house, but not worn, but placed in a beautiful box and passed on to the next generation as a family heirloom.

According to Orthodox canons, a person is buried along with his personal cross.

Why crosses dream: dream book

Dreams are the embodiment of the past, present and even future of a person. Seeing the sign of the cross in a dream is not a simple sign, but a warning.

You can get acquainted with a detailed description of the meanings of the dream book in the table:

Important! The church does not support the interpretation of the dream book. These meanings come from astrology.

How to clear a cross on a chain from someone else's energy

The most effective way is to seek help from the church. At the request of the parishioner, the priest will conduct a cleansing ceremony, read a prayer and return the jewelry to the owner.

You can perform the ritual yourself:

• Take holy water from the church.
• Read the prayer and immerse the cross in water for a few days.
• Leave the dishes at the icon.

On the seventh day, the product will be cleared of someone else's energy.

Useful video