Christian Cross Necklace: Which Cross Necklace to Wear?

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right cross necklace for you or giving as a gift. We will cover these factors in this blog post.

Choosing the right cross necklace for yourself or someone else can be easy if you know what you are looking for. However, it can be difficult if you have not found it yet. Or maybe the cross you already have is not working for you for some reason and you would like to get a different cross necklace.

After reading this article on How to Find Your Cross Necklace , you will be able to find the sacred cross that will stay close to the heart you protect. 🙏

1) Cross Necklace: Size, Weight, Material and Model

The main considerations in choosing a cross necklace are: size, weight, material and design. After looking at these four points, you will be able to find your ideal Christian cross necklace very easily.

A. Size and Weight of the Cross

The size of a cross on a necklace is often the first and most practical consideration. Considering its weight , due to the fact that it is worn around the neck.

To choose a cross necklace that is a comfortable weight , you may want to weigh one that you already feel comfortable with. This is to use its weight as a measure of what feels best to you. Size can also affect weight . The smaller the cross, the lighter it will be, depending on the material of course. The size of the cross is a consideration in visual appearance. A large cross stands out from afar . A smaller cross is discreet and can fit seamlessly into multiple outfits.

B. Cross Necklace Materials

The main materials used for making cross necklaces are: steel , silver , gold and diamond . The metal is denser, heavier and cooler to the touch. Gemstones can be added to give color, energy and shine. Materials become especially important if the Christian cross necklace is to be worn around the neck for a long time. Quality stainless steel is a strong metal and is generally as durable as silver.

Alloyed metals may contain various metals that could potentially be reactive to sensitive skin or to the sweat produced by the skin. However, they are fine when used for ornamental or decorative purposes. For example, to hang from a car rearview mirror, hang on a Christmas tree, or hang on a wall for decoration and/or holy protection. It is important to consider safety and durability when purchasing a cross necklace as a gift. Especially for someone under the age of 18, to avoid issues with sensitive skin or accidental breakage.

C. Christian Cross Necklace: Which Model to Choose?

The design is important to be able to wear a Christian cross necklace . You should feel comfortable wearing it. When buying a cross necklace for someone else, think about what would suit him/her. Is it related to religion? Or is it the search for sacred protection? By considering both the practical use and the meaning of the cross necklace , you will be on the right track to choosing the most appropriate Christian cross necklace for the person's particular needs.

If you, or someone you are gifting a cross to, choose to wear a cross necklace on a daily basis, it may be helpful to have multiple cross necklaces for a specific purpose. For example, to go to church, or to wear to work, or to wear on a daily basis (outside of a festive event). In summary, when choosing a Christian cross necklace for yourself or for another person, it is wise to consider the practicalities of: size, weight, material, design, and the (personal) meaning of the cross.

D. The Spirituality of the Christian Cross Necklace

Having an outward expression of your faith may make you appear more trustworthy to people . Evolutionary anthropologist Eleanor Power wrote a paper for the Institute of Evolution about how regular church attendance or jewelry like a cross necklace can communicate with people. According to research, strangers may assume that people who have religious symbols, such as the cross, are more trustworthy. 🤝

She wrote: Only those who are truly committed to the religious group and its beliefs, will be willing to make such investments. They must be trustworthy. Power even went to live with Hindus, Catholics and Protestants. She found that even in these religious places, people who stuck to a specific diet or wore a necklace with a cross around their neck , were always considered to have a better work ethic. Giving good advice , being more generous and generally having good morals . 😇

2) Cross Necklace: According to Religion

It is known that the spirit creates the form, so the primary goal for a Christian has always been to acquire the Holy Spirit . Godly traditions arise when sincere religious feelings are manifested in the Lord, and there have been many throughout the history of the church. Since wearing a cross pendant is a serious symbolic act, it is no coincidence that many people ask the question: How do I go about wearing a cross with the right measurements? Can I wear a cross in plain sight, over my clothes?

It is not advisable to revive traditional forms without understanding the spiritual essence and establishing a connection that is important for your life. If we do this, some of the ancient customs may lose their initial image in modern conditions. So to answer this question, let's see how the tradition of wearing the cross developed, and most importantly, let's try to understand the underlying symbolism.

A. Christian Cross Necklace Symbolism

Since the actions we are going to focus on are symbolic, we must first clarify the meaning of the word " symbol ." The problem is that the modern rational mind tends to see the symbol as a kind of artificial convention that simply refers to something and has no connection with reality.

In Christianity , a symbol is not just a reference to Jesus, it is the real presence of Christ. The presence of that which cannot manifest itself (visually) in the world (Father Alexander Shmeman). Etymologically, the word "symbol" is connected with the concept of fusion or unification. Therefore, on the one hand a symbol is connected with the prototype, carrying spiritual energy and serves for its manifestation. On the other hand, by connecting to the symbol, one establishes a connection with one's spirit .

B. Definition of Carrying a Cross

The Complete Orthodox Encyclopedic Theological Dictionary gives the following definition: A cross pendant is a cross worn on the chest , either over or under clothing. The crucial element is the location of the cross on the chest , which is the seat of the heart, and therefore, a sacred part of the body . It is no wonder that ancient Byzantine crosses were called encolpia, which in Greek means " worn on the chest ", against the heart.

Now let us try to understand the concept of " symbol " and the symbol of the " cross necklace ". Usually, we use this word to mean any conventional sign denoting a complex object, action, feeling, idea, etc. To some extent, this is correct. The mistake lies in the fact that, according to the rationalist approach, a symbol is nothing but an artificial convention and has no connection with reality. Sacred symbols are not of natural origin. They are not invented, but are granted to us from the higher dimension . They cannot be understood in a rational, definite or quite simple way. Only people who follow a particular path (religion) that is represented with a sacred symbol, can understand the spiritual meaning of the symbol .

C. Cross Necklace Worn Under Clothing

The most widespread custom from ancient times to the present day is to wear a cross secretly, hidden under one's clothes . In Russia, such a cross was called "telnik" (from the Russian word for body, "telo"). It is given to every newly baptized member of the Russian Orthodox Church during the sacrament of baptism to wear constantly. It is interesting to note that this custom originated and existed only in the Russian Church, but not, for example, in the Greek Church.

The cross necklace that is constantly worn against the body forming a whole, connects the latter to Christ and the Holy Church. When a cross is worn in this way, the parallel between the private cross and the cross of Christ becomes more evident. Moreover, this is the best way for the cross to fulfill its function. Since the degree of protection offered to a Christian directly depends on the degree of his unity with God .

If you want to know more about which Christian cross necklace to wear and whether you should wear it in plain sight or under your clothes, we invite you to read our article on the Meaning of the Christian Cross . The article will help you get a clearer idea of ​​how to wear your cross and which cross to wear among all the Christian crosses.

D. Cross Necklace Worn by Early Christians

The earliest surviving evidence of cross pendants worn around the neck dates back to the early 4th century. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Act IV) indicate that the martyr Procopius (+303 AD) who suffered under Diocletian wore a half-gold, half-silver cross around his neck . Apparently, the Christian soldier Orestes (+304 AD) did the same. This is reflected, among other things, in an 11th-century Byzantine fresco depicting the great martyr Orestes with a metal cross around his neck , atop his armour. Overall, images of saints with cross pendants are rather rare in Byzantine iconography and this detail tends to be reserved mainly for monks.

Therefore, the images do not necessarily constitute historical evidence for the wearing of the cross on clothing, especially in the case of the warrior saint. Rather, they are likely to indicate the presence of a cross as such, which underlines the nature of the saint's actions and ministry.

E. The Birth of the Cross Necklace

The cross necklace became a mandatory attribute for priests only after the decree of Emperor Nicholas II on May 14, 1896. Before that, priests were allowed to wear award crosses , which in turn, had appeared during the reign of Peter I as a means of honoring the most distinguished. This tradition became more common when Emperor Paul I introduced in 1797 a uniform award in the form of a cross pendant . The so-called cabinet crosses (the Cabinet which the Emperor began to issue with the imperial royal permission in 1820) were considered a particularly high and exceptionally appreciated honor.

Specific crosses were also issued to commemorate the greatest events in Russian history. Such as the Patriotic War of 1812, the Crimean War of 1853-1856 and the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty in 1913.

F. Cross Necklace: Byzantine Empire

A person felt protected due to his harmonious union with the complex structure of the world, which found its expression in his jewelry. The human being naturally feels in harmony with the universe, and this is what protects him. The church did not reject these ideas, but on the contrary, adopted them, sanctifying them and embracing them with the higher spiritual meaning provided by Christianity. Therefore, the cross , being the main Christian symbol (as well as due to its rich pre-Christian symbolism), came to occupy the central place in Byzantine jewelry sets, sometimes replacing any other symbol.

As worldly life in the Byzantine Empire was highly sacralized, the cross could not only be present as an expensive cross pendant . It could be found, in combination with the images of Christ and his Holy Mother, on other jewelry items. Such as earrings, bracelets, belts...

G. Cross Carried by Warriors

Besides the priests, the other group that wore crosses on their clothes or, more precisely, on their armor, were the warriors . These crosses were known as: paramannye or paramennye, from paraman. The warrior placed the cross against his chest , over the armor, securing it to his shoulders with a thin rope. These crosses were used to bless the warriors during feats of arms and served as spiritual armor and a victorious weapon in the fight against the enemy. This tradition was already established by Emperor Constantine the Great, who ordered that the sign of the cross be depicted on shields and armor.

However, a similar tradition of wearing a cross on one's clothes also existed among the laity. In this case, the cross was part of a woman's adornment. This is explained by the aesthetic and protective functions of the cross. Or rather by its only combined function which involves both aesthetics and protection .

3) Wear your Cross Necklace at the Christian Cross Boutique

Nowadays, choosing a cross necklace can be difficult, because modern aesthetics is a very subjective science, while protection tends to be understood as magical. However, in ancient sacred cultures , beauty , was considered part of the spiritual dimension. In Christianity for example, one of the names of the Lord was Beauty (according to Dionysus the Areopagite). While a collection of texts on spiritual guidance, the name is translated into Russian as: Dobrotoliubiye, or Love of the Good. And in the original Greek: Philokalia, which means Love of the Beautiful . A set of jewelry, above all, allowed one to understand the world and represent it in symbolic terms.

Speaking of jewelry, do you wear a ring? Do you know someone who does? Want to know the story behind religious rings? Just click here to get all your questions answered.