Written by Gustave - Updated on Oct 31, 2024
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right cross necklace for you, or giving it as a gift. We'll cover those factors in this blog post.
Choosing the right cross necklace for yourself or someone else can be easy if you know what you're looking for. On the other hand, it can be difficult if you haven't found it yet. Or maybe the cross you already have isn't working for you for some reason and you'd like to get yourself another cross necklace.
After reading this article on How to find your Cross Necklace, you'll be able to find the sacred cross that will stay close to the heart you're protecting. 🙏
1) Cross Necklace: Size, Weight, Material and Model
The main considerations in choosing a cross necklace are: size, weight, material and model. After consulting these four points, you can very easily find your ideal Christian cross necklace.
A. Cross size and weight
The size of a cross on a necklace is often the first and most practical consideration. Given its weight, due to the fact that it is worn around the neck.
To choose a necklace with a cross of a comfortable weight, you may want to weigh one you already feel comfortable with. This is to use its weight as a measure of what suits you best. 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 a distance. A smaller cross is discreet and can be perfectly integrated into multiple outfits.
B. Cross Necklace materials
The main materials used to make cross necklaces aresteel,silver,gold and diamond. Metal is denser, heavier and cooler to the touch. Gemstones can be added to give color, energy and sparkle. Materials become particularly 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 perspiration produced by the skin. On the other hand, they are fine when used for ornamental or decorative purposes. For example, to hang from a car mirror, on a Christmas tree or on a wall for decoration and/or holy protection. It's important to consider safety and durability when buying a cross necklace as a gift. Especially for someone under 18, to avoid problems with sensitive skin or accidental breakage.
C. Christian cross necklace: which model to choose?
The model is important for wearing a Christian cross necklace. You need to feel comfortable wearing it. When buying a cross necklace for someone else, think about what might suit him/her. Is it religious? Or is it the search for sacred protection? By considering both the practical use and the meaning of the cross necklace, you'll be well on your way to choosing the Christian cross necklace best suited to the person's particular needs.
If you, or someone you're giving a cross to, choose to wear a cross necklace on a daily basis, it can be useful to have several cross necklaces for a specific task. For example, to go to church, or to wear to work, or to wear on a daily basis (outside a festive event). In summary, when choosing a Christian cross necklace for yourself or another person, it's wise to consider the practical elements of size, weight, material, pattern and (personal) meaning of the cross.
D. The Spirituality of the Christian Cross Necklace
Having an outward expression of your faith may make you seem more trustworthy to people. Evolutionary anthropologist Eleanor Power wrote an article for the Institute of Evolution on how regular church attendance or jewelry like a necklace with a cross can communicate with people. According to the research, strangers may assume that people with 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 it were still 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's known that the spirit creates form, so the primary goal for a Christian has always been toacquire the Holy Spirit. Devout traditions are born when sincere religious feelings are manifested in the Lord, and they have been numerous throughout the history of the church. Since wearing a cross-shaped pendant is a serious symbolic act, it's 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's not advisable to revive traditional forms without understanding thespiritual essence and making an important connection for your life. If we do, some of the old customs may lose their original image under modern conditions. So to answer this question, let's see how the tradition of wearing the cross developed, and above all, let's try to understand the underlying symbolism.
A. Christian Cross Necklace Symbolism
Since the actions we're going to concentrate on are symbolic, we first need to 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's the real presence of Christ. The presence of that which cannot be manifested (visually) in the world (Father Alexander Shmeman). Etymologically, the word “symbol” is linked to the concept of fusion or unification. Consequently, on the one hand, a symbol is linked to the prototype, the carrier of spiritual energy and serves to manifest it. On the other hand, by connecting with the symbol, we establish a link with its spirit.
B. Definition of Wearing 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. No wonder ancient Byzantine crosses were called encolpia, which in Greek means “carried on the chest”, against the heart.
Let's now try to understand the concept of “symbol”, including the symbol of the “cross necklace”. Usually, we use this word to designate any conventional sign designating a complex object, action, feeling, idea, etc. To a certain extent, it's the same as a symbol. To a certain extent, this is correct. The error lies in the fact that, according to the rationalist approach, a symbol is nothing more than an artificial convention and has no connection with reality. Sacred symbols are not of natural origin. They are not invented, but granted to us from the higher dimension. They cannot be understood in a rational, defined or entirely simple way. Only those 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 that of wearing a cross secretly, hidden under one's clothes. In Russia, such a cross was called a “telnik” (from the Russian word for body, “telo”). It is given to every newly-baptized member of the Russian Orthodox Church at the sacrament of baptism, to be worn at all times. 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 collar, worn constantly against the body as a whole, links the body 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 obvious. What's more, it's the best way for the cross to fulfill its function. Since the degree of protection offered to a Christian depends directly on the degree of his or her unity with God.
If you'd like to know more about which Christian cross necklace to wear and whether you should wear it in plain view 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 necklaces 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. The Christian soldier Orestes (+304 AD) apparently did likewise. 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 armor. On the whole, images of saints with cross pendants are rather rare in Byzantine iconography, and this detail tends to be reserved mainly for monks.
As a result, the images do not necessarily constitute historical evidence in favor of the wearing of the cross on vestments, especially in the case of the warrior saint. Rather, they are likely to indicate the presence of a cross as such, underscoring the nature of the saint's deeds and ministry.
E. The birth of the cross necklace
The cross collar did not become a compulsory attribute for priests until the decree of Emperor Nicholas II on May 14, 1896. Prior to this, priests were allowed to wear award crosses, which in turn had emerged during the reign of Peter I as a means of honoring the most distinguished. This tradition became more common when Emperor Paul I introduced a uniform award in the form of a cross-shaped pendant in 1797. So-called Cabinet crosses (the Cabinet that the Emperor began issuing with imperial royal authorization in 1820) were considered a particularly high and exceptionally valued 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 by his harmonious union with the complex structure of the world, which found expression in his jewelry. Human beings naturally feel in harmony with the universe, and this is what protects them. 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. As a result, the cross, being the principal Christian symbol (as well as because of its rich pre-Christian symbolism), came to occupy the central place in Byzantine jewelry settings, sometimes replacing any other symbol.
As worldly life in the Byzantine Empire was highly sacralized, the cross could not only be found as an expensive cross pendant. It could be found, in combination with images of Christ and his Blessed Mother, on other jewelry items. Such as earrings, bracelets, belts...
G. Crosses worn by warriors
In addition to priests, the other group who wore crosses on their vestments or, more precisely, on their armor, were warriors. These crosses were known as paramannye or paramennye, from paraman. The warrior would place the cross against his chest, over his armor and fasten it to his shoulders with a thin rope. These crosses were used to bless warriors during feats of arms, and served asspiritual 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 clothing also existed among the laity. In this case, the cross was part of a woman's finery. This can be explained by the cross's aesthetic and protective functions. Or rather by its unique combined function, which involves bothaesthetics and protection.
3) Wear your Cross Necklace at Christian Jewelry™
Today, choosing a cross necklace can be difficult, as modern aesthetics is a highly subjective science, while protection tends to be understood as magical. Yet in ancient sacred cultures, beauty was considered part of the spiritual dimension. In Christianity, for example, one of the Lord's names was Beauty (according to Dionysius 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, meaning Love of the Beautiful. Above all, a set of jewels was a way of understanding the world and representing it in symbolic terms.
