The pectoral cross for an Orthodox person is a great shrine, which must be treated with due reverence. However, in life it happens that a person for various reasons loses his body crucifix. In this regard, questions may arise, what to do in such a situation.
Every Orthodox person should wear a symbol of salvation performed by the Lord Jesus Christ for each person under his clothes. This symbol is the pectoral cross. In the Orthodox tradition, crucifixion is not understood exclusively as an instrument of execution, as various representatives of the sextant movements believe, it is, first of all, the altar on which Christ performed the work of redemption of man.
Carrying a pectoral cross under his clothes, an Orthodox believer tries not to forget about the cross feat of Christ. Therefore, many people try not to take off their crucifixion throughout their lives from the moment they accept the sacrament of holy baptism. However, sometimes a situation may arise when a gaitanchik or a chain on which a cross is held breaks. At the same time, a person, without feeling that, loses his pectoral cross.
For a believer, the loss of the pectoral cross is an unpleasant event. Therefore, immediately after the discovery of the loss, it is worth putting on a new body cross as soon as possible. It can be purchased in the temple (in which case the crucifix will be consecrated) or in the store (then it is necessary to consecrate the crucifix). For some Orthodox people, body crosses can be stored at home, for example, in icons. It’s okay to wear such a crucifix, because it’s better to be with the cross rather than without it. In any case, the answer to the question of what to do with the loss of the cross is one - you need to use another crucifix for yourself as soon as possible.
Some people associate some mystical superstition with the disappearance of the cross. Others, after the loss, are afraid to put on any other cross (especially if someone wore it). Therefore, they can remain without a cross for a long time. Such an approach is unacceptable for an Orthodox person. The main thing is to put a cross on yourself after the loss as soon as possible. Then, if there is such a desire, you can change the cross to another, bought, for example, in a store or temple.
It happens that a person during his life loses crosses repeatedly. Most often this happens due to neglect of the shrine. Crosses are removed in front of a shower or a bath, a pool, then forgetting about them. Leave in other places. In this case, after the loss of the cross due to negligence, it is necessary to confess in an unrighteous attitude to the wearing of the cross. However, any Orthodox person who realizes his guilt in the loss of the cross for whatever reason may well begin the sacrament of repentance.
If the pectoral cross is lost due to a broken chain or a malfunction of the fastener, it is worth purchasing a new chain or rope (gaitan) in order to avoid repeated loss. And most importantly - henceforth try not to lose your crucifix, bearing in mind that the cross death of the Lord Jesus Christ was committed for the salvation of every person.
