Even in ancient times, it was customary to pour a hill on the burial site. The Christians, continuing this tradition, began to erect a monument on the grave hill. The best monument for a Christian is the cross, which is one of the shrines of Christianity. It symbolizes faith in the eternal life of the soul. The earthly life of a Christian is illuminated by the cross, and after death he must remain with him. How to install it correctly?
Instruction manual
1
Choose hardwood for the cross. It is more resistant to atmospheric precipitation, sunlight, temperature difference. Larch has the greatest resistance. Please note that the wood must be dry. Wet wood products will crack when dried. It is better to dry wood in natural conditions, under a canopy or outdoors. Do not forget to treat the wood with an antiseptic to protect it from pests and fungi. Coat the cross with varnish to protect from rain and snow. Place the base of the cross in a polyethylene or galvanized pipe, this will be additional protection against decay. The cross on the Orthodox grave should be eight-pointed. Do not place a portrait of the deceased on the cross, this expresses disrespect for Orthodox shrines.
2
Put a cross at the feet of the deceased so that the crucifix is facing his face. This is the Christian symbolism: the deceased prays, looking at the cross. Dig a hole 50 cm deep in the right place. Carefully place a cross in it. Fill it with earth, ramming it tightly - the cross should not stagger and bend. A cross erected in the earth and directed toward heaven means the faith of Christians that the body of the deceased is in the earth, and the soul is in heaven, that under the cross is hid the seed that grows for eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
3
Invite an Orthodox priest to bless the cross. Do not forget to ensure that the cross is always clean and in good condition. Thanks to the inscription on the cross with the name and years of life, not only relatives and friends will know who is buried here, but other people will be able to remember this person in their prayer. If the cross has deteriorated under the influence of time, then it must be replaced. But the old one must never be thrown away, it is necessary to saw it and burn it in a church oven.
