Christianity: Details about 'Pectoral Cross'
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A Pectoral cross (sometimes simply Pectoral, from the Latin pectoralis, of the chest) is a cross, usually large, worn around the neck on a cord or a chain. In many Christian denominations, it is a sign that the person wearing it is a member of the clergy. While many Christians, both clergy and laity, wear crosses, the Pectoral Cross is distinguished by both its size (up to six inches across) and by being worn in the center of the chest (as opposed to just below the collarbones). Historically, many Pectoral Crosses were (and often still are) reliquaries with fragments of the True Cross. This was by no means universal, because of the obvious lack of enough fragments of this relic. Roman Catholic practiceBishops wear a Pectoral Cross in both their regular dress and when attending or serving liturgy. If the bishop wears a clerical suit, the Pectoral Cross is placed in his shirt breast pocket, kept over his heart. If a cassock is worn, the Pectoral Cross is either suspended from the Bishop's neck and left to hang freely, or the chain is worn around the neck with the Cross is suspended from one of the buttons on the front of the cassock — usually when the bishop is wearing a zucchetto. However, since bishops often take their zucchetti off when they are outdoors to keep it from being taken by the wind, this is not always the case. The presence of a Pectoral Cross is useful to distinguish a bishop from a monsignor, since these all wear identical cassocks. In choir dress, the Pectoral Cross is prominently worn, suspended by a special cord of silk and gold. For Cardinals, the silk is red; for all other Bishops, green. Bishops wear the Pectoral Cross during Mass, though it is not visible. It is properly worn — with cord — over the alb, but under the chasuble. If clerics who do not possess episcopal character wish to wear a pectoral cross, it is presumed that they are free to wear it under their clothes, so as not to confuse them with the bishops. Protestant practicePlease this section according to the posted request for expansion.The use of pectoral crosses has been revived in the Church of England since the Reformation. Strictly limited to bishops, the absence of legal authority has led to the use of pectoral crosses by some lower ranked clergy. In some Protestant churches, simple pectoral crosses are sometimes worn by choir members, over their robes. Orthodox practiceIn Orthodox practice,the pectoral cross is worn by all bishops, but not necessarily by all priests. In the Greek tradition, the pectoral cross is given for faithful service; in the Russian tradition, the silver cross is automatically awarded to all priests at their ordination. Further pectoral crosses, in gold or "with decorations" — that is, jewelled — may also be awarded to higher ranked priests. The highest award that can be given to a priest is a second pectoral cross (i.e., the priest may wear two pectoral crosses). A priest who has been given the pectoral cross will typically wear it at all times, whether vested or not. All bishops are entitled to wear the pectoral cross with decorations, although most simply wear a Panagia when not vested for services.Abbots (even if not priests) and Abbesses are also entitled to wear the pectoral cross.
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