The pectoral cross is not a piece of jewelry. No matter how beautiful it is, from whatever precious metal it is made, it is first and foremost a visible symbol of the Christian faith.
Orthodox pectoral crosses have a very ancient tradition and therefore are very diverse in appearance, depending on the time and place of manufacture. The traditional Orthodox cross has an eight-pointed shape. Honoring the cross, love for it is manifested in the richness and diversity of its ornaments.
The body crosses have always been distinguished by their variety, both in the choice of the material from which they were made – gold, silver, copper, bronze, wood, bone, amber, – and their form.
Therefore, when choosing a cross, one should pay attention not to the metal from which the cross is made, but to whether the shape of the cross corresponds to Orthodox traditions.
