The Use Of Crucifix Necklaces As Religious Icons

By Raquel Durham


Strictly speaking, crucifix necklaces contain a cross along with an image of Jesus. In the West, the image of Christ is in three dimensions. In the Eastern Orthodoxy, however, the body of Christ is depicted in either two dimensions as a painting or in low relief. Without the body of Jesus Christ, the cross is not recognized as a crucifix.

The crucifix necklace hold particular importance to Christians of the Catholic faith. These images focus on the death of Christ by crucifixion. In this way, the sins of Man were redeemed. This belief is at the core of Christianity.

To the wearer, the necklace is a symbol, a means of telling all the world that they are a follower of Jesus Christ. Some individuals wear them outside their clothing, where they are visible to all and have the potential for opening a dialogue about Christianity. Other people like to feel them against their skin, where they serve as a reminder to always seek ways of serving the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Early Protestants, like John Calvin and Dr Andreas Karlstadt, were completely opposed to the use of the cross or any other form of religious imagery, believing them to be idolatrous. Martin Luther, on the other hand, did not object to them. More recently, in 2005 a teenage girl was suspended from school for refusing to remove her necklace.

Under Queen Elizabeth I, the crucifix was a common sight in the Royal Chapels, a custom not observed by other English monarchs. During the reign of King James I, they were removed from sight until the King courted the affections of a Spanish woman. When the relationship failed to get off the ground, they're once again taken away.

Christian iconography has been controversial in the United Kingdom, Canada and in Spain. In Italy, on the other hand, they are a regular feature on official buildings, especially their court buildings. To this very day, a surprising number of Protestants continue to object to their use.




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