About the benefits of crosses and other sacred objects if worn on the chest

In letters to St. Gregory the Great (Dvoeslova) “On the benefits that crosses and other sacred objects bring if you wear them on the chest” examines the meaning and usefulness of wearing crosses and other sacred objects. In a letter to Dinamius Patricius, the saint, sending a cross with particles of holy relics, indicates that wearing this cross can free from sins and strengthen spiritual love. The letter to Andrei Velmozha also emphasizes that sacred objects, such as the key with a piece of the chains of St. Peter the Apostle, are capable of working miracles and healing the sick when used with faith. In a letter to Richard, the Visigothic King, the saint confirms the power of holy relics, which, possessing spiritual power, can bring comfort and protection from temptation. Contents 1. Letter to Dynamios Patricius 2. Letter to Andrei the Noble 3. From a letter to Richard, King of Visigoth 1. Letter to Dynamios Patricius He who manages correctly can be said to manage his property well. You prove this, venerable man, by delivering to the church of the Supreme Apostle Peter the annual income from its dachas: for my son Hilary, from these incomes, delivered to me forty ducats. By striving with all fidelity for this income, you are thereby preparing a reward for yourself, because when the mighty of the earth care about eternal glory; then through their temporary power they prepare for themselves an eternal reward. Therefore, greeting you as I am obliged to do, I beseech Almighty God to enrich you with earthly blessings and bless you to attain eternal joy. For this purpose, I sent you a small cross, with particles of the Apostle’s chains, as a blessing from the Supreme Apostle, so that these chains, which did not hold him in bonds for long, would free you from your sins. Moreover, in this cross in four places are embedded particles of the lattice on which St. Lawrence, so that with the instrument on which his body was burned for the truth, he might ignite in your soul love for the Lord (Book 3. Scripture 33). 2. Letter to Andrey Velmozha May Almighty God make you understand that even in separation from you I do not cease to love you, because I cannot forget your good deeds. As for my elevation to the rank of Bishop; then they should cry for me, because in this rank there are so many worries about earthly things that the title of Bishop almost prevents me from loving God. Therefore, I cry incessantly, and ask your prayers for me to the Lord. I sent you a sacred key from the relics of St. Apostle Peter, inside of which there is part of its chain. From this key, when it is placed on the sick, many miracles occur; the chains with which the body of the Apostle was bound will sanctify you when you wear them on your chest (Book 1. Scripture 30). 3. From a letter to Richard, King of Visigoth As a blessing from St. Apostle Peter, I send you a small key from his relics, with a particle attached to it, so that these chains that bound him for torment will free you from your sins. I also instructed the giver of this to present you with a cross in which is embedded part of the wood of the Cross of the Lord and the hair of John the Baptist, so that, through the intercession of the Forerunner, you will always have consolation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Book 9. Scripture 122).