Tial Cem has formally been accused of cutting down pine trees without permission but anti-persecution charity Christian Solidarity believes it's part of a wider clampdown on Christianity.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison.
The Chin State Government has also ordered the cross be removed claiming it was constructed without permission. The owner of the land JP Biak Tin Sang, who was involved in constructing the monument, has been told he has until January 30 to remove it.
Tial Cem told the Chin Human Rights Organisation that they didn't seek permission as they did not believe it would have been granted.
Protests about the removal order are due to take place next over the weekend while a local government official has confirmed it will be discussed at a meeting of the Chin State cabinet next week.
Speaking about the incident, Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "The destruction of Christian crosses in Chin State has long been a policy of the Burmese authorities, often accompanied by forcing Chin Christian villagers to build Buddhist pagodas in their place.
"If Burma is to proceed down a genuine path of reform, it must protect the most basic human right of freedom of religion, and allow Christians in Chin State to construct symbols of their religion in appropriate ways.
"The order to destroy this cross, and the prosecution of the Chin elder, illustrate once again that freedom of religion continues to be violated in Burma.
"We call on the authorities in Chin State to rescind the order to destroy the cross and to drop the charges against Tial Cem."