Byzantine rite catholics what is the reasoning behind the way you sign yourselfs

[catholictiger]

I saw a Byzantine vesper liturgy last night and it was awesome I must say, but I just have a couple of simple questions what is the reasoning behind they way your sign yourselves. It looks like a sign of the cross then you touch the floor (or if you are older just bend down a little bit) Also the metropolitan was at this vespers and he blessed people with two hands first both go down and then both go opposite directions horizontally. So what is the history and theology behind the way you make the sign of the cross and you bless people. God bless.

 

[ThatOneGuy92]

I can’t answer concerning the Metropolitan, but I can answer regarding the sign of the Cross.

Many Eastern Christians sign themselves as thus:
Forehead, abdomen, right shoulder, left shoulder

The reason (at least that I have been given) is that we wish to be “on the right side of God”, “on Jesus’ right side”, “on the side of the sheep”, etc. etc.
Hence, the right to left gesture.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

Many Eastern Christians sign themselves as thus:
Forehead, abdomen, right shoulder, left shoulder

The reason (at least that I have been given) is that we wish to be “on the right side of God”, “on Jesus’ right side”, “on the side of the sheep”, etc. etc.
Hence, the right to left gesture.

It’s also the way that all Catholics, East and West, originally signed themselves. I can’t recall when the West changed. It doesn’t really matter – the SoC is the SoC right-to-left or left-to-right.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Most people simply don’t know or have it explained to them, and the simple explanation for most is that its the tradition that we were given.

 

[Cavaradossi]

I saw a Byzantine vesper liturgy last night and it was awesome I must say, but I just have a couple of simple questions what is the reasoning behind they way your sign yourselves. It looks like a sign of the cross then you touch the floor (or if you are older just bend down a little bit) Also the metropolitan was at this vespers and he blessed people with two hands first both go down and then both go opposite directions horizontally. So what is the history and theology behind the way you make the sign of the cross and you bless people. God bless.

What you’re talking about is sometimes called a half metania or a profound bow. It is used basically like a full prostration, which looks like kowtowing or the way Muslims prostrate on the ground during prayer (they got that motion from Eastern Christians).

The bishop blessed with two hand simply because that is something that is reserved for bishops, rather than priests who give a one-handed blessing. I’m not sure what the symbolism is behind that.

 

[catholictiger]

through some research I found out that the guy doing the two handed blessing is the archbishop metropolitan for the united states of america. He is an Orthodox Bishop of the USA and Canada. When I posted this thread earlier today I thought he was the bishop of the rite not the Orthodox religion. But I do think the Byzantine rite and orthodox religion have many similarities. I think they both use the mass of St John Christendom (sorry if I miss spelled it) I may find out more information if I read his liturgy.

 

[Ghosty]

It’s also the way that all Catholics, East and West, originally signed themselves. I can’t recall when the West changed. It doesn’t really matter – the SoC is the SoC right-to-left or left-to-right.

Actually this isn’t entirely true. The West used to sign the way the Byzantines do, but not every tradition signed that way. Most of the non-Latin traditions sign as the Latins do now; the Byzantine way is simply the traditional Roman way, which makes sense since it was a continuation of the Roman Empire.

Peace and God bless!

 

[5Loaves]

I saw a Byzantine vesper liturgy last night and it was awesome I must say, but I just have a couple of simple questions what is the reasoning behind they way your sign yourselves. It looks like a sign of the cross then you touch the floor (or if you are older just bend down a little bit) Also the metropolitan was at this vespers and he blessed people with two hands first both go down and then both go opposite directions horizontally. So what is the history and theology behind the way you make the sign of the cross and you bless people. God bless.

You might find this useful here on the St. Elias website: the Sign of the Cross.

See the bottom of this page Bishop (Hierarch, Eparch)