Crossing yourself in front of an Orthodox Church?

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Immacolata

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Hello, all. This has had me wondering for awhile. I was with my sister in her car and we passed in front of a Orthodox Church (called “St. Mary’s”) and I didn’t cross myself as I do in front of the Catholic Church I attend Mass at along with another Catholic Church I know of that I pass by in a car rarely. I was wondering – should I have crossed myself if I’m a Roman Catholic in front of an Orthodox Church?

I know crossing yourself isn’t mandatory that I know of, but I like to do it as I know Jesus is inside in the Holy Eucharist so I was wondering if I should have crossed myself or not?

Thank you for answers to my little question, and God Bless.
 
Good question. I don’t know the answer, but by responding hopefully it’ll move it up.
 
Immacolata said:
Hello, all. This has had me wondering for awhile. I was with my sister in her car and we passed in front of a Orthodox Church (called “St. Mary’s”) and I didn’t cross myself as I do in front of the Catholic Church I attend Mass at along with another Catholic Church I know of that I pass by in a car rarely. I was wondering – **should I have crossed myself if I’m a Roman Catholic in front of an Orthodox Church? **
I know crossing yourself isn’t mandatory that I know of, but I like to do it as I know Jesus is inside in the Holy Eucharist so I was wondering if I should have crossed myself or not?

Thank you for answers to my little question, and God Bless.
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Yes. While it is not required, the reason we cross ourselves or pray an ejaculation is in recognition of the Blessed Sacrament reserved within. The Orthodox have valid Sacraments and reserve the Eucharist so the Blessed Sacrament is just as present there as in a Catholic Church.
 
Corki said:
Yes. While it is not required, the reason we cross ourselves or pray an ejaculation is in recognition of the Blessed Sacrament reserved within. The Orthodox have valid Sacraments and reserve the Eucharist so the Blessed Sacrament is just as present there as in a Catholic Church.
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Thank you for your answer, I was afraid no one would. I wasn’t sure of whether to do it and so I refrained from it – is that sinful? I wouldn’t imagine since I was not certain but I had previously had a feeling of doubt and still crossed myself when I thought about it so I’m not sure. I would not like to offend Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Or am I just being scrupulous?
 
Immacolata said:
Thank you for your answer, I was afraid no one would. I wasn’t sure of whether to do it and so I refrained from it – is that sinful? I wouldn’t imagine since I was not certain but I had previously had a feeling of doubt and still crossed myself when I thought about it so I’m not sure. I would not like to offend Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Or am I just being scrupulous?
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Scrupulous! It can’t be a sin to refrain if it’s not required. In the future, if you think about it, it might be nice to pray an ejaculation for the reunification of all Christians. But again, NOT REQUIRED.
 
Corki said:
Scrupulous! It can’t be a sin to refrain if it’s not required. In the future, if you think about it, it might be nice to pray an ejaculation for the reunification of all Christians. But again, NOT REQUIRED.
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Thank you again! I don’t think I’m normally scrupulous but sometimes I have my moments. :o

Anyway, thank you for your answers again!

God bless.
datritle said:
you gotta stop saying ejaculation. lol
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😃 I was surprised to hear that the first time a few months ago but now I’ve gotten used to it.
 
Immacolata said:
Hello, all. This has had me wondering for awhile. I was with my sister in her car and we passed in front of a Orthodox Church (called “St. Mary’s”) and I didn’t cross myself as I do in front of the Catholic Church I attend Mass at along with another Catholic Church I know of that I pass by in a car rarely. I was wondering – should I have crossed myself if I’m a Roman Catholic in front of an Orthodox Church?

I know crossing yourself isn’t mandatory that I know of, but I like to do it as I know Jesus is inside in the Holy Eucharist so I was wondering if I should have crossed myself or not?

Thank you for answers to my little question, and God Bless.
Click to expand...
FYI, Orthodox do not usually reserve the Eucharist like Roman Catholics. When they do, it probably won’t stay there for long before it is delivered to those who can’t come for Liturgy. Except for Lent when they would reserve the Eucharist for the rest of the week for Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.
 
Corki said:
NO, I will not. It’s a perfectly good Catholic word with a very specific and concise meaning. 🙂
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If it’s good enough for Mother Angelica, it’s good enough for me.

ejaculate
verb |iˈjakyəˌlāt|

2 (dated) utter suddenly (a short prayer).
• [with direct speech ] say something quickly and suddenly : “Indeed?” ejaculated the stranger.

DERIVATIVES
ejaculation |iˌjakyəˈlā sh ən| noun
ejaculatory |-ləˌtôrē| adjective
ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from Latin ejaculat- ‘darted out,’ from the verb ejaculari, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out’ + jaculari ‘to dart’ (from jaculum ‘dart, javelin,’ from jacere ‘to throw’ ).
 
ConstantineTG said:
FYI, Orthodox do not usually reserve the Eucharist like Roman Catholics. When they do, it probably won’t stay there for long before it is delivered to those who can’t come for Liturgy. Except for Lent when they would reserve the Eucharist for the rest of the week for Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.
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That’s very interesting. I used to work for an organization (Catholic) that rented space adjacent to a Greek Orthodox Church. We were instructed (by the Greek Orthodox priest) that the Eucharist was reserved, even the Precious Blood. Is this a practice that varies by Church?
 
Corki said:
That’s very interesting. I used to work for an organization (Catholic) that rented space adjacent to a Greek Orthodox Church. We were instructed (by the Greek Orthodox priest) that the Eucharist was reserved, even the Precious Blood. Is this a practice that varies by Church?
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It can very priest to priest. Do they do it all the time? And how long they would reserve? Like I said, usually they will only reserve for bringing to the sick and homebound. In my parish (UGCC) we never reserve unless someone in advance asks the priest to bring them Communion or if it is Lent.

The way the Eucharist is reserved is that a bigger portion of bread is consecrated and then the priest would cut a small bit on top and pour in a little bit of the Precious Blood into it with the spoon, then reserve it. That is what they mean by reserving with the Precious Blood. They won’t reserve a big amount, only what has already been co-mingled with the Precious Body.
 
ConstantineTG said:
FYI, Orthodox do not usually reserve the Eucharist like Roman Catholics. When they do, it probably won’t stay there for long before it is delivered to those who can’t come for Liturgy. Except for Lent when they would reserve the Eucharist for the rest of the week for Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.
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While not an authoritative source, orthodoxwiki disagrees with you on this:
In the Orthodox Church, the reserve sacrament is kept in the tabernacle on the altar table at all times. The tabernacle is usually elaborately decorated, normally wrought with gold, silver, or wood and precious adornments. The tabernacle is often shaped like a miniature church building. Every year on Holy Thursday, the priest consumes whatever is left of the reserve sacrament and places some of the sacrament left over from the Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy into the tabernacle. The presence of Christ in the tabernacle is always indicated by a vigil lamp, burning perpetually.
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I recently toured a Greek Orthodox church, and the priest made a point to show us the sanctuary lamp/vigil lamp and explain its significance. As with so many things in Orthodoxy, I suspect there is no single answer, but it certainly isn’t uncommon for the Eucharist to be reserved.

My understanding is that a small amount is kept for emergencies.
 
babochka said:
While not an authoritative source, orthodoxwiki disagrees with you on this:

I recently toured a Greek Orthodox church, and the priest made a point to show us the sanctuary lamp/vigil lamp and explain its significance. As with so many things in Orthodoxy, I suspect there is no single answer, but it certainly isn’t uncommon for the Eucharist to be reserved.

My understanding is that a small amount is kept for emergencies.
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Orthowiki also says there were Deaconesses ordained in the last 100 years, for which I was slammed at an Orthodox forum. So go figure ;)😃
 
ConstantineTG said:
Orthowiki also says there were Deaconesses ordained in the last 100 years, for which I was slammed at an Orthodox forum. So go figure ;)😃
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🙂 All I know for sure is that we reserve a small amount for emergencies and have a vigil lamp in our church, which indicates the presence of the Eucharist in the tabernacle. I suppose the practice may vary widely, but you can’t go wrong making some pious sign of reverence for the Eucharist when passing an Orthodox or Catholic church.
 
Previously I’ve only made a sign of reverence towards Catholic Churches. I’ll ask my priest about this, it’s a good question.
 
babochka said:
🙂 All I know for sure is that we reserve a small amount for emergencies and have a vigil lamp in our church, which indicates the presence of the Eucharist in the tabernacle. I suppose the practice may vary widely, but you can’t go wrong making some pious sign of reverence for the Eucharist when passing an Orthodox or Catholic church.
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My UGCC parish doesn’t reserve. One reason the Orthodox does not reserve the Eucharist as much is because leavened bread spoils easy. I’ve made prosphora that has gone bad in less than a week.
 
ConstantineTG said:
My UGCC parish doesn’t reserve. One reason the Orthodox does not reserve the Eucharist as much is because leavened bread spoils easy. I’ve made prosphora that has gone bad in less than a week.
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True. I have had the rather unpleasant experience of receiving moldy Eucharist at the Presanctified Liturgy.
 
For whatever it’s worth, as an Orthodox, a “convert” from Roman Catholicism, I still cross myself (from right to left of course) when I pass a Roman Catholic church. I still believe Christ is present there.
 
When passing near a Catholic Church I still cross myself as a sign of respect 🙂
 
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