On making the sign of the cross

[fatman2021]

The sign of the cross must be made according to the rules, in the form of a cross; and the right hand, that is, the dextral hand, must be used in crossing oneself, with the thumb and the two lower fingers joined together, and the extended index finger joined to the middle finger, slightly bent; thus should prelates [and] priests give their blessing and thus should men cross themselves. . . . It befits all Orthodox Christians to hold their hand thus, and to make the sign of the cross upon their face with two fingers, and to bow, as we said before. If anyone should fail to give his blessing with two fingers, as Christ did, or should fail to make the sign of the cross with two fingers, may he be accursed… . .

-Chapter 31 of The Council Of The Hundred Chapters.

Patriarch Meletius ascended the throne of the Patriarchate of Antioch by consent of the Orthodox and Arian Bishops. Because of the confidence of the Council in him, they all, including King Constantius, agreed in writing to accept his interpretation of the verse by Solomon the Wise which says, “The Lord hath created me”, which, in the opinion of the Arians, referred to the creation of the Son. He said that Adam beget Seth, and that the meaning of the word created in this verse is to give birth, not to create in the usual sense. Those who were present were greatly rejoiced, and asked him for further proof. Then he raised three fingers of his right hand, the thumb, the index, and the middle finger, and bent the other two, as he said, “These three fingers of the right hand are a symbol of the Trinity.” Then bending the index and the middle fingers and leaving the thumb raised, he added, “And as these fingers now are one, so also the Substance is one.” Shortly thereafter Patriarch Meletius was exiled to his native city of Sebaste for harbouring the heresy of Sabellius, the Bishop of Pentapolis.

• Divine Prayers and Services of The Catholic Orthodox Church of Christ (Compiled and arranged by the late Reverend Seraphim Nassar Syrian Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of New York, 1938, 1961) Page 1066

 

[sambos671]

Honestly if you don’t make the sign of the cross perfectly you are accursed? That has to be an Orthodox teaching. Catholics sign themselves top to bottom to left to right. I think the Orthodox go from top to bottom right to left. Now which way is accursed? I thought the whole point of the sign of the cross was for the christian to reflect on the Trinity. Making the sign of the cross I always believed was a devotional aspect of faith not a magical one where if you get the order or finger wrong you’re accursed.

 

[JonNC]

Honestly if you don’t make the sign of the cross perfectly you are accursed? That has to be an Orthodox teaching. Catholics sign themselves top to bottom to left to right. I think the Orthodox go from top to bottom right to left. Now which way is accursed? I thought the whole point of the sign of the cross was for the christian to reflect on the Trinity. Making the sign of the cross I always believed was a devotional aspect of faith not a magical one where if you get the order or finger wrong you’re accursed.

 

[His_little1]

My four year old daughter crosses top to bottom, left to right and back and forth. I think she has the right idea.

In a discussion about the Holy Spirit once, we were discussing if the Holy Spirit didn’t get as much attention as the Father and the Son. Our Pastor said we made up for this by giving Him two stops in the sign of the cross.

I think making the Sign of the Cross is a sacramental, an act of faith and remembrance. We are often reminded not to take it for granted, not to rush through it.

We taught our children to remember (Head and Heart, 2 shoulders apart) The Father being the head (the planner and the one in control), the Son being the heart (the source of life and love), and the Spirit being the shoulders (both one to carry our burdens but also one to cry on or lean on.)

 

[JonNC]

My four year old daughter crosses top to bottom, left to right and back and forth. I think she has the right idea.

In a discussion about the Holy Spirit once, we were discussing if the Holy Spirit didn’t get as much attention as the Father and the Son. Our Pastor said we made up for this by giving Him two stops in the sign of the cross.

I think making the Sign of the Cross is a sacramental, an act of faith and remembrance. We are often reminded not to take it for granted, not to rush through it.

We taught our children to remember (Head and Heart, 2 shoulders apart) The Father being the head (the planner and the one in control), the Son being the heart (the source of life and love), and the Spirit being the shoulders (both one to carry our burdens but also one to cry on or lean on.)

That’s cool.

Jon

 

[JMJ_coder]

I can’t believe anyone would think that someone is going to hell because they made the Sign of the Cross the wrong way! Sadly, though, I know this can be a hot button issue with some Orthodox (to the point of violence).

 

[MarieW]

I’ve seen left handers crossed themselves with the left hand, that’s also acceptable, right?

 

[bpbasilphx]

Honestly if you don’t make the sign of the cross perfectly you are accursed? That has to be an Orthodox teaching. Catholics sign themselves top to bottom to left to right. I think the Orthodox go from top to bottom right to left

Actually, a couple of centuries after the schism, according to a writing by Pope Innocent, the Sign was made in the west the way Byzantines still make it.

I’ve seen left handers crossed themselves with the left hand, that’s also acceptable, right?

Wrong, unless the right side is paralyzed or amputated.

 

[sambos671]

Honestly if you don’t make the sign of the cross perfectly you are accursed? That has to be an Orthodox teaching. Catholics sign themselves top to bottom to left to right. I think the Orthodox go from top to bottom right to left

Actually, a couple of centuries after the schism, according to a writing by Pope Innocent, the Sign was made in the west the way Byzantines still make it.

I’ve seen left handers crossed themselves with the left hand, that’s also acceptable, right?

Wrong, unless the right side is paralyzed or amputated.

Maybe, I really don’t know since I haven’t studied it. However, I don’t think its a sacrament and I don’t think it acts like magic. I think that it is a devotion to remind the Christian of the mystery and supremecy of the Trinity.

 

[spoiltvictorian]

As a left-hander I also sign with my left hand. It’s my dextral hand!

 

[JMJ_coder]

Actually, a couple of centuries after the schism, according to a writing by Pope Innocent, the Sign was made in the west the way Byzantines still make it./QUOTE]

Yes, the development of the Sign of the Cross has a very interesting history. That still doesn’t mean that making it in any one particular way is the only way with all others sending you to hell!

 

[Eucharisted]

Oh for crying out loud!

Look, if you’re a Catholic, you obey the Catholic Church, which teaches that you sign yourself with your right hand going top to bottom, left to right.

If you’re Orthodox, you obey the Orthodox Church, which teaches that you sign yourself with your right hand going top to bottom, right to left.

It ain’t rocket science. Nor is it brain surgery.