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carefullytread
Guest
If a Latin Catholic attends the Divine Liturgy of an Eastern Rite Catholic church, how should they make the sign of the cross?
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RyanBlack
Guest
However they choose. I’m Eastern Catholic, and I miss Divine Liturgy at my parish for some reason, I attend Mass. When I attend Mass, I cross myself from right-to-left, as I always do, so I have no objection to Latin Catholic visitors to my parish crossing themselves left-to-right.
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babochka
Guest
Whichever way he or she would like.
There is nothing wrong with making the sign of the cross in one’s normal manner; nor is there anything wrong with trying to adapt to the customs of the place where you are.
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phil19034
Guest
While you can do it either way, you can also apply the phrase (coined by the Archbishop of Milan centuries ago) “when in Rome do as the Romans do.”
He said this in regards to Mass, since all of Milan at that time practiced the Ambrosan Rite.
So I would recommend to do what they do (but if you forget, no big deal)
God Bless!
He said this in regards to Mass, since all of Milan at that time practiced the Ambrosan Rite.
So I would recommend to do what they do (but if you forget, no big deal)
God Bless!
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FrDavid96
Guest
Interesting. I never knew he coined that phrase, nor why. I always thought it was something that went back to the ancient Romans (or maybe the ancient non-Romans who visited Rome).
By the way, I’m just going to chime-in here and repeat what’s already been posted: yes, it’s nice to follow the custom of the place, but at the same time, feel free to do it either way.
Of course, if it’s something more significant or something that is done corporately (like choosing the text of the Sanctus / Cherubic Hymn) then the practice of the place must be followed.
I do it the Eastern way when I’m in a Byzantine church.
I also express reverence for the Eucharist in the Eastern way when in an Byzantine church (Ukrainian, in my case), such as by a deep bow and the sign of the cross (Byzantine style) rather than by a Latin genuflection.
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carefullytread
Guest
I hadn’t quite picked up on that difference. Thanks for pointing it out.
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carefullytread
Guest
That’s really interesting! Thanks for this post.
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SyroMalankara
Guest
Well, Byzantines cross in a mirror to the Latins. Orientals (Copts, Armenians, Syriacs, Maronites, Malankara) cross the same direction as Latins, however holding their thumb and two fingers together symbolizing the Trinity and dual natures of Christ.
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carefullytread
Guest
That I also didn’t know; I have only been to Byzantine churches. Thanks posting this.
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5Loaves
Guest
Unlike Mass, the people in Divine Liturgy won’t care how you make the sign of the Cross, and are unlikely to even notice. No need to bring the mindset of the too frequent rubrics police that sadly can be in the pews at Mass.
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5Loaves
Guest
Coming from the opposite perspective as an Eastern Catholic going to Mass, we make the sign of the Cross probably more times in one Vespers or Divine Liturgy than it’s typically made in the Roman Rite perhaps in a year full of Sunday Masses. It’s just a difference in what we do. It’s completely hard wired signing right to left. I think it’s way easier for me to do that pat the head while rubbing the tummy thing than it is to Cross left to right.
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MorEphrem
Guest
This. I would personally suggest crossing yourself the way you normally do. The objective is to offer fitting praise to God. No one will care and if habit facilitates your worship, do so.Unlike Mass, the people in Divine Liturgy won’t care how you make the sign of the Cross, and are unlikely to even notice. No need to bring the mindset of the too frequent rubrics police that sadly can be in the pews at Mass.
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Errham
Guest
Whatever feels comfortable to you. The Byzantine sign of the Cross is actually the original - no one’s quite sure when, where or why it changed in the West, only that it did.
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malphono
Guest
FWIW, I wouldn’t say that it’s the “original” at least not universally. As was noted earlier, the Oriental Churches, including the Orthodox, Sign from left to right, and it is certainly not a latinization.
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Medical_Student
Guest
I have read that Nasranis crossed themselves R to L prior to Latinizations in the 15/1600s. Is this true?
I never cross myself the same direction, but sometimes it ends up looking like Patriarch Kirill, and other times like Pope Shenouda.
I never cross myself the same direction, but sometimes it ends up looking like Patriarch Kirill, and other times like Pope Shenouda.
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adamhovey1988
Guest
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I remember Fr. Michael Hull (Melkite Greek Catholic) explaining this to visitors “Kiss icons, bow, and do the sign of the cross backwards, and we’ll think you’re really Holy”.
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SyroMalankara
Guest
Yes the Assyrian / Chaldean Church traditionally crosses R to L. Some achens and bishops in SyroMalabar continue to do so, however the majority follow the Latin practice. The SyroMalankara/Jacobite/Orthodox cross L to R with the first 2fingers join with the thumb, last two folded, sometimes ending at the heart
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Medical_Student
Guest
Thank-you for this information. Can you tell me more about the R → L practice. How would it differ from Byzantine Christians, or would it have been the same? I always have my 2nd and 3rd distal phalanges touching my 1st phalanx, with the last 2 digits folded as you say.
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Kielbasi
Guest
If the Roman Catholic were just attending an ordinary Greek Catholic liturgy, they should do as the Greeks.
However, if they are there for a Greek Catholic funeral or wedding, especially with people of different religious traditions in attendance, it probably better to just stick with what you know.
If you are relying on looking at others to figure what to do, you are just as likely to be imitating another Roman Catholic, or Southern Baptist for that matter, that might be in attendance.
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