Sign of the Cross

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Angel_Gabriel

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ok, this is somewhat silly perhaps but…I have this strong desire to start crossing myself “Byzantine style” as I call it :).

The problem is that I am still Latin and although I desire more than anything to switch Churches, I don’t foresee this happening anytime soon even with our Mission Parish starting up soon. Should I do this or would it be inappropriate? I am slowly starting to transition to many Byzantine practices, such as the Jesus Prayer and eventually the fasting/abstaining during all 4 periods. ( although that one will be REALLY hard for me!)
 
I know of no hard and fast rule about making the sign of the cross… (Might be one, I just don’t know about it)

I know the Latin Church and Anglican Church make the sign of the cross the same way… Usually with just the hand starting at the forehead, going down, then to the heart side, and across… Done with he right hand… >> The Eastern Church will make the sign of the trinity with the thumb touching the pointer finger and middle finger, then make the sign of the cross starting at the forehead, going down, then to the right and then left… Again done with the right hand. No matter, it’s a christian sign…

Some signs of reverence are hard to break… My wife and I were just received into the Roman Catholic Church (former TAC Traditional Anglican Church) … There we would make the sign of the cross during the Nicene Creed at the words “We believe in the resurrection of the dead” … We also make the sign during the sanctus at the words “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”…

Make the sign to please the Lord Jesus… Not to make a show. You are saying, I am Christian, I have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit… By this sign I am saying I am yours Lord Jesus…
 
Will_B said:
I know of no hard and fast rule about making the sign of the cross… (Might be one, I just don’t know about it)

I know the Latin Church and Anglican Church make the sign of the cross the same way… Usually with just the hand starting at the forehead, going down, then to the heart side, and across… Done with he right hand… >> The Eastern Church will make the sign of the trinity with the thumb touching the pointer finger and middle finger, then make the sign of the cross starting at the forehead, going down, then to the right and then left… Again done with the right hand. No matter, it’s a christian sign…

Some signs of reverence are hard to break… My wife and I were just received into the Roman Catholic Church (former TAC Traditional Anglican Church) … There we would make the sign of the cross during the Nicene Creed at the words “We believe in the resurrection of the dead” … We also make the sign during the sanctus at the words “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”…

Make the sign to please the Lord Jesus… Not to make a show. You are saying, I am Christian, I have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit… By this sign I am saying I am yours Lord Jesus…
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i don’t want to cause a scene or put on a show. i want to do this b/c I feel called to express my faith using the traditions of the East. I am SUPER shy and don’t want people staring at me for any reason whatsoever:), so it isn’t about standing out as much as it is about me living my faith. I guess I shouldn’t care what other people think when i’m at Mass but I don’t want to give people the wrong impression either.
 
<< I am SUPER shy and don’t want people staring at me for any reason whatsoever,>>

You will be less concerned about people staring at you when you realize how seldom they do.
 
Cluny said:
<< I am SUPER shy and don’t want people staring at me for any reason whatsoever,>>

You will be less concerned about people staring at you when you realize how seldom they do.
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perhaps, but for someone suffering from Anxiety that isn’t how it feels…

the main thing though is this: is it inappropriate since I am not an Eastern Catholic?
 
Angel_Gabriel said:
perhaps, but for someone suffering from Anxiety that isn’t how it feels…

the main thing though is this: is it inappropriate since I am not an Eastern Catholic?
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Sorry, I am not trying to be mean in any way, but I think that answer lies in how silly your question sounds. Go ahead cross yourself the way you feel you should.
 
Byzman said:
Sorry, I am not trying to be mean in any way, but I think that answer lies in how silly your question sounds. Go ahead cross yourself the way you feel you should.
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yes I realize it is a somewhat silly and superficial question. But I truly do want to know if this is appropriate or not or if it even matters?
 
What Is the Armor Of God?
As the disciple Paul looked at the Roman soldier assigned to guard him, he reminded us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but is a spiritual battle! He then used the armor of the Roman soldier to illustrate a spiritual truth: that God has given us “spiritual armor” to protect ourselves and to war successfully…
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the Full Armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the Full Armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,…”
(The Bible, Ephesians 6:10–18)
 
Strange desire. Be careful while doing. Take care. Keep smiling bye…
 
“When in Rome…”

I remember a section in Archbishop Joseph Raya’s Byzantine Daily Worship that helped to propel me further down the Eastern road. In discussing the sign of the cross, he describes how to make a prayer of it, especially when teaching it to children. You offer to God your thoughts (head), your heart (breast) and your good deeds (right shoulder), and ask forgiveness of your sins (left shoulder).

That helped me to see the Byzantine custom as more than a superficial difference. As I indicated, it was a moment that I returned to later that reminded me (and continues to remind me) that a Church is more than the Eucharist and some fungible, superficial pieties.

That said, I would advise you to respect both your impulse, and the local custom of the parish in which you find yourself, depending on each circumstance. You wouldn’t, for example, present yourself for Communion at a Roman mass with your arms crossed over your chest; that would send entirely the wrong signal.

It’s okay to have spiritual tension in your life. It means you’re growing.

Of course, I don’t know your circumstances. But what does (or would) your confessor or spiritual director say?

Hope you find the above as unhelpfully helpful as possible…
 
misterdasher said:
“When in Rome…”

I remember a section in Archbishop Joseph Raya’s Byzantine Daily Worship that helped to propel me further down the Eastern road. In discussing the sign of the cross, he describes how to make a prayer of it, especially when teaching it to children. You offer to God your thoughts (head), your heart (breast) and your good deeds (right shoulder), and ask forgiveness of your sins (left shoulder).

That helped me to see the Byzantine custom as more than a superficial difference. As I indicated, it was a moment that I returned to later that reminded me (and continues to remind me) that a Church is more than the Eucharist and some fungible, superficial pieties.

That said, I would advise you to respect both your impulse, and the local custom of the parish in which you find yourself, depending on each circumstance. You wouldn’t, for example, present yourself for Communion at a Roman mass with your arms crossed over your chest; that would send entirely the wrong signal.

It’s okay to have spiritual tension in your life. It means you’re growing.

Of course, I don’t know your circumstances. But what does (or would) your confessor or spiritual director say?

Hope you find the above as unhelpfully helpful as possible…
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Thank you 🙂 I think I will keep the Roman custom at Mass and start the Eastern custom at home. i too agree with “When in Rome”. I love the whole thing about making a prayer out of the sign of the cross…very beautiful!
 
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