Sign of the Cross

[duran92]

Hi All!
I would like to ask about the significance of sign of the cross.
Protestants are against this.

 

[phil19034]

We do it to remember that we are Baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Why are Protestants against it? I believe most Protestants used to do it until the 1800s.

 

[Wildgraywolf]

If I’m not mistaken I think Anglicans, Methodists and Lutherans still make the sign of the cross.

 

[stephie_venuto]

Hi All!
I would like to ask about the significance of sign of the cross.
Protestants are against this.

By the Sign of the Cross we express the unity of the Blessed Trinity by the words; and we express the Passion, death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ by tracing the Cross.

You can find out more about the Sign of the Cross in the Catechism in sections 1235 and 2157!

Hope this helps!

 

[Celtic_Maiden]

We do it in remembrance of Our Lord’s Resurrection, what other Protestant denominations do is there affair, what we do is ours, us Catholics look to the Pope and the Church for direction , and know where else, for where Peter is there is the Church.

 

[englishredrose]

many of the Anglicans in my church make the sign of the cross some more often than others. I only do when serving and become completely convinced I do it wrong though no one said anything. I don’t normally and more recently there isn’t a reliable lead on the altar to when to do is because one server does it to suit herself and the other is more like me, in that I simply don’t do it. So I no longer got clear guidelines when to apart from at beginning and at the end. When I say to suit herself, in all the appropriate places when individually doing so but not as a part of the team and does what the team does I mean. I am thoroughly confused and wont do it if I think I will ‘get away with not doing it’ vicar said nothing. I am not against it, just don’t see its symbolic point in that it is just symbolic. what is the point…?I don’t display my faith as thus. but each to their own but really not against it as opening poster suggests Anglicans might be against…

 

[sousley]

Tertullian"De Corona" (c.AD 160-225)
"In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, insitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our foreheads with the Sign of the Cross.

St. John Chysostom “Instructions to Catechumens” (c. AD 347-407)
Never leave your house without making the Sign of the Cross. It will be your staff, a weapon, an impregnable fortress. Neither man nor demon will dare to attack you, seeing you covered with such powerful armor. Let this sign teach you that you are a soldier, ready to combat against the demons, and ready to fight for the crown of justice. Are you ignorant of what the cross has done? It has vanquished death, destroyed sin, emptied hell, dethroned Satan, and restore the universe. Would you then doubt its power?"

The Early Church Fathers saw being marked with the Sign of the Cross as a fulfillment of Ez. 8. By the fifth century, writings indicate that Christians were regularly marking (etching) crosses in their homes, on the walls, and on the foundations, as well marking (tracing) themselves.

 

[Mumbles140]

It is very popular among athletes - not sure how many are Catholic, but I think it can be used as a general sign for Christians to show their Christianity and give thanks to God. At least, that’s how I view it when I see athletes, tv characters, etc doing it. It’s either that or verbally praying out loud for the TV audience to see.

 

[phil19034]

I think most of those athletes are Catholic (either practicing or non-practicing).

 

[Mumbles140]

I think most of those athletes are Catholic (either practicing or non-practicing).

I hope so. I just wish some of them truly believe (and try to live out) what that sign entails. These people are in the public forum - let’s hope they are acting as true Christian and Catholic role models.

 

[TimothyH]

The sign of the cross started in the early Church. Christians would trace a cross on their forehead. It was a sign of ownership.

You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23)

Slaves would be marked with their master’s name on their forehead or right hand. Christians would trace the sign of the cross on their forehead to identify themselves to each other and as a symbol that they were slaves of Christ.

*Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

they shall see his face, and his name shall be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4)*

Right there in the Bible.

It grew into the sign of the cross after the persecutions.

-Tim-

 

[Mike30]

Many protestants, not all by any means, but a lot, truly hate the Catholic Church its customs, traditions and beliefs. That is why those that are against it are against it. It is very simple.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

There is no grounds for rejecting the sign of the cross except if you hold to the most iconoclastic view possible where even a cross is a “graven image.” The clearest scriptural reference is Ezekiel 9:

3 And the glory of the Lord of Israel went up from the cherub, upon which he was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man that was clothed with linen, and had a writer’s inkhorn at his loins.

4 And the Lord said to him: Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem: *and mark Thau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and mourn for all the abominations that are committed in the midst thereof.

5 And to the others he said in my hearing: Go ye after him through the city, and strike: let not your eyes spare, nor be ye moved with pity.

6 Utterly destroy old and young, maidens, children and women: but upon whomsoever you shall see Thau, kill him not, and begin ye at my sanctuary. So they began at the ancient men, who were before the house.

This reference to the sign of the cross is obscured in Protestant translations, which render “thau” as “mark.” Haydock explains:

Ver. 4. Mark Thau. Thau, or Tau, is the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and signifies a sign or a mark: which is the reason why some translators render this place set a mark, or mark a mark, without specifying what this mark was. But St. Jerome, and other interpreters, conclude it was the form of the letter thau, which, in the ancient Hebrew character, was the form of a cross. (Challoner) — Of this many inscriptions still extant bear witness. (Montfaucon.) — Some Rabbins allow that the last letter was used but in honour of “the law,” Thorah. The cross is supposed to be the hieroglyphic of a future life, (Hist. Rufini. ii. 29.) and found frequently in the pictures or (Haydock) in the tables of Isis. But it rather represents a key. Soldiers who were acquitted received the letter T, and those who were sentenced to die had Th, (Calmet) alluding to Thanatos, “death.” (Haydock) — We may, however, suppose that if God designated any letter, it would be some letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and accordingly the last had formerly the figure of †. x. though this text may signify “a sign” in general. The virtuous would be discriminated from the guilty, as if they were marked. (Calmet) — The door-posts of the Hebrews were stained with blood, in Egypt, to shew that all should be redeemed by that of Christ; and here those who shall be saved, received the mark of his cross. This sign has always been held in veneration among Christians, (Worthington) and used in conferring baptism, consecrating the blessed Eucharist, &c. (St. Chrysostom, hom. lv. in Matthew, and lxxxiv. in John) (St. Augustine, tr. cxviii. in John, and ser. ci. de temp., &c.) — It appeared to Constantine with this inscription, “In this conquer;” (Eusebius, vit. i. 22.) and again over Jerusalem; (St. Cyril, ep. ad Constantium.) and will be borne before Christ, at his last coming, (Matthew xxiv.) to the joy of those who have performed their baptismal promises, and to the confusion (Worthington) of the enemies of the cross of Christ. (Haydock)

 

[GPGT]

I went to one Anglican ‘mass’ with family years ago and I remember they used it. The only reason I could think a Protestant group would be against it is because they are anti-Catholic, or perhaps don’t believe in the Trinity?

 

[Casilda]

There is no grounds for rejecting the sign of the cross except if you hold to the most iconoclastic view possible where even a cross is a “graven image.”

I know of a presbyterian church that is sans anything religious (cross, images of Christ, angels, etc) but yet had to finally put a lighted cross on the front and side of their church building because visitors were coming thinking it was the Mormon church that is just up the road.

 

[L_Marshall]

St. Cyril of Jerusalem:

Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are in the way and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the poor’s sake; without toil, for the sick, since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of evils; for He has triumphed over them in it, having made a shew of them openly; for when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, Who hath bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the Gift; but for this rather honor thy Benefactor.

I read an article on a blog which spoke about the Sign of the Cross not long ago. You can read it at . Spiritual Weapons: The Sign of the CrossThe Catholic Gentleman.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

I know of a presbyterian church that is sans anything religious (cross, images of Christ, angels, etc) but yet had to finally put a lighted cross on the front and side of their church building because visitors were coming thinking it was the Mormon church that is just up the road.

That is too funny! I know of Presbyterians who would consider a painting of Jesus, angel etc. an idol. However, they are not consistent about this and do not object to artwork of other things and keep photographs of their loved ones. In my mind, if you’re going to have idols, it might as well be one of Jesus.

 

[englishredrose]

That is too funny! I know of Presbyterians who would consider a painting of Jesus, angel etc. an idol. However, they are not consistent about this and do not object to artwork of other things and keep photographs of their loved ones. In my mind, if you’re going to have idols, it might as well be one of Jesus.

just as judgemental in return isn’t it that lumping one person who you may or mayn’t know and how they keep photo’s and putting them onto every single person within Presbyterian. We do so like to point the finger at each other don’t we. I for one am Anglican and hardly worship idols and don’t stick to set words of prayer either mainly because I can’t pray as thus because for me. But you know of a few may be and lump them altogether. talk about judgemental. I actually really don’t worship statues and icons and only set thing I worship in is the Mass. The rest of my worship is based on simply being with God wherever and don’t need any specific item for that or routine. Just need my heart. When am in ‘mass’ I don’t say the words these days as they really mean nothing to me in reality but I am very much there at ‘mass’. Yeh point the finger at others by all mean but remember a few more are being pointed at yourself by your own deed. I wish we really could learn to accept and love one another as Jesus taught us to do and embrace our differences rather than see everyone else as wrong:blush:

 

[captainrick]

I was Methodist for many years. I never saw anyone make the sign of the cross, other than me… I always felt drawn to Catholic traditions (I joined the Catholic Church a few months ago). Methodists do not hate Catholics, we respected all religions, especially our Christian brothers and sisters.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

just as judgemental in return isn’t it that lumping one person who you may or mayn’t know and how they keep photo’s and putting them onto every single person within Presbyterian. We do so like to point the finger at each other don’t we. I for one am Anglican and hardly worship idols and don’t stick to set words of prayer either mainly because I can’t pray as thus because for me. But you know of a few may be and lump them altogether. talk about judgemental. I actually really don’t worship statues and icons and only set thing I worship in is the Mass. The rest of my worship is based on simply being with God wherever and don’t need any specific item for that or routine. Just need my heart. When am in ‘mass’ I don’t say the words these days as they really mean nothing to me in reality but I am very much there at ‘mass’. Yeh point the finger at others by all mean but remember a few more are being pointed at yourself by your own deed. I wish we really could learn to accept and love one another as Jesus taught us to do and embrace our differences rather than see everyone else as wrong:blush:

I didn’t mean to disparage the practice of not worshipping idols!