What are all the denominations in Christianity that use the sign of the cross and what do the others have against it?

[gurneyhalleck1]

Michael, my brother, I hope you know I was kidding with ya. By no means was I challenging you or suggesting anything. I was joking. I have too much respect for you to do otherwise

Well, I did suggest asking a Catholic priest. Whatever bias the man has should be toward Catholics, I think.

But the next post was copied out of the Old Catholic Encyclopedia (I forgot to mention that) under the “Sign of the Cross” article.

The illustration is from the St Elias of Brampton website, a Catholic parish.

The fact is, the Sign of the Cross originated in the east. Is it better not to tell people this kind of historical fact? Are we here to preserve some kind of RC mystique, even to the point of witholding information?

I repeat, people who don’t like catholic practices will not like Holy Orthodoxy.

Eastern Christians sign themselves at every mention of the Holy Trinity, in every way it is mentioned. So as one poster (John VIII) commented, during liturgy they do it “maybe 33 times” . I never counted, so I don’t know but it’s a lot, sometimes with prostrations of one sort or another.

I was saddened to read dzeremi state that he was reprimanded by a catechist for signing “the Orthodox way”. In fact, it is also the eastern Catholic way and no one should object.

 

[Hesychios]

Michael, my brother, I hope you know I was kidding with ya. By no means was I challenging you or suggesting anything. I was joking. I have too much respect for you to do otherwise

I know Scott, it’s all good

 

[LittleSoldier]

Michael, my brother, I hope you know I was kidding with ya. By no means was I challenging you or suggesting anything. I was joking. I have too much respect for you to do otherwise

I think it was obvious (even to me) that you were joking. You put that in at the end which indicated it wasn’t to be taken seriously.

 

[pipper]

Cutterhiem (sorry for any spelling errors) the ICXC form of the sign is used by Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholics to bless the people, afaik it’s used no other time.

About Lutherans, I have been to some Lutheran services and the Pastor will sign over the people at the benediction and the decaration of forgiveness. I have never seen anyone in the pews cross themselves. Maybe it’s just a Texas “thang”.

 

[Izdaari]

LOL! I’m sure that’s true. In some ways, Orthodox seem even more Catholic than Catholics do. But I’m not one of those who has major problems with Catholicism, except on the issue of the Papacy. I think it’s entirely possible I might wind up Orthodox, since I agree with so much Orthodox theology: the Orthodox version of panentheism, heaven & hell, etc. Certainly the sign of the cross doesn’t bother me. But we shall see.

 

[JonNC]

Cutterhiem (sorry for any spelling errors) the ICXC form of the sign is used by Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholics to bless the people, afaik it’s used no other time.

About Lutherans, I have been to some Lutheran services and the Pastor will sign over the people at the benediction and the decaration of forgiveness. I have never seen anyone in the pews cross themselves. Maybe it’s just a Texas “thang”.

Not a Texas thing, necessarily. I went to a Lutheran college in Texas - some people crossed themselves, many didn’t. The parish I grew up in - not in Texas - almost nobody did.
The frequency of Lutherans using the sign of the cross seems to be growing as time goes along. In the parish I’m now amember of, there are more than I’ve ever seen. Many do when they receive communion, at the invocation, the benediction, and, as you mention, absolution. A small few at the end of the creed, and like me, at the announcing of the Gospel.

Jon

 

[Nicea325]

JW’s think the cross was/is a pagan symbol and therefore pagan itself. They don’t believe he died on a cross, rather on a “torture stake” because of this very reason. Despite the overwhelming evidence against them on this, they refuse to acknowledge any data showing them otherwise, despite the fact that in the early stages of their religion (early 20th century) they used the cross in their publications. “New Light” from Rutherford removed any reference to the cross in the publications, a move to make them different and seperate themselves from everyone else. It was also a move that tried to remove any kind of Catholic overtones, as they are amongst the most anti-Catholic religions around.

JW’s…they never believe anything outside of their delusional world. At times they seem more pagan,then the pagans themselves.

 

[Nicea325]

I don’t know what you are complaining about.

I simply stated the fact in as neutral way as possible, and I didn’t even mention the ‘Orthodox’ church.

But since you brought it up, from my perspective, anyone who has a problem with Catholic practices or are against Catholic practices should have at least as much (if not more) of a problem with Orthodox practices. I am going to make this clear to all Protestants: If you abhore Catholicism, stay clear of Holy Orthodoxy, because you will get it in spades. If you hate Catholics, you should hate Orthodox all the more.

Anyway, this is not an “Orthodox get all the Credit” kind of statement. I am a westerner, born and raised. It is a historical fact that the sign of the cross started in the east (which is what I said) when we were all one church (so long ago).

I first learned this fact from an Eastern Catholic priest. If you want references, call an eastern Catholic priest and ask.

Your reaction tells a lot about you, jumping to conclusions as you do.

You are right, I apologize. Hope you accept my apology?