Making The Sign of The Cross (Videos and Early Church Father / Writer Quotes)

JacksBratt · Apr 4, 2019

thecolorsblend said:
It was, in fact, a symbol of Our Lord's work. But it was a symbol which used primarily by anti-Christian forces going at least as far back as the second century. In part, their agenda was to discredit Christianity in the eyes of would-be converts by associating it with a dishonorable form of execution like crucifixion.

There really is no modern day equivalent to that. Certainly not a guillotine.

So, can we agree that the cross has had a very diverse history.. and.. it was not always a sign of people of faith?

And... I totally agree, thankfully we have no modern equivalent of the cross.. to what it was in the day of Christ. I chose guillotine to make a point of how horrendous it would have been in that time.

thecolorsblend · Apr 4, 2019

JacksBratt said:
So, can we agree that the cross has had a very diverse history.. and.. it was not always a sign of people of faith?

No, we don't agree on that. My contention is and was that the cross in the ancient was a symbol of Christianity which was imposed upon Christians by the heathen Romans. In identifying the faith with the cross, their intent was different back then than a faithful Christian's is today. But either way, it was a symbol of Christianity then and remains one now.

JacksBratt said:
And... I totally agree, thankfully we have no modern equivalent of the cross.. to what it was in the day of Christ. I chose guillotine to make a point of how horrendous it would have been in that time.

A guillotine in the modern day is nowhere near as sickening and vulgar as crucifixion was in the ancient world. I understand your point. And far be it from me to split hairs over it since the rest of your point stands. But I'm just saying a guillotine today is not the vile symbol of shame, disgust and dishonor that crucifixion was in the ancient world.

Jipsah · Apr 6, 2019

Jonaitis said:
That would interesting.

We’d need for everyone to sit further apart

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · May 12, 2019

I ordered this book recently regarding the subject :

"The Sign of the Cross: The Gesture, the Mystery, the History"
By: Andreas Andreopoulo

https://www.amazon.com/Sign-Cross-Gesture-Mystery-History/dp/1557258740

Also, here's a video I made about Making The Sign of The Cross and Early Church Father Quotes :

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · May 13, 2019

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · May 17, 2019

A few more Quotes :

• Athanasius (Life of St Anthony) - par 78 (296-373 ad)
"But we by the mention of Christ crucified put all demons to flight, whom you fear as if they were gods. Where the sign of the Cross is, magic is weak and witchcraft has no strength."

• Athanasius (Life of St Anthony) - Par 23 (296-373 A.D.)
'The demons, therefore, if they see all Christians, and monks especially, labouring cheerfully and advancing, first make an attack by temptation and place hindrances to hamper our way, to wit, evil thoughts. But we need not fear their suggestions, for by prayer, fasting, and faith in the Lord their attack immediately fails. But even when it does they cease not, but knavishly by subtlety come on again. For when they cannot deceive the heart openly with foul pleasures they approach in different guise, and thenceforth shaping displays they attempt to strike fear, changing their shapes, taking the forms of women, wild beasts, creeping things, gigantic bodies, and troops of soldiers. But not even then need you fear their deceitful displays. For they are nothing and quickly disappear, especially if a man fortify himself beforehand with faith and The Sign Of The Cross."

• Athanasius (Life of St Anthony) - Par 35 (296-373 A.D.)
'When, therefore, they come by night to you and wish to tell the future, or say, We are the angels, give no heed, for they lie. Yea even if they praise your discipline and call you blessed, hear them not, and have no dealings with them; but rather sign yourselves and your houses, and pray, and you shall see them vanish. For they are cowards, and greatly fear The Sign Of The Lord's Cross, since of a truth in it the Saviour stripped them, and made an example of them."

• Athanasius (Life of St Anthony) - Par 80 (296-373 A.D.)
'And these signs are sufficient to prove that the faith of Christ alone is the true religion. But see! You still do not believe and are seeking for arguments. We however make our proof not in the persuasive words of Greek wisdom 1 Corinthians 2:4 as our teacher has it, but we persuade by the faith which manifestly precedes argumentative proof. Behold there are here some vexed with demons;'— now there were certain who had come to him very disquieted by demons, and bringing them into the midst he said —'Do you cleanse them either by arguments and by whatever art or magic you choose, calling upon your idols, or if you are unable, put away your strife with us and you shall see the power of The Cross of Christ.' And having said this he called upon Christ, And Signed the sufferers two or three times With The Sign Of The Cross. And immediately the men stood up whole, and in their right mind, and immediately gave thanks unto the Lord."

CHURCH FATHERS: Life of St. Anthony (Athanasius)

• Saint Athanasius The Great, Archbishop of Alexandria
(296-373 A.D.)

• Saint Anthony The Great / Of The Desert
(251-356 A.D.)

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · May 21, 2019

Another great video on making The Sign of The Cross :

Jude1:3Contendforthefaith · May 27, 2020

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Making The Sign of The Cross (Videos and Early Church Father / Writer Quotes)

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