How do Orthodox Christians cross themselves?

[Anti-Fear]

I am not sure how its done and whether its different from catholic style. Can you confirm?

 

[Philip]

Your cross indicates you are Orthodox, so I assume you know the Orthodox method. If not, I will be happy to explain it. Catholics go left to right across their breast. Also, they usually do it with an open palm.

 

[Matrona]

I am not sure how its done and whether its different from catholic style. Can you confirm?

Since it would be difficult to describe, I will tell you how to form your hand the way we do for making the sign of the cross, so that you can see it for yourself.

First, hold up your right hand with your fingers outstretched. Put your thumb, forefinger, and middle finger together--this symbolizes the Trinity. Then bend your ring finger and pinky finger down so that they touch the palm of your hand. This symbolizes the two natures of Christ coming down to Earth.

To make the sign of the cross as the Orthodox do, you would first put your hand in that position. Then you would touch the tips of your thumb-forefinger-middle fingers to your forehead above the bridge of your nose, then bring it down to the heart, then touch your right shoulder, then your left shoulder, and that's all there is to it. Some people go forehead-navel-right shoulder-left shoulder instead, it really makes no difference. Some will go from left shoulder to the heart again. Personally, I go forehead-navel-right shoulder-left shoulder-heart. But we always put our fingers that way, and we always go right shoulder followed by the left.

This probably sounds really complicated... but trust me, it's not.

 

[Maximus]

I am not sure how its done and whether its different from catholic style. Can you confirm?

Here is a quote from the book, The Law of God, a fairly well-known Russian Orthodox catechism, written by Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy.

"For the sign of the Cross we put the fingers of our right hand together as follows. We bring the tips of the first three fingers together (the thumb, index and middle ones), and bend the last two (the 'ring' and the little fingers) against the palm.

The first three fingers together express our faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as the Trinity one in essence and indivisible, and the two fingers bent show how the Son of God, when He came down from heaven, being God, became man; that is, they signify His two natures - divine and human.

In order to make the sign of the Cross, with our fingers in this position, we touch our forehead, for the blessing of our mind, our stomach, for the blessing of our internal feelings, then our right and left shoulders, for the blessing of our bodily strength" (pp. 23-24).

 

[Photini]

Why do Orthodox Christians cross themselves differently than Roman Catholics?

 

[Maximus]

Great link, Photini.

In fairness, however, it should be noted that Eastern Catholics (Byzantines, Melkites, etc.) make the sign of the Cross just as we Orthodox do.

The early Fathers describe the sign as originally having been traced on the forehead. Evidently the head and torso signing we have now came a bit later.

 

[tionfyre]

Thats really interesting. I've been doing the cross similar to the orthodox way then.

I've figured the combination of thumb,fore,middle fingers was a representation of the trinity, and later I met fellow altar servers who did it the same way for some reason cant remember what...

still the left right vs right left issue is an interesting one. Maybe it depends on what direction your society reads text?

blah, excuse my jargon.

 

[MariaRegina]

Thats really interesting. I've been doing the cross similar to the orthodox way then.

I've figured the combination of thumb,fore,middle fingers was a representation of the trinity, and later I met fellow altar servers who did it the same way for some reason cant remember what...

still the left right vs right left issue is an interesting one. Maybe it depends on what direction your society reads text?

blah, excuse my jargon.

Dear Tionfyre:

Are you going to a Byzantine Catholic Church or are some of the altar servers going to a Byzantine Catholic Church?

I just checked your profile - you're from Irvine. Have you ever visited St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church? They have a special retreat that is open to the public at the end of January every year (Winter break). You may want to visit there as the talks are really great. They also have a youth day.

Lovingly yours in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

 

[Photini]

Great link, Photini.

In fairness, however, it should be noted that Eastern Catholics (Byzantines, Melkites, etc.) make the sign of the Cross just as we Orthodox do.

The early Fathers describe the sign as originally having been traced on the forehead. Evidently the head and torso signing we have now came a bit later.

I think I read that at one point it was also done using two fingers (the first and middle) instead of three.

 

[nyj]

Great link, Photini.

Great link huh, especially where it condemns Catholics for following Apostolic Tradition "willy-nilly"? As long as hatred like this exists amongst us "so called brethren", reunification will never be possible.

 

[Maximus]

Great link huh, especially where it condemns Catholics for following Apostolic Tradition "willy-nilly"? As long as hatred like this exists amongst us "so called brethren", reunification will never be possible.

You're right about that remark, nyj. It was stupid and inconsiderate.

When I wrote "great link" I did not have that in view.

Notice that in my prior post I did note that Eastern Catholics make the sign just as Orthodox do.

No, I do NOT think Roman Catholics do things "willy-nilly."

The Cross is what matters, not which shoulder we touch first or how many fingers we use.

I have no problem with the way Roman Catholics make the sign of the Cross. I just see it as the Western way: different, but not wrong.

Besides, according to the early Fathers who wrote on the subject, the first Christians signed themselves on the forehead.

Now we all do the full head-to-torso sign.

I guess we're all a little willy-nilly!

 

[Photini]

Great link huh, especially where it condemns Catholics for following Apostolic Tradition "willy-nilly"? As long as hatred like this exists amongst us "so called brethren", reunification will never be possible.

NYJ, maybe you should send an e-mail to the webmaster of that site if it upsets you. I've seen Catholic sites that also rub me the wrong way. I've also seen more than one statement made by Catholics on this forum that I found offensive but chose to overlook instead. I don't think it is hatred. That is a very strong word to use just because someone was not as careful as they could be with word choice.

edited to add....now that I look back at the link, I don't see where it condemns anyone.

 

[tionfyre]

Dear Tionfyre:

Are you going to a Byzantine Catholic Church or are some of the altar servers going to a Byzantine Catholic Church?

I just checked your profile - you're from Irvine. Have you ever visited St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church? They have a special retreat that is open to the public at the end of January every year (Winter break). You may want to visit there as the talks are really great. They also have a youth day.

Lovingly yours in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

Nope. Theyre pretty "american". I've actually never heard of a Byzantine Catholic.
The churchs I've gone to are St. Columban, St. Joseph, St. John Neumann, St. john and 103 martyrs.... etc. All fairly western churchs..

I've seen St. Paul's on my way to St. John Neumann and I have considered checking it out sometime soon... after I've figured out what the disceprencies are between the "two" religions besides the obvious one pertaining to the Holy See.

 

[Matthias]

I don't see any problem with the website either. It's just a word. You seem way over-sensitive. Not that it is always a bad thing. *shrugs*.

I've seen plenty of websites posted at the Catholicism forum that have anti-Orthodoxy impressions.

 

[Maximus]

No matter how offensive other web sites get, Orthodox web sites should strive not to be unnecessarily offensive.

We should show only the love of Christ.

Let's face it: the "willy-nilly" remark was dumb. That web site ruined what was otherwise a nice historical piece on the sign of the Cross. In doing so it lost credibility and the power to influence for good.

I have made my share of dumb remarks, it is true.

Lord forgive me.

 

[Photini]

Rejoice, O Holy Cross of the Lord. Whereby the human race was freed from the ancient curse. The sign of true rejoicing and the one who shattered enemies, by your exaltation, Cross all venerable. You are for us a help indeed and a power to our rulers, strength of the righteous and the dignity of presbyters, by the sign of Thee are we rescued from every ill. Scepter of power invincible wherewith we are shepherded; weapon of peace awe-inspiring, accompanied by the angelic host. Heavenly glory of Christ, who is ever granting to the world His mercy so great!

from: http://www.stgeorge-az.org/oce/signofcross.htm