The Sign of the Cross and Anglicanism

[everbecoming2007]

Did Anglicans retain the sign of the cross at the reformation or was that a part of the Catholic revival? I am curious if anyone knows. The sign of the cross is rare at our 1928 service but fairly common at the Rite One service.

 

[Paidiske]

It was highly contested. I know that the sign of the cross, specifically in baptism, was a big issue for the Puritans. I think you will find it's one of those things that had a varied history; probably used more in the chapels royal, for example, and used not at all in some low parish churches?

 

[gordonhooker]

I have never been to an Anglican service where it was not used.

 

[cseargent]

I have never been to an Anglican service where it was not used.

A quick question. Are you talking about the priest making the sign of the cross or the parishioners?

My parish is snake-belly low so I am the only person who crosses himself (forehead, lips and heart at the reading of the Gospel for example) and the only person who kneels for the Eucharistic prayer.

CF Lawrence

 

[gordonhooker]

A quick question. Are you talking about the priest making the sign of the cross or the parishioners?

My parish is snake-belly low so I am the only person who crosses himself (forehead, lips and heart at the reading of the Gospel for example) and the only person who kneels for the Eucharistic prayer.

CF Lawrence

The priest and sanctuary team always at different parts of the liturgy and roughly a third of the congregation for the Gospel and most of the congregation when taking communion.

 

[Shane R]

I'm going to send you by PM the Holy Communion service according to the 1928 BCP as I was taught to celebrate it a few days ago with all of the crosses and genuflections marked in the text Everbecoming.

 

[Arcangl86]

Can you send that this direciton too? /litnerd

 

[Shane R]

Can you send that this direciton too? /litnerd

Yes.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Did Anglicans retain the sign of the cross at the reformation or was that a part of the Catholic revival? I am curious if anyone knows. The sign of the cross is rare at our 1928 service but fairly common at the Rite One service.

We don’t in our fellowship, other than in baptism.

 

[No Swansong]

I'm going to send you by PM the Holy Communion service according to the 1928 BCP as I was taught to celebrate it a few days ago with all of the crosses and genuflections marked in the text Everbecoming.

Friend can you send that to me as well?

 

[Shane R]

I'll distribute that communion service file after I finish my canonical exam. I haven't forgotten folks.

 

[Arcangl86]

I'll distribute that communion service file after I finish my canonical exam. I haven't forgotten folks.

OH yeah, getting ordained first is far more important. Blessings!

 

[JamieRedheadUK]

In my community we do it with the Father during every service at any mention of the Father, Son day the Holy Ghost.

 

[Shropshire Anglican]

Low churches rarely, if ever, use the sign of the cross. Broad church and High church will use it. I have never seen an evangelical use it.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Low churches rarely, if ever, use the sign of the cross. Broad church and High church will use it. I have never seen an evangelical use it.

I worship in an evangelical church so this has never been our tradition.

However, we do have church family that have come from different traditions, so you do see a few people cross themselves (principally during the final blessing, not all the way through as if a test to see if you are awake).

The minister will make a sign of the cross on the forehead of a bapstism candidate. If it’s a reaffirmation, the candidate will do it to themselves.

 

[everbecoming2007]

Low churches rarely, if ever, use the sign of the cross. Broad church and High church will use it. I have never seen an evangelical use it.

This is interesting because a number of parishioners in my parish are influenced by local fundamentalism, but I still see a lot of crossing. Not so much at the low 1928 service, though.

 

[Paidiske]

Low churches rarely, if ever, use the sign of the cross. Broad church and High church will use it. I have never seen an evangelical use it.

Not even the priest?

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Not even the priest?

Maybe in the air as part of the final blessing; not on their own chest.

 

[everbecoming2007]

It was highly contested. I know that the sign of the cross, specifically in baptism, was a big issue for the Puritans. I think you will find it's one of those things that had a varied history; probably used more in the chapels royal, for example, and used not at all in some low parish churches?

So are you saying the sign of the cross was controversial in Anglicanism?

 

[Naomi4Christ]

What I have always wondered is how people learn to do this? I did not learn it in confirmation classes, and we don’t teach it to our children in their classes.

It has always bewildered me.