The Sign of the Cross

[WisdomTree]

The sign of the cross is completely Christian. I have a muslim friend who said otherwise, but after doing some research there was no evidence to suggest that. Besides, being an English major he would believe in anything except for things that are scientific.

The meaning of the sign is simple: God the Father, the author of all creation is above, and through him came Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down and died to save us from damnation (correct me if I'm wrong). Then, here's where's there's a divergence: for the original one still used by the EO and EC(?): it goes right to left which symbolizes that Christ as judge will separate the goat from the sheep or vice-versa, while the modified one used by RC, OO, and everyone else: it goes left to right which symbolizes through him (Christ) we ought to cross from misery to paradise, or something along those lines.

Also, the way you formulate your hands when you do it is important to. Eastern Christianity (EC, EO, OO); you join your thumb with your index and middle finger to indicate your belief in the Holy Trinity, while the other two you place on your palm which means that you believe that Christ was both divine and human. Western Christianity (RC); you spread your fingers out which symbolizes the five wounds Christ has suffered at the cross for our sake.

If I am incorrect in any of these, please do correct as I was not raised with these knowledge (I was raised Presbyterian - kind of).

 

[Knee V]

The sign of the cross is completely Christian. I have a muslim friend who said otherwise, but after doing some research there was no evidence to suggest that. Besides, being an English major he would believe in anything except for things that are scientific.

The meaning of the sign is simple: God the Father, the author of all creation is above, and through him came Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down and died to save us from damnation (correct me if I'm wrong). Then, here's where's there's a divergence: for the original one still used by the EO and EC(?): it goes right to left which symbolizes that Christ as judge will separate the goat from the sheep or vice-versa, while the modified one used by RC, OO, and everyone else: it goes left to right which symbolizes through him (Christ) we ought to cross from misery to paradise, or something along those lines.

Also, the way you formulate your hands when you do it is important to. Eastern Christianity (EC, EO, OO); you join your thumb with your index and middle finger to indicate your belief in the Holy Trinity, while the other two you place on your palm which means that you believe that Christ was both divine and human. Western Christianity (RC); you spread your fingers out which symbolizes the five wounds Christ has suffered at the cross for our sake.

If I am incorrect in any of these, please do correct as I was not raised with these knowledge (I was raised Presbyterian - kind of).

That sounds alright to me. I'm a big fan of the varying forms of the sign of the cross. I actually wish that some of the western forms were common in eastern circles. I especially like crossing the forehead, followed by the mouth and then the heart.

 

[SQLservant]

Man, how'd I miss these exciting posts? I've actually learned quite a bit here, and can say that signing myself will take on greater meaning after reading these.

Maybe I'll actually be able to start doing it when people are around now.

 

[WisdomTree]

Man, how'd I miss these exciting posts? I've actually learned quite a bit here, and can say that signing myself will take on greater meaning after reading these.

Maybe I'll actually be able to start doing it when people are around now.

It's not easy my friend. If you weren't brought up with it, then adopting it is quite difficult. I have been trying to adopt the custom as my own for a while now, but I've been failing everytime. If you're not used to it, then you're not used to it.

I'm glad you learnt something here.

Also, don't forget to say: In the name of the Father (forehead), the Son (heart or stomach), and the Holy Ghost (shoulders), when you do it. Or you can say it in Latin (in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti) or Greek (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος).

 

[GarySneakers]

No one knows what the original sign of the cross means, except the one who conceived it.
Maybe it's just the Sun Cross or it can mean anything anyone wants to believe.

So lets test it. Go to Mark 15:38. The Temple of the Father in Open. Do the sign of the cross, then "Go in". If you can not enter, Keep repeating the sign of the cross and will yourself to enter.

 

[ViaCrucis]

No one knows what the original sign of the cross means, except the one who conceived it.
Maybe it's just the Sun Cross or it can mean anything anyone wants to believe.

So lets test it. Go to Mark 15:38. The Temple of the Father in Open. Do the sign of the cross, then "Go in". If you can not enter, Keep repeating the sign of the cross and will yourself to enter.

Huh?

-CryptoLutheran

 

[SQLservant]

Huh?

My sentiments exactly...

 

[WisdomTree]

My sentiments exactly...

Me three.