The Sign of the Cross or Signum crucis in Latin is a ritual hand motion made by members of many but not all branches of Christianity. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings It may be accompanied by the trinitarian formula. The trinitarian formula is the phrase " in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit " (original Greek εις το ονομα For Christians the motion symbolizes the Cross on Calvary by tracing the shape of the cross in the air or on one's own body. The Christian cross is the best-known Religious symbol of Christianity. "Golgotha" redirects here For other uses see Golgotha (disambiguation. There are two principal forms, one followed by Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the other by the Western Churches (Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and Roman Catholicism) and Oriental Orthodoxy. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the The sign is rarely used by non-liturgical or evangelical Protestants. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.

Purpose

The Sign a physical act intended to indicate the reverence for the Cross, of the sacrifice of Jesus, in the life of Christians who use their bodies to affirm what is believed. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE)

The gesture

Position of the fingers while making the sign of the cross in the Byzantine fashion.

The hand. The open right hand is used in the Churches of the West. The five open fingers represent The Five Wounds of Christ. Though this is the most common method of crossing by Western Christians, other forms are sometimes used. The West also employs the "Small Sign of the Cross" in which a small cross is traced with the thumb over the forehead, lips, and breast of the individual while whispering the words "May Christ's words be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart". This is used at the Proclamation of the Gospel at Holy Mass and also is commonly used when blessing oneself with holy water when leaving or entering a church. In the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the thumb, index, and middle finger are brought to a point, symbolizing the Trinity (the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit/Ghost, three persons sharing a single essence), the remaining two fingers (kept pressed together and touching the palm) representing the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных However, the Russian Orthodox in the past used two fingers brought to a point with the three remaining fingers pressed down. Russian Old Believers still use this form. The Oriental Orthodox (Armenians, Copts, Ethiopians etc. ) generally use the "Western" direction as well, though often with the Byzantine finger formation.

Detail of the painting Boyarynya Morozova by Vasily Surikov depicting a defiant Old Believer holding up two fingers (instead of three) during her arrest. Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (Василий Иванович Суриков ( January 24[[ 848]] ( Julian calendar: January 12) &ndash March 19

In Russia until the reforms of Patriarch Nikon in the 17th century, it was customary to make the sign of the cross with two fingers (symbolising the dual nature of Christ). Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Nikon ( Russian: Ни́кон, Old Russian Нїконъ) born Nikita Minin ( Никита Минин; May 7, 1605 As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar The enforcement of the three-finger sign was one of the reasons for the schism with the Old Believers whose congregations continue to use the two-finger sign of the cross. The word schism (ˈsɪzəm or /ˈskɪzəm/ from the Greek σχίσμα skhísma (from σχίζω skhízō, "to tear to split" Introductory summary of origins In 1652 Nikon (1605 – 1681 Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church from 1652 to 1658 introduced a number of ritual and textual

The motion. The sign of the Cross is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, sternum, and both shoulders, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead: In the name of the Father (or In nomine Patris in Latin); at the stomach or heart: and of the Son (et Filii); across the shoulders from left to right: and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost (et Spiritus Sancti); and finally: Amen. The sternum (from Greek στέρνον sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long flat Bone located in the center of the thorax (chest The trinitarian formula is the phrase " in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit " (original Greek εις το ονομα In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance The word Amen (; آمين, ’Āmīn; "So be it truly" Its use in Judaism dates back to its earliest texts

There are several interpretations, according to Church Fathers^[1]: the forehead symbolizes Heaven; the stomach, the earth; the shoulders, the place and sign of power. The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church Also, the hand to the forehead may be seen as a prayer to the Father for wisdom; the hand to the stomach as a prayer to the Son who became incarnate; and the hand to the shoulders as a prayer to the Holy Spirit. The Incarnation is the belief in Christianity that Jesus Christ is the God of Israel in the flesh

Position of the fingers used by Old Believers while making the sign of the cross. Introductory summary of origins In 1652 Nikon (1605 – 1681 Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church from 1652 to 1658 introduced a number of ritual and textual

There are some variations: for example a person may first place the right hand in holy water. Holy water can also refer to water that has been blessed, such as by a Priest, and is considered Holy. After moving the hand from one shoulder to the other, it may be returned to the stomach. It may also be accompanied by the recitation of a prayer e. g the Jesus Prayer, or simply "Lord have mercy". The Jesus Prayer, also called the Prayer of the Heart, is a short formulaic prayer often uttered repeatedly Kýrie is from the Greek word κύριε (kyrie the Vocative case of κύριος (kyrios meaning O Lord. In some cultures it is customary to kiss one's hand or fingers at the conclusion of the gesture.

Sequence Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) gave the following instruction:

The sign of the cross is made with three fingers, because the signing is done together with the invocation of the Trinity. Pope Innocent III ( February 22, 1161 &ndash June 16, 1216) born Lotario de' Conti di Segni, was Pope from January . . . This is how it is done: from above to below, and from the right to the left, because Christ descended from the heavens to the earth, and from the Jews (right) He passed to the Gentiles (left).

Others, however, make the sign of the cross from the left to the right, because from misery (left) we must cross over to glory (right), just as Christ crossed over from death to life, and from Hades to Paradise. [Some priests] do it this way so that they and the people will be signing themselves in the same way. You can easily verify this — picture the priest facing the people for the blessing — when we make the sign of the cross over the people, it is from left to right. . .

Writers such as Herbert Thurston, author of the article Sign of the Cross in the Catholic Encyclopedia interpret this as indicating that at that time both Eastern and Western Christians moved the hand from the right shoulder to the left. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia However, Thurston confesses that the point is not entirely clear. He quotes another liturgist who inclined to the opinion that in this passage of Innocent III^[2], and in those of Belethus^[3], Sicardus^[4] and Durandus^[5], which are usually appealed to in proof of this, these authors had in mind the small cross made upon the forehead or external objects, in which the hand moves naturally from right to left, and not the big cross made from shoulder to shoulder. Jean Beleth was a twelfth-century liturgist and theologian possibly of English origin This article is about Durandus of Mende you may be looking for the philosopher Durandus of Saint-Pourçain.

Today, Western Christians and the Oriental Orthodox touch the left shoulder before the right. Orthodox Christians use the right-to-left movement. A Greek catechetical textbook attempted to explain the difference between the Latin and the Greek customs by saying that the right side is associated with holiness, and the heart (on the left) with the spirit, so that those who, in mentioning the Holy Spirit, used the Latin phrase "Spiritus Sancti" (noun before adjective) touched left before right, while those who said, in Greek, "τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος" (adjective before noun) did the opposite.

Use of the sign

The Sign of the Cross may be made by individuals upon themselves as a form of prayer, and by clergy upon others or objects as an act of blessing. Prayer is an important theme in Christianity, and there are several different forms of prayer Priests are allowed to bless using the right hand, while bishops may bless simultaneously with both, the left mirroring the right. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight While individuals may make it at any time, clergy must make it at specific times (as in liturgies), and it is customary to make it on other occasions (see below). A Liturgy is a set form of ceremony or pattern of worship Christian liturgy is a pattern for worship used (whether recommended or prescribed by a Christian congregation or

During rituals such as the Roman Catholic Mass the Sign is required at certain points: the laity sign themselves at the beginning of the Eucharist, at the Gospel and at the final blessing; additionally, the celebrant makes the Sign over the bread and wine before the Words of Institution (i. The Mass is the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church. The Words of Institution are those used inserted into a narrative of the Last Supper, in Christian Eucharistic liturgies to recall those used by Jesus on that e. words of Christ). In the extraordinary form of the Mass the priest signs the bread and wine many times. In the ordinary form of the Mass the priest signs them once only. Roman Catholic bishops make the Sign of the Cross three times when they are blessing a large group of people, at the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Icon of St. Basil the Great depicting the manner in which an Orthodox priest or bishop holds his hand when he blesses. An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin

In the Eastern traditions, both celebrant and congregation make the Sign of the Cross much more frequently than in Western Christianity. It is customary in some Eastern traditions to cross oneself at each petition in a litany, and to closely associate oneself with a particular intention being prayed for or with a saint being named. Ektenia (from ἐκτένεια ekténeia; literally "diligence" often called simply Litany, is a prayerful petition in the Eastern Orthodox The Sign of the Cross is also made upon entering or leaving a church building, at the start and end of personal prayer, when passing the main altar (which represents Christ), whenever all three persons of the Trinity are addressed, and when approaching an icon.

When an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic bishop or priest blesses with the sign of the cross, he holds the fingers of his right hand in such a way that they form the Greek abbreviation for Jesus Christ "IC XC". The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The little finger is extended to make the "I"; the index finger and middle finger are also raised, with the middle finger bent slightly so that the two fingers together form the "X"; the thumb touches the lowered third finger to signify the two "C"s. When a priest blesses in the sign of the cross, he positions the fingers of his right hand in the manner described as he raises his right hand, then then moves his hand downwards, then to his left, then to his right. A bishop blesses with both hands (unless he is holding some sacred object such as a blessing cross, chalice, Gospel Book, icon, etc. A chalice (from Latin calix, cup borrowed from Greek kalyx, shell husk is a goblet intended to hold drink The Gospel Book, or Book of the Gospels ( Greek:, Evangélion) is a Codex or bound volume containing one or more of the four Gospels An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. ), holding the fingers of both hands in the same configuration, but when he moves his right hand to the left, he simultaneously moves his left hand to the right, so that the two hands cross, the left in front of the right, and then the right in front of the left. The blessing of both priests and bishops consists of three movements, in honour of the Holy Trinity. SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных

Some Christians make the Sign of the Cross in a way that may seem idiomatic: for example, in response to perceived blasphemy. An idiom is a Phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal Definition, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only Others sign themselves to seek God's blessing before or during an event with uncertain outcome. In Latin countries people often sign themselves in public. Athletes can be seen crossing themselves before entering the field or while concentrating for competition.

In societies with constant Christian observance the Sign of the Cross is employed during everyday activities. For example the spoon crosses the newly poured mixture before stirring, housewives bless food when placing it in the oven, potters bless the clay before creating a vessel, and one slicing bread crosses the bread with the knife before cutting, as bread is considered to represent the body of Christ. A spoon is a Utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl at the end of a handle used primarily for serving and eating Liquid, or semi-liquid foods and solid foods An oven is an enclosed compartment for Heating, Baking or Drying. Bread is a Staple food prepared by Baking a Dough of Flour and Water. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed "

During persecutions, such as in Communist Romania, some believers would hide the gesture by moving their tongues in a cross pattern inside their mouths.

Origins of the sign of the cross

Ravenna mosaic, 6th c. Ravenna is a City and Comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. : Jesus is portrayed gesturing a sign of the cross with his right hand facing outward, like a Christian priest giving a blessing. (Christ Pantocrator). Meaning The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All-powerful

The Christian sign of the cross was originally made with the right hand thumb and across the forehead only. The custom is attested to as early as the second century.

Vestiges of this practice remain: some Christians sign a cross on their forehead to hear the Gospels during Mass; foreheads are marked with an ash cross on Ash Wednesday; holy oil (called chrism) is applied on the forehead for the sacrament of Confirmation. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Chrism (Greek word literally meaning "an anointing" also called "Myrrh" ( Myron) "Holy Oil" or "Consecrated Oil" is a Consecrated A sacrament, as defined in Hexam's Concise Dictionary of Religion is "a Rite in which God is uniquely active Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for Around year 200 in Carthage (modern Tunisia, Africa), Tertullian says: "We Christians wear out our foreheads with the sign of the cross". Carthage (Καρχηδών Karkhēdōn, Carthago from the Phoenician קרת חדשת phn-Latn Qart-ḥadašt meaning new town) refers Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, Anglicised as Tertullian, (ca It is thought that by the end of the second century Christians signed the cross on their forehead before taking any risk, such as embarking on a journey.

By the fourth century, the sign of the cross involved other parts of the body beyond the forehead. By the sixth century, these variations of smaller signs across the body became the one larger sign used now.

Low-Church attitudes

Although the Sign of the Cross dates to early Christianity, it was generally rejected by the Reformers and is mostly absent from Protestantism. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Since the Reformation it has generally been rejected by Protestants and some Low-Church Anglicans as being a Catholic practice. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Low church is a term of distinction in the Church of England or other Anglican churches initially designed to be pejorative

Lutheranism

Among Lutherans the practice was widely retained. For example, Luther's Small Catechism states that it is expected before the morning and evening prayers. Luther's Small Catechism was written by Martin Luther and published in 1529 for the training of children In addition, the sign of the cross is customary in the Divine Service. Divine Service is the term used in the Eastern Orthodox Church to describe the daily cycle of public services celebrated in the Temple (church building ^[6][7]

Methodism

The United Methodist Church is essentially a product of the Protestant Reformation and consequently tends to be iconoclastic—that is rejecting statues, icons, and many other practices which it sees as being "Catholic". The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Iconoclasm, Greek for "image-breaking" is the deliberate destruction within a culture of the culture's own religious Icons and other symbols or monuments ^[8] Currently the sign of the cross is made regularly by few Methodists, but on Ash Wednesday it is almost always applied by the elder on the laity. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays An Elder in the Methodist Church -- sometimes called a Presbyter or Minister -- is someone who has been Ordained by a Bishop to the In religious organizations the laity comprises all persons who are not Clergy. ^[9]

See also

• Christian cross
• Christian symbolism
• Prayer in Christianity
• Veneration
• Genuflection
• Trinitarian formula

References

External links

• Sign of the Cross - entry from the Catholic Encyclopedia
• Why Do Lutherans Make the Sign of the Cross? - from the ELCA website
• Sign of the Cross - from the LCMS website
• Sign of the Cross - from the Episcopal Church's website
• The Power of the Sign of the Cross - (Ukrainian church)
• The Sign of the Cross - a Traditional Catholic perspective
• Significance of the Sign of the Cross
• How to Make a Sign of Cross Correctly (Eastern Orthodox)
• On making the Sign of The Cross (Old Believers)
• Sign of the Cross (Old Believers)
• The Church Council of the Hundred Chapters(1551) (Old Believers)