Sign of the cross

The Sign of the Cross is a ritual performed mainly within Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, as well as Eastern-Rite Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism. For the members of the Faith, it symbolizes by manifestly marking directly on one's own body or in the air, the four points of the Cross on Calvary. It also represents loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength. There are two particular arrangements one is most likely to observe. One is followed by many of the Eastern Churches, the other by the Western (Latin) Rite of Roman Catholicism and the Oriental Orthodox.

Ritual of the gesture

Typically, the right hand is used. The thumb, index, and middle finger are brought to a point. They are then placed on the forehead, then moved down to the sternum. Western Rite Catholics, Anglicans and the Oriental Orthodox will then move the hand to the left shoulder or to the area of the left pectoral muscle, and then to the right; the Eastern Orthodox and most Eastern Catholics will do the opposite (i.e. right, then left). As one moves through the Sign, one recites, at the forehead, "In the name of the Father"; at the sternum, "and of the Son"; and across the shoulders, "and of the Holy Spirit, Amen." The Latin expression is "In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti (Amen)." There are variations that occur. For example, some may mark a very large cross, or a very small one. Some may say "and of the Holy Spirit" across the shoulders. A person may reach for holy water first. After moving the hand from one shoulder to the other, it may return to the sternum. It may be accompanied instead at times with the words of the Jesus Prayer in some form, or simply "Lord have mercy".

Related Topics:
Latin - Holy water - Jesus Prayer - Lord have mercy

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The thumb, index and middle finger brought to a point symbolize the Trinity, three persons sharing a single essence. The remaining two fingers are kept pressed close together and to the palm, representing the human and divine natures united together in Jesus Christ.

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In the western Roman Catholic Church the direction of making the sign of the cross, which had previously been from left shoulder to right shoulder, as is still the custom among the Eastern or Orthodox Churches, was changed in the thirteenth century when Pope Innocent III (1198-1216), following the Great Schism between the Western and Eastern Churches and the subsequent hostility between the respective heads (the Pope and the Patriarch mutually excommunited eacth other) directed that the sign was to be made with three fingers from the forehead to the breast and from the right to the left shoulder. (Presumaby to distinguish the gesture from the older form used by the "schismatic" Eastern Church)

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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). The enforcement of the three-finger sign was one of the reasons for the schism of the Old Believers whose congregations continue to use the two-finger sign of the cross.

Related Topics:
Russia - Patriarch Nikon - 17th century - Schism - Old Believers

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During the Bosnian war, Serbo-Bosnian troops raised three fingers in a sign of victory, Bosnian Croats raised two fingers and Muslims raised one (after the strict monotheism of Islam).

Related Topics:
Bosnian war - Serbo-Bosnian - Three fingers - Sign of victory - Bosnian Croat - Two fingers - Muslims

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