Rachel Evans
The sign of the cross is a religious gesture used by Christians of various denominations, including Lutherans and Catholics. The physical action involves tracing a cross shape in the air or on one's body, often accompanied by a spoken or mental prayer. While the specific manner of making the sign of the cross may vary between different Christian traditions, both Lutherans and Catholics employ this symbolic gesture as a way to express their faith and remember the crucifixion of Jesus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of the practice | The sign of the cross has been documented in early Christianity by Tertullian, an Ante-Nicene Church Father, who wrote in AD 204 about forming the sign of the cross on foreheads and objects. |
| Usage in Lutheranism | Some Lutherans do make the sign of the cross, while many do not. It is considered a matter of Christian freedom. Martin Luther included instructions for making the sign of the cross in his Small Catechism for morning and evening prayers. |
| Differences between Lutherans and Catholics | Lutherans and Catholics may differ in the direction of the motion when making the sign of the cross. Western Catholics and Western Lutherans move their hands from left to right, while Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move from right to left. |
| Reasons for differences | Differences in practices between Lutherans and Catholics may be due to historical anti-Catholic sentiment among Lutherans, especially in mid-western mid-twentieth-century North American Lutheranism, which sought to distance itself from Catholic practices. |
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What You'll Learn
- Lutherans are free to make the sign of the cross or not
- Lutherans make the sign of the cross from left to right
- Lutherans make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the day
- Lutherans make the small sign of the cross on their forehead
- Lutherans make the large sign of the cross over their body
Lutherans are free to make the sign of the cross or not
The sign of the cross is a sign and remembrance of baptism and is used by various Christian denominations, including Lutherans. It can be traced over the body or on the forehead, with the thumb or the first three fingers, and is often accompanied by a spoken or mental recitation of the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Martin Luther, the founder of Lutheranism, encouraged the use of the sign of the cross and provided instructions for making the sign in his Small Catechism. In the morning, upon rising, Luther instructed his followers to "bless yourself with the holy cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen." A similar instruction was given for bedtime. Additionally, Luther made provisions for using the sign of the cross on at least three occasions.
The use of the sign of the cross has varied over time and across different regions. For example, Scandinavian Lutheranism has historically been anti-Catholic since the Reformation, and as a result, few Norwegian Lutherans cross themselves nowadays. In contrast, Eastern Lutheran Churches and Western Lutheran Churches have different practices when it comes to the direction of the sign of the cross, with the former moving from right to left and the latter from left to right.
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Lutherans make the sign of the cross from left to right
Lutherans are free to choose whether or not to make the sign of the cross. Some Lutherans do make the sign of the cross, while many do not. The sign of the cross is a treasured part of Lutheran heritage as the practice was encouraged and used by Martin Luther himself. Luther instructed his followers to make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the day as a part of their daily prayers.
The direction in which Lutherans make the sign of the cross depends on their denomination. Western Lutherans, or Lutheranism in Western Europe and the Latin Church, make the sign of the cross from left to right. This is in contrast to Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics, who move from right to left.
The sign of the cross is made by tracing an upright cross or Greek cross across the body with the right hand, often accompanied by the spoken or mental recitation of the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." When making the large sign of the cross, Lutherans trace the sign from their forehead to their lower chest, then from shoulder to shoulder and back to the heart. Others may simply trace a small cross on their foreheads.
The sign of the cross is an ecumenical gesture, used by the Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and mainline Protestants. It is a sign and remembrance of Baptism, marking the Christian as united with the Crucified.
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Lutherans make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the day
Lutherans do make the sign of the cross, including at the beginning and end of the day. This is because the practice was encouraged and used by Martin Luther himself. Lutherans see the sign of the cross as a treasured part of their heritage and liturgical heritage.
In his 1526 Order of Baptism, Luther instructed that the sign of the cross be made over the candidate as part of the baptismal ritual. He also stated that the ordinator should bless the ministers with the sign of the cross during their ordination. Additionally, Luther instructed his followers to make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the day as part of their daily prayers.
The sign of the cross is made by tracing the shape of the cross on one's body, typically from forehead to lower chest, then from shoulder to shoulder, and finally back to the heart. Lutherans may also trace a small cross on their foreheads. This practice is believed to be a powerful reminder of one's faith and salvation through Christ's work on Calvary.
While some Lutherans may have stopped making the sign of the cross due to anti-Catholic sentiments, particularly in mid-western mid-twentieth-century North American Lutheranism, it is still a widely practised tradition within Lutheranism. The sign of the cross is also made during worship services, such as at the beginning of the service during the invocation, after the Declaration of Grace, during the Creed, after receiving the Holy Eucharist, and upon receiving the closing benediction. Lutherans may also make the sign of the cross before meals, when praying, and when waking up or going to bed.
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Lutherans make the small sign of the cross on their forehead
Lutherans are free to make the sign of the cross or not as they see fit. There are no ceremonial laws for New Testament followers of God. Some Lutherans make the sign of the cross when they receive the Lord's Supper, while others do not.
The sign of the cross, whether traced over the body or on the forehead, is a sign and remembrance of baptism. The sign of the cross is used by the Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Episcopalians. It is also a remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sign of the cross is a treasured part of Lutheran heritage, as the practice was encouraged and used by Martin Luther himself. Luther instructed his followers to make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the day as part of their daily prayers.
The small sign of the cross has been documented in early Christianity, with Tertullian writing in AD 204 that Christians would "form on our foreheads the sign of the cross" when performing various daily actions. The small sign of the cross is made on the forehead during the rites of baptism and the anointing of the sick in Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. In the Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal traditions of Christianity, the small sign of the cross is often made on the forehead of the recipient during ordinations, anointing of the sick, and deliverance prayers.
In the Lutheran Churches, the lesser sign of the cross is made by the celebrant on the Gospel Book and on their forehead, lips, and breast when announcing the Gospel text. The faithful trace the lesser sign of the cross on their foreheads, lips, and hearts while praying, "May the Word of the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart".
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Lutherans make the large sign of the cross over their body
Lutherans are free to choose whether or not to make the sign of the cross. This is because there are no ceremonial laws for New Testament children of God. Some Lutherans make the sign of the cross when they receive the Lord's Supper, while others do not. This practice is considered a treasured part of Lutheran heritage as it was encouraged and used by Martin Luther himself. Luther instructed his followers to make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the day as a part of their daily prayers.
The sign of the cross, whether traced over the body or on the forehead, is a sign and remembrance of baptism. It is also a remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The direction of the movement varies among different Christian denominations. Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans make the motion from left to right, while Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move from right to left.
The large sign of the cross is made by tracing an upright cross or Greek cross across the body with the right hand. This is often accompanied by the spoken or mental recitation of the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The movement echoes the traditional shape of the cross of the crucifixion of Jesus.
In the Lutheran Churches, the lesser sign of the cross is made by the celebrant on the Gospel Book and on their forehead, lips, and breast when announcing the Gospel text. The faithful also trace the lesser sign of the cross on their foreheads, lips, and hearts while praying, "May the Word of the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lutherans do cross themselves like Catholics. The sign of the cross is a sign and remembrance of baptism and is used by both Lutherans and Catholics. However, the direction of the cross differs between Western Catholics and Lutherans, who move their hands from left to right, and Eastern Catholics, who move their hands from right to left.
Lutherans make the sign of the cross by tracing a small cross on their foreheads with their thumb, sometimes using holy water or anointing oil. They also make the large sign of the cross by tracing an upright cross across their body with their right hand, often accompanied by the spoken or mental recitation of the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Lutherans cross themselves as a reminder that they are redeemed children of God, enjoying salvation only because of God's forgiving love and not because of their own actions. The sign of the cross is also a remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, who died for the sins of all Christians.
