Joshua Bennett
The Sign of the Cross is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The basic sign of the cross involves touching your fingers to your forehead, then your chest or stomach, followed by your left (or right) shoulder, and finally the opposite shoulder. This movement traces the shape of a cross in the air or on one's own body, echoing the traditional shape of the cross of the crucifixion of Jesus. The gesture represents the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and is used to express faith, blessing, or prayer.
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What You'll Learn
The correct way to cross yourself
Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The Sign of the Cross is a profoundly symbolic gesture used in Christianity, made by tracing a cross shape with the hand on the forehead, chest, and shoulders. The gesture represents the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and expresses faith, blessing, or prayer.
The basic sign of the cross involves touching your fingers to your forehead, then your chest or stomach, followed by your left (or right) shoulder, and finally the opposite shoulder. The "correct" way to cross yourself is to follow what the rest of the congregation is doing when you're at a religious service. The only truly "wrong" way to cross yourself is to do it without reverence for the act.
Roman Catholics make the sign of the cross in the following order: The right hand moves from top (forehead) to bottom (chest or stomach) and then from left (left shoulder) to right (right shoulder). As you do this, you can say, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Eastern Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox, reverse the order, touching their right shoulder first, then their left. They also join the first three fingers (the thumb, index, and middle fingers) and press the last two fingers (the ring and pinky fingers) against their palm. This represents the two natures of Jesus, divine and human.
The direction of the sign of the cross has been a matter of debate, with some arguing for left to right, and others for right to left. The Eastern Orthodox Church and some Syriac Christians move from right to left, while Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans move from left to right.
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The meaning of the sign of the cross
The sign of the cross is a powerful symbol of faith and one of the most common actions that Catholics do. It is used to begin and end prayers and ceremonies, as well as to ask for God's blessing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church recommends the use of the sign of the cross as a sacramental, which sanctifies daily life.
The sign of the cross is made by touching the fingers to the forehead, then the chest or stomach, followed by the left shoulder, and finally the right shoulder, or vice versa. This movement traces the shape of a cross in the air or on one's body, echoing the traditional shape of the cross of the crucifixion of Jesus. The forehead symbolizes Heaven, the solar plexus or top of the stomach symbolizes the earth, and the shoulders symbolize the place and sign of power.
The sign of the cross is often accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The three fingers used to make the sign represent the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), while the remaining two fingers represent the two natures of Jesus, divine and human.
The small sign of the cross, made with the thumb or index finger, is used during rites of baptism, the anointing of the sick, and deliverance prayers in Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. It is also traced in holy water or anointing oil on objects such as one's bed before sleeping.
The large sign of the cross, made with the whole hand, is used by priests to bless a congregation during Mass or other liturgical celebrations. It is also used by parents to bless their children.
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The history of the sign of the cross
The sign of the cross is a ritual hand motion made by most Christians, usually accompanied by the words, "In/into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", taken from Matthew 28:19. The motion symbolizes the Cross of Calvary by tracing the shape of a cross in the air or on one's body.
The origins of the sign of the cross can be traced back to apostolic times, with early Christians making the sign at their Baptism. St. Basil (329–379), a fourth-century Father of the Church, said that the Apostles "taught us to mark with the sign of the cross those who put their hope in the Lord". St. Paul's letters to the Ephesians and the Galatians also allude to the sign being made on the body during baptism. The New Testament book of Revelation also describes how the righteous must have a seal placed on their foreheads to identify them as servants of God, providing a scriptural precedent for the ritual.
The early Church Fathers also provide countless examples of the use of the sign of the cross. Tertullian (160-240 AD) wrote about the use of the small sign of the cross in De Corona ('On Crowns'), stating that Christians would form the sign on their foreheads "in all our actions, when we come in or go out, when we dress, when we wash, at our meals, before retiring to sleep". St. John Chrysostom (347-407 AD) wrote about the purpose of the cross, stating that when one signs oneself, they should "quench anger, and all the other passions" and "fill thy forehead with all courage, [and] make thy soul free".
By the ninth century, Christians in the East were making the larger gesture with the thumb and two fingers displayed, symbolizing the Trinity, and with the ring and little fingers folded back, symbolizing Christ's two natures. In the middle of the eighth century, Byzantine emperor Leo IV decreed that all blessings should be made with a large right cross, moving from right to left. This proclamation was adapted to the gesture of signing oneself, establishing the large sign as the common practice in the East.
During the Reformation of the sixteenth century, some Christians repudiated the sign of the cross because they judged it to be superstitious. However, Martin Luther did not abandon the practice and recommended it in his Small Catechism. John Calvin also distanced himself from the practice, citing it as idolatrous.
Today, the sign of the cross is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The basic sign of the cross involves touching the fingers to the forehead, then the chest or stomach, followed by the left or right shoulder, and finally the opposite shoulder. The direction in which the sign is made varies, with the Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics moving from right to left, and Western Catholics and Western Lutherans moving from left to right.
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The Eastern vs. Western traditions
Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. It is used to begin and end prayers and ceremonies, as well as to ask God for blessings.
The Eastern Traditions
In Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutheran, and Byzantine Catholic (Eastern Catholic) churches, the tips of the first three fingers (the thumb, index, and middle fingers) are brought together, and the last two fingers (the ring and little fingers) are pressed against the palm. The first three fingers express faith in the Trinity, while the remaining two fingers represent the two natures of Jesus, divine and human.
The Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move their hands from right to left, which is considered the more ancient way. This direction was also used in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages.
The Western Traditions
Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans move their hands from left to right. In the Latin Rite and Protestant churches, the method is to touch the fingertips of the right hand to the forehead, saying, "In the name of the Father...", then touch the chest, saying, "...and of the Son...", followed by touching the front of the left shoulder, saying, "...and of the Holy...", and finally, the front of the right shoulder, saying, "...Spirit."
Other Variations
Oriental Orthodox churches typically make the sign from left to right, but sometimes use the Eastern hand shape or their own traditions, such as using one finger to symbolize Christ's one nature. This also applies to Eastern Catholic churches in the Alexandrian, Armenian, and Syrian Rites.
While the direction of the cross is often debated, Pope Innocent III stated that it does not matter which direction is used.
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The significance of the cross in Catholicism
The cross is a profoundly significant symbol in Catholicism, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the benefits of his Passion and death. The act of crossing oneself is a common practice for Catholics, and it is done to express their faith, embrace Christ's sacrifice, and seek blessing and prayer.
The physical act of crossing oneself involves touching the fingers to the forehead, chest or stomach, left shoulder, and then the right shoulder, often accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." This movement traces the shape of a cross, echoing the traditional form of the Crucifixion cross. The right hand is typically used, and the fingers are joined, with variations in which fingers are used depending on the specific Catholic tradition.
The sign of the cross is a way for Catholics to express their faith and devotion to Christ openly. It is a declaration of their belonging to Christ and their willingness to obey and accept his sacrifice. As Father Scott Bailey, a Catholic priest, explains, "The sign of the cross is a way of expressing that we belong to Christ, embracing his cross as our own. It can also be a form of prayer."
Additionally, the cross itself is a powerful symbol of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil. By signing the cross, Catholics recall the gospel of Jesus' triumph and the redeeming nature of his Crucifixion. This act serves as a constant reminder of their faith and salvation through Christ's sacrifice.
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