The Sign of the Cross - How and When September 2001 Issue

There is a deep meaning for Orthodox when they make the sign of the Cross. It is made in the following way: The two index fingers and the thumb of the right hand are joined together at the tips to show that we believe in God the Father Who loves us, God the Son Who saves us, and God the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. The three fingers are joined together to show that we believe not in three gods but in one. The remaining two fingers stand for the two natures of God. That is He is both God and man at the same time. These two fingers are brought down into the palm of the hand to show that "Jesus came down from heaven" for our salvation. The act of making the sign of the Cross on ourselves reminds us that of the price Jesus paid to save us and it is also the greatest expression of the commandment "You shall love the Lord God with all your mind, heart, soul, and strength." For when we touch our forehead, we are in effect saying, "I love You, Lord, with all of my mind." When we touch our shoulders, we are in effect saying, "I love You Lord, with all of my strength." When we touch our chest, we are saying, "I love you Lord, with all my heart and soul." When we pray to God, we do so with our mind and heart. When we make the sign of the Cross, we are praying with our body. In this way, our whole person, body, mind, and heart prays to God. Orthodox Christians pray in the name of the Holy Trinity. When we make the sign of the Cross upon ourselves we say: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Amen. When should we make the sign of the Cross? When we enter and leave the Church. When the words: "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" are heard. When the priest blesses you with the chalice or the Cross. Before and after the Gospel reading and when venerating the Cross or an Icon. At the beginning, during and at the end of a prayer. We should also make the sign of the Cross at eventful times of our lives; when we are in danger, sorrow, fear, in joy, and so forth. We make it carefully and slowly. We do not make the sign of the Cross when the priest blesses us with his hand  we just bow. We should not make the sign of the Cross when we are receiving Holy Communion. The movement of our hand may hit the chalice or the spoon the priest is holding. It is correct to walk away a distance and to face the altar after we have received Holy Communion and have sipped the communion wine and bread and then make the sign of the Cross.