The Sign of the Cross: A Neglected Weapon of Prayer

Ancient Faith Ministries ^ | May 5, 2021 | Lynette Horner

[Carpe Cerevisi]

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

I hope your Paschal season is joyous and that you are celebrating with the consumption of “fleshmeats,” as some of the old service books say. In our house, barbecue is definitely on the menu within 48 hours of the midnight Pascha service.

As we reflect on Christ’s victory over death, it’s a good season to think about the Cross in our daily lives, and especially about using the sign of the cross.

I’ve seen this distinctive gesture repeated on television and in movies through the years, but rarely in real life. The characters, male and female, young and old, and often in period costumes, hurriedly tap themselves—forehead, sternum, left shoulder, right shoulder—during moments of fear or confusion. The presence of a dead body is often involved.

These people who cross themselves are often portrayed as ignorant, possibly uneducated, and definitely superstitious. With an occasional exception, such as the brilliant detective in Murdoch Mysteries whose Catholicism seems otherwise irrelevant to his everyday life, they are usually secondary characters—not the heroes, and certainly not people to emulate.

The sign of the cross in these shows is a sign of desperation. It has nothing to do with genuine, vibrant faith among people with working brains who make sincere efforts to live godly lives.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

An interesting read concerning a tradition that is considered "quaint" and "exotic" by much of the culture.

[fidelis]

Beautiful article, thanks for sharing.

I am never shy about crossing myself in public when I pray, including at restaurants. I’ve never got a negative comment about it. In fact, when our children were small, people would come over to our table and tell us how beautiful they thought it was.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

You’re very welcome. Oh, and I love your tagline.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Good article.

[servantboy777]

I am a Christian that worships in the Anglican (conservative) tradition. Crossing myself before worship or prayer is very natural to me.

Anointing with oil, blessing with holy water, Anglican prayer with my rosary are very worshipful for me.

I love the Anglican/Anglo-catholic tradition in that it awakens all ones senses. Smells, sight, sounds, worship.

Colors, fragrances, chanted liturgy helps put me in a state where I can meditate on those things holy and good. Praising the Lamb of God, The Father and His love, the Holy Spirit that dwells within me.

Love it, love it, love it.

[fidelis]

Thanks!

[Marchmain]

When passing a Catholic church, make sign of cross and say the following prayer:

“May the sacred heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and glorified with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time.”

[Albion Wilde]

Ping!

[lightman]

Preventing signing the cross is one of the reasons for 19th and 20th century Protestantism’s invention of joining hands and closing eyes while praying.

Eye-closing is to prevent the contemplation of the Holy Icons!

From guarding oneself with the sign of the cross to guarding against one signing the cross...regress, not progress!