Making the sign of the cross is a common practice in the liturgy of the Christian church, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The sign of the cross is used when starting and closing prayers, in religious ceremonies, or when someone asks God to bless him. Christians usually make the sign of the cross when they hear the words "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit".
Step
Method 1 of 2: Western Tradition
Step 1. Learn how to make the sign of the cross in Latin Rite churches and Protestant churches
The following methods are used in the Western Catholic church and certain traditions in the Protestant church, for example: the Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Step 2. Raise your right hand
Many people make the sign of the cross with their palms open. The five fingers reminded them of the five wounds on Jesus' body. Alternatively, straighten the index and middle fingers as a symbol of the union between Jesus and humans. Meanwhile, bring the tips of your thumb and ring finger together.
You may make the sign of the cross with the other hand as there are no specific rules, but it would be best if you followed the procedures in the church where you used to worship, unless you benefited spiritually by doing something else
Step 3. Touch the fingertips of the right hand to the forehead
The sign of the cross may be used on various occasions during private prayer and worship in church. When making the sign of the cross, begin by saying: “In the name of the Father…”.
In Latin: “In nomine Patris…”
Step 4. Touch the fingers of the right hand to the center of the chest
Lower your right hand to your chest and touch your sternum while saying "and Son…". Many people place their left palm on their chest when making the sign of the cross. Touch the fingers of the right hand to the center of the chest slightly above the palm of the left hand.
In Latin: “et Filii…”
Step 5. Touch the finger of the right hand to the left shoulder while saying “and Spirit
..”.
In Latin: “et Spiritus…”
Step 6. Touch the fingers of your right hand to your right shoulder in the same position you touched your left shoulder while saying “…Holy”
In Latin: “…Sancti”
Step 7. Say:
"Amen". You can put your palms together.
In various Latin countries, many people make small crosses with their thumbs and kiss them before saying "amen". In the Philippines, the sign of the cross has evolved into the touch of the thumb to the chin
Step 8. Learn how to make the sign of the little cross
Many Christians make the sign of the cross on the forehead using the thumb and forefinger. Today, Roman Catholics make the sign of the small cross with their thumbs before hearing the Gospel reading at mass. Make the sign of a small cross on the forehead, lips, and chest.
The sign of the small cross can be interpreted in various ways. One of them is to ask for God's blessing so that you are ready to listen to the gospel with an open mind, proclaim it verbally, and keep it in your heart
Step 9. Bless yourself as you enter the church
If you worship in a Latin Rite church, there is a tradition to bless yourself before entering the church. Dip the fingertips of the right hand into the holy water and make the sign of the cross. You can make the sign of the cross large or small.
Catholics usually make the sign of the cross when entering the church and after receiving Communion
Method 2 of 2: Eastern Tradition
Step 1. Bring the tips of your thumb, index finger, and middle finger together
Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics usually make the sign of the cross with three fingers as a symbol of the holy Triune God. Bend your ring finger and little finger so that they touch your palm. The two fingers represent Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully human. This method is estimated to have been used in the 400s.
Step 2. Lower your right hand from your forehead to your stomach
After touching the fingers of the right hand to the forehead, touch the upper abdomen (solar plexus). In the tradition of the Western Orthodox Catholic church, many people touch the chest, but this will form the best cross with a shorter section at the bottom. (According to tradition, the sign of the inverted cross symbolizes humility, but this is a common practice for those who reject Jesus.)
Lower your right hand until it touches the floor. This method is commonly used during the fasting period before Easter or when facing severe trials
Step 3. Touch the fingertips of your right hand to your right shoulder and then to your left shoulder
In contrast to the tradition of the Latin church, the Eastern Orthodox Catholic church starts from the right shoulder and ends at the left shoulder. This tradition began centuries ago and was spread by the Western church.
Step 4. Say a prayer to bless yourself
There are many prayers you can say when making the sign of the cross. The slash in the following two examples of prayer is a sign to change the position of the hand:
- "God the Father / Jesus Christ / Son of God / forgive us."
- “God the Father is my hope. / God the Son is my salvation. / The Holy Spirit is my protector. / Glory to the holy Triune God.”
Tips
- Words or prayers when making the sign of the cross may be said aloud or silently according to the situation.
- The Eastern Orthodox Church usually makes the sign of the cross from left to right as in the Western tradition, but sometimes they do it according to their own traditions (one finger represents Jesus as God, the other represents Jesus as man). This method applies to the Alexandrian, Armenian, and Syrian Rite Catholic churches.
