Origin of the sign of the cross

The sign of the cross is the most common of all catholic prayers. Now and for the first time, young greek scholar andreas andreopoulos explains the tremendous meaning, mystery, and history of this dramatic gesture shared by christians worldwide. The sign was originally placed upon the forehead with the thumb and later extended to the whole upper body. But the sign of the cross is an ancient tradition with deep theological meaning. However, we do know it was present prior to the great schism 1054 because of the writings of pope leo iv, who reposed in 855 a. What is the origin of the sign of the cross at the gospel. Praying the sign of the cross is so common that we often rush through it without thinking much about it. The words are so familiar and we say them so often that we owe it to ourselves to reflect on their deeper meaning. The ancient greek goddess diana is pictured with a cross over her head, in much the same way the virgin mary is represented by many medieval artists. He told us how the sign came about, what six meanings it has and why making it reverently can enhance ones life in christ. To say that such superstitious feeling for the sign of the cross, such worship as rome pays to a wooden or a metal cross, ever grew out of the saying of paul, god forbid that i should glory, save in the cross of our lord jesus christthat is, in the doctrine of christ crucifiedis a mere absurdity, a shallow subterfuge and pretence. The sign of the cross is used in several christian traditions, but it is most prominent in catholic and orthodox tradition.

Sign of the cross definition is a gesture of the hand forming a cross especially on forehead, breast, and shoulders to profess christian faith or invoke divine protection or blessing. The earliest formalized way of making the sign of the cross appeared about the 400s, during the monophysite heresy which denied the two natures in the divine. We begin and end our prayers with the sign of the cross. Drawing on the fascinating history of the sign of the cross, gehzzi reveals six dynamic truths of the spiritual life that god gives. Jerome says the mark was shaped like the last letter in the hebrew alphabet, which, in its earliest forms had a crosslike shape. The sign of the cross simply affirms in gestures the core of the creedthe existence of the trinity and the crucifixion of jesus. What are the history and significance of the sign of the. Historical evidence of the existence of crucifixion before the time of jesus christ. On an accompanying figure, that of ashurnasirpal, is a similar cross. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the church which prepares a person to receive grace and which sanctifies a moment or circumstance. The significance of the sign of the cross catholic philly. The sign of the cross is used throughout christian liturgies, in moments of need, in prayer, and on numerous other occasions. The sign of the cross is a traditional catholic gesture in which the finger moves from the tip of the forehead to the chest, than respectively to both shoulders, so the image of the crucifix is made in front of them.

Cyprian explained the ritual in the 3rd century by. The thumb laid across the forefinger forms an image of the cross. What then could anyone possibly find wrong with the sign of the cross. Other athletes may make the sign of the cross on various occasions as well. In ceremonial usage, making a sign of the cross may be, according to. Moreover it would seem that the custom, prevalent in spain and some other countries, according to which a man, after making the sign of the cross in the ordinary way, apparently kisses his thumb, has a similar origin.

The sign of the cross is probably the most often used prayer of christians and most likely the first prayer we learned as children. Bert ghezzi on the meaning behind the ancient gesture. Hence, the tau or t, in its most frequent form, with the cross piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the cross of christ p. It was revered throughout the pagan world long before the advent of christianity. The sign of the cross kindle edition by andreopoulos.

What do the greek words often translated as cross or crucify actually mean. Through the cross of jesus christ, we are given the grace to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Now, the multifaceted significance of the sign of the cross has been investigated and explained by bert ghezzi, author of sign of the cross. Bacchus, the greek god of wine, is often pictured wearing a headdress adorned with crosses. At the beginning of mass the celebrant makes the sign of the cross by.

Outside of church, it is done on hearing something blasphemous or religiously. It is said before and after all other prayers and should not be rushed or. Describing the deception about the cross and revealing what the sign of jesus is. The exact point of origin for the threefingered sign of the cross remains a mystery. The tau already had a history in the church as having significance as a symbol of victory known as a tropaion. The cross you see on the steeple of a neighborhood church, on its altar and as pendants around the necks of many of your neighbors is actually a pagan religious symbol.

These gestures are prescribed in the general instruction of the roman missal, and accordingly should be practiced by all the faithful. The sign of the cross began at calvary when christ first made it by hanging on the cross. Each of them also has a strong tradition in the celebration of mass. The sign of the cross was originally made in some parts of the christian world with the righthand thumb across the forehead. The early christians often traced a small cross on their foreheads, and it was for them, as it is for us today, a sign of faith. Sign of the cross, a gesture of ancient christian origin by which people bless themselves, others, or objects. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the church which prepares a person to receive grace and which sanctifies a moment. Origin of the cross is it really a christian symbol sign. The symbol of the cross was not only seen in the writings of the past, but also in the worship life of the church at the time. Cross, the principal symbol of the christian religion, recalling the crucifixion of jesus christ and the redeeming benefits of his passion and death. Why has the origin of the cross led jehovahs witnesses to avoid using it as a symbol of worship. There is nothing superstitious or rote about making the sign of the cross. Like all prayers, the sign of the cross should be said with reverence.

In all our travels and movements in all our coming in and going out, in putting of our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in. For example, in the british museum is a statue of the assyrian king samsivul, son of shalmaneser. Part 1 we see it on television all the timecatholic soccer players make the sign of the cross when they score or even when they enter the field. History shows that the cross was used centuries before christ. By so doing, christians invite the mystery of the cross into their everyday lives. Basil the great tells us that the apostles themselves taught the sign of the cross. How and why catholics make the sign of the cross learn religions. The cross is loved and respected by millions of people. Significance of the sign of the cross featured today. What is the origin of the sign of the cross at the gospel, bowing at the creed, and shaking hands for the sign of peace. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit. Yet most protestants reject the idea of placing the sign of the cross upon themselves. Different types of crosses were used in mexico centuries before the. Iron maiden sign of the cross lyrics genius lyrics.

For catholics, the sign of the cross does not need to be explicitly recorded in the scriptures in order to justify its use. Around his neck is an almost perfect maltese cross. The sign of the cross is a marker of belief in the triune god. Despite its simplicity, the sign of the cross is an ancient prayer rich in meaning. The bible mentions the cross many times, in both literal and figurative terms, as symbolizing the meaning of true christianity as well as the sacrifices and trials that a true christian must endure in this life to be true to the faith. Recovering the power of the ancient prayer loyola press. Learn more about the sign of the cross in western and eastern traditions. This rejection fails to recognize that the sign of the cross is an ancient and scriptural help to christians. This is shown by the fact that the earliest mentions of the sign of the cross speak of it as an already established custom and simply encourage the faithful to make it correctly. In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system, pagans were received into the churchesand were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Origin of the cross why true christians do not use the.

Sign of the cross definition, a movement of the hand to indicate a cross, as from forehead to breast and left shoulder to right or, in the eastern orthodox church, from right shoulder to left. Because the sign of the cross has been so associated with this trinitarian formula, when we sign ourselves, we are also marking ourselves as orthodox christians who worship and love the triune god. Sign of the cross definition of sign of the cross by. References to it appear in writings dating back to 240 ad, and it is believed that it was in use during the earliest days of. The history of the sign of the cross goes back as far as tertullian, the early church. Dear friends, in the syro malabar church there are actually two quasi three methods of making the sign of the cross, i recently saw a syro malabar friend post about this topic on another forum and thought id share. The cross destroyed death and hell, and through it, jesus redeemed the world. Sign of the cross definition of sign of the cross at. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the church which prepares a person to receive grace.

Introduction to the history of christian denominations. The sign of the cross is a beautiful gesture which reminds the faithful of the cross of salvation while invoking the holy trinity. The sign of the cross brings forth an opening to god, renewal of baptism, mark of discipleship, acceptance of suffering, defense agains the devil, and victory over selfindulgence. From the earliest times christians have made the sign of the cross. Since we make the sign of the cross before and after all of our prayers, many catholics dont realize that the sign of the cross is not simply an action but a prayer in itself. The sign of the cross was originally made in some parts of the christian world with the righthand thumb across the. The sign of the cross is a form of catholic blessing whereby a person traces a symbolic cross on their body, or in the air in commemoration of the crucifixion of christ. A simple upright post with a transverse bar used crucifixion. By make the sign of the cross, we acknowledge that he has redeemed us, and that through baptism we have become the children of god.

Eleven saintly shrouded men silhouettes stand against the sky one in front with a cross held high come to wash my sins away standing alone in the wind and rain. The sign of the cross is literally a tracing of the cross of christ onto the body. The practice of tracing the sign of the cross is most prominent in the roman catholic church but is also practiced in the eastern orthodox, coptic, lutheran, anglican, and episcopalian churches. I remember making the solemn sign of the cross many times in my youth growing up, i dont see it used as often now a days. Explain origin of the cross and if it is really a christian symbol or sign. The sign of the cross is a beautiful gesture which reminds the faithful of both the cross of salvation while invoking the holy trinity. Nevertheless, true christians do not use the cross in worship. The cross is of pagan origin watchtower online library. The sign of the cross is a fundamental sign of the catholic faith, one of the first learned by a child and one of the last made before death. He told us how the sign came about, what six meanings it has and why making it.