Sign of the cross

The sign of the cross is a physical gesture made by Catholic and Orthodox Christians, and sometimes also Protestants. It is usually done at the start and end of prayers.

Jesus Christ making the Sign of the Cross

In the Catholic tradition, the right hand goes from the forehead, to the chest, and then to the left and right shoulders (the order of shoulders does not matter). This is sometimes done while saying "Father, Son, Holy Spirit."^[1][2]

Where the fingers are when signing the cross in the Orthodox tradition

In the Orthodox tradition, the tips of the thumb and the middle and index fingers are put together, and the ring finger and little finger are put against the palm. The first three fingers are for faith in the Trinity, and the other two fingers are for the two natures of Jesus, divine and human.^[3]

Other websites

• Why Do Lutherans Make the Sign of the Cross? - from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website
• The Power of the Sign of the Cross Archived 2006-12-31 at the Wayback Machine - (Ukrainian church)
• The Sign of the Cross - a Catholic perspective
• Significance of the Sign of the Cross Archived 2009-04-06 at the Wayback Machine