What about the Sign of the Cross? How do I form it and why do I sometimes feel embarrassed to make it upon myself and others?

The sign of the Cross is the chief blessing given to us by the Lord Himself. In the Gospel according to Luke, the evangelist relates to us that when Jesus was to ascend into the heavens to glorify human nature and to set His seal on His victory over death through the Cross and the Empty Tomb, Jesus "raised His hands

and blessed them" (Lk 24:50). This is the origin of the sign of the Cross.

So: first and foremost, when the bishop or priest signs us with the Cross with his hands (the bishop uses two) or hand (the priest uses the right hand only), we receive this blessing with humble gratitude by simply bowing our head. We do not also sign ourselves in this case.

But, as we all know, we can and ought to make the sign of the cross upon ourselves and our household members often! This is a most powerful and wonderful act of prayer. We often think of prayer as being something we do only with our lips and thoughts. But as human beings we are more than that! So, the physical act of conjoining the fingers of our right hand in the Orthodox manner (see further) and touching them to our forehead, our navel, our right shoulder and then our left shoulder traces a Cross upon us. We physically act out what our heart desires: that we be "crucified with Christ in order that we be raised with Him."

You will see the bishop or priest form his fingers into the actual shape of the four letters of the monogram of the name of our Lord when he blesses others: ICXC, which are actually the first and last letters of His name and title, IesuC XristoC. Maybe by writing it this way, you can see the shape in the priest's hand. All others, deacons and laity, when they bless their family members at home, etc., simply form their fingers together in the way all do when they bless themselves: the thumb, index, and long finger touch in a triple point (showing the divine Trinity) while the ring finger and pinkie are cupped into the palm of the hand (showing the Two Natures of Christ.

One can see a good example of a careful, pious, and prayerful sign of the cross being made in the movie, Ostrov. All signs of the Cross should be made fully and not too hastily and sloppily--our care in physical prayer is no different than that of mental prayer; let us be attentive to what we are doing. Let us do what we mean, and mean what we do! Also, the sign of the cross should be performed modestly. No big displays! In public places, one can modestly sign himself with the cross before eating without calling attention to himself. We Christians must be careful in our prayers not to do them "to be seen by men" (Matthew 23)--this is a sign of spiritual pride. Instead, let us pray with freedom and humility mixed together. However, if we are afraid of people and in response to that, when in close quarters at school, at work, or in certain other environments, we ought not to be embarrassed by the Cross. This is the sign of our redemption. The day will come when "they shall see the sign of the Son of Man in the sky" (Matthew 24:30) and the End will be at hand! Can you guess what the "sign of the Son of Man" is?

"If anyone is ashamed of Me, then I will be ashamed of him when I come again in glory."

Make the sign of the Cross when you awake and sit at the side of your bed. Make the sign when you say your morning prayers, over your breakfast, (dads and moms) on your children before they go to school, (husbands) upon your wife's head, children upon each other before you go to class, when any of you face temptations, before you drive anywhere, during your drive when danger looms, as you pass any Orthodox parish church or monastery, at home when resting, over your bed and pillow before sleeping, in the night when unclean, ungodly or evil thoughts assail you.

At ALL times fortify yourselves with this powerful weapon of our spiritual armory. "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered by the Sign of the Cross".

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