George Instagram 3 days ago

The Logic Behind Making the Sign of the Cross: Three for the Trinity, Once for a Blessing

The speaker explains the traditional Orthodox practice governing how many times the faithful make the sign of the cross. Although no strict written rule exists, a consistent logic shapes the custom: three crosses are made when honoring the Holy Trinity, and one cross is made when receiving a blessing. Three crosses accompany entering or leaving the church with a small bow, kissing an icon (twice before, once after), and during trisagion prayers such as "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal" or the triple "Alleluia."

A single cross is made upon hearing the Trinitarian invocation "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," when the priest blesses with the cross or Gospel, and before daily activities such as eating, sleeping, leaving the house, or beginning an important task. No cross is made directly before the chalice during communion to avoid striking the holy gifts.

The speaker notes that many Orthodox Christians mistakenly cross themselves three times when once is appropriate, or once when three are called for, and some even cross themselves in front of the chalice. He advises following the custom of one's parish, because the essential point is that every cross is made with the heart.

Key moments

Most Orthodox Christians make the sign of the cross the wrong number of times, crossing three times when once is enough and once when it should be three.
Some even cross themselves right in front of the chalice, which is incorrect.
There is no strict written rule, but a beautiful logic governs the practice: three times for honoring the Holy Trinity, once for a blessing.
Three crosses are made when entering or leaving the church with a small bow, when kissing an icon (twice before, once after), and during services whenever a prayer comes in threes such as "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal" or "Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia."
One cross is made when hearing "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," when the priest blesses with the cross or Gospel, before eating, before sleeping, before leaving the house, or before starting something important.
No cross is made at all right in front of the chalice when receiving communion so as not to hit the holy gifts.
The simple way to remember is three for the Holy Trinity and once for a blessing.
If a parish does it differently, follow the parish, because what matters most is that every cross is made with the heart.

19 opinions in the discussion 17 participants, 10 replies to each other The opinion with the most support I'm new to Liturgy and I've been doing it wrong this whole time. There really isn't an instruction manual for newcomers. But nobody shames me for it. Read the discussion

53 comments at the source Original on Instagram

Discussion · 19

Opinions are anonymous retellings of real comments from the original discussion. The same colour marks the same participant.

opinion#3431 99 likes at the source
I'm new to Liturgy and I've been doing it wrong this whole time. There really isn't an instruction manual for newcomers. But nobody shames me for it.
- opinion#3432 13 likes at the source
  
  That's right. Also, like George said, every parish does things a little differently, so just follow other people for a while and you'll get used to it. God bless
- opinion#3433 7 likes at the source
  
  Thank you for your loving response and God bless you as well! Fr Mark told me to just follow along as best I can and that God cares about my heart, not my hands. The Orthodox community has been so loving and such a blessing to me so far. It's only been one month. Glory to God.
- opinion#3434 5 likes at the source
  
  There's nothing false in this from the dogmatic side. Do as you feel and when you feel.
- opinion#3435 7 likes at the source
  
  I got great advice from a friend when I first started going: find the oldest lady in the church and just copy her.
- opinion#3436 1 likes at the source
  
  It's a good thing they don't correct you, it shows they aren't watching others to judge. Once you've got some experience attending, it will all come naturally. So happy to hear you're attending, keep going brother
- opinion#3437 1 likes at the source
  
  That's how I knew when sitting down was OK, because that 90 year old lady stood most of the time.
- opinion#3438
  
  ❤️❤️ it was a God thing. Totally. Im going alone and nobody in my family is Orthodox. I typically don't do things like that…so far outside of my "zone"…I can't take any credit. He inspired me, He gave me the courage, and He continues to give me the ability, physically and otherwise to attend. Feels like I'm home. Finally.
opinion#3429 46 likes at the source
Can we make the cross over our children?
- opinion#3439 10 likes at the source
  
  yes ! I do it even outside my teens bedroom when the sleep
opinion#3425 32 likes at the source
Don't make the sign of the cross when you're already receiving a blessing from the priest, or when being censed, which is basically the same thing.
- opinion#3440 1 likes at the source
  
  … also not when the psalter is being read. Everyone is to remain still and prayerful.
opinion#3427 23 likes at the source

There's also the saying of Saint Paisios of Mt Athos: make the sign of the cross three times in front of a hospital, after you pray for the sick inside it; then after you pray for those caring for them, the doctors and nurses; and last after thanking God that you're not inside the hospital yourself but are well.
opinion#3430 15 likes at the source
I don't cross myself in front of the chalice, but I do when I'm behind the person in front of me right before receiving communion. And right after I receive, I step back so I don't hit the chalice and cross myself again.
- opinion#3441 1 likes at the source
  
  that's exactly what I do just before the person in front of me is receiving communion and about to walk away, then it is when I cross myself and again after receiving communion I step out of the way and do my cross.
opinion#3423 13 likes at the source

What matters most, and what we should put above everything else, is making the sign of the Cross correctly and with reverence. One time done properly beats a hundred done carelessly. "When someone makes the sign of the Cross quickly, crookedly, without attention, the devil laughs. When it is made slowly and reverently, the devil trembles." - St Paisios. "The Cross is not a gesture. It is a confession. Whoever makes it without attention confesses nothing and gains nothing." - St Nikodemos. "Christians who believe in Christ make the sign of the cross upon themselves, not casually and disrespectfully, but with full attention, care, fear, and trembling and all devout respect ... For according to the respect each person shows to the Cross, so he receives corresponding strength and help from God." - Symeon the New Theologian. "When the Cross is made carelessly, it becomes empty. But when it is made with faith, it drives away demons and fills the soul with strength." - St Ephraim the Syrian. "Many cross themselves, but few do so with attention. And because of this, they receive no benefit. The sign of the Cross, when made hastily and without reverence, is no more than a useless movement of the hand." - St Theophan the Recluse
opinion#3428 10 likes at the source

Being Byzantine, the sign of the cross was in threes. Before Communion, I cross myself when the person in front of me is receiving.
opinion#3426 3 likes at the source

I never heard this. I'm Roman Catholic and I still keep the old practice of beating my chest three times during the consecration: sorrow, humility, and taking personal responsibility for sin. My dad taught me that over 60 years ago. I don't see anyone doing it anymore.
opinion#3424

I'm a catechumen and yesterday my subdeacon told me we're not supposed to cross ourselves (I think) during the first part of Orthros while the penitent psalms are being read. That was news to me, because I see even the oldest members of the church crossing themselves then.