Orthodox - why do you make the cross sign after each prayer?

Question

i know it goes, forehead, chest, right shoulder, left shoulder...

what does it mean, why do you do it?

Answer 1

Before I explain the meaning of the sign of the Cross I need to mention that it is NOT made from the forehead to the chest. It is made from the forehead to the center of the abdomen. Roman Catholics trace from their heads to their chests, creating an upside down cross, which is blasphemy.

But to the main points-

In the Orthodox Church we understand that symbols and images of things and persons in a spiritual way make those things or persons present to us in the here and now. With this understanding we can see how important the sign of the cross is, as it carries all of the spiritual attributes of the actual cross on which our Lord was crucified. As the first cross was holy, was the weapon and tool by which God defeated the devil, sin and death, was the way in which man was reconciled to God so to does each and every sign (and icon) of the cross made with faith carry these meanings.

The sign of the cross is our symbol of victory which we use to bring (ask) God's blessing upon us. In this way it is a confirmation of spoken prayers(kind of like a non-verbal "Amin") or even a prayer unto itself.


Many Orthodox pray this prayer nightly before an icon of the Holy Cross:
"Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; and as wax melts from the presence of fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on thee, Who went down to hell and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His venerable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with our holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God, and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen. "

Answer 2

This action is the "sign of the cross" in which we reaffirm our belief in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The words said either out loud or in silence are "(Touching the forehead where the mind is located) In the name of the Father, (thouching the chest where the heart is), the Son, (touching the left shoulder which carries our personal cross in life) and the Holy (touching the left shoulder) Spirit, Amen.

This jesture usually preceeds and finished a prayer to signify our belief in the Trinity and to signify in whose name we pray.

Answer 3

To remind us that the Son of God died on a cross for all men. Before Calvary it was a sign of disgrace. Christ made it a thing of glory and power.
To me one do not have to cross your forehead,
chest or shoulders to know who is Christ.
How can we not know?
I'm sure He knows what is in our hearts.

Answer 4

a. To remind us of the Blessed Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Ghost. We repeat their names.

b. To remind us that the Son of God died on a cross for all men. Before Calvary it was a sign of disgrace. Christ made it a thing of glory and power.

c. To stir up our faith. It recalls that God is one and God is three; it recalls that the Second Person of the Trinity died for all men; it professes our faith; it identifies the Catholic. That is why the family of our story felt so secure, so much safer, as soon as they saw those American soldiers make the sacred sign.

d. To strengthen our hope. By making this sacred sign we express the hope that through the cross all blessings will come to us.

e. To kindle and feed our charity. Making this sign recalls the limitless love of Him who died upon the cross. We determine to return love for love.

Answer 5

The words to this additinal prayer are: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We add this to our prayers quite often to remind us of the Holy Trinity to whom we pray and for whom we live our lives.

Answer 6

you usually say the father, son and holy spirt. For Orthodox Catholics ( Albania church) they usually do this " sign of the cross" three time, its just a tradition i guess.

Answer 7

It's definitely a man-made tradition.

Answer 8

Well I am orthodox..basically it is done because we want to give thanks to the lord..a representation of respect and admiration and acknowledgment.

Answer 9

if you watch it closely it is an upside down cross.