In religion , a blessing (also used to refer to bestowing of such) is the impartation of something with grace , holiness , spiritual redemption , or divine will .
75-618: A blessing is a type of religious pronouncement. Blessing or Blessings may also refer to: Blessing The modern English language term bless likely derives from the 1225 term blessen , which developed from the Old English blǣdsian (preserved in the Northumbrian dialect around 950 AD). The term also appears in other forms, such as blēdsian (before 830), blētsian from around 725 and blesian from around 1000, all meaning to make sacred or holy by
150-410: A patriarchal blessing , as guidance. In the U.S., there are sometimes ritual ceremonies to bless companion animals. In Hawaii anything new (a new building, a new stretch of road to be opened, a new garden) receives a blessing by a Hawaiian practitioner (or Kahuna ) in a public ceremony (involving also the unwinding of e.g. a maile lei ). In Spanish , there is a blessing which can be used as
225-720: A cross in the air or on one's own body, echoing the traditional shape of the cross of the crucifixion of Jesus . Where this is done with fingers joined, there are two principal forms: one—three fingers (to represent the Trinity), right to left—is exclusively used by the Eastern Orthodox Church , the Church of the East , Eastern Lutheran Churches and the Eastern Catholic Churches in
300-598: A sacrificial custom in the Anglo-Saxon pagan period, originating in Germanic paganism ; to mark with blood. Due to this, the term is related to the term blōd , meaning ' blood '. References to this indigenous practice, Blót , exist in related Icelandic sources. The modern meaning of the term may have been influenced in translations of the Bible into Old English during the process of Christianization to translate
375-653: A sign of the cross (+) before their signatures. The sign of the cross can be found in the Methodist liturgy of the United Methodist Church . John Wesley , the principal leader of the early Methodists, in a 1784 revision of The Book of Common Prayer for Methodist use called The Sunday Service of the Methodists in North America , instructed the presiding minister to make the sign of
450-644: A specific class of Jews; but it does mandate specific blessings to specific occasions, so that, for example since medieval times, Jewish women chiefly recite a rabbinic blessing after lighting two Shabbat candles . Blessings and curses of Christ appear in the New Testament , as recounted in the Beatitudes of Luke 6:20-22. Within Roman Catholicism , Eastern Orthodoxy , Anglicanism , Lutheranism , and similar traditions, formal blessings of
525-532: A tender farewell , especially from a parent: Vaya con Dios ('Go with God'), also Adiós ( A Dios , 'to God'), similar to the French Adieu . In the Kyrgyz people 's tradition, the blessing ( bata or ak bata , 'the right blessing' or 'white blessing') might be a good wish to somebody by the oldest person or the person with the best reputation before the travel or launch of some activity of
600-568: Is a ritual that is performed when one purchases a new vehicle. In Mangala Sutta , Lord Buddha describes 'blessings' that are wholesome personal pursuits or attainments, identified in a progressive manner from the mundane to the ultimate spiritual goal. Blessings in Buddhism , certain ceremonies are meant to provide blessings. Blessing is also a term used for marriage in the Unification Church , see: Blessing Ceremony of
675-607: Is also used at times during the Benediction, the minister will make the sign of the cross out toward the congregation while invoking the Trinity. It is common practice in the Armenian Apostolic Church to make the sign of the cross when entering or passing a church, during the start of service and at many times during Divine Liturgy . The motion is performed by joining the first three fingers, to symbolize
750-523: Is an attribute of the pious, and not having fear from such even though one is constantly misbehaving is an attribute of the impious. Blessings can be a source of success in the afterlife if one is grateful to Allah for them and the same blessings can be a source for damnation in afterlife if a person is not constantly grateful to God for them. Islam has no clerical caste, and therefore no blessings reserved to specific individuals. Muslims will frequently pronounce "peace and blessings be upon him" when mentioning
825-544: Is available for us to use as United Methodists more abundantly now than ever in our history. And more and more United Methodists are expanding its use beyond those suggested in our official ritual." In some Reformed churches , such as the Church of Scotland and Presbyterian Church (USA) , the sign of the cross is used on the foreheads during baptism and the Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant. It
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#1732764763784900-621: Is customary to form a cross with the index finger and thumb and then to kiss one's thumb at the conclusion of the gesture. Cyril of Jerusalem (315–386) wrote in his book about the Smaller Sign of the Cross : Many have been crucified throughout the world, but by none of these are the devils scared; but when they see even the Sign of the Cross of Christ, who was crucified for us, they shudder. For those men died for their own sins, but Christ for
975-741: Is expected before the morning and evening prayers. The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) states that "The sign of the cross may be made at the Trinitarian Invocation and at the words of the Nicene Creed 'and the life of the world to come. ' " In the present-day, the sign of the cross is customary throughout the Divine Service . Rubrics in contemporary Lutheran worship manuals, including Evangelical Lutheran Worship of
1050-420: Is most commonly used for "visions of the divine," e.g., of a god or a very holy person or artifact. One could "receive darshana " of the deity in the temple, or from a great saintly person, such as a great guru . The touching of the feet ( pranāma ) is a show of respect and it is often an integral part of darshan . Children touch the feet of their family elders while people of all ages will bend to touch
1125-492: Is referred to as a "blessing". The blessing may be bestowed by a bishop or priest, or by one's own spiritual father . When an Orthodox layperson bestows a blessing, he or she will hold the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand together (the same configuration used when making the Sign of the Cross on themselves), and make the sign of the cross over the person or object they are blessing. In Protestant liturgies such as those of Reformed churches or Evangelical churches ,
1200-513: Is without price, for the sake of the poor; without toil, for the sick; since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of devils: for He triumphed over them in it, having made a show of them openly Colossians 2:15; for when they see the Cross they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, who bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of
1275-648: The Byzantine , Assyrian and Chaldean traditions; the other—left to right to middle, other than three fingers—sometimes used in the Latin Church of the Catholic Church , Lutheranism , Anglicanism and in Oriental Orthodoxy . The sign of the cross is used in some denominations of Methodism and within some branches of Presbyterianism such as the Church of Scotland and in
1350-653: The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, "Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it. For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals sanctifies almost every event of their lives with the divine grace which flows from
1425-479: The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic (Eastern Catholics) churches, the tips of the first three fingers (the thumb, index, and middle ones) are brought together, and the last two (the "ring" and little fingers) are pressed against the palm. The first three fingers express one's faith in the Trinity, while the remaining two fingers represent the two natures of Jesus, divine and human. The sign of
1500-537: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Service Book used by LCMS and Lutheran Church–Canada , provide for making the sign of the cross at certain points in the liturgy. The sign of the cross is made with three fingers, starting with touching the head, touching the chest (heart) and then going from the right shoulder to the left shoulder. The English Reformation reduced
1575-519: The God to leave his country and is told: "I will bless you, I will make your name great." The Priestly Blessing is set forth at Numbers 6:24–26 : In Rabbinic Judaism , a blessing (or berakhah ) is recited at a specified moment during a prayer, ceremony or other activity, especially before and after partaking of food. The function of blessings is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing. A berakhah of rabbinic origin typically starts with
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#17327647637841650-563: The Gospel text (to which the people acclaim: "Glory to you, O Lord"). The sign of the cross is expected at two points in the Mass : the laity sign themselves during the introductory greeting of the service and at the final blessing; optionally, other times during the Mass when the laity often cross themselves are during a blessing with holy water, when concluding the penitential rite, in imitation of
1725-451: The Latin term benedīcere meaning 'to speak well of', resulting in meanings such as 'to praise' or 'extol' or 'to speak of' or 'to wish well'. 'To be blessed' means to be favored by God , the source of all blessing. Blessings, therefore, are directly associated with, and are believed to come from, God. Thus, to express a blessing is like bestowing a wish on someone that they experience
1800-522: The PCUSA and some other Reformed Churches . The ritual is rare within other branches of Protestantism . Many individuals use the expression "cross my heart and hope to die" as an oath , making the sign of the cross, in order to show "truthfulness and sincerity", sworn before God, in both personal and legal situations. The sign of the cross was originally made in some parts of the Christian world with
1875-636: The Paschal mystery of the Passion , Death, and Resurrection of Christ." Section 1671 of the CCC states: "Among sacramentals blessings (of persons, meals, objects, and places) come first. Every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts. In Christ, Christians are blessed by God the Father 'with every spiritual blessing.' This is why the Church imparts blessings by invoking the name of Jesus, usually while making
1950-503: The dismissal at the end. In the Eastern Orthodox Church liturgical blessings are performed over people, objects, or are given at specific points during divine services. A priest or bishop usually blesses with his hand, but may use a blessing cross , candles , an icon , the Chalice or Gospel Book to bestow blessings, always making the Sign of the Cross therewith. When blessing with
2025-523: The "Sign of the Passion." Vestiges of this early variant of the practice remain: in the Roman Rite of the Mass in the Catholic Church , the celebrant makes this gesture on the Gospel book and—together with the congregation—on his forehead, lips, and on his heart at the proclamation of the Gospel (known as the lesser sign of the cross ); on Ash Wednesday a cross is traced in ashes on
2100-532: The Cross#Use of the sign Making the sign of the cross ( Latin : signum crucis ), also known as blessing oneself or crossing oneself , is a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity . This blessing is made by the tracing of an upright cross or Greek cross across the body with the right hand, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of the Trinitarian formula : "In
2175-500: The Cross. And so also the angel of the resurrection said to the woman, You seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified. Mark 16:6 And the Apostle said, We preach Christ crucified. 1 Corinthians 1:23 For there are many Christs and many Jesuses, but one crucified. He does not say speared but crucified. It behooves us, then, to worship the sign of Christ. For wherever the sign may be, there also will He be. But it does not behoove us to worship
2250-415: The Crucified. For the Cross is a Crown, not a dishonour. Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow, and on everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we rise up; when we are in the way, and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it
2325-635: The Discipline of the Sacraments that govern the procedures for liturgical ceremonies, if a Roman Catholic layperson (a lay acolyte or parish administrator, for example) or any non-ordained religious (who is not the superior of the congregation) leads a Sunday service (other than a Mass , which requires a priest to celebrate), such as Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary , or celebration of the Liturgy of
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2400-526: The Hours , he or she does not perform rites or sacraments reserved to the clergy and does not solemnly bless the people as a bishop, priest, or deacon would at the end of the service; an alternative format is used instead. In the Lutheran Churches , priests are often asked to bless objects frequently used by or sacred to individuals, such as a cross necklace ; in addition, Lutheran clergy also bless
2475-488: The Puja involves an ' Aarti plate' or 'Aarti lamp' is circulating around a deity or person and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deity or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate or lamp is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead –
2550-569: The Unification Church . Clergy will normally receive a blessing from their ecclesiastical superiors to begin their ministry. In the Russian Orthodox Church pious laymen would go to a starets ( elder ) to receive his or her blessing before embarking upon any important work or making a major decision in their life. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a member may receive a special blessing, known as
2625-494: The cause of the Cross itself; set up the faith of the Cross as a trophy against the gainsayers. For when you are going to dispute with unbelievers concerning the Cross of Christ, first make with your hand the sign of Christ's Cross, and the gainsayer will be silenced. Be not ashamed to confess the Cross; for Angels glory in it, saying, We know whom you seek, Jesus the Crucified. Matthew 28:5 Might you not say, O Angel, I know whom you seek, my Master? But, I, he says with boldness, I know
2700-464: The church are performed by bishops , priests , and deacons . Particular formulas may be associated with episcopal blessings and papal blessings . In Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches blessings are bestowed by bishops and priests in a liturgical context, raising their right hand and making the sign of the cross with it over persons or objects to be blessed. They also give blessings to begin divine services and at
2775-567: The cross is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, lower chest or stomach, and both shoulders, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula : at the forehead "In the name of the Father" (or In nomine Patris in Latin); at the stomach or heart "and of the Son" ( et Filii ); across the shoulders "and of the Holy Spirit /Ghost" ( et Spiritus Sancti ); and finally: " Amen ". There are several interpretations, according to Church Fathers :
2850-489: The cross on the forehead of children just after they have been baptized. (This book was later adopted by Methodists in the United States for their liturgy.) Wesley did not include the sign of the cross in other rites. By the early 20th century, the use of the sign of the cross had been dropped from American Methodist worship. However, its uses was subsequently restored, and the current United Methodist Church allows
2925-582: The cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties." John Vianney said a genuinely made Sign of the Cross "makes all hell tremble." The Catholic Church 's Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite , the priest and the faithful make the Sign of the Cross at the conclusion of the Entrance Chant and the priest or deacon "makes the Sign of the Cross [i.e the lesser sign of the cross] on the book and on his forehead, lips, and breast" when announcing
3000-590: The cross within Anglicanism were largely dropped in the 20th century. In some Anglican traditions, the sign of the cross is made by priests when consecrating the bread and wine of the Eucharist and when giving the priestly blessing at the end of a church service, and is made by congregants when receiving Communion. More recently, some Anglican bishops have adopted the Roman Catholic practice of placing
3075-457: The cross, and its connections to the church's Catholic past. Nonconformists refused to use the sign. In addition to its Catholic associations, the sign of the cross was significant in English folk traditions , with the sign believed to have a protective function against evil . Puritans viewed the sign of the cross as superstitious and idolatrous. Use of the sign of the cross during baptism
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3150-425: The devotee to be ingested, worn, etc. It may be the same material that was originally offered, or material offered by others and then re-distributed to other devotees. In many temples, several kinds of prasada (e.g. nuts, sweets) are distributed to the devotees. Darshan is a term meaning 'sight' (in the sense of an instance of seeing or beholding; from a root dṛś 'to see'), vision , apparition, or glimpse. It
3225-417: The different concept of dharma and karma and typical blessings are based on Adhiṣṭhāna , Añjali Mudrā , Darśana and Mudra , etc. In Hinduism Puja is a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It is modeled on the idea of giving a gift or offering to a deity or important person and receiving their approval ( Ashirvād ). During
3300-565: The favor of God, and to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing. A biblical damnation, in its most formal sense, is a negative blessing. In the Bible , positive and negative blessings are related; the book of Deuteronomy prescribes that obedience to the Law of Moses brings God's blessing. One of the first incidences of blessing in the Bible is in Genesis , 12:1–2 where Abram is ordered by
3375-411: The feet of a great guru, murti (icon) of a Deva (God) (such as Rama or Krishna ). There is a special link between worshipper and guru during pujas , in which people may touch the guru's feet in respect ( Pranāma ), or remove the dust from a guru's feet before touching their own head. Another tradition is Vāhan pujā (Hindi) or Vāgana poojai (Tamil வாகன பூஜை ) 'vehicle blessing'. This
3450-529: The forehead symbolizes Heaven; the solar plexus (or top of stomach), the earth; the shoulders, the place and sign of power. It also recalls both the Trinity and the Incarnation . Pope Innocent III (1198–1216) explained: "The sign of the cross is made with three fingers, because the signing is done together with the invocation of the Trinity. [...] This is how it is done: from above to below, and from
3525-490: The forehead; chrism is applied, among places on the body, on the forehead for the Holy Mystery of Chrismation in the Eastern Orthodox Church . Historically, the sign of the cross was made from the right to the left, as done in the Eastern Orthodox Church . Western Catholics (the Latin Church ) have made the motion from left to right, while Eastern Catholics follow the traditional signage of right to left. In
3600-483: The freeness of the gift; out for this the rather honour your Benefactor. John of Damascus (650–750) stated: Moreover we worship even the image of the precious and life-giving Cross, although made of another tree, not honouring the tree (God forbid) but the image as a symbol of Christ. For He said to His disciples, admonishing them, Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven Matthew 24:30, meaning
3675-619: The hand, a priest uses his right hand, holding his fingers so that they form the Greek letters IC XC , the monogram of Jesus Christ. A bishop does the same, except he uses both hands, or may hold the crozier in his left hand, using both to make the Sign of the Cross. A bishop may also bless with special candlesticks known as the dikirion and trikirion . When blessing an object, the rubrics often instruct Orthodox bishops and priests to make use of such substances as incense and holy water . Also, formal ecclesiastical permission to undertake an action
3750-619: The holy sign of the cross of Christ." Section 2157 of the CCC states: "The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: 'in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.' The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of
3825-509: The homes of members of the congregations. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , blessings are given by worthy, male members who hold the Melchizedek priesthood . Blessings in Islam have two aspects, according to major scholars of Islam. Blessings are given by Allah as a trial for mankind. Scholars of Islam believe that having fear of being gradually misled by blessings
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#17327647637843900-562: The material of which the image of the Cross is composed, even though it be gold or precious stones, after it is destroyed, if that should happen. Everything, therefore, that is dedicated to God we worship, conferring the adoration on Him. Herbert Thurston indicates that at one time both Eastern and Western Christians moved the hand from the right shoulder to the left. German theologian Valentin Thalhofer thought writings quoted in support of this point, such as that of Innocent III , refer to
3975-555: The minister blesses the congregation during the concluding part of the service of worship, known as the benediction . For example, the Orthodox Presbyterian Directory for Public Worship states that "Unless necessary, none should depart until after the benediction," and "by his Spirit working through the ministry of the Word, God addresses his people in the call to worship, in the salutation and benediction, in
4050-468: The name of Muhammad or indeed, any of the prophets. Muslims will also greet one another with a blessing every time they meet and depart: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته as-salāmu alaikum wa rahmatul-lāhi wa barakātuh (meaning " may peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you "). Indian religions , which includes Hinduism and other religions like Buddhism , Jainism , Sikhism , etc. are also called Dharmic religions, all of which are based on
4125-401: The name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The use of the sign of the cross traces back to early Christianity , with the third-century treatise Apostolic Tradition directing that it be used during the minor exorcism of baptism , during ablutions before praying at fixed prayer times , and in times of temptation. The movement is the tracing of the shape of
4200-537: The pastor to "trace on the forehead of each newly baptized person the sign of the cross." This usage during baptism is reflected in the current (1992) Book of Worship of the United Methodist Church , and is widely practiced (sometimes with oil). Making of the sign is also common among United Methodists on Ash Wednesday , when it is applied by the elder to the foreheads of the laity as a mark of penitence. In some United Methodist congregations,
4275-447: The person who seeks such a blessing and moral support. The procedure might be from the pre-Islamic local nomadic traditions with deep family values. Sometimes, older person(s) might give a negative blessing (so-called teskeri bata – 'the opposite blessing' or 'the black blessing'). In commercial interactions, a seller's good words about the product, such as "I hope you enjoy it," could be considered to be blessings. Sign of
4350-443: The priest before the Gospel reading (small signs on forehead, lips, and heart), and perhaps at other times out of personal devotion. In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, use of the sign of the cross in worship is far more frequent than in the Western churches. While there are points in liturgy at which almost all worshipers cross themselves, Orthodox faithful have significant freedom to make the sign at other times as well, and many make
4425-405: The purificatory blessing, passed from the deity's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee. During the naivedya ritual, a devotee makes an offering of a material substance such as flowers, fruits, or sweets. The deity then 'enjoys' or tastes a bit of the offering, which is then temporarily known as bhogya . This now-divinely invested substance is called prasāda , and is received by
4500-421: The reading and preaching of the Word, and in the sacraments." The Methodist The Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965) contains "An Office for the Blessing of a Dwelling". In the Roman Catholic Church a priest or bishop blesses the faithful with the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament . According to the guidelines given by the Vatican's Congregation for
4575-434: The reforms of Patriarch Nikon in the 17th century, it was customary to make the sign of the cross with two fingers. The enforcement of the three-finger sign (as opposed to the two-finger sign of the "Old Rite"), as well as other Nikonite reforms (which alternated certain previous Russian practices to conform with Greek customs), were among the reasons for the schism with the Old Believers whose congregations continue to use
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#17327647637844650-466: The right to the left, because Christ descended from the heavens to the earth". There are some variations: for example a person may first place the right hand in holy water . After moving the hand from one shoulder to the other, it may be returned to the top of the stomach. It may also be accompanied by the recitation of a prayer (e.g., the Jesus Prayer , or simply " Lord have mercy "). In some Catholic regions, like Spain , Italy and Latin America , it
4725-440: The right-hand thumb across the forehead only. In other parts of the early Christian world it was done with the whole hand or with two fingers. Around the year 200 in Carthage (modern Tunisia , Africa ), Tertullian wrote: "We Christians wear out our foreheads with the sign of the cross." Hippolytus of Rome, in his Apostolic Tradition , recommends sealing oneself the forehead in times of temptation, with it being described as
4800-399: The sign at the Communion table and during the Confession of Sin and Pardon at the invocation of Jesus' name . Whether or not a Methodist uses the sign for private prayer is a personal choice, although the UMC encourages it as a devotional practice, stating: "Many United Methodists have found this restoration powerful and meaningful. The ancient and enduring power of the sign of the cross
4875-405: The sign frequently throughout Divine Liturgy or other church services. During the epiclesis (the invocation of the Holy Spirit as part of the consecration of the Eucharist), the priest makes the sign of the cross over the bread. The early theologian Basil of Caesarea noted the use of the sign of the cross in the rite marking the admission of catechumens . In the Tsardom of Russia , until
4950-459: The sign of the cross is a sacramental , which the Church defines as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments"; that "signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church"; and that "always include a prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign, such as the laying on of hands , the sign of the cross, or the sprinkling of holy water (which recalls Baptism)." Section 1670 of
5025-408: The sign's use. The 1892 revision of the Prayer Book, however, made the sign mandatory. The Anglo-Catholic movement saw a resurgence in the use of the sign of the cross within Anglicanism, including by laity and in church architecture and decoration; historically, " high church " Anglicans were more apt to make the sign of the cross than " low church " Anglicans. Objections to the use of the sign of
5100-404: The sign. The 1552 Book of Common Prayer (revised in 1559) reduced the five set uses to a single usage, during baptism. The form of the sign was touching the head, chest, then both shoulders. The use of the mandatory sign of the cross during baptism was one of several points of contention between the established Church of England and Puritans , who objected to this sole mandatory sign of
5175-415: The sins of others; for He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. It is not Peter who says this, for then we might suspect that he was partial to his Teacher; but it is Esaias who says it, who was not indeed present with Him in the flesh, but in the Spirit foresaw His coming in the flesh. For others only hear, but we both see and handle. Let none be weary; take your armour against the adversaries in
5250-402: The small cross made upon the forehead or external objects, in which the hand moves naturally from right to left, and not the big cross made from shoulder to shoulder. Andreas Andreopoulos, author of The Sign of the Cross , gives a more detailed description of the development and the symbolism of the placement of the fingers and the direction of the movement. Within the Roman Catholic Church ,
5325-434: The two-finger sign of the cross (other points of dispute included iconography and iconoclasm , as well as changes in liturgical practices). The Old Believers considered the two-fingered symbol to symbolize the dual nature of Christ as divine and human (the other three fingers in the palm representing the Trinity ). Among Lutherans the practice was widely retained. For example, Luther's Small Catechism states that it
5400-461: The use of the sign of the cross compared to its use in Catholic rites. The 1549 Book of Common Prayer reduced the use of the sign of the cross by clergy during liturgy to five occasions, although an added note ("As touching, kneeling, crossing, holding up of hands, and other gestures; they may be used or left as every man's devotion serveth, without blame") gave more leeway to the faithful to make
5475-412: The words, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe..." Rabbinic Judaism teaches that food ultimately is a gift of the one great Provider, God, and that to partake of food legitimately one should express gratitude to God by reciting the appropriate blessing of rabbinic origin prior, while torah mandates an informal blessing afterwards. Jewish law does not reserve recitation of blessings to only
5550-401: The worship leader makes the sign of the cross toward congregants (for example, when blessing the congregation at the end of the sermon or service ), and individual congregants make the sign on themselves when receiving Holy Communion . The sign is also sometimes made by pastors, with oil, upon the foreheads of those seeking healing. In addition to its use in baptism, some Methodist clergy make
5625-565: Was defended by King James I at the Hampton Court Conference and by the 1604 Code of Canons, and its continued use was one of many factors in the departure of Puritans from the Church of England . The 1789 Prayer Book of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America made the sign of the cross during baptism optional, apparently in concession to varying views within the church on
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