View source for Sign of the cross

{{Short description|Ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Other uses|Sign of the Cross (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Cross My Heart and Hope to Die|the film|Cross My Heart and Hope to Die (film)||Cross My Heart (disambiguation){{!}}Cross My Heart}}
[[File:Sign of the cross step by step.png|thumb|alt=refer to caption|The steps for making the large sign of the cross in Latin Catholic and Protestant rites]]

Making the '''sign of the cross''' ({{langx|la|signum crucis}}), also known as '''blessing oneself''' or '''crossing oneself''', is both a prayer and a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of [[Christianity]]. It is a very significant prayer because Christians are acknowledging their belief in the triune God, or the [[Holy Trinity]]: [[God the Father]], [[God the Son]] and [[God the Holy Spirit]]. There are three variants of the sign of the cross, including a large sign of the cross made across the body, a small sign of the cross traced on the forehead or objects, as well as a lesser sign of the cross made over the forehead, lips and heart.<ref name="SlocumArmentrout2000">{{cite book |last1=Slocum |first1=Robert Boak |last2=Armentrout |first2=Don S. |title=An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians |date=1 January 2000 |publisher=Church Publishing |isbn=978-0-89869-701-8 |page=484 |language=en|quote=The BCP directs that the celebrant at baptism will make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the candidate for baptism (using chrism if desired), saying "You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever" (BCP, p. 308). In the form for Ministration to the Sick the BCP directs that if the sick person is to be anointed, the priest dips a thumb in the holy oil and makes the sign of the cross on the sick person's forehead (BCP, p. 456). The ''BOS'' provides that at the admission of catechumens, each catechumen is presented by name to the celebrant who marks a cross on the forehead of each with a thumb, saying "Receive the sign of the Cross on your forehead and in your heart, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."}}</ref><ref name="Lang1989">{{cite book |last1=Lang |first1=Jovian |title=Dictionary of the Liturgy |date=1989 |publisher=Catholic Book Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-89942-273-2 |page=585-586 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Couchman2010"/><ref name="Guzman2013">{{cite web |last1=Guzman |first1=Sam |title=Spiritual Weapons: The Sign of the Cross |url=https://catholicgentleman.com/2013/10/spiritual-weapons-the-sign-of-the-cross/ |publisher=The Catholic Gentleman |access-date=16 April 2025 |date=22 October 2013 |quote=A small sign of the cross can be traced on the forehead of a child or upon an object which you wish to bless.}}</ref><ref name="DalmaisMartimort1987"/><ref name="Ballmann2023"/>

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 in Christianity|minor exorcism]] of [[baptism]], during [[ablution in Christianity|ablutions]] before praying at [[fixed prayer times]], and in times of temptation.<ref name="Hippolytus">{{cite web |author1=Hippolytus |author-link=Hippolytus of Rome |title=Apostolic Tradition |url=http://www.stjohnsarlingtonva.org/Customer-Content/saintjohnsarlington/CMS/files/EFM/Apostolic_Tradition_by_Hippolytus.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204235508/http://www.stjohnsarlingtonva.org/Customer-Content/saintjohnsarlington/CMS/files/EFM/Apostolic_Tradition_by_Hippolytus.pdf |archive-date=4 February 2019 |access-date=5 September 2020 |publisher=St. John's Episcopal Church |pages=8, 16, 17 |language=en}}</ref>

The ''large sign of the cross'' is made by the tracing of an [[Latin cross|upright cross]] or [[Greek cross]] across the body with the right hand, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of the [[Trinitarian formula]]: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."<ref name="DalmaisMartimort1987">{{cite book |last1=Dalmais |first1=Irénée Henri |last2=Martimort |first2=Aimé Georges |title=Principles of the Liturgy |date=1987 |publisher=Liturgical Press |isbn=978-0-8146-1363-4 |language=en|quote=As early as the beginning of the third century in Africa and at Rome, the making of a sign of the cross on the forehead during the rites of initiation seems already to be a traditional way of showing that the person belonged to Christ and to be regarded as a kind of invisible seal; Christians also made the sign of the cross on themselves rather frequently. It was then extended to the various senses and became an exorcistic gesture. Another form of the sign of the cross is the gesture of blessing, made either with all the fingers extended and joined or with some fingers extended and the others closed; the manner varied according to the practice of different Churches and different periods, and was also influenced by allegorical considerations; Easterners have often been accustomed to giving a blessing while holding a cross. Finally, the large sign of the cross (forehead to breast to shoulders) that is familiar to modern believers seems of relatively late origin}}</ref><ref name="Miller2002">{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=John Desmond |title=Beads and Prayers: The Rosary in History and Devotion |date=7 January 2002 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4411-1689-5 |page=66 |language=en |quote=The large sign of the cross made over the body, as we make it today, originated in the East between the fifth and eighth centuries, but there is no satisfactory evidence of its use in the West until the thirteenth century.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coptic.net/prayers/agpeya/Veil.html|title=The Prayer of the Veil|year=2011|publisher=Encyclopedia Coptica|language=en|access-date=14 October 2016|pages=16–17}}</ref> The movement is the tracing of the shape of a cross in the air or on one's own body, echoing [[Instrument of Jesus' crucifixion|the traditional shape]] of the [[Christian cross|cross]] of the [[crucifixion of Jesus]]. Where this is done with fingers joined, there are two principal forms: one&mdash;three fingers (to represent the Trinity),<ref name="Seymour1898">{{cite book |last1=Seymour |first1=William Wood |title=The Cross in Tradition, History, and Art |date=1898 |publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons |page=419 |language=en}}</ref> right to left&mdash;is exclusively used by Christians who belong to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], the [[Church of the East]], [[Eastern Lutheranism|Eastern Lutheran Churches]] and the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] in the [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] and [[Syriac Christianity|Syriac Christian]] traditions; the other&mdash;left to right to middle, other than three fingers&mdash;used by Christians who belong to the [[Latin Church]] of the [[Catholic Church]], [[Lutheranism]], [[Anglicanism]] and [[Oriental Orthodoxy]]. The large sign of the cross is used in some denominations of [[Methodism]] and within some branches of [[Reformed Christianity]]. 

The use of the ''small sign of the cross'' has been documented in [[early Christianity]] by [[Tertullian]], an [[Church Fathers|Ante-Nicene Church Father]], who wrote in AD&nbsp;204 in {{Lang|la|De Corona}} ({{Gloss|On Crowns}}): "In all our actions, when we come in or go out, when we dress, when we wash, at our meals, before retiring to sleep we form on our foreheads the sign of the cross."<ref name="Couchman2010"/><ref name="Crock1938">{{cite book |last1=Crock |first1=Clement Henry |title=Discourses on the Apostles' Creed |date=1938 |publisher=Joseph F. Wagner |page=16 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Bonhoeffer made the sign of the cross |url=https://orthochristian.com/79955.html |publisher=Ortho Christian |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> Tertullian attested to the Christian practice of tracing this small sign of the cross on objects, such one's bed before sleeping.<ref name="Couchman2010">{{cite book |last1=Couchman |first1=Judith |title=The Mystery of the Cross: Bringing Ancient Christian Images to Life |date=5 March 2010 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |isbn=978-0-8308-7917-5 |page=88 |language=en |quote=It's generally accepted that unitl the fourth century, Christians traced a small sign of the cross on their foreheads. Either boasting or lamenting Tertullian attested, "We Christians wear out our foreheads with the sign of the cross." However, Tertullian also revealed the practice of "signing" the cross on objects like the woman who made the sign of the cross on her bed before retiring at night. By the fourth century the small sign extended to several parts of the body}}</ref> It is traced on the forehead, or objects, with the thumb (sometimes using [[holy water]] or [[Holy anointing oil|anointing oil]]).<ref name="SlocumArmentrout2000"/><ref name="CavallettiCoulterGobbi2021"/><ref name="Guzman2013"/><ref name="Couchman2010"/> The small sign of the cross is made on the forehead during the rites of [[baptism]] and the [[anointing of the sick]] in Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism.<ref name="CavallettiCoulterGobbi2021">{{cite book |last1=Cavalletti |first1=Sofia |last2=Coulter |first2=Patricia |last3=Gobbi |first3=Gianna |title=The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey, Revised and Updated |date=15 May 2021 |publisher=Liturgy Training Publications |isbn=978-1-61833-456-5 |language=en |quote=There is another gesture done at our Baptism, one that we know very well. [The catechist makes a '''small sign of the cross''' with her thumb on the forehead at each child.] (The children readily recognize the cross). At our Baptism the priest and also our parents and godparents make this sign on us. They use their thumb, the strongest finger to make this sign on us to show that this is meant to go deep into our heart. This sign marks us as a sheep of the Good Shepherd.}}</ref><ref name="Naumann 2021">{{cite web |last1=Naumann |first1=Edward |title=Anointed for Burial |url=https://witness.lcms.org/2021/anointed-for-burial/ |publisher=[[The Lutheran Witness]] |access-date=6 March 2025 |date=31 March 2021 |quote=During the rite of Baptism, Christians may receive a bodily anointing, when the forehead is anointed with oil in the sign of the cross. This bodily anointing likewise signifies our incorporation into Christ.}}</ref><ref name="SlocumArmentrout2000"/><ref name="USCCB2025">{{cite web |title=Order for the Blessing of the Sick |url=https://www.usccb.org/prayers/order-blessing-sick |publisher=[[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]] |access-date=6 March 2025 |language=en |quote=394 A lay minister traces the sign of the cross on the forehead of each sick person and says the following prayer of blessing.}}</ref> In the [[Baptist]], [[Methodist]], and [[Pentecostal]] traditions of Christianity, the small sign of the cross is often made on the forehead of the recipient during ordinations, anointing of the sick and [[Deliverance ministry|deliverance prayers]].<ref name="Alfred2024">{{cite web |title=Anointing Oil |url=https://www.alfredstreet.org/anointing-oil/ |publisher=Alfred Street Baptist Church |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=An Order for the Celebration of Holy Communion in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Home Visits |url=https://www.methodist.org.nz/assets/Whakapono/Faith-Order-Services/An-Order-for-the-Celebration-of-Holy-Communion-in-Hospitals.pdf |publisher=[[Methodist Church of New Zealand]] |access-date=6 March 2025 |page=2}}</ref> Christians of various denominations have traced the small sign of the cross onto doors or windows of their dwellings as a [[house blessing]].<ref name="MOP2020">{{cite web |title=Anointing oil |url=https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/anointing-oil-prayer-and-how-to-use-it/ |publisher=Missionaries Of Prayer |date=18 September 2020 |quote=...take the anointing oil and over every window and door to your house just put the sign of the cross in the corner of it.}}</ref><ref name="Martin2017">{{cite web |title=How to Bless and Anoint Your Home/Property |url=https://mcgonline.net/how-to-bless-and-anoint-your-homeproperty/ |publisher=Melchizedek Church of God |access-date=6 March 2025 |language=English |date=27 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="Rossetti2024">{{cite web |author1=[[Stephen Joseph Rossetti]] |title=7 Powerful Sacramentals of the Church for Spiritual Warfare |url=https://www.catholicace.com/sacramentals-church-spiritual-warfare/ |publisher=Catholic Ace |access-date=6 March 2025 |date=1 January 2024 |quote=Then I took exorcized oil and made a sign of the cross on the door, windows, and lintels.}}</ref> The small sign of the cross is additionally used during certain observances, such as during the imposition of ashes on [[Ash Wednesday]], in which ashes are marked on the forehead of a believer using the small sign of the cross.<ref name="RCA2018"/><ref name="Lipin2017"/><ref name="Methodist2020"/>

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.<ref name="Ayto2010">{{cite book|last=Ayto|first=John|title=Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms|date=8 July 2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|language=en |isbn=9780199543786|page=79}}</ref>

==Origins==
The small sign of the cross was originally made in some parts of the [[Christendom|Christian world]] with the thumb of the right hand, being used on the forehead to [[Blessing#Christianity|bless]] oneself, along with being used to bless various objects, as attested by [[Tertullian]], an [[Church Fathers|Ante-Nicene Church Father]].<ref name="Couchman2010"/><ref name="Thurston">[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm Thurston, Herbert. "Sign of the Cross." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 20 Jan. 2015]</ref> In other parts of the [[Early Christianity|early Christian]] world it was done with the whole hand or with two fingers.<ref>Andreas Andreopoulos, ''The Sign of the Cross'', Paraclete Press, 2006, {{ISBN|978-1-55725-496-2}}, p. 24.</ref> Around the year 200 in [[Roman Carthage|Carthage]] (modern [[Tunisia]], [[Africa]]), Tertullian wrote: "We Christians wear out our foreheads with the sign of the cross."<ref name="Couchman2010"/><ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04517a.htm Marucchi, Orazio. "Archæology of the Cross and Crucifix." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 20 Jan. 2015]</ref> He documented that Christians would trace the sign of the cross on their beds prior to sleeping.<ref name="Couchman2010"/> In the 4th century, the small sign of the cross was applied to various parts of the body.<ref name="Couchman2010"/> The 6th century saw the development of the large sign of the cross as a "four-point movement traced across the chest or in the air".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Couchman |first1=Judith |title=The Mystery of the Cross: Bringing Ancient Christian Images to Life |date=5 March 2010 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |isbn=978-0-8308-7917-5 |page=88 |language=en}}</ref>

Hippolytus of Rome, in his [[Apostolic Tradition]], recommends sealing oneself the forehead in times of temptation, with it being described as the "Sign of the Passion". Vestiges of this early variant of the practice remain: in the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]es of the [[Roman Rite]] in the [[Catholic Church]], the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Churches]] and the [[Anglicanism|Anglican Churches]], the celebrant makes this gesture on the Gospel book and&mdash;together with the congregation&mdash;on his forehead, lips, and on his heart at the proclamation of the Gospel (known as the [[lesser sign of the cross]]);<ref name="Thurston" /><ref name="Ballmann2023">{{cite web |last1=Ballmann |first1=Matthew |title=The Triumph of the Holy Cross |url=https://www.trinitysa.org/blog/2023/9/12/the-triumph-of-the-holy-cross |publisher=Trinity San Antonio Lutheran Church |date=13 September 2023 |quote=The identity and relevance of Christianity are both irrevocably tied up with the crucified Christ.  The Cross — because of what it represents — is the most potent and universal symbol of the Christian faith. It has inspired both liturgical and private devotions: for example, the Sign of the Cross, which is an invocation of the Holy Trinity; a processional cross as the centering piece to the Divine Service; the “little” Sign of the Cross on head, lips and heart at the reading of the Gospel; or praying the Stations (or Way) of the Cross during the Lenten season.}}</ref> on [[Ash Wednesday]] the small sign of the cross is traced in ashes on the forehead; [[chrism]] is applied, among places on the body, on the forehead for the [[Sacred mysteries#Eastern Christianity|Holy Mystery]] of [[Chrismation]] in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].<ref name="Thurston" />

==Large sign of the cross==
===Gesture===
The actual motion of the large sign of the cross is heavily disputed; the Eastern Orthodox state that the right to left motion to be the more ancient way whereas writings by [[Dionysius bar Salibi|Bar Salibi]] and other Syriac prose writers show that the left to right motion predates the right to left signage.<ref name="DalmaisMartimort1987"/><ref name="Miller2002"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-28 |title=which sign of the cross is correct? |url=https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12737/which-sign-of-the-cross-is-correct |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Tasbeha.org Community}}</ref> Western Catholics (the [[Latin Church]]) and Western Lutherans have made the motion from left to right, while Eastern Orthodox, [[Eastern Lutheranism|Eastern Lutherans]] and [[Eastern Catholics]] move from right to left.<ref name="Weber2014">{{cite web |last1=Weber |first1=Karl |title=On Making the Sign of the Cross |url=https://steadfastlutherans.org/blog/2014/03/on-making-the-sign-of-the-cross/ |publisher=Steadfast Lutherans |access-date=3 June 2025 |date=14 March 2014}}</ref><ref>Daniel A. Helminiak, ''Religion and the Human Sciences: An Approach Via Spirituality'' (State University of New York Press (Albany, N.Y.: 1998).</ref>

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Eastern Lutheranism|Eastern Lutheran]] and [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] [[Eastern Catholic Churches|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.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/LGOT/sign.shtml |chapter=The Sign of the Cross |last=Slobodskoy |first=Serafim Alexivich |translator-last=Price |translator-first=Susan |translator-link=Susan Price |date=1992 |via=OrthodoxPhotos.com |publisher=[[Holy Trinity Monastery (Jordanville, New York)]] |title=The Law of God |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706134056/https://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/LGOT/sign.shtml |archive-date=6 July 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2019 |isbn=978-0-88465-044-7}}</ref><ref>''Original:'' {{cite book |chapter-url=https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Serafim_Slobodskoj/zakon-bozhij/6 |chapter=О крестном знамении |trans-chapter=The Sign of the Cross |last=Слободской |first=Серафим Алексеевич |date=1957 |publication-date=1966 |website=[[Православная энциклопедия]] [[Azbuka|Азбука]] веры {{!}} православный сайт |language=ru |script-title=ru:Закон Божий |trans-title=The Law of God |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725073912/https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Serafim_Slobodskoj/zakon-bozhij/6 |archive-date=25 July 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2019}}</ref> This gesture was also used in Western Europe into the high Middle Ages.<ref>Ælfric, ''Lives of Saints,'' II. 154–5, quoted by Kirsty Teresa March, ''Performance, Transmission and Devotion: Understanding the Anglo-Saxon Prayer Books, c. 800–1050'' (dissertation), {{cite web | title=138 | url=https://cora.ucc.ie/server/api/core/bitstreams/6fb0c029-b4c7-4520-8c85-ff5d23d3084c/content}}: “Even though a man waves wonderfully with his hand, it is not a blessing unless he makes the sign of the holy cross … A man must sign with three fingers and bless because of the Holy Trinity who is a glory ruling God.” See also ''The Ancren Riwle:'' “Stand up and say, ‘O Lord, open thou my lips,’ and make the sign of the cross on your mouth with the thumb, and say, ‘God be our help;’ then a large cross from above the forehead down to the breast, with the three fingers,” edited by James Morton, {{cite web | last1=Morton | first1=James | title=19 | date=1853 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7BgIAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA19}}.</ref>

==== Motion ====
The large sign of 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 {{lang|la|In nomine Patris}} in Latin); at the stomach or heart "and of the Son" ({{lang|la|et Filii}}); across the shoulders "and of the [[Holy Spirit]]/Ghost" ({{lang|la|et Spiritus Sancti}}); and finally: "[[Amen]]".<ref name="DalmaisMartimort1987"/><ref name="Miller2002"/><ref>Sullivan, John F., ''The Externals of the Catholic Church'', P.J. Kenedy & Sons (1918)</ref>

There are several interpretations, according to [[Church Fathers]]:<ref name="prayer-book-bor">''Prayer Book'', edited by the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]], several editions (''Carte de rugăciuni'' - Editura Institutului biblic şi de misiune al Bisericii ortodoxe române, 2005),</ref> 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.{{nbsp}}[...] This is how it is done: from above to below, and from the right to the left, because Christ descended from the heavens to the earth".<ref name=Innocent>Innocent III, ''De sacro altaris mysterio'', II, xlv in Patrologia Latina 217, 825C--D.</ref>

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 "[[Kyrie|Lord have mercy]]"). In some Catholic regions, like [[Spain]], [[Italy]] and [[Latin America]], it 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.<ref>https://camino55.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/the-cross-and-a-kiss/
Patricia Ann Kasten, ''Linking Your Beads: The Rosary's History, Mysteries, and Prayers'', Our Sunday Visitor 2011, p. 34</ref>

==== Sequence ====
[[Cyril of Jerusalem]] (315–386)<ref name="CyrilJeru">Mark W. Elliott, Thomas C. Oden. ''Isaiah 40-66''. Intervarsity Press (2007): p. 335</ref> wrote in his book about the [[lesser sign of the cross]]:

{{blockquote|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 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.<ref name="CyrilCateLecture">[https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310113.htm Cyril of Jerusalem. Catechetical Lecture 13]</ref>}}

{{blockquote|For others only hear, but we both see and handle. Let none be weary; take your armour against the adversaries in 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 the Crucified. For the Cross is a Crown, not a dishonour.<ref name="CyrilCateLecture" />}}

{{blockquote|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 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 the freeness of the gift; out for this the rather honour your Benefactor.<ref name="CyrilCateLecture" />}}

[[John of Damascus]] (650–750) stated:<ref name="JohnofDama">Steven A. McKinion, Thomas C. Oden. ''Isaiah 1-39''. Intervarsity Press (2004): p. 279</ref>

{{blockquote|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 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 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.<ref name="JohnExpoOrthoFaith">[https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm John of Damascus. An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book IV]</ref>}}

[[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 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.<ref name=Thurston/> 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.<ref>Andreas Andreopoulos, ''The Sign of the Cross'', Paraclete Press, 2006, {{ISBN|978-1-55725-496-2}}, pp. 11–42.</ref>

===Use===
====Catholicism====
Within the [[Roman Catholic Church]], 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)."<ref name=CCCSacramentals>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P58.HTM Catechism of the Catholic Church] (1992), chap. 4, art. 1.</ref> Section&nbsp;1670 of the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] (CCC) states, "Sacramentals do not confer the [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|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 the [[Paschal mystery]] of the [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], Death, and Resurrection of Christ."<ref name=CCCSacramentals/> Section&nbsp;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 the holy sign of the cross of Christ."<ref name=CCCSacramentals/> Section&nbsp;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 the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties."<ref name=CCCLifeChrist>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a2.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church] (1992), section 2157.</ref>

[[John Vianney]] said a genuinely made Sign of the Cross "makes all hell tremble."<ref>[http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/praying/2010/08-24/making-the-sign-of-the-cross Emmons, D. D., "Making the Sign of the Cross", ''Catholic Digest''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813153520/http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/praying/2010/08-24/making-the-sign-of-the-cross |date=13 August 2016 }}</ref>

The [[Catholic Church]]'s [[Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite]], the [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|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 the [[Gospel]] text (to which the people acclaim: "Glory to you, O Lord").<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://resources.ipsissima-verba.org/documents/ordinary-form-order-of-mass-draft-3.pdf|title=The Order of Mass (The Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite): In Latin and in English|publisher=[[International Commission on English in the Liturgy]]|date=2010}}</ref>

The sign of the cross is expected at two points in the [[Mass in the Catholic Church|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 the priest before the Gospel reading (small signs on forehead, lips, and heart), and perhaps at other times out of personal devotion.

====Eastern Orthodoxy====
[[File:SignOfTheCross.HandConfiguration.jpg|thumb|75px|left|Position of an Eastern Orthodox person's fingers when making the sign of the cross]]
In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, use of the sign of the cross in worship is far more frequent than in the Western churches.<ref name="Daniel B. Clendenin 2003 p. 19">Daniel B. Clendenin, ''Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Western Perspective'' (Baker Publishing: 2003), p. 19.</ref> 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,<ref name="Daniel B. Clendenin 2003 p. 19"/> and many make the sign frequently throughout [[Divine Liturgy]] or other church services.<ref>Hugh Wybrew, ''The Orthodox Liturgy: The Development of the Eucharistic Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite'' (1989, St. Vladimir's Press reprint, 2003), p. 5.</ref><ref>Anthony Edward Siecienski, ''Orthodox Christianity: A Very Short Introduction'' Oxford University Press: 2019), p. 83.</ref> 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.<ref>Hugh Wybrew, ''The Orthodox Liturgy: The Development of the Eucharistic Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite'' (1989, St. Vladimir's Press reprint, 2003), p. 157.</ref> The early theologian [[Basil of Caesarea]] noted the use of the sign of the cross in the rite marking the admission of [[catechumens]].<ref>Daniel B. Clendenin, ''Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Western Perspective'' (Baker Publishing: 2003) p. 110.</ref>

=====Old Believers=====
In the [[Tsardom of Russia]], until 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 the two-finger sign of the cross (other points of dispute included [[iconography]] and [[iconoclasm]], as well as changes in liturgical practices).<ref>Peter T. De Simone, ''The Old Believers in Imperial Russia: Oppression, Opportunism and Religious Identity in Tsarist Moscow'' (2018), pp. 13, 54, 109, 206.</ref><ref name=Hamburg>Gary M. Hamburg, ''Russia's Path Toward Enlightenment: Faith, Politics, and Reason, 1500-1801'' (Yale University Press, 2016), p. 179.</ref><ref>Peter Hauptmann, "Old Believers" in ''The Encyclopedia of Christianity'', Vol. 3 ([[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company]]/Brill: 2003).</ref> The Old Believers considered the two-fingered symbol to symbolize the [[Hypostatic union|dual nature of Christ as divine and human]] (the other three fingers in the palm representing the [[Trinity]]).<ref name=Hamburg/>

====Lutheranism====
Among Lutherans, the use of the sign of the cross is normative and widespread. For example, [[Luther's Small Catechism]] states that it 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.{{'"}}<ref>''The Lutheran Hymnal'', 1941. Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, page 4.</ref> In the present-day, the sign of the cross is customary throughout the [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Divine Service]].<ref name="ELCA">{{cite web|url = http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx| title = Why Do Lutherans Make the Sign of the Cross?|publisher = Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|access-date = 16 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="LCMS">{{cite web|url=http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=3941 |title=Sign of the Cross |publisher=Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050920095725/http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=3941 |archive-date=20 September 2005 }}</ref> Rubrics in contemporary Lutheran worship manuals, including ''[[Evangelical Lutheran Worship]]'' of 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.<ref>''Evangelical Lutheran Worship''. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2006</ref><ref>''Lutheran Service Book''. St. Louis: Concordia, 2006</ref> The sign of the cross is made with three fingers, starting with touching the head, touching the chest (heart) and then going from the left shoulder to the right shoulder.<ref name="Weber2014"/>

In the Lutheran Churches, the lesser sign of the cross is made by the celebrant on the [[Gospel Book]] and on his/her forehead, lips, and breast when announcing the [[Gospel]] text (to which the people acclaim: "Glory to you, O Lord"). The faithful trace the lesser sign of the cross on their foreheads, lips, and hearts while praying "May the Word of the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart".<ref name="Ballmann2023"/>

====Anglican and Episcopal traditions====
The [[English Reformation]] reduced the use of the sign of the cross compared to its use in Catholic rites. The [[Book of Common Prayer (1549)|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 the sign.<ref name=HistDictAnglican>Colin Buchanan, ''Historical Dictionary of Anglicanism'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 2nd ed.: 2015), pp. 533-35.</ref> The [[Book of Common Prayer (1552)|1552 ''Book of Common Prayer'']] (revised in 1559) reduced the five set uses to a single usage, during baptism.<ref name=HistDictAnglican/> The form of the sign was touching the head, chest, then both shoulders.<ref name=Nelson/>

The use of the mandatory sign of the cross during baptism was one of several points of contention between the [[Established church|established]] [[Church of England]] and [[Puritans]], who objected to this sole mandatory sign of the cross,<ref name=HistDictAnglican/><ref name=Nelson>Louis P. Nelson, ''The Beauty of Holiness: Anglicanism and Architecture in Colonial South Carolina'' (University of North Carolina Press: 2009), p. 152.</ref> and its connections to the church's Catholic past.<ref name=Nelson/> [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|Nonconformists]] refused to use the sign.<ref name=Nelson/> In addition to its Catholic associations, the sign of the cross was significant in [[English folklore|English folk traditions]], with the sign believed to have a [[Apotropaic|protective function against evil]].<ref name=Nelson/> Puritans viewed the sign of the cross as superstitious and idolatrous.<ref name=Nelson/> Use of the sign of the cross during baptism was defended by [[James VI and I|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 [[English Dissenters|departure of Puritans from the Church of England]].<ref name=HistDictAnglican/>

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 the sign's use.<ref name=HistDictAnglican/> The 1892 revision of the Prayer Book, however, made the sign mandatory.<ref name=HistDictAnglican/> 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;<ref name=AZAnglicanism>Colin Buchanan, ''The A to Z of Anglicanism'' (Scarecrow Press: 2009), pp. 126-27.</ref> historically, "[[high church]]" Anglicans were more apt to make the sign of the cross than "[[low church]]" Anglicans.<ref>Corinne Ware, ''What Is Liturgy?'' Forward Movement Publications (1996), p. 18.</ref> Objections to the use of the sign of the cross within Anglicanism were largely dropped in the 20th century.<ref name=HistDictAnglican/> 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.<ref>Marcus Throup, ''All Things Anglican: Who We Are and What We Believe'' ([[Canterbury Press]], 2018).</ref> More recently, some Anglican bishops have adopted the Roman Catholic practice of placing a sign of the cross (+) before their signatures.<ref name=AZAnglicanism/>

====Methodism====
The sign of the cross can be found in the [[Methodist]] liturgy of the [[United Methodist Church]].<ref name="UMC 1">{{cite web|url =https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-why-dont-united-methodists-make-the-sign-of-the-cross|title=Why don't we make the sign of the cross?|publisher = United Methodist Church|access-date =September 19, 2022}}</ref> [[John Wesley]], the principal leader of the early Methodists, in a 1784&nbsp;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 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.)<ref name="UMC 1"/><ref>John Wesley's Prayer Book: The Sunday Service of the Methodists in North America with introduction, notes, and commentary by James F. White, 1991 OSL Publications, Akron, Ohio, page 142.</ref> Wesley did not include the sign of the cross in other rites.<ref name="UMC 1"/>

By the early 20th century, the use of the sign of the cross had been dropped from American Methodist worship.<ref name="UMC 1"/> However, its uses was subsequently restored, and the current United Methodist Church allows the pastor to "trace on the forehead of each newly baptized person the sign of the cross."<ref name="UMC 1"/> This usage during baptism is reflected in the current (1992) ''[[The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992)|Book of Worship of the United Methodist Church]]'', and is widely practiced (sometimes with oil).<ref>The United Methodist Book of Worship, Nashville 1992, p. 91</ref> Making of the sign is also common among United Methodists on [[Ash Wednesday]], when it is applied by the [[Elder (Methodism)|elder]] to the foreheads of the [[laity]] as a mark of penitence.<ref name="UMC 1"/><ref>The United Methodist Book of Worship, Nashville 1992, p. 323.</ref> In some United Methodist congregations, the worship leader makes the sign of the cross toward congregants (for example, when [[Benediction|blessing the congregation at the end of the sermon or service]]), and individual congregants make the sign on themselves when receiving [[Holy Communion]].<ref name="UMC 1"/> The sign is also sometimes made by pastors, with oil, upon the foreheads of those seeking healing.<ref>The United Methodist Book of Worship, Nashville 1992, p. 620.</ref> In addition to its use in baptism, some Methodist clergy make the sign at the [[Communion table]] and during the [[Confession (religion)#Methodism|Confession of Sin and Pardon]] at the invocation of [[Jesus' name]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.revneal.org/Writings/Writings/preparedandcrosschecked.html|title=Prepared and Cross-Checked|last=Neal|first=Gregory S.|year=2011|publisher=Grace Incarnate Ministries|language=en|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref>

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 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."<ref name="UMC 1"/>

==== Reformed tradition (Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist) ====
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.<ref>J. Dudley Weaver Jr., ''Presbyterian Worship: A Guide for Clergy'' ([[Geneva Press]]: 2002), pp. 86-87.</ref> It 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.

====Armenian Apostolic====
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 the Holy [[Trinity]], and putting the two other fingers in the palm, then touching one's forehead, below the chest, left side, then right side and finishing with open hand on the chest again with bowing head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=5811&pid=2429&lng=en| title =Making the Sign of the Cross (Khachaknkel)|access-date = 6 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/feasts/the-holy-cross/about-the-exaltation-of-the-cross/|title=In the Shadow of the Cross: The Holy Cross and Armenian History|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222080108/http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/feasts/the-holy-cross/about-the-exaltation-of-the-cross/|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

====Assyrian Church of the East====
The [[Assyrian Church of the East]] uniquely holds the sign of the cross as a sacrament in its own right. Another sacrament unique to the church is the [[Holy Leaven]].<ref>{{Cite book | chapter = The Sacrament of the Holy Leaven (Malkā) in the Assyrian Church of the East | title = The Anaphoral Genesis of the Institution Narrative in Light of the Anaphora of Addai and Mari | last = Royel | first = Mar Awa | chapter-url = https://www.academia.edu/12388908 | editor-first = Cesare | editor-last=Giraudo | isbn = 978-88-97789-34-5 | year = 2013 | publisher = Edizioni Orientalia Christiana | location = Rome | page = 363 }}</ref>

==Small sign of the cross==
The small sign of the cross has been documented in [[early Christianity]] by [[Tertullian]], an [[Church Fathers|Ante-Nicene Church Father]], who wrote in AD&nbsp;204 in {{Lang|la|De Corona}} ({{Gloss|On Crowns}}): "In all our actions, when we come in or go out, when we dress, when we wash, at our meals, before retiring to sleep we form on our foreheads the sign of the cross." Tertullian attested to the Christian practice of tracing this small sign of the cross on objects, such one's bed before sleeping. It is traced on the forehead, or various objects, with the thumb (sometimes using [[holy water]] or [[Holy anointing oil|anointing oil]]).<ref name="SlocumArmentrout2000"/><ref name="Couchman2010"/><ref name="Crock1938"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Bonhoeffer made the sign of the cross |url=https://orthochristian.com/79955.html |publisher=Ortho Christian |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref><ref name="Guzman2013"/><ref name="CavallettiCoulterGobbi2021"/>

=== Anointing of the sick ===
During the Christian rite of the [[anointing of the sick]], practiced liturgically in Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism, the small sign of the cross is traced on the forehead of the individual being anointed.<ref name="USCCB2025">{{cite web |title=Order for the Blessing of the Sick |url=https://www.usccb.org/prayers/order-blessing-sick |publisher=[[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]] |access-date=6 March 2025 |language=en |quote=394 A lay minister traces the sign of the cross on the forehead of each sick person and says the following prayer of blessing.}}</ref><ref name="Gusmer2017">{{cite book |last1=Gusmer |first1=Charles W. |title=And You Visited Me: Sacramental Ministry to the Sick |date=5 May 2017 |publisher=Liturgical Press |isbn=978-0-8146-6325-7 |page=39 |language=en}}</ref> 

{{quotation|By tracing the sign of the cross on the forehead during the anointing, the priest indicates that all divine favors come to us through the salvific power of Christ, Who continues to be present with His Church, since "Christ is among us!" (Mt. 18, 20) And the faithful, in turn express their faith in Christ’s presence and assistance by answering, "He is and He shall be."<ref>{{cite web |title=MIROVANIJE: THE ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL: A Traditional Custom of the BYZANTINE RITE |url=https://archpitt.org/mirovanije-the-anointing-with-holy-oil-a-traditional-custom-of-the-byzantine-rite/ |publisher=[[Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh]] |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref>}}

=== Exorcism and deliverance prayers ===
[[File:Lutheran baptism.jpg|thumb|220px|An [[Infant baptism|infant being baptized]] in a [[Lutheran]] church]]
In the [[minor exorcism]] used in the Christian sacrament of [[Baptism]], the Catholic ''[[Roman Missal]]'' (1911), Lutheran ''[[Baptismal Booklet]]'' (1526) and ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' (1549) enjoin the sign of the cross to be traced on the forehead of the baptismal candidate.<ref name="CavallettiCoulterGobbi2021"/><ref name="Senn2012">{{cite book|last=Senn|first=Frank C.|title=Introduction to Christian Liturgy|year=2012|publisher=Fortress Press|isbn=9781451424331|page=162}}</ref><ref name="Bradshaw2013">{{cite book|last=Bradshaw|first=Paul F.|title=New SCM Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship|date=April 2013|publisher=Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd|isbn=9780334049326|page=41}}</ref>

The Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal led by Roman Catholic exorcist [[Stephen Joseph Rossetti]] provides deliverance prayers for the laity.<ref name="Rossetti2025"/> Among these is the Prayer for Cleansing the Faculties and Senses, which enjoins the use of the sign of the cross to be traced on several parts of the body using [[holy anointing oil|holy oil]] or [[holy water]].<ref name="Rossetti2025">{{cite web |author1=[[Stephen Joseph Rossetti]] |title=Cleansing the Faculties and Senses |access-date=6 March 2025 |language=English|url=https://www.catholicexorcism.org/deliverance-prayers-for-the-laity}}</ref>

=== Ash Wednesday ===
[[File: Ashes to Go at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church.jpg|thumb|A woman receives a cross of ashes on Ash Wednesday outside an Episcopal church (2015).]]
On [[Ash Wednesday]] (the first day of [[Lent]] in [[Western Christianity]]), the sign of the cross is made by the celebrant on the forehead of believers during the ceremony of the imposition of ashes; this takes place in Latin-Rite Catholicism, Lutheranism, [[Moravian Church|Moravianism]], Anglicanism, as well as in a number of [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed]] ([[Continental Reformed]], [[Presbyterian]], and [[Congregationalist]]), [[Methodist]], [[Anabaptist]], and [[Baptist]] churches, among others.<ref name="RCA2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.rca.org/resources/liturgy-rca-basics-worship/liturgical-calendar|title=The Liturgical Calendar|year=2018|publisher=[[Reformed Church in America]]|language=en|access-date=13 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="Lipin2017">{{cite web |last1=Lipin |first1=Bridget |title=Lenten Reflections: Ash Wednesday |url=https://www.abc-usa.org/2017/02/lenten-reflections-ash-wednesday/ |publisher=[[American Baptist Churches USA]] |language=English |date=27 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="Methodist2020">{{cite web |title=The Significance of Lent |url=https://www.methodist.org.sg/the-significance-of-lent/ |publisher=[[Methodist Church in Singapore]] |access-date=14 February 2024 |language=English |date=22 January 2020 |quote=Over the last 25 years, more and more Methodist local conferences have been observing Lent, the 46 days before Easter.}}</ref>

=== House blessing ===
[[Tertullian]], an [[Church Fathers|Ante-Nicene Church Father]], attested to a Christian woman making the sign of the cross on her bed before sleeping.<ref name="Couchman2010"/> Christians of various denominations mark doors, windows and lintels of their house with the sign of the cross using [[holy anointing oil]] for a [[house blessing]].<ref name="MOP2020"/><ref name="Martin2017"/><ref name="Rossetti2024"/> Prayers such as the following are used for the same:<ref name="MOP2020"/>
{{quotation|With the sign of this cross I am making a declaration that this house belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ that no sickness, death, thief or evil can enter this home.  This oil is a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ. No weapons that are formed against us or this property shall prosper and any destruction must pass over us, in Jesus name. We are safe and protected under the blood of Jesus.<ref name="MOP2020"/>}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[Christian symbolism]]
* [[Crossed fingers]]
* [[Lesser sign of the cross]]
* [[Mudras]]
* [[Prayer in Christianity]]
* [[Rushma]] in Mandaeism
* [[Veneration]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sign of the cross}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5cHmzs769c Why do Lutherans Make the Sign of the Cross? - University Lutheran Chapel]
*[https://catholic-link.org/why-do-catholics-make-the-sign-of-the-cross/page/51/?et_blog Why Do Catholics Make The Sign Of The Cross? - Catholic Link]
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