What is the proper way to do the cross. From what I have known, Catholics use 3 fingers(thumb, middle and index fingers) to to do cross in which they move their fingers from the forehead to the heart and from left shoulder to right shoulder. But in the case of Eastern Orthodox Christians they bring their 3 fingers from right shoulder to left shoulder(reverse of what the Catholics do)
My question is which is the correct way to do the sign of the cross? Or does it really matter what way you do the sign of the cross?
My question is which is the correct way to do the sign of the cross? Or does it really matter what way you do the sign of the cross?
Accepted Answer
The typical sign of the cross ends at the level of the heart because it is a path of devotion, which is not inherently demonic. It is merely exoteric.
The Gnostic form of the cross reaches the sexual organs, because it is an initiatic path and is therefore more comprehensive, including the four ways.
The Gnostic form of the cross reaches the sexual organs, because it is an initiatic path and is therefore more comprehensive, including the four ways.
For thirty years I sought God. But when I looked carefully I found that in reality God was the seeker and I the sought. -Bayazid al-Bastami
So for many centuries, the eastern orthodoxy has been doing the wrong way to do the sign of the cross? If one does the sign of the cross the orthodox way by crossing the shoulders from right to left, does it symbolize evil or something demonic?
Accepted Answer
The typical sign of the cross ends at the level of the heart because it is a path of devotion, which is not inherently demonic. It is merely exoteric.
The Gnostic form of the cross reaches the sexual organs, because it is an initiatic path and is therefore more comprehensive, including the four ways.
The Gnostic form of the cross reaches the sexual organs, because it is an initiatic path and is therefore more comprehensive, including the four ways.
For thirty years I sought God. But when I looked carefully I found that in reality God was the seeker and I the sought. -Bayazid al-Bastami
I understand but when one is crossing horizontally from shoulder to shoulder, should one do it from left to right like Roman Catholics do or should one do do it from right to left like the Eastern Orthodox Christians do?
I apologize if this is a trivial question but I am quite afraid to do an incorrect practice that can lead to unintended consequences.?
I apologize if this is a trivial question but I am quite afraid to do an incorrect practice that can lead to unintended consequences.?
The cross is performed from top to bottom (the head: the Father, the heart: the Son, and the sexual organs: Holy Spirit). Then you cross from your left shoulder (Geburah) over your heart (Tiphereth) to your right shoulder (Chesed).
For thirty years I sought God. But when I looked carefully I found that in reality God was the seeker and I the sought. -Bayazid al-Bastami
So then the Eastern Orthodox sign of the cross of crossing themselves from right shoulder (chesed) to left shoulder(Geburah) is wrong? Does it invite demonic forces to ourselves if we cross ourselves that way?
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