Simple instructions for performing this important gesture
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The Orthodox cross is an easy gesture that is most commonly repeated three times while saying: "God bless and protect" each time. Every Orthodox Christian should know how to do this without a second thought.
Steps
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1Use the right hand. Touch the middle and index fingers to the thumb, so that the tips of all three are connected. Curl in the pinky and ring finger, as if they were in a fist.
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2Gently touch the index, middle, and thumb to the center of your forehead.Advertisement
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3Bring your hand down, maintaining the shape to right between your ribcage and belly button.
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4Raise your hand to the right shoulder.
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5Cross over to the left shoulder.
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6Repeat twice.
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7Say the blessing. While doing this, say "God bless and protect" or "Господи спаси и сохрани" ("Gospodi spasi e sohrani") if you speak Russian
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhy do Protestants feel they have a right to correct Orthodox Christians?Community AnswerNo one has the moral right to correct another persons beliefs. Perhaps you are spending time with the wrong Protestants.
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QuestionWhy do I cross myself twice and not three times?Community AnswerThis is tradition, and does not appear in the Bible as a way to address the Lord. We are told to pray in private and call on our father.
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QuestionDo you sound out words while making the sign of cross?jonas ilverCommunity AnswerIn the Eastern Orthodox churches, you touch your pinched fingers to your forehead, saying "In the name of the Father," then to your belly button, saying" and the Son, " then to your right and left shoulders, saying "and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
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Warnings
- It is extremely impolite to use this gesture in a mocking sense.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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