When to Make the Sign of the Cross | Greek Orthodox 101

[@remkojerphanion4686]

"The sign of the Cross is personal between you and God". Those words moved me.

[@xmc7189]

@Evelyn Choy So why didn't you explain and defended your faith? I would advise you to return to the catholic faith and stop attending these heretical churches.

[@rosannapizza6402]

@@xmc7189 Agreed. They are new interpretations - and false ones - of ancient religions. I also am adverse to the JW, another made up 'cult'. These simply take established religion and belief and twist it and pretend they are authentic. To me it's comical.

[@titianmom]

Nothing better than a priest with a sense of humor. 😊

[@annunciationorthodox]

Laughter is one of God's most precious gifts! Thank you!

[@alanc292]

I’m new to the Orthodox Church so these videos are helpful. God bless you all and stay safe

[@stevelenores5637]

I understand. I'm new and was doing the sign wrong. Wrong-Head-shoulder-shoulder-heart. Now I know it is head-heart-shoulder-shoulder.

[@danielgaley9676]

Same here.

[@danielgaley9676]

I learn more everyday. Please pray for my wife Cathy. She wants nothing to do with Orthodoxy. Blessings to all.

[@matthewb94]

Same here brother, similar struggle. I’ll pray for the Lord our God to soften her heart.

[@Artem_Myronko]

You are one flesh. Keep going in orthodoxy and like St.Paul said in his letters: "She could be saved thanks to your faith"

[@danielgaley9676]

@@Artem_Myronko Thank you for your words of encouragement.🙏🙏🙏

[@Mark-yb1sp]

I am a new catechumen. He answered what I’ve been asking. When? 1. It’s at the time you hear the “Father, Son and the Holy Spirt” together. 2. When the Priest gives you a blessing. 3. Right BEFORE you receive the Eucharist. 4. When you are scented by censure . 5. When the bread and wine has been consecrated as the blood and body of Christ. Perfect. I can do this. And NOT like Jimmy Hendrix. 😃

[@samanthagirikhanov2796]

I’m a new inquirer so I just do it most times when others do it. I think it will get more natural as I move on. 🤣

[@jamesbuchanan3145]

*Jimi

[@benjaminplackemeier1705]

Question: when making the cross. When entering the church…What is defined as entering? Ive seen as the before the last row or is it before the door of the church entrance?

[@kmj2000]

This was so helpful, way better than just crossing myself when everyone else does it. 😆

[@annunciationorthodox]

You're welcome!

[@jamestregler1584]

Love my Orthodox brothers and Father is great 😇 Thanks from old New Orleans 😇

[@annunciationorthodox]

Blessings to you and New Orleans!

[@monkeywrenchization]

I was told by our Priest that if you are getting a blessing, not to make the sign of the cross, but to bow your head, and accept the blessing.

[@ayeeniko]

This is also my understanding.

[@elsonsanchez3220]

Yup same here

[@miNx2.1]

same...

[@hristossarpel]

It’s the same what I have been told

[@neeedGems]

Bless you father, from Tulsa Oklahoma

[@annunciationorthodox]

Thank you and God bless you too!

[@toughgemini337]

Bless you Father, from South Africa

[@annunciationorthodox]

Thank you and God bless you!

[@susansuewwilliams]

Father has the most wonderful sense of humor. Father's "talks" are so helpful, even though I have been a convert since 2006, I have learnt so much from Father. Blessed Lent. May the prayers from Mount Athos this Friday/Saturday be taken by the Most Holy Theotokos to her Son and may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the Father and the Holy Spirit deliver us. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on us sinners Through the prayer of our Holy Fathers and Mothers Lord Jesus Christ have mercy.

[@rosannapizza6402]

THis is fascinating. I am Roman Catholic but love the symbolism of the Greek Orthodox religion. Of note, we in Catholicism cross from left to right which I noticed is right to left in Greek Orthodox. I love understanding what is behind. Embarrassingly enough, as a Roman Catholic who went to Catholic school, I don't recall learning the meaning of why we cross ourselves and when. Even though it's slightly different, your explanation gave me a new appreciation and I prefer the 3 finger process to the crossing of oneself. I'll be watching more!

[@Artem_Myronko]

I don't know the RC meaning of the cross but we do it with 3 fingers united to signify the Trinity and the other two fingers are to represent the Human nature and pthe divine nature of Christ.

[@remkojerphanion4686]

I don't know if Jimi was a Christian, but I love the humor! Great video by the way!

[@malissabrown78]

This is so helpfully. Thank you

[@annunciationorthodox]

You're welcome!

[@TheAccidentalTroubadour]

Bless You Father. That was very helpful.

[@Jayce_Alexander]

I love your videos, Father Maggos. You answer questions so many of us have but are sometimes a little embarrassed to ask, because we feel we should already know the answer. I also love how you're able to explain things in a manner that everyone can easily understand, and with a healthy dose of humor whenever it is appropriate, but always respectful. It is a shame I am all the way in the Netherlands, because I would love to visit the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The Sign of the Cross is a powerful thing. My mother taught us to always offer a quick prayer to God followed by the sign of the Cross whenever we hear or see that someone is suffering or in danger, such as for example when we hear an ambulance or a police siren, see a traffic accident, when we hear a classmate or coworker is ill, or when we witness pain and suffering on the news (the sign of the Cross was made many times in our house as we followed the events of September 11th, 2001, for example). We were taught to drop whatever we were doing and offer a quick prayer to God for a fellow man in need. My mom would even pull the car over if it was at all possible to do so safely for a prayer whenever we encountered an ambulance with its sirens on in traffic. Even during my years of wandering through a spiritual desert, foolishly telling myself I didn't believe in anything, I still made the sign of the Cross when I heard a siren, or saw someone who was in pain or otherwise suffering. It was only years later as I rediscovered my faith that I realized I had never truly stopped praying - I didn't make the sign of the Cross as just some meaningless, instinctive hand motion; it was very much intended to ask God to watch over someone in need. Once I came to that realization I also realized that God had never left me, even though I was blind to His love for years. God gives us mercy even when we deserve His wrath. I have much to repent for, but God's love is so great that from the moment I realized I had to come home to him, I immediately felt how my soul had started to heal. Our faith is truly a transformative process. And God blessed me with two wonderful parents. Glory to God.

[@vimaltadake8887]

Amen Priest The Lord ❤☦️🛐🫂💋 Thank you.father.

[@vimaltadake8887]

Amen Priest The Lord ❤☦️🛐🫂💋 Thank you Father.

[@RumAleks]

Woahhh I loved Jimmy Hendrix analogy ! This guy cool !

[@paulwilliams9207]

Thank you thank you thank you. You have really cheered us up this morning. Fantastic Father. Love your videos. Such a lifeline

[@milan4537]

Father you are a very good person i like you. God bless you, you and all my orthodox brother

[@marietzannetakis7870]

Beautiful explanation.

[@annunciationorthodox]

Glad you liked it! Thank you

[@tatyanat1558]

Such a perfect explanation.

[@FloresOrtodoxas]

That outro was funny 🤣 gotta love some humor.

[@chrispii47]

The jimmy hendrix 😂😂😂

[@mcschneiveoutdoors3681]

That ending was classic! 🤣

[@kaykyrina]

This video moved me a lot! He helps us carry your burden... never thought of that! Also the ending had me laughing :D

[@shanesmith5850]

Thank you so much. And even more so for that rockin' outro. In all seriousness, thank you and thank you to your family and friends, for all the help these videos are providing.

[@marcusaurelius1477]

Thanks !

[@austinwhite1268]

Very helpful Father. I have watched a few of your videos and they are very informative. Thank you and many years!

[@amerikaansnieuws3248]

Thank you!

[@annunciationorthodox]

Welcome!

[@TinaICXCNIKA]

Thank you...and for a good laugh (yes, I watched to the very end)!

[@joysunday1749]

Thank you

[@annunciationorthodox]

You're welcome!

[@xmc7189]

Can you also make a video on why do we make the sign of the Cross ✝️

[@joeharrisoncomposer]

Father, bless. Wow, some good information here. I laughed for a good while after the "Jimi Hendrix," I knew exactly what "version" of the motion you meant even before you acted it out 😆 Something that I didn't know before was the regulation regarding NOT crossing yourself during the procession of the Bread and Wine (at least, not crossing "at" the elements themselves). Everyone at my parish does that - crosses themselves not at the Cross but at the elements as they are passing by - so I just assumed this was normal, and yet I always wondered about that because (as you said)... they're still just Bread and Wine at that moment. I hypothesized that maybe it was somehow *part* of the Consecration? Like, the elements "absorb" the veneration of the laity as they pass by, and it's just part of the "process." But what you're saying definitely makes sense. Thank you for these videos, father.

[@johna3322]

Great video

[@chriscorse782]

Thank you wonderful video!!!

[@yashjhari]

hey when will the Holy Orthodox Church come to Suriname?

[@nurglenurgle]

I went to my first Divine Liturgy and it seemed like people were making the sign of the cross randomly. It was so confusing. I just picked a guy nearby and did what he did. Or when the majority seemed to do it. Some seemed to touch their stomachs rather than their hearts.

[@gsdmama2]

I learned some new things today. Thank you. So as you are carrying the bread and wine to be consecrated, do we bow out or no because we always bowed and made the sign of the cross but now I won't knowing it is just bread and wine not the body and blood of Christ.

[@Englishkin]

At an "Amen" would also be a good point for the "marks of the Cross", as a "work by faith" making one's faith be done "on Earth as it is in Heaven" (Galatians 6:17; James 2:18; Matthew 16:10 KJV).

[@JayRedding12_12]

Is there meaning to left to right or right to left? I'm Roman Rite, so I've always done left to right, but I don't know if there's a significance.

[@innerpull]

When are some times appropriate to sign the cross outside of the church / when at home?

[@jasmindumalay2002]

We make the sign of the cross after we wake up,before we go out so that our guardian angel guided us!sign of the cross release our body to bad spirits!Amen

[@samanthagirikhanov2796]

I’m not sure how to do it when you touch the floor. Is it head, floor then shoulders? I feel weird watching ppl during service. Like I’m not judging you, I’m trying to learn 😂

[@maximos3207]

You said pretty adamantly that you do not make the sign of the cross for unconsecrated gifts, but the videos you chose for that section, around 5:30 , show literally everyone in your parish doing it. What am I missing? My priest said he has never heard of that. Can we not make the sign of the cross in anticipation of the gifts being consecrated? The Great Entrance is meant to symbolize Christ entering Jerusalem right?

[@Englishkin]

"From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. (Galatians 6:17 KJV)" What marks of the Cross on St. Paul's body? Was St. Paul nailed to a cross (and survived it)? Was he a stigmata? Or, was he making the "marks of the Cross" as we now do, liturgically?

[@whythawye]

Is it appropriate before eating in general?

[@dtr5175]

Not only is appropriate but it is blessed. We should make the sign of the cross always. When we start to eat/drink and when we finish, when we leave our house, when we start to do a work, we cross the kids when they leave for school e.t.c. It is not easy, though. I feel shame even in front of my parents and I don't make it often :(

[@MSHOOD123]

@@dtr5175 why shame for it? It's not an obscene gesture 😊

[@douglasschmidt2869]

So it’s right shoulder first? Or does it not really matter

[@annunciationorthodox]

Yes, it's right shoulder first for Orthodoxy, left for Catholicism.

[@terrace1]

​@@annunciationorthodoxI had the same question, and also wouldn't it be wrong doing it from left to right?

[@PanagiaDespina]

@@terrace1 Absolutely not! It's just a different habit, a cultural difference but Eastern Catholics do it from right to left too! :)

[@dansedevie123]

@@PanagiaDespina Some Eastern Catholics :) Like Byzantine Catholics. But Maronites, Coptic Catholics and others go from left to right. There is symbolism in both!

[@PanagiaDespina]

@@dansedevie123 Latinization

[@astardustparade]

Lol the Jimi Hendrix

[@RedfishInc]

How does a 40 year lapsed catholic come back to the faith?

[@Dlee-eo5vv]

Confession and your in.

[@Jayce_Alexander]

Prayer, confession, read the Bible, even if they're just brief passages, and go to church if/when you can (you may not have a church near you or there may be COVID restrictions in place that make it difficult for you at the moment depending on where you live). In other words: live your faith, remind yourself of your blessings. When you feel you're ready, try to talk to your local priest. And share your love for God with your fellow Christians, of course. The fact that you're here asking yourself this shows that you've already taken a very important step. God bless you, my brother in Christ.

[@uchejombo6706]

When do I make the sign of the cross at mass ?

[@Artem_Myronko]

Is it okay to do it many times a day even without these reasons?

[@omerLM38]

Of course! Its good it strengthens your faith and makes your Relationship with god better, because when you do it often without a reason then you think about God more often.

[@john_1330]

Why orthodox and Catholic has different sign of the cross ? Even they are one church long time ago.

[@rosannapizza6402]

@@theStormaftertheCalm what do you mean to cancel out the right? In a negative way?

[@malissabrown78]

Why 3 times in a row???

[@Orthody_]

I feel disgusted to make the sign of the cross while knowing that's the hand I lustfully sin with. Lord have mercy on me. ☦️

[@aprilparedes4002]

Father do orthodox make sign of the cross in glory be in mass

[@paulhudson4254]

Fr. Not to split hairs...I make the sign of the cross ☦️ when you pass by with just bread and wine for 2. reasons 1. It’s the same cup that has previously held the Lord’s body and blood! 2. My clergy is passing by! 🙏🌺☦️🌺🙏

[@annunciationorthodox]

Father will be addressing this in tonight's Orthodoxy Questions Answered live show!

[@michaelcaza6766]

“… but you do not make the sign of the cross in front of elements of bread and wine!” Just like we don’t use organs or other instruments during Divine services! We are not Roman Catholics!

[@linoazzurro]

When they commemorate the heretic Bartholomew should we avoid making the cross?

[@annunciationorthodox]

Father Angelo will be answering your question in tonight's live Orthodoxy Questions Answered!

[@hotlanta35]

I make the sign of the cross also when someone give me a nasty look or vibe

[@marcusa.4756]

As a former Pope Gregory, I admit that I used to do it only show off my piety

[@johna3322]

We call that the "playing bouzouki" cross 😂

[@stevekalas4943]

I DIDN’T KNOW JIMMY HENDRIX was GREEK ORTHODOX.

[@williamlarochelle6833]

What you had to say about "the Pope Gregory" sign of the cross is ludicrous. Catholics don't go around making the sign in the exaggerated way you fancy they do. Granted, maybe there are oddball Catholics who do, but the overwhelming majority certainly don't--though many do it quickly and unmindfully.

[@stuckmannen3876]

The memes

[@williammann6198]

Become Catholic, then make the Sign of the Cross.

[@nacereddinechallal4405]

Was he shading the roman catholics 🤣

[@michaelcaza6766]

Father, you need to ditch the organ in your Divine Liturgies and other Divine Services!

[@callefolin]

He has an organ? bruh why would anyone add an organ

[@LilyPearl55]

A wonderful explanation and knowledge. ✨🕊🍃🫧♥️🇦🇺