Cross with three fingers. History of the Sign of the Cross in the Christian Church

Why are they baptized with three fingers, and the Old Believers with two?

In the beginning there was a word .... it’s kind of sad))) it was and has passed. In the uncorrected, the word will always abide...! Oh, this is already reasonable: the process of creation is always going on, stars are born, planets, people ....
The process "Always abide" also operates in two-fingered baptism: two fingers towards you means that at the moment of contact you are the third - this is a Divine act, a sacrament here and now.
There are churches with golden domes;
Where it's simple, there are hundreds of angels! Where it's hard to break a leg!
Look at the root, clues are everywhere.
Traditionally...
Three means father, son and holy spirit.
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/answers/050202084237
The three fingers is the most common variant of the sign of the cross, used in most Orthodox Churches. To perform it, the first three fingers of the right hand (thumb, index and middle) are folded, and the other two fingers are bent to the palm. Then successively touch the forehead, abdomen, right shoulder, then the left. If the sign of the cross is performed outside of worship, it is customary to speak in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen, or another prayer.
Three fingers folded together symbolize the Holy Trinity. The meaning of the other two fingers at different times could be different. So, originally among the Greeks, they did not mean anything at all. Later, in Rus', under the influence of a controversy with the Old Believers (who claimed that the Nikonians abolished Christ from the cross of Christ), these two fingers were rethought as a symbol of the two natures of Christ, Divine and human. This interpretation is now the most common, although there are others (for example, in the Romanian Church, these two fingers are interpreted as a symbol of Adam and Eve falling to the Trinity).

The hand, depicting a cross, first touches the right shoulder, then the left, which symbolizes the traditional Christian opposition of the right side, as the place of the saved and the left, as the place of the perishing (see Matt., 25, 31-46). Thus, raising his hand first to the right, then to the left shoulder, the Christian asks to be included in the fate of the saved and to be delivered from the fate of the perishing.
An Orthodox priest, blessing people or objects, folds his fingers into a special signet, called nominative. It is believed that the fingers folded in this way depict the letters IC XC, that is, the initials of the name Jesus Christ. When blessing, the hand is led first to the left, then to the right, that is, for a person blessed in this way, the right shoulder is still blessed first, then the left.

Two-finger was used in Rus' until the reforms of Patriarch Nikon in the 17th century. It was practiced earlier in Byzantium, being later supplanted by tripartite. In our time, the two-fingered composition is used (among the Orthodox) almost exclusively by the Old Believers.

Old Believer icon, where Christ blesses with a two-fingered sign of the cross

When making double fingers, the two fingers of the right hand, the index and middle ones, are connected together, symbolizing the two natures of Christ, while the middle finger is slightly bent, which means Divine condescension and incarnation. The three remaining fingers are also connected together, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. After that, with the tips of two fingers (and only them) they sequentially touch the forehead, abdomen, right and left shoulder. At the same time, in the literature of the Old Believers, it is specially emphasized that one should be baptized earnestly, and in such a way that the touch of the fingers is felt through clothes. It is also emphasized that one cannot be baptized at the same time as bowing; a bow, if required, should be made after the hand has been lowered (however, the same rule is followed in the new rite, although not so strictly).

The Old Believers do not recognize triplets, believing that the image of the cross with three fingers in honor of the Holy Trinity denotes a heresy, according to which the entire Trinity, and not only the Son, suffered on the Cross. For the same reason, it is not customary to pronounce the sign of the cross in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; instead, they usually say the Jesus Prayer.

The priest, blessing, does not use any special signet, but folds his hand into the same two-finger.
A two-fingered cross opens the chakras, while a three-fingered one closes. When entering the temple - open, when leaving - close. The sign of the cross is a pre-Christian ritual. Its meaning is many times wider than described by Christians.
Nikon replaced the two-fingered with the three-fingered ONE-PERSONALLY in violation of the 34th canon rule: Bishops of every nation should know the first in them, and recognize him as the head, and do nothing exceeding their power without his reasoning: to do to each only what concerns him diocese, and to places belonging to it. But the FIRST DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THE CONSIDERATION OF EVERYONE. For in this way there will be unanimity, and God will be glorified in the Lord in the Holy Spirit, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The trinity itself originated in the Roman episcopate.

ABOUT THE CATHOLIC ORIGIN TRHPERSTIA.

The initiator of the Trinity was the Roman Catholic Church. In the 13th century, the executioner and child-killer, Pope Innocent III, who occupied the Roman chair from 1198 to 1216, wrote: One should be baptized with THREE FINGERS, for this is done with the invocation of the Trinity (De sacro altaris misterio, II, 45).

Pope Innocent III is famous for establishing the infamous ecclesiastical tribunal, the Holy Inquisition, in 1215, and a little earlier, in 1212, for organizing the so-called Children's Crusade, which claimed thousands of children's lives. It was also Pope Innocent III who organized the 4th Crusade against the Orthodox Christians of the East. After a long siege in 1204, the Crusaders occupied the stronghold of Eastern Orthodoxy, Constantinople, and as a result of three days of robbery and murder, they almost completely destroyed the city. Robber knights created the Latin Empire, and the pope ordained the Catholic Patriarch of Constantinople. With the heretic crusaders, the three-finger came to the East, gradually spreading among Eastern Christians, it eventually completely supplanted and replaced the ancient apostolic custom of the two-fingered sign of the cross.

The addition of fingers (glorious. finger-folding) when making the sign of the cross, recommended by Pope Innocent III in the 12th century, instead of the previously familiar two-fingered (= two-fingered) addition. After the conquest of Constantinople by the crusaders in the 13th century, the tri-finger began to spread in the Greek East and by the 15th century. almost completely replaced the ancient two-finger among the Greeks. Subsequently, the Roman Catholics moved on to the next stage of desemantization of finger-folding, refusing to add fingers in general and doing it with the whole hand without confessing dogmas with the help of fingers.

wiki-linki.ru/Page/1102078

About trkhperstiya among Catholics and secular researchers write. For example, B. Uspensky

We continue: so, in the charter of the Benedictine monastery of St. Augustine in Canterbury, according to a manuscript of the first half of the 15th century, we read: Then let each novice make the sign of the cross WITH THE FIRST THREE fingers of the right hand, drawing straight lines from the top of the head almost to the feet and from the edge of the left shoulder to the right shoulder (Deinde doceat singulos facere crucis consignacionem, quae scilicet tribus primis digitis dextrae manus a summo capitis quasi ad pedes et a summitate sinistri humeri usque in dextrum humerum protrahatur directe)
Thompson, I, p. 402; cf.: Thurston, 1911/1953, p. 13.

Which hand is the right one to be baptized and how to be baptized correctly - from left to right or from right to left? How to fold your fingers correctly? Why is it necessary to be baptized and is it necessary to do this before entering the temple?

The essence of the sign of the cross, why is it necessary to be baptized?

In the sign of the cross for a believer, several essences are combined: religious, spiritual-mystical and psychological.

Religious essence consists in the fact that, by making the sign of the cross, a person shows that he is a Christian and lives with Christ; that he is part of the Christian community, appreciates its traditions and cherishes them. That he remembers and keeps in his heart the whole earthly life of Christ - from His first to the last day - and tries to match it to the best of his ability. That honors and tries to live according to the commandments that were given by Christ.

Spiritual and mystical essence lies in the fact that the sign of the cross itself has life-giving power - protecting the one who is baptized and sanctifying him. The cross is a spiritual image that a person puts on himself, “overshadows” himself with it - makes himself similar to Christ in the degree of his faith. Therefore, Christians have a reverent attitude towards the sign of the cross, and they try to be baptized not hastily, “fusily”, but with giving an account.

At the same time, when it is said that the sign of the cross has a certain "mystical" essence, it does not mean that the cross is a "mathematical" formula - such as an Indian mantra, or the rituals of magicians - which begins to "act" from a simple repetition of a set of actions or words. In an inexplicable way for human understanding, the cross sanctifies everyone who is baptized, but at the same time, everyone is “rewarded according to his faith” ...

The sign of the cross is a prayer and the attitude towards it should be appropriate.

Emotional-psychological essence sign of the cross lies in the fact that a believer unconsciously begins to be baptized when he is “used” (at certain moments of the service), or at those moments when he wants to gather himself inwardly (before an important deed, before a secret step), or simply when he experiences psychological fear of something. Or vice versa - we are filled with joy and gratitude to God. Then the hand "begins to be baptized by itself."

With what hand and how correctly should the Orthodox be baptized?

In the Orthodox tradition, you need to be baptized with your right hand - regardless of whether you are right-handed or left-handed.

The order is: forehead - stomach - right - then left shoulder.

You can “shrink” the sign of the cross (not the stomach, but the chest) - for example, in situations where there are unbelievers around, you want to cross yourself, but you try to do it “imperceptibly”.

The main thing is not to make the cross "inside oneself" smaller, always remember its greatness, importance and strength.

How to fold your fingers correctly (photo)

The Orthodox tradition says that the fingers should be folded like this: the thumb, middle and index are brought together - this symbolizes the Holy Trinity - and the ring finger and little finger are pressed against the palm.

Is it possible to be baptized in some other way or, for example, with two fingers or from left to right? No - in the Orthodox Church it is customary to be baptized with three fingers from right to left, and you need to do this - without reasoning. Even if we assume that the number of fingers is a convention and an earthly institution (referring to the fact that the Old Believers are still baptized with two, as all Orthodox in Russia once did), the very violation of tradition brings more spiritual harm to a person than good.

A page from the pre-revolutionary book "The Law of God", which tells about how to properly fold your fingers during the sign of the cross, and what it all symbolizes.

Do I need to be baptized before entering the temple or passing through the temple?

When entering the temple, it is customary to be baptized. For a person who is just getting acquainted with religion, this may seem like an artificial rule (like “must”), but over time it becomes natural and even a need to “gather” inwardly, overshadow oneself with Christ’s symbol and power, pay tribute to the temple in which ordinances are performed.

As for the situation when you just see the temple and pass by it, then a person should rely on his feelings and there are no rules. There are people who overshadow themselves with a sign every time they see the domes of the temple. There are those who do not do this, but at the same time in life they will be no less a model of a Christian.

Read this and other posts in our group in

The most common and practiced, perhaps, are Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Despite the fact that in the age of information technology, every person has access to almost any information, many people do not know what the essence of each religion is, what is common between them and how they actually differ from each other. Today we propose to talk about the difference in the imposition of the sign of the cross in different religions.

How Catholics are baptized, with which hand, how they fold their fingers: a diagram of how to baptize correctly

Before we talk about the issue of making the sign of the cross, let's talk a little about religion itself.

Catholicism or Catholicism is a Christian denomination, which today has a huge number of adherents.
The very word "Catholicism" means nothing more than "universal", "all-encompassing".
It is also worth saying that it was the Catholic Church, which was formed during the 1st millennium BC. in the Western Roman Empire had a huge impact on the development of Western civilization.
Concerning the sign of the cross. Most people do not know what it is, and all because we are used to calling this process a little differently - “baptized”, “crossed”.
The sign of the cross is nothing more than a prayerful gesture during which people make movements with their hands and, as it were, draw a cross with them.
It should also be noted that the sign of the cross is present in almost all areas of Christianity.

So, how does the imposition of the sign of the cross take place among Catholics?

It must be said right away that Catholicism does not have a single correct version of this action. There are many options for how you can cross yourself and all of them are considered correct. This is because Catholics pay more attention not to the method by which this is done, but to the goal. By crossing themselves, they seem to once again prove that they believe precisely in Christ.
Catholics are baptized with the same hand as the Orthodox, that is, with the right hand. The difference lies in something else - in the direction of movement of the hand, and even then not always.
Initially, both the Catholics of the West and the Catholics of the East performed the application of the cross on themselves in almost the same way. They were baptized from the right shoulder to the left, while using 3 fingers of the right hand. A little later, the procedure changed, and they began to be baptized from the left shoulder to the right, while using the entire hand.
The so-called "Byzantine Catholics" perform the action in the traditional way. To do this, the first 3 fingers of the hand are connected together, and the remaining 2 are pressed against the palm. In this case, baptism is carried out with the right hand, from right to left. The 3 fingers that are connected together are nothing but the Trinity, and the other 2 fingers mean the double origin of Christ. By dual origin is meant his divine and human essence.

If we show the general classification of options that Catholics use when making the sign of the cross, then it looks something like this:

The first and fourth fingers of the right hand are connected in a bundle, while the index and middle fingers also stick together. The index and middle fingers in this case mean the dual nature of Christ, which was mentioned a little earlier. This option is typical for Western Catholics.
Another addition option is to connect the 1st and 2nd fingers.
Eastern Catholics most often use this option. The thumb, index and middle fingers are connected together, and the last 2 are pressed to the hand. At the same time, 3 connected fingers mean the Holy Trinity, and 2 pressed fingers mean the dual nature of Christ.
Also, Catholics very often cross themselves with the whole palm. To do this, you need to keep your right hand completely open, all fingers except the 1st are straightened. The hand can be slightly bent, and the thumb is pressed slightly against the palm. This version of baptism means the wounds of Christ, of which there were 5.

Why do Catholics cross themselves from left to right, with two fingers or with the palm of their hand?

To answer the question, perhaps, we will delve a little into the history:

In ancient times, the left and right most often carried associations regarding various kinds of gods who were on opposite sides.
If we talk about Christianity, then the understanding of left and right is slightly different. Left and right at the same time, this is something completely different, something that has a clearly opposite meaning. For example, as a struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, sinful and righteous. In Christianity, it is generally accepted that the right side is the territory of God, and the left side is Evil.
Another fact is that the Orthodox put the cross from the right shoulder to the left, but when they baptize someone, they do it the other way around. In any of these cases, initially the hand of the one who baptizes is on the right side. Why is that? The overshadowing of the cross, which is carried out from left to right, means something coming from a person to God, but from right to left it is exactly the opposite, from God to a person.
Catholics, regardless of whether they baptize themselves or someone else, always do it only from left to right.
In both the first and second cases, believers turn to God, but they put different meanings into their conversion and communication with him.
That is, the question: "Why do Catholics baptize from left to right?" may be considered closed. They are baptized in this way, due to the fact that when they make the sign of the cross, it is important for them to communicate with Christ, and they themselves cry out to him. That is the meaning of this action.
It would also not be out of place to say that the movement of the hand from left to right can mean the path from darkness to light, from evil to good, from hatred to the world, from sin to repentance.
Movement from right to left can be interpreted as a victory over everything sinful, in particular the Devil. Since ancient times, it has been considered that it is on the left side that the unclean “sits” with us. Therefore, such movements from right to left speak of the neutralization of evil forces.

Now a few words as to why Catholics cross themselves with two fingers or with the whole palm:

As mentioned earlier, Catholics do not have a single correct option for folding fingers or hands when crossing. That is why sometimes you can see the imposition of the sign of the cross with two fingers, and even with the whole palm.
When Catholics cross themselves with 2 fingers, they once again confirm that they believe in the dual nature of Christ. That is, they realize and recognize the fact that Christ had in himself both the divine and the human principles.
The open palm symbolizes the wounds of Christ. To be more precise, it is not the palm itself, but the fingers of the hand, which, with this version of the application of the cross, are in a straightened position.

How are Greek Catholics and Jews baptized?

Speaking about Catholics, it is necessary to note the fact that there are Roman Catholics and Greek Catholics. Both of them have something in common and different.

Greek Catholics recognize the Pope as the visible head of the Church and refer to themselves as members of the Roman Catholic Church.
At the same time, it should be said that the Greek Catholics have much in common with the Orthodox, including the way the cross is applied.
They are baptized with their right hand, while with the hand they draw the cross in this way: from top to bottom, from right to left.
Also, Greek Catholics and Orthodox have a general addition of fingers. When baptized, the fingers are folded in this way: the first 3 fingers are connected together, and the little finger and ring finger are pressed to the palm.
Representatives of this movement, living in the West of Ukraine, often perform other movements during baptism. For example, a hand movement is made that marks the pierced rib of Christ.
If, for comparison, we take the Roman Catholics, then they make the sign of the cross differently. Movements are derived from the head to the womb, and then from the left shoulder to the right. In this case, the fingers are folded in different ways. This is both two-fingered and three-fingered addition.

Now let's talk about the Jews:

Let's start with the fact that the traditional religion professed by this people is Judaism.
The words "Jew" and "Jew" are very similar and today in many languages of the world have the same meaning. However, in our country it is generally accepted that "Jew" is still a nationality, and "Jew" is a professed religion.
Before answering the question "How are Jews baptized?" let's talk a little about what the symbol "cross" itself means to them. By the way, it would be more appropriate to ask the question “Are Jews baptized at all?”.
So, in ancient times, the Jews associated the cross with fear, punishment and death itself. While for Christians, the cross is the main symbol that can protect and protect from misfortune and troubles.
Today, Jews recognize the sacred cross, but put a slightly different meaning into it. For them, it is a symbol of the rebirth of the Savior. By and large, the cross does not carry such importance (as with Christians), therefore, accordingly, there is no need to impose a sign on yourself. This suggests the conclusion that the Jews are not baptized at all.

Why are Orthodox and Catholics baptized differently: Orthodox from right to left, and Catholics from left to right?

We have touched on this a little earlier. The thing is that Catholics and Orthodox put a slightly different meaning into the sign of the cross, respectively, and the implementation of the procedure is different.

We also clarify that for a long time Catholics could be baptized in different ways, that is, from left to right and from right to left. However, in 1570 this freedom of choice was cut short. Since then, Catholics have been given some kind of ban on the use of one of the options. The allowed option was left to right.
By moving the hand when drawing the cross from right to left, the Orthodox ask God's blessing. Movement in that direction always means something that comes from the Savior. Since the right side of a person is taken as the side of God, the movements from this side are considered victorious over evil and impure.
Catholics, making movements from left to right, as if express their appeal to God. Moreover, their application of the cross according to such a scheme means nothing more than a movement from everything sinful, dark and evil to light, good and moral.
Both versions of the procedure carry only a positive message, but are interpreted a little differently.

What is the difference between how Catholics and Orthodox are baptized?

Based on the information presented earlier, the answer to this question can be quite simple.

Both of them are Christians. Despite this, there are many similarities and differences between them. One of the points that is different for these two beliefs is the way the sign of the cross is applied.
Orthodox always during the removal of the cross do it only from the right shoulder to the left, while representatives of other beliefs do it the other way around. Why this happens, we figured out a little earlier.
Further, if the Orthodox fold their fingers in basically one way - three fingers are connected in a bunch and two are pressed against the inside of the palm, then Catholics can do it in completely different ways. We also discussed options for similar additions of fingers and hands earlier.
That is, the difference lies only in the trajectory along which the hand moves and in what way the fingers are folded.

This topic is very relevant and interesting, you can talk about the differences in the imposition of the cross for a very long time, exactly, as well as argue about the correctness of this process. However, we would like to draw attention to a slightly different point, which, in our opinion, is no less important: remember, it is important not only how you are baptized, but also what meaning you put into this action.

The difference in the application of the sign of the cross by different faiths /

Religion - each person puts his own meaning into this word and understands it differently. Today, there are a huge number of religions that are similar or different from each other.

How Catholics are baptized, with which hand, how they fold their fingers: a diagram of how to baptize correctly

Before we talk about the issue of making the sign of the cross, let's talk a little about religion itself.

Catholicism or Catholicism is a Christian denomination, which today has a huge number of adherents.
The very word "Catholicism" means nothing more than "universal", "all-encompassing".
It is also worth saying that it was the Catholic Church, which was formed during the 1st millennium BC. in the Western Roman Empire had a huge impact on the development of Western civilization.
Concerning the sign of the cross. Most people do not know what it is, and all because we are used to calling this process a little differently - “baptized”, “crossed”.
The sign of the cross is nothing more than a prayerful gesture during which people make movements with their hands and, as it were, draw a cross with them.
It should also be noted that the sign of the cross is present in almost all areas of Christianity.

So, how does the imposition of the sign of the cross take place among Catholics?

It must be said right away that Catholicism does not have a single correct version of this action. There are many options for how you can cross yourself and all of them are considered correct. This is because Catholics pay more attention not to the method by which this is done, but to the goal. By crossing themselves, they seem to once again prove that they believe precisely in Christ.
Catholics are baptized with the same hand as the Orthodox, that is, with the right hand. The difference lies in something else - in the direction of movement of the hand, and even then not always.
Initially, both the Catholics of the West and the Catholics of the East performed the application of the cross on themselves in almost the same way. They were baptized from the right shoulder to the left, while using 3 fingers of the right hand. A little later, the procedure changed, and they began to be baptized from the left shoulder to the right, while using the entire hand.
The so-called "Byzantine Catholics" perform the action in the traditional way. To do this, the first 3 fingers of the hand are connected together, and the remaining 2 are pressed against the palm. In this case, baptism is carried out with the right hand, from right to left. The 3 fingers that are connected together are nothing but the Trinity, and the other 2 fingers mean the double origin of Christ. By dual origin is meant his divine and human essence.

If we show the general classification of options that Catholics use when making the sign of the cross, then it looks something like this:

The first and fourth fingers of the right hand are connected in a bundle, while the index and middle fingers also stick together. The index and middle fingers in this case mean the dual nature of Christ, which was mentioned a little earlier. This option is typical for Western Catholics.
Another addition option is to connect the 1st and 2nd fingers.
Eastern Catholics most often use this option. The thumb, index and middle fingers are connected together, and the last 2 are pressed to the hand. At the same time, 3 connected fingers mean the Holy Trinity, and 2 pressed fingers mean the dual nature of Christ.
Also, Catholics very often cross themselves with the whole palm. To do this, you need to keep your right hand completely open, all fingers except the 1st are straightened. The hand can be slightly bent, and the thumb is pressed slightly against the palm. This version of baptism means the wounds of Christ, of which there were 5.

Why do Catholics cross themselves from left to right, with two fingers or with the palm of their hand?

To answer the question, perhaps, we will delve a little into the history:

In ancient times, the left and right most often carried associations regarding various kinds of gods who were on opposite sides.
If we talk about Christianity, then the understanding of left and right is slightly different. Left and right at the same time, this is something completely different, something that has a clearly opposite meaning. For example, as a struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, sinful and righteous. In Christianity, it is generally accepted that the right side is the territory of God, and the left side is Evil.
Another fact is that the Orthodox put the cross from the right shoulder to the left, but when they baptize someone, they do it the other way around. In any of these cases, initially the hand of the one who baptizes is on the right side. Why is that? The overshadowing of the cross, which is carried out from left to right, means something coming from a person to God, but from right to left it is exactly the opposite, from God to a person.
Catholics, regardless of whether they baptize themselves or someone else, always do it only from left to right.
In both the first and second cases, believers turn to God, but they put different meanings into their conversion and communication with him.
That is, the question: "Why do Catholics baptize from left to right?" may be considered closed. They are baptized in this way, due to the fact that when they make the sign of the cross, it is important for them to communicate with Christ, and they themselves cry out to him. That is the meaning of this action.
It would also not be out of place to say that the movement of the hand from left to right can mean the path from darkness to light, from evil to good, from hatred to the world, from sin to repentance.
Movement from right to left can be interpreted as a victory over everything sinful, in particular the Devil. Since ancient times, it has been considered that it is on the left side that the unclean “sits” with us. Therefore, such movements from right to left speak of the neutralization of evil forces.

Now a few words as to why Catholics cross themselves with two fingers or with the whole palm:

As mentioned earlier, Catholics do not have a single correct option for folding fingers or hands when crossing. That is why sometimes you can see the imposition of the sign of the cross with two fingers, and even with the whole palm.
When Catholics cross themselves with 2 fingers, they once again confirm that they believe in the dual nature of Christ. That is, they realize and recognize the fact that Christ had in himself both the divine and the human principles.
The open palm symbolizes the wounds of Christ. To be more precise, it is not the palm itself, but the fingers of the hand, which, with this version of the application of the cross, are in a straightened position.

How are Greek Catholics and Jews baptized?

Speaking about Catholics, it is necessary to note the fact that there are Roman Catholics and Greek Catholics. Both of them have something in common and different.

Greek Catholics recognize the Pope as the visible head of the Church and refer to themselves as members of the Roman Catholic Church.
At the same time, it should be said that the Greek Catholics have much in common with the Orthodox, including the way the cross is applied.
They are baptized with their right hand, while with the hand they draw the cross in this way: from top to bottom, from right to left.
Also, Greek Catholics and Orthodox have a general addition of fingers. When baptized, the fingers are folded in this way: the first 3 fingers are connected together, and the little finger and ring finger are pressed to the palm.
Representatives of this movement, living in the West of Ukraine, often perform other movements during baptism. For example, a hand movement is made that marks the pierced rib of Christ.
If, for comparison, we take the Roman Catholics, then they make the sign of the cross differently. Movements are derived from the head to the womb, and then from the left shoulder to the right. In this case, the fingers are folded in different ways. This is both two-fingered and three-fingered addition.

Now let's talk about the Jews:

Let's start with the fact that the traditional religion professed by this people is Judaism.
The words "Jew" and "Jew" are very similar and today in many languages of the world have the same meaning. However, in our country it is generally accepted that “Jew” is still a nationality, and “Jew” is a professed religion.
Before answering the question "How are Jews baptized?" let's talk a little about what the symbol "cross" itself means to them. By the way, it would be more appropriate to ask the question “Are Jews baptized at all?”.
So, in ancient times, the Jews associated the cross with fear, punishment and death itself. While for Christians, the cross is the main symbol that can protect and protect from misfortune and troubles.
Today, Jews recognize the sacred cross, but put a slightly different meaning into it. For them, it is a symbol of the rebirth of the Savior. By and large, the cross does not carry such importance (as with Christians), therefore, accordingly, there is no need to impose a sign on yourself. This suggests the conclusion that the Jews are not baptized at all.

Why are Orthodox and Catholics baptized differently: Orthodox from right to left, and Catholics from left to right?

We also clarify that for a long time Catholics could be baptized in different ways, that is, from left to right and from right to left. However, in 1570 this freedom of choice was cut short. Since then, Catholics have been given some kind of ban on the use of one of the options. The allowed option was left to right.
By moving the hand when drawing the cross from right to left, the Orthodox ask God's blessing. Movement in that direction always means something that comes from the Savior. Since the right side of a person is taken as the side of God, the movements from this side are considered victorious over evil and impure.
Catholics, making movements from left to right, as if express their appeal to God. Moreover, their application of the cross according to such a scheme means nothing more than a movement from everything sinful, dark and evil to light, good and moral.
Both versions of the procedure carry only a positive message, but are interpreted a little differently.

What is the difference between how Catholics and Orthodox are baptized?

Based on the information presented earlier, the answer to this question can be quite simple.

Both of them are Christians. Despite this, there are many similarities and differences between them. One of the points that is different for these two beliefs is the way the sign of the cross is applied.
Orthodox always during the removal of the cross do it only from the right shoulder to the left, while representatives of other beliefs do it the other way around. Why this happens, we figured out a little earlier.
Further, if the Orthodox fold their fingers in basically one way - three fingers are connected in a bunch and two are pressed against the inside of the palm, then Catholics can do it in completely different ways. We also discussed options for similar additions of fingers and hands earlier.
That is, the difference lies only in the trajectory along which the hand moves and in what way the fingers are folded.

Video: Why are Orthodox and Catholics baptized differently?

Anyone or anything. There are several phraseological turns denoting the action of a person making the sign of the cross: "make the sign of the cross", "make the sign of the cross", "make the sign of the cross", "(re)baptized"(not to be confused with the meaning "to accept the sacrament of Baptism"), as well as "to mark (s)". The sign of the cross is used in many Christian denominations, differing in the options for adding fingers (usually in this context the Church Slavonic word “fingers” is used: “folding fingers”, “folding fingers”) and the direction of movement of the hand.

When making double fingers, two fingers of the right hand - index and middle - are connected together, symbolizing the two natures of Christ, while the middle finger is slightly bent, which means Divine condescension and incarnation. The three remaining fingers are also connected together, symbolizing the Holy Trinity; moreover, in modern practice, the end of the thumb rests on the pads of the other two, which cover it from above. After that, with the tips of two fingers (and only them) they sequentially touch the forehead, abdomen, right and left shoulder. It is also emphasized that one cannot be baptized at the same time as bowing; a bow, if required, should be made after the hand has been lowered (however, the same rule is followed in the new rite, although not so strictly).

The Old Believers do not recognize the trinity, believing that the image of the cross with three fingers in honor of the Holy Trinity denotes a heresy, according to which the entire Trinity, and not just the Son, suffered on the Cross. For the same reason, it is not customary to say “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” when making the sign of the cross, instead they usually say the Jesus Prayer.

The priest, when blessing, does not use any special signet, but folds his hand into the same two-finger.

Iconography

In Orthodox iconography, the hand folded into the sign of the cross is a fairly common element. Usually clergy are depicted this way, with their hand raised for blessing, but sometimes the sign of the cross, as a symbol of confession of their faith, is also depicted on the icons of saints without holy orders. Usually saints are depicted with two fingers or with nominative numerals, extremely rarely - with three fingers.

Catholicism

In the West, unlike the Orthodox Church, there have never been such conflicts regarding the folding of fingers during the sign of the cross, as in the Russian Church, and to this day there are various variants of it. So, Catholic prayer books, speaking of the sign of the cross, usually cite only the prayer pronounced at the same time ( In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti), without saying anything about the combination of fingers. Even Catholic traditionalists, who are usually quite strict about the rite and its symbolism, allow the existence of various options here. In the Polish Catholic community, it is customary to make the sign of the cross with five fingers, with an open palm, in memory of the five wounds on the body of Christ.

When a Catholic makes the sign of the cross for the first time, entering the temple, he first dips his fingertips in a special bowl of holy water. This gesture, apparently an echo of the ancient custom of washing hands before the celebration of the Eucharist, was later reinterpreted as a rite performed in remembrance of the sacrament of Baptism. Some Catholics perform such a ceremony at home, before the start of home prayer.

Priest, blessing, uses the same sign of the cross as with the sign of the cross, and leads the hand in the same way as an Orthodox priest, that is, from left to right.

In addition to the usual, large cross, it was preserved in the Latin rite as a remnant of an ancient practice, the so-called. small cross. It is performed during the Mass, before the reading of the Gospel, when the clergy and those praying with the thumb of their right hand depict three small crosses on their foreheads, lips and heart.

Notes

Literature

Uspensky B. A. The Sign of the Cross and Sacred Space: Why are Orthodox Christians baptized from right to left, and Catholics - from left to right? - M.: Languages of Slavic culture, 2004. - 160 p.
Novitsky I. A. Stoglav's Oath. - M.: Geronika, 2010. - 192 p.

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See what the "Sign of the Cross" is in other dictionaries:

sign of the cross- THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Obsolete The sign of the cross, the prayer gesture of Christians. The blacksmith raised his hand for the sign of the cross (Gogol. Night before Christmas). The Lord will save him [Silver] from your hands! said Maxim, making the sign of the cross, and would not allow ... ... Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language

sign of the cross- Make (make) the sign of the cross - cross yourself. To overshadow with the sign of the cross (cross) - to cross. In the Orthodox Church, the sign of the cross is made with the right hand. When making the sign of the cross, they put together the large, index and ... ... Orthodoxy. Dictionary-reference

The image of the cross with a hand on oneself or on any thing. In the primary sources of church history, it is spoken of as a custom dating back to the times of the apostles. The oldest written evidence of him belongs to Tertullian and Cyprian. Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

The cross is the most important symbol for Christians, not only as an instrument of world salvation on which Christ was crucified, but also as a constant reminder that people cannot become Christians without accepting the cross as the basis of life. “Whoever wants to follow me…… Russian history

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Iconography

Catholicism

Notes

Links

Literature

See what the "Sign of the Cross" is in other dictionaries: