Why do Anglicans make the sign of the cross? When do they do it? How do they do it?
I serve in the South, so usually, the question goes: “Why do ya’ll cross yourselves?”
Often this is followed by “Isn’t that superstitious, like the baseball players who sign themselves before batting? Isn’t it a dead, rote ritual?” Sometimes folks don’t feel it’s rote or superstitious, but they wonder why and how to make the sign.
And that’s why Anglican Compass is here! We want to try to answer those kinds of questions, so here we go…
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sign of the Cross
The sign of the cross is an ancient Christian practice of marking the shape of the cross of Christ upon one’s self or upon another person or object.
To “cross yourself,” take your right hand and put your thumb, index, and middle finger together. In Western Christianity, you then touch your forehead, the center of your chest, your left shoulder, and your right shoulder. In Eastern (Orthodox) churches, you touch your right shoulder before your left shoulder.
Making the sign of the cross is a tangible way to mark ourselves as Christ’s. Crossing yourself or someone else is an act of sanctification, a physical reminder that you/they are set apart as holy for Christ. Because it is often done at the mention of the Trinity (“Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”), the sign of the cross is also a physical reminder of belief in the Triune God.
Why do Christian make the sign of the cross?
Making the sign of the cross is a tangible way to mark ourselves as Christ’s
Cyril of Jerusalem wrote,
“Let us not be ashamed to profess the Crucified One; let us confidently seal our forehead with our fingers, let us make the sign of the cross on everything, on the bread we eat and over the cup we drink. Let us make this sign as we come and go, before sleeping, when we lie down and when we arise, while traveling and while resting.”
For Cyril, it was important to make the sign of the cross as a profession of faith.
Crossing oneself is an act of sanctification.
Sanctification means “setting apart.” Our souls, our bodies, and our lives are sanctified—set apart for Christ, under and in his cross. For example, many people sign themselves before receiving communion. They are set apart to God.
When marking the cross upon our children, we are tangibly setting them under Christ’s cross. When signing our food, or our house, or another object, we are setting that apart as holy in Christ and giving thanks to God.
The sign of the cross is a prayer in itself.
It is often accompanied by a prayer, either aloud or in one’s own mind and heart.
Usually, the spoken prayer is “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Which brings me to my next point.
The sign of the cross is a marker of belief in the Triune God.
Because the sign of the cross has been so associated with this Trinitarian formula, when we sign ourselves, we are also marking ourselves as orthodox Christians who worship and love the Triune God.
There is nothing superstitious or rote about making the sign of the cross.
Just like anything, if we choose to see it that way, it can become that. But it is not fundamentally a superstitious act. Instead, it is a fundamentally Christian act. In other words, if we make it superstitious or rote, we are denying its fundamental purpose.
How do I make the sign of the cross?
OK, so much for reasons why we make the sign of the cross. How do you make the sign?
First, place your hand in the following position as pictured.
You’ll notice that this groups three fingers together, with two fingers folded down toward the palm. The three fingers together symbolize the three Persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And the two fingers together symbolize the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ.
(This hand position is, perhaps, the briefest summary of the key points of Christian theology! See the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed for more on Christian belief in the Triune God. See the Chalcedonian Definition for more on Christian belief in the two natures of Christ.)
With your hand in position, trace Christ’s cross upon your body.
Touch your hand to your
- head (center of forehead),
- heart (center of chest),
- left shoulder,
- right shoulder.
Common Variations of the Sign of the Cross
- In the East (as in Eastern Orthodoxy), it is the right shoulder, then left shoulder.
- In some traditions, people kiss their hand after making the sign.
- Other times, people return their hand to their heart after the second shoulder.
- When a priest or bishop is blessing the people, he makes the sign as if signing them. This means that, rather than signing himself, he moves from their left to their right.
- The “little” sign of the cross is the marking of small crosses, using the thumb, on the forehead, mouth, and heart. This sign is used at the reading of the Gospel during the liturgy. It’s meant to signify the sanctification of our thoughts, speech, and affections for God.
- Often a cross is signed upon the forehead during anointing or laying on of hands, usually with the thumb.
- Items such as the communion Bread and Wine are also signed, as well as other articles set apart for a sacred use.
It’s actually very simple, really. The sign of the cross is an act of marking Christ’s cross upon one’s self and life, or upon the people and basic elements of life (food, homes, children, people).
When do Anglicans make the sign of the cross?
Anytime! Tertullian said,
“At every forward step and movement, at every going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at the table, when we light the lamps, when on the couch, on a seat, and in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace the sign upon our foreheads.”
He wanted us to remember that we are Christ’s and that his cross is upon us at all times.
During our daily lives, many Anglicans make the sign of the cross upon waking up and going to bed (perhaps as a part of the Daily Office), as well as before each meal.
As a tangible form of catechesis, we can bless our children and teach them by signing them with the cross at prayertime, bedtime, and mealtime as well.
During worship and prayer, we often make the sign of the cross
- whenever we say the Trinitarian formula (“the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”),
- before the Gospel reading (with the “little” sign of the cross on our foreheads, mouths, and hearts),
- at the prayer for absolution/forgiveness,
- and before receiving the bread and wine at communion.
Some people also sign themselves at
- the end of the creed (usually when we mention the resurrection),
- the name of Jesus Christ,
- and the second part of the Sanctus (“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”).
(To learn more about the structure and parts of an Anglican worship service, go here.)
Do Anglicans have to make the sign of the cross?
No. No Anglican must make the sign of the cross.
However, some should. And all can.
The sign of the cross is a powerful and tangible reminder that we are Christ’s.
To learn more about the sign of the cross, check out the following helpful video from WhyWeWorship.
Also, if you’d like to learn more, check out New Advent’s Catholic Encyclopedia entry on the sign of the cross, as well as Wikipedia’s “Sign of the Cross” page.
If you have questions about the sign of the cross, please ask them in the comments below!
Greg is the founder of Anglican Compass (previously known as Anglican Pastor). He is an Anglican Priest of the Anglican Church in North America. He served in a non-denominational church before being called into the Anglican church in 2003. He has served as an Associate Pastor, Parish Administrator, and Rector. He currently serves as the Canon to the Ordinary for the Anglican Diocese of the South.
Thanks for this great insight and for sharing
Really great article, Rev. Greg! Thank you for taking time to thoughtfully explain the practice. There simply aren’t enough websites like Anglican Pastor out there. I look forward to sharing this and other articles with the people of our mission parish (New Creation Church – Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic) here in Hagerstown, MD. Thank you for being a resource!
I used to do the sign of the cross the way it is described in the article until we were told at church that after placing the fingers on the forehead, the next step is below the navel and not the heart. I’m confused.
This was some great information. Growing up Roman Catholic until my early teens, then becoming a Non-Denominational Christian in my late teens into my mid 20’s before becoming De-Churched for 5-7 years (a very dark time) only to find the Spirit pulling me towards Anglicanism in my late 20’s and now into my mid 30’s, I have experienced all of the “rote” accusations (from every side) that follow liturgical and traditional practices and disciplines. What I’ve found is that our intentions are what determines our presence and ultimately the life found in those practices and the way you’ve shaped this article has given me new energy and hope that many will see the beauty of “marking” not only ourselves but our loved ones, our house, etc. for Christ. Peace to you!
Thanks for sharing that Ryan.
Thanks for writing this helpful post! I’m linking to it in tomorrow’s post at RookieAnglican.com on Ritual Actions in Worship.
~Joshua Steele
Great! That has been one of our most popular all-time posts.
What a great article that answers an often asked question! My only suggestion for improvement would be to add dates to the Fathers you quote, as many who ask are also unfamiliar with the historical depth they represent.
Thanks for sharing this piece of information, Fr. Greg.
This is not a common practice in Nigeria but I do it often even inside the Church and folks around are like…. “who’s this popish guy?”.
If only people will read meaning to the implication of marking oneself.
I love this page. I just finished reading the one on the Sign of the Cross. As a Roman Catholic, I also am reminded of my Baptism whenever I dip my fingers in Holy Water and bless myself with the Sign of the Cross. Your blog was really good.
Great to hear! Thank you much for visiting us, we pray God’s continual blessings upon you.
I am considering going to the local episcopal church and after asking God this morning for clear, simple, veraz and opportune guidance, I came across this explication on the sign of the cross. Thank you!
This was informative and wonderful. I enjoy the freedom in Christ that this practice allows. Growing up RCC but now a reformed evangelical I find much that CAN be beautiful and sanctifying if we understand Gospel rational for these practices. Thank you.
Nice post, thanks! From what I understand from my Roman friends, there might be a slight alteration to your mentioning that in some traditions “the finger is kissed.” The justification I have heard is that one does this if one has crossed themselves with their fingers in such a manner that the thumb and forefinger make a mini cross, which is then kissed in an act of veneration of the cross. So, one is kissing the cross (or physically, the sign thereof), not just the finger. Of course this doesn’t work if one places their fingers in the position that the picture in this post includes. In this case, the three fingers joined together represents the Trinity and the two fingers tucked down (ring and pinky) represent the two natures of Christ. Thus, the two fundamental theological positions of orthodox Christianity can be expressed in this gesture. Of course, these rationales might just be post hoc!
to all of yours readers Greg………I was Baptised….Received into the CATHOLIC CHURCH, 14th September, 1956……NOT the RCC!! when did the ‘word RCC’ come about?? Good Question?? regards, Trevor.
Thank you, I am new to this, and I am left-handed, so is head, heart, right to left correct? I am also a signer (SASL) so I the linguistics of left-handed signing is simply a reversal of signs on the left hand. Asking this because of the lingering association of left with bad/evil etc. I am more comfortable crossing with left hand, that is who I am, but some people may still associate this with evil/antichrist, know what i mean. I can cross right hand, to be safe… Appreciate clarity on this.
Hello guy. Thanks for the question. Using the right hand is merely a custom which allows everyone to be moving in sync. There is no inherent meaning in either hand. I would recommend using the right hand during worship in order to move in unison. However I’m not trained at all in sign language. I would recommend reaching out to see if any other signers have encountered this issue. Thanks!!
Thank you for the reply, I shall use right hand when crossing to avoid offending others for looking odd. I will ask around about signers who may have encountered this issue. Much appreciated
I am returning to Anglicanism after many years as an evangelical. I was raised in the Episcopal church,so the liturgy is very familiar to me.
I feel a bit sheepish (yet desirous )of making the sign the cross, but I do feel like a rookie Anglican. I am not yet formally in the Anglican church. I imagine it is still ok since I am a Christian.
Thanks for commenting Leslie. Thankfully the sign of the cross is totally free for all! Blessings to you!
Lived it. My Gram fave me a booklet 50 years ago – learning to pray by thinking of the cross shape, help to remember what first and what’s next, etc. My booklet got lost. Can you review this Episcpal suggestion?
Greg, this information is so helpful. I was raised Presbyterian, but joined the Episcopal/Anglican church after graduating college. For many years, I never crossed myself (although I’d marked the sign of the cross on others foreheads, as part of seminary chapel services), because I thought that it was reserved for [former] Catholics or higher church Anglicans. Then one day, I automatically crossed myself after drinking the cup. And it just felt right, although I never truly understood the symbolic intent. I’ve never stopped.
I guess I did not need the instruction, but I am sure glad to have a deeper understanding! Thanks.
Jenni, thank you for sharing that. I love it.
I was brought up in the Baptist church so much of the Anglican liturgy is new – but I love it, and the idea that people were using the same rituals to worship together for centuries. Getting used to crossing myself, so probably don’t do it as often as I could. Thanks for this blog – helped to answer some of my many questions…but I will progress slowly.
Welcome! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the information. Exactly what I was looking for.
Hi Greg! So glad you are sharing this info. A nice refresher for me and you communicate it so clearly, it’s easy for anyone to understand, even if they weren’t always liturgical.
Thanks! Hope y’all are well.