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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

The Sign of the Cross

Basic Prayer

English
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Arabic Transliteration
Bism ir Abi wal ibni war rough il Qudos. Amin.
Bism il Ab wal ibn war rough il Kudos. Ameen.
Bismi l-Abi wa l-Ibni wa r-Ruhi l-Qudus. Amin.
Greek Transliteration
En onomati tou Patros keh tou lyou keh tou Agiou Pnevmatos. Amin.
.pdf file

Extended Prayer

English
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
Arabic Transliteration
Bisimil-Aabi wal-Ibni war-Roohil-Qudos, al-Ilaahil-waahid. Ameen.
Greek Transliteration
Ees to onoma tou Patros keh tou Ee-you keh tou Agiou Pnevmatos, monos Theos. Ameen.
.pdf file

The Sign of the Cross is from Matthew 28:19

The Sign of the Cross is literally taken from the Baptismal formula at the end of Matthew's gospel, 28:19.
"...baptizontes autous eis to onoma tou patros kai tou uiou kai tou agiou pneumatos
Bible Database
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,"

How to make the Sign of the Cross

The Sign of the Cross is made by joining three fingers (thumb, index finger and middle finger together; putting two fingers (third finger and little down on the palm and lifting the hand first to the forehead, then to the chest, then to the right shoulder, and then the left shoulder.

Why Right Shoulder is before Left Shoulder
In the Scriptures, right always represents good and left always represents evil.
In the Nicene Creed, Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ is said to sit at the right hand of the Holy God the Father in the Holy Trinity. Then, the Signing of the right shoulder is before Signing the left shoulder.

The article below was written by Rev. Fr. James Graham, Pastor of Saint Elias the Prophet Melkite Greek Catholic Mission, San Jose, CA. The article appeared in Saint Elias the Prophet Melkite Greek Catholic Mission Bulletin, June 23, 2002
Why Do We Use Three Fingers for the Sign of the Cross?
Greek Catholic and Orthodox Christians have a distinct way of holding our fingers when we make the Sign of the Cross. The thumb and first two fingers held together represent the Holy Trinity-God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The ring finger and little finger are folded against the palm of the hand, Signifying the two natures of Christ-Human and Divine.
On 12 February, the Church remembers St Meletios, Archbishop of Antioch, who taught about the Holy Trinity not only with words but also with his fingers. In the 4th century, a priest named Arius and his followers denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Seeking to preserve the supreme transcenence of God, they taught that Jesus was simply the most perfect created being, gifted with saving power by God. This teaching denies that God is Three Divine Persons.
The Arians persecuted many orthodox believers, including St Meletios, who spent his life opposing their heresy. In fact, he was driven out of his position as Bishop of Antioch several times. At the 2nd Ecumenical Council in in 381, St Meletios raised three fingers, then brought them together to show the unity of the Holy Trinity. At that moment a heavenly light flashed from his hand, confirming the truth of his words.
Every time we hear the names of the Trinity, we should cross ourselves with faith and reverence, not casually or carelessly, because the Cross represents the greatest act of the love the world has ever known.

When to make the Sign of the Cross

Melkites make the Sign of the Cross often. We especially make the Sign of the Cross at:

• Every mention of the name of the Holy Trinity
• In conjunction with the bow made to reverence holy things such as the altar and icons upon entering the church building
• At the begining of all Liturgical Services, such as the Divine Liturgy
• When extended a blessing by the priest during a Liturgical service
• Before or afterprayers

Basmala

In Arabic, the Sign of the Cross is referred to as Basmala. The reason is the first three words of this prayer: Bism ir Abi

More Information

The Sign of the Cross Saint Ann Melkite Catholic Church, West Patterson, NJ

The Sign of the Cross Our Lady of Redemption, Warren, Michigan

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Wednesday, June 03, 2020, 16:47:26, CDT
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