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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

The Sign of the Cross

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Bism ir Abi wal ibni war rough il Qudos. Amin.
En onomati Patri keh lyo keh Agio Pnevmati. Amin.

The sign of the Cross begins all Liturgical Services.

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 heart, then to the right shoulder, and then 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.

Why Right Shoulder is before Left Shoulder

In the Scriptures, right always represents good and left always represents evil.
In the Nicean 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.

When Sign

Melkites sign themselves often. We especially sign 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
• When extended a blessing by the priest during a Liturgical service, especially the Divine Liturgy

More Information

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

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles) and Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000 and Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001.
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-givng Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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