Crossing Oneself in the Episcopal Church: Meaning and Practice

In The Episcopal Church, making the Sign of the Cross is a personal act of prayer and a bodily confession of faith. It proclaims, without words, belief in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and in the crucified and risen Christ.

The practice is permitted, meaningful, and pastorally useful, but it is not compulsory. No Anglican must make the Sign of the Cross. However, some should. And all can.

What the Sign of the Cross Means

The answer, quite simply, is that the Sign of the Cross is a bodily confession of faith. What the Creed says aloud, the body silently enacts.

The Sign of the Cross is not magic or a superstitious act. Its power lies not in the motion itself; it lies in the faith and intention. It is a sign that points beyond itself to Jesus’s accomplishment and God’s promises.

The cross is Christ’s victory sign, and Christians have long used it to claim identification with his triumph over sin and death. The Sign of the Cross is a powerful and tangible reminder that we are Christ’s.

Making the sign of the cross is a prayer gesture, a way of praying with your body. The sign of the cross is a way to ask for God to bless us or protect us or to dedicate our prayer to God.

The Incarnation and Bodily Worship

The guiding principle behind all ritual gestures and movements is the idea of the incarnation. The incarnation is about God having taken a human body in Jesus of Nazareth and lived a human life among us in that body.

This tells us that what we do with our bodies is important. Further, we Episcopalians believe that worship should involve the whole human person, not just the mind.

Therefore, while we do listen and think about our faith, we also worship using our sense of smell, which perceives the fragrance of the incense and the odor of candle wax; and our sense of taste, which perceives the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist.

Our need to touch is met by our greeting each other at the Peace. The whole person is involved in worship.

How Episcopalians Make the Sign of the Cross

The cross is made by touching, with the right hand, first the fore-head, then the abdomen, then the left shoulder, and finally the right shoulder. Some people, just for good measure, finish by touching the center of their chest again, but that is optional.

Traditionally touching forehead, chest, and shoulders, the Christian quite literally marks themselves with the shape of Christ’s saving work.

With your right hand, first you touch your forehead, then the center of your chest, then your left shoulder, then your right shoulder. Anglicans usually return their hands to their hearts after the second shoulder.

Persons from the Orthodox tradition reverse these last two points. Our Eastern Orthodox brothers will reverse the direction.

The Hand Position

First, place your hand in a position with your forefinger and middle fingers touching your thumb. You’ll notice that this places 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. 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!

The Small Sign of the Cross

A peculiar form of the cross is made before the gospel is read. A small cross is made with the right thumb upon the forehead, the lips, and the bosom.

At the Gospel, a special version of the sign of the cross is used, tracing the cross with thumb on one’s forehead, lips, and heart.

This gesture is a form of prayer for Christ’s presence in one’s thoughts, upon one’s lips, and in one’s heart. It signifies the sanctification of our thoughts, speech, and affections for God.

People may pray silently, “Lord, be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart”.

The Connection with Baptism

The sign of the cross recalls the sign made upon us at our baptism, when we were chrismated (anointed with sacred oil) with the sign of the cross.

When we're baptized, the priest marks us on the forehead with the sign of the cross to remind us we are marked as one of Christ's forever. The sign of the cross recalls this and is also a reminder of our devotion to Christ.

The cross is the sign of Christ and our commitment to him. Many make the sign of the cross as they are sprinkled with baptismal water in the rite called the asperges, which frequently opens the celebration of the Eucharist.

This sprinkling recalls our baptism, when we were first signed with the cross, so that sign is especially appropriate here.

Why Episcopalians Make the Sign of the Cross

A Confession of Belief

Because the Sign of the Cross has become so closely associated with this Trinitarian formula, when we sign ourselves, we also mark ourselves as orthodox Christians who worship and love the Triune God.

Signing the Cross 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.

When we mark our children with the Cross, we tangibly set them under Christ’s Cross. When we sign our food, our house, or another object, we set it apart as holy in Christ and give thanks to God.

A Prayer in Itself

Making the Sign is a Prayer in Itself. Prayer often follows it, 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.”

Sometimes, we don’t even have the words to pray, but we can still bow our heads, or bring our hands together, or make the sign of the cross as a way to offer our prayers to God.

A Reminder of Belonging to Christ

For St. Cyril, it was important to make the Sign of the Cross as a profession of faith. In this discipline, Tertullian wanted us to remember that we are Christ’s and that his Cross is upon us at all times.

The Church, virtually since its inception, adopted the Cross, and the Sign thereof, as its salute to our Master, Jesus the Almighty, Arisen God.

When the Sign of the Cross Is Commonly Made

There are no rules in the Church about these sorts of things, there are customs and traditions, some of which are clear, others of which are buried deeply in allegory and tradition, but all of which may be helpful for a newcomer to learn.

In the Anglican tradition, the Sign of the Cross has never been rejected outright, nor universally mandated. Instead, it’s seen as an adiaphoron-a practice permitted, meaningful, and pastorally useful, but not compulsory.

You can sign the Cross anytime! You can make the sign of the cross anytime you would like, if it draws you closer to God in prayer.

At the Beginning of the Liturgy

We make the sign at the beginning of the liturgy when we proclaim, “Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”.

At the Opening Acclamation at the very start of the service (“Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” or whichever seasonal statement we use in this place.)

Somewhat by extension, many make the sign at the other acclamations which occur at the beginning of the liturgy, “Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins,” and Alleluia. Christ is Risen.”

At the Gloria

At the end of the hymn “Glory to God in the highest,” we make the sign of the cross because the hymn concludes with praise to the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

At the end of the Gloria “In the Glory of God the Father”.

At the Creed

We make the sign of the cross at the end of the Creed because any recitation of the Creed is a remembrance of our Baptism, in we were sealed for “. the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”

Some people choose to make it at the end of the Nicene Creed during the words “We look for the resurrection of the dead.”

During the Confession and Absolution

We make the sign of the cross at the absolution following the confession of sins, because the absolution is made in the name of the Trinity and because it is the cross of Christ which opens the way for our forgiveness.

During the Absolution, when the priest is declaring God’s forgiveness: “May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins…”

At the Gospel

At the announcement of the Gospel (“The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…’). This one is unique-rather than the larger pattern described above, people trace a small cross on their forehead, their lips, and their chest.

This gesture is a form of prayer for Christ’s presence in one’s thoughts, upon one’s lips, and in one’s heart. It is a moment to put us into a reverent state to listen to the words of Jesus.

During the Sanctus and Benedictus

Some make the sign of the cross at the end of the hymn called the Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord”), right before the prayer of consecration.

The origin of this cross is somewhat more obscure than the others, but the Sanctus does conclude with praise to the one who comes in the name of the Lord, and that is Jesus.

Some people choose to make it during the Sanctus & Benedictus in the middle of the Eucharistic prayer behind the altar when we are singing (or saying) “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”

During the Eucharistic Prayer

Some people also sign themselves at the prayer for sanctification in the Prayer of Consecration (“be filled with your grace and heavenly benediction” in the Anglican Standard Text, or “sanctify us also” in the Ancient Renewed Text in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer).

During the Eucharistic Prayer when Fr. Sean says “Sanctify us also.” - a reminder of our sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Before and After Communion

We make the sign of the cross before and after receiving communion because, in the sacrament of the Eucharist, we recognize Christ crucified, risen, and present with us.

Many people sign themselves before receiving communion. They are set apart to God.

Some people choose to make it right before they reach out their hands to receive Communion (both the bread and the cup). Others make it right after they have received these before returning to their seat.

Some people cross themselves before and/or after receiving the elements of Communion.

At the Final Blessing

Finally, we make the sign of the cross at the blessing at the very end of the liturgy because the blessing is made in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

At the priestly Blessing at the end of the service: “May the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…”

Other Times to Make the Sign of the Cross

In our daily lives, many Anglicans make the Sign of the Cross upon waking and going to bed (perhaps as 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 prayer time, mealtime, and bedtime.

St. 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.

Often, a cross is signed upon the forehead during anointing or laying on of hands, typically with the thumb.

Items such as the communion bread and wine are also signed, as are other articles set apart for sacred use.

Personal Freedom and Different Customs

Some make the sign of the cross, others do not. Some bow at various places during the liturgy, others do not. Some drop to one knee when passing the altar, others bow, others do nothing.

As with most matters concerning ceremonial, there are no rules in the Church about these sorts of things, there are customs and traditions, some of which are clear, others of which are buried deeply in allegory and tradition, but all of which may be helpful for a newcomer to learn.

However, and this is important, it is a personal act. If it isn't something you feel comfortable doing, that's ok!

Now to be clear, no one should feel obligated to pray any one way. Just because the person next to you does something, doesn’t mean you should.

In many places during our worship service, you have options and should always feel permission to pray in the way that brings you closer to God.

What's comfortable to one person may be awkward to another. The point of personal reverence is to help you feel more connected to worship.

In other words, if we make it superstitious or rote, we are denying its fundamental purpose. Instead, it is a fundamentally Christian act.

Related Episcopal Gestures

There are three major gestures which are common in our tradition, and this tract will say a little about each of the three: crosses, bowing, and genuflection.

Bowing

Many Episcopalians bow at the name of Jesus wherever it appears in the liturgy or in hymnody. This is a little tribute to that line written by St. Paul in the letter to the Philippians in which he says that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (2:10).

While actually bending the knee at these points would be awkward (to say nothing of strenuous), a bow of the head gives passing acknowledgment to Paul’s exhortation about the sacred name of Jesus.

Many Episcopalians bow when the procession cross passes them. This bow is, again, a recognition of the centrality of the cross in our theology and a way of honoring and raising God for the mystery of our redemption achieved upon the cross.

In the midst of the Creed, we bow at what is called the incarnatus, that line in the Creed which speaks of Jesus who “for us and for our salvation . came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.”

This bow is a gesture of reverence for the sacred mystery of the incarnation. Some also bow near the end when the Creed proclaims the Spirit as “worshiped and glorified.”

Most of us bow at the beginning of the Sanctus. This bow is made as a recognition of the divine name, “Lord, God of power and might,” and we bow here for the same reason that we bow at the name of Jesus.

Genuflection

A genuflection is a momentary dropping to the right knee. It is a sign of adoration or respect.

Some people genuflect whenever they pass the reserved sacrament which is kept in the Church for communion of the sick and as a sign of God’s presence with his people.

You can tell when the reserved sacrament is present; there is always a white candle burning on or ear the altar or other place where the sacrament is kept.

Genuflections before entering or leaving a pew are made for this reason. In our parish custom, a deep bow before the reserved sacrament is also appropriate.

Some people genuflect in the middle of the Nicene Creed, at the point called the incarnatus, described above in the section devoted to bowing.

A few people genuflect whenever the Bishop passes in procession, although this custom is rapidly falling out of use.

The reason for making such a reverence is not veneration of a person, but respect for the apostolic office which connects us to Jesus and the early Church. It also recognizes the role of the Bishop as a symbol of the unity of the Church.

A more exotic custom is the double genuflection, which is actually a brief kneeling upon both knees. This is rather rarely seen, but for the record is, in the Western Church, the appropriate reverence when the sacrament is exposed.

The sacrament is exposed, for example, on Maundy Thursday when it is placed in the aumbry at the Altar of Repose.

Common Places to Watch for the Sign

In other words, watch other participants, and follow their lead. You catch on quickly.

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