The tracing on one's forehead, chest and shoulders of the outline of the cross.
A sign, ceremonial gesture or movement in the form of a cross by which a person confesses faith in the Holy Trinity and Christ, and intercedes for the blessing of himself, other persons, and things.
A sign, ceremonial gesture or movement in the form of a cross by which a person professes faith in the Holy Trinity, and intercedes for the blessing of himself, as well as other persons or things.
In the Small Catechism Luther encouraged that the sign of the cross be made each morning and evening as a reminder of one's baptism. The cross is signed by touching the fingers first to the forehead, then to the heart, then to one shoulder and finally to the other. Appropriate points in the Divine Service to make the sign of the cross include the Invocation, Absolution, conclusion of the Creed, upon reception of Holy Communion, and the Benediction.
The Sign of the Cross is a ritual hand motion performed mainly within Latin and Eastern Rite Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism. For the members of the Faith, it symbolizes, by manifestly marking directly on one's own body or in the air, the four points of the Cross on Calvary. It also represents loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength.