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Questions & Answers

Sign of Cross

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Our Lord and the Faith › Sign of Cross

The question

Why is the direction of the sign of the cross different in the Eastern and the Oriental Orthodox? It is from the right shoulder to left shoulder or from the left to the right? What was original way?  Who changed and when and how?

The answer

It is unknown when we received the signing of the cross, though it safe to deduce it was from the Lord Jesus Christ, who delivered all doctrine, rites, and rituals to His honorable apostles. Each Church presents an explanation for their traditions. The Church of Alexandria declares that we move from left to right, as a sign of moving from sin to righteousness by the power of the holy cross, upon which the Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us with His precious blood.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2298 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.