Sign of the cross facts for kids

Jesus Christ making the Sign of the Cross

The sign of the cross is a physical gesture made by Catholic and Orthodox Christians, and sometimes also Protestants. It is usually done at the start and end of prayers.

In the Catholic tradition, the right hand goes from the forehead, to the chest, and then to the left and right shoulders (the order of shoulders does not matter). This is sometimes done while saying "Father, Son, Holy Spirit."

Where the fingers are when signing the cross in the Orthodox tradition

In the Orthodox tradition, the tips of the thumb and the middle and index fingers are put together, and the ring finger and little finger are put against the palm. The first three fingers are for faith in the Trinity, and the other two fingers are for the two natures of Jesus, divine and human.

Images for kids

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  Orthodox Christians (among them then-president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev) making the sign of the cross at the funeral of Patriarch Alexy II

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  Position of the fingers while making the sign of the cross as currently preserved in the Eastern Orthodox Church although also found in the western tradition

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  Position of an Eastern Orthodox priest's fingers when blessing

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  Position of the fingers while making the sign of the cross as currently preserved by the Old Believers although originating in the Antiochian Tradition.

See also

In Spanish: Señal de la cruz para niños