How to be baptized correctly by an Orthodox Christian in church and at home. How to be baptized correctly in a church in front of an icon How to be baptized correctly by Orthodox Christians of another person
One of the most famous symbols of Christianity is the sign of the cross. It is used in almost all faiths and has enormous power that can frighten demons. How to be baptized correctly as an Orthodox Christian and why you need to be able to use the sign of the cross in religious practice and everyday life.
It is necessary to immediately say how the sign of the cross appeared and gradually took shape as an element of religious practice.
Initially, it was not, as it is now, a distinctive feature of Christians in general and Orthodox Christians in particular.
If you look at the historical outline, the modern version is a relatively new acquisition.
Orthodox Christians learned how to be baptized relatively recently. In particular, if we are talking about the modern triple method.
Let's note the main milestones:
- the beginning of the popularization of Christianity - with one finger, touching only the forehead, lips and chest;
- further development - baptism with several fingers or completely with the palm;
- the formation of Orthodoxy - forehead, navel, both shoulders;
- 1551 - the navel is replaced with the chest, since that is where, according to people’s ideas, the soul is located;
- 1656 - baptism with three fingers, touching the forehead, stomach and shoulders;
- Nikon's reform - a decree to be baptized with three fingers, and the Old Believers abandoned two-finger baptism.
Although a small remark should be made regarding the origin of the sign of the cross.
There is evidence of how the apostles overshadowed themselves with the symbol of the Holy Cross; for example, it helped John the Theologian to heal a patient with fever.
There are other facts from the lives of saints and other sources, but it is difficult to say which symbol (number of fingers, sequence) was used.
Historically, the number of fingers used in a sign has varied according to the current context.
Note! At first they used one finger as a symbol of monotheism, then at the Council of Nicaea they accepted the position of the two natures of Christ and began to use two fingers, after which they began to use three fingers as a symbol of the Trinity.
For this period in Orthodox churches the sign of the cross is allowed with two and three fingers, since there is no significant difference in this. Many people know about the contradictions between the Old Believers and those who accepted Nikon’s reform. However, if we take the method of baptism itself, then the meaning in each direction is completely identical.
Meaning
So, Orthodox Christians use two or three fingers. In practice it looks like this:
- the thumb, index, and middle fingers are folded together, and the ring and little fingers are pressed against the palm - tripartite;
- the thumb, little finger, and ring finger are connected, and the index and middle fingers are straightened for baptism - two fingers.
Now the most common and familiar is three-fingered, but two-fingered can also be used, we repeat, this is acceptable in a modern Orthodox church.
There is no difference between the characters:
- the three connected fingers represent the Holy Trinity and each individual hypostasis, that is, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit;
- two fingers represent the dual nature of Christ, the Lord appeared in human form, that is, the divine and the human are united in him.
Accordingly, how to connect fingers is not so important if the sign indicates a person’s faith in the designated Heavenly hierarchies.
If you look at how to properly baptize a person, then priests often use two fingers.
This is how Christ is often depicted, and many saints used this position of the fingers, for example, Seraphim of Sarov often holds two fingers in icons.
Ordinary believers use different finger positions.
It should also be noted that they cross from left to right or from right to left, it is easy to remember (use as a kind of hint) by the term Orthodoxy, from the word right, that is, you first need to move to the right shoulder.
This sign of the cross is performed according to the following scheme:
- In the name of the Father to the forehead;
- Son - to the belly, navel;
- Saint - to the right shoulder;
- Spirit - to the left shoulder.
This movement covers not only the body, but also various aspects of the personality.
The application of fingers to the forehead indicates the illumination of one's mind with divine grace; the application to the chest/stomach is a petition for the Lord to sanctify the senses.
A hand is brought to the shoulders in order to sanctify the body and deeds.
Application
Many people perceive the sign of the cross as protection from evil spirits.
There are also various testimonies about many miracles that both saints and ordinary people performed simply by crossing themselves with faith.
It is not for nothing that prayer, which is used to protect oneself from the unclean and various harmful influences, is called “The Cross of the Lord.” The text of this prayer precisely describes the power of this seemingly simple action.
This is why believers regularly cross themselves:
- before starting various tasks;
- when leaving home and returning;
- when sinful thoughts appear;
- experiencing joy;
- if they see some negative situation;
- when they feel something negative impact from outside.
It is customary to cross yourself before entering a church, three times. Performing this action reminds people of their own faith and allows them to turn away various sinful thoughts from themselves and call on Christ for help. The saints wrote a lot in their memoirs about the power of the habit of baptism and how such a sign can create a miracle.
A few words about etiquette
Regarding how to be baptized correctly in an Orthodox church, there are no clear instructions.
In fact, performing a sign is part of everyone’s personal spiritual practice; no one here will force you, even when there is a service in the temple.
However, traditionally an Orthodox person is baptized:
- before entering and bows to the ground or from the waist;
- in front of holy images;
- during the period when the service is going on with the words “Lord have mercy” and in some other parts of the service.
It is easiest for those inexperienced in this matter to understand how to be baptized correctly by an Orthodox Christian by observing others, if we are talking about a service. When the visit is private, to light a candle or order a meal, then they look more closely at what the soul dictates. Universal option: at the entrance and exit, in front of icons and the altar.
Note! At the initial stage of churching, gaining faith, studying church traditions It is useful to learn how to be baptized correctly by an Orthodox priest from a competent priest.
A personal confessor or simply a priest from a nearby church can help you learn how to apply the sign of the cross correctly, who will point out various subtleties, suggest some details from your own experience, and explain what you need to think about on your own.
The world needs to consider how to be baptized in a way that does not make others uncomfortable or become overly intrusive.
Sometimes it is even better to perform such a sign only in your mind, to read a prayer, than to perform a movement with your hand.
For example, sometimes on public transport it is possible to see some extravagant representative or representatives of a youth subculture, at whom an old woman, let’s say, of the old school, begins to look at him with disapproval and cross herself repeatedly, which, in essence, simply means an expression of disapproval.
It is quite possible that not only are there no demonic beginnings in these young guys, but there are not so many sinful thoughts, they just express themselves in their own way, looking for their own position in this world in this way. In such a situation, using a sign is unacceptable behavior for a Christian.
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Let's sum it up
In conclusion, it is necessary to emphasize the special position that Life-giving Cross Lord's. This symbol is a gift given to people from above. You need to know how to use it and treat it with care, not throwing it away in vain, not forgetting about its enormous power.
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Every Orthodox believer, offering a prayer to God, while at home or in Church, always crosses himself. But not everyone knows why this ritual is necessary and what it means. And some believers even cross themselves incorrectly, moving their hand in the wrong direction. In order to consider yourself a truly believing man or woman, you need to know the history of such a simple ritual as applying the sign of the cross to yourself, know how it is performed correctly and be aware of its secret meaning (sacrament).
Different ways to be baptized in history
The way modern Christians are baptized was not the way they were originally baptized. Even today there is no single method for choosing the number of fingers and the sequence of moving them across the body, because, for example, Catholic and Orthodox Christians have different religious traditions and they are not baptized in the same way.
Let's trace how this seemingly simple, but very important ritual changed:
- The first Christians of Jerusalem used only one finger of their hand. The touches were on the forehead, then on the chest and lips. Nothing like a cross. The ritual was performed only before the reading of the Gospel.
- After this, the believers paid attention to the image of Jesus Christ, because they noticed that His middle and index fingers were raised, and the rest were bent. We decided to cross ourselves with two fingers.
- The first Orthodox Christians were baptized like this - forehead, stomach, left shoulder, right shoulder.
- In 1551, it was decided to replace the stomach with the chest, because it is in this part of the body that the heart is located.
- In 1656, the book “Tablets” appeared in print. It suggested that it is necessary to cross with three fingers. After this reform, those who did not do so were called heretics.
- After numerous disputes and gossip christian world recognized two and three finger baptisms as equally possible for the ritual.
However, the question of which shoulder after the abdomen should be touched first is still relevant for many religious men and women. Let's look into this issue as best we can.
The whole essence of the process of applying a cross to oneself
To answer the question why a believer needs to be baptized, you need to know the essence of this action and understand it. It is triple:
- Religious.
- Spiritual and mystical.
- Emotional and psychological.
The religious essence is that a person, putting a cross on his body, identifies himself with the Christian community in which he is located, values its traditions and rituals, often remembers the earthly life of Jesus Christ and tries to fulfill God’s commandments.
The spiritual and mystical essence “says” that the cross has life-giving power. And the one who applies it to his body protects himself from many misfortunes and difficulties. The cross also sanctifies the one who uses it before and after prayer, as well as in all other circumstances, making a person involved in Jesus Christ.
The emotional and psychological essence of the sign of the cross is expressed in the fact that a man or woman is baptized without thinking about it. For example, when going to long journey or for a serious event. This is how a believer wants God to save him, protect him and help him. Emotionally and psychologically, he is calmer if he performs this ritual before something important to him.
Right to left or left to right?
There is a lot of controversy about this. But it’s worth knowing that the tradition of making the sign of the cross with three fingers came to Russian soil from Byzantium. Why three fingers? Because they symbolize the trinity of God - the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Three fingers also means the following: the forehead is the sky, the stomach is the earth, and the shoulders are the Holy Spirit, which unites all living things. From the same state came the canon of the order in which to touch the body with these three fingers. Namely - forehead, stomach, right shoulder and only then the left.
The question of which hand to do this with—the right or the left—rarely arises, but still sometimes “pops up.” Answer - only right. Even a person who is left-handed should only be baptized right hand.
The symbolic meaning of each gesture also needs to be known - by touching the forehead, a person agrees that at this moment his mind is sanctified, and he is able to know God's truth.
By touching the stomach, all internal organs of a person are sanctified, and by touching the shoulders, the whole body is sanctified. Why the right shoulder first and not the left? Because since ancient times it has been believed that the right half of the human body symbolizes good, and the left half symbolizes evil. An angel sits on the right shoulder, a devil sits on the left. The sequence “from right to left” cannot be changed even when baptizing another person.
How to be baptized in the Church correctly?
Orthodox Christians must be baptized according to certain rules:
- Rule 1 – Three fingers must be used.
- Rule 2 – As a sign of equality and symbolism of the Trinity, the fingers are folded at the same level.
- Rule 3 – The ring and little fingers touch the middle of the palm.
- Rule 4 – When touching the forehead, you need to say: “In the name of the Father,” to the stomach: “... and the Son...”, to the shoulders: “... and the Holy Spirit.”
This sequence should be observed not only in Church, but also at home - before meals, before bed, immediately after waking up. It is impossible to carry out the rebaptism procedure anyhow; you must strictly follow the described rules. When entering the Church, you need to be baptized three times and each time accompanied by a bow, this is how a person “says” that he believes in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for the sins of the world. Crossing should not be quick, because it needs to be done meaningfully, understanding what words are being pronounced.
You also need to be baptized in front of the icon in a certain way:
- It is necessary to choose a Saint to whom you are supposed to pray.
- Approach him and immediately cross himself.
- Light a candle if necessary.
- Pray to him and ask for what was the intention before.
- Cross yourself again
The laying on of a cross strengthens prayer if it is done for God and not for people. This is an important procedure, non-compliance with which indicates that a person does not respect church rituals and does not fear God.
You can be baptized while sitting, but only if it is really difficult to stand - you have health problems, you feel some kind of weakness. In the Church you may not be baptized at all if there is no urge within you to do so. Any religious ritual must be performed by a person voluntarily and from pure heart. Otherwise, it does not have miraculous power and any special meaning, both for man and for God.
Is it possible to be baptized in a public place?
There is no clear answer to this question. Some Orthodox Christians believe that this should not be done in public, while others, on the contrary, do not hesitate to perform the ritual of rebaptism whenever they want. But God looks at the human heart and knows the thoughts of his creation. We need to remember this. Therefore, if a person is baptized in a public place simply to show his righteousness and piety, then he cannot avoid God’s punishment. If, for example, he prays to himself and he has a feeling desire to cross yourself as a sign that the prayer is over, you should not suppress this impulse within yourself. The Holy Spirit is drawn to this.
A Christian should not be ashamed of his faith; on the contrary, he should tell everyone about how good God is and what miracles He works in life. ordinary people who believe in Him. The ritual of rebaptism must be performed correctly in any place - even in the subway, even in a store. You also need to be baptized correctly in a cemetery. Namely, three times before entering his territory and three times after visiting him. Why is this being done? It is believed that the procedure of rebaptism in a cemetery “asks” God for the deceased person to hear everything that the person who visited him will tell him. This is a request for hearing.
You also need to be baptized when you drive past a Church or Temple. This is how a person shows his faith and shows respect for ministers. Some believers believe that rebaptism must be performed at a crossroads because it special place. But it is special more for people who practice black magic. The priests do not say that believers should perform such a ritual at the crossroads of two roads.
How to correctly perform this rite at the Baptism of the Lord?
Epiphany is a great event that is celebrated annually on January 19th. Believers prepare for this day in advance. It is considered real blasphemy to drink alcohol during this holiday and jump into an ice hole with a running start, without following the rules established for this procedure. You can plunge into the ice water only after it has been consecrated, but before that you must attend the morning service in the temple.
Baptism- This is a holy holiday. The first immersions in water were carried out by John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ. For faith in his Savior, this prophet lost his head. The ritual of rebaptism on this day is no different from the same action at any other time. You just need to do this before diving into the water, when the person is still on the ground.
What happens if you are baptized incorrectly?
Incorrect hand movements during this ritual can be dangerous. For example, priests do not approve when a believer does not bring his right hand to his stomach, but stops it at chest level. This cross is considered upside down. This is how those who were against the Church, heretics who rejected God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, were baptized.
Those who, after the forehead and stomach, move their hand first to the left shoulder and then to the right, draw the letter A on themselves, which symbolizes the Antichrist - God's enemy and His fierce adversary. Therefore, it is very important to first bring your hand to your right shoulder, and only then to your left, and not otherwise. It would seem like a small thing, but it turns out that it is not.
A few facts about the sign of the cross
The sign of the cross must be applied to oneself in the correct sequence and with the obligatory words that accompany it in the following cases:
- When leaving home, especially if you are planning a serious trip leaving the populated area.
- When I dreamed bad dream or something was imagining.
- When blessing children when they go to school or simply leave the house for some errand.
You can be baptized wearing gloves if it is not possible to take them off, for example, outside in winter. In other cases, rebaptism should be done strictly without them.
Conclusion
The ritual of imposing the sign of the cross on oneself has great importance in the life of an Orthodox believer. In ancient times, methods of baptism replaced each other quite often. Now there is an established procedure that has not undergone any changes for a long time. It consists of certain rules and requirements - the fingers must be folded in a certain way, the movement of the right hand is made from the forehead to the stomach, then to the right shoulder and left. At the same time, you need to say: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” A person who does not see special meaning and sacrament in this rite may not be baptized. It is important not to do this ostentatiously in public places, because God sees the intent with which a person puts a cross on himself.
It is necessary to be baptized not only in the Church, but when driving past it, at the sight of a passing procession from procession, at home, in the cemetery - wherever the Holy Spirit prompts the believer to this action.
Moving your hand in the wrong sequence is dangerous for a person’s spiritual life, because he is no longer putting a cross on himself, but another symbol that can mean the Antichrist or something else that is contrary to Christianity and religion in general. The Feast of the Epiphany is also accompanied by applying a sign to oneself. It is performed once before direct immersion in the cold water of the ice hole. You can also be baptized while sitting, if you cannot do it standing due to illness or infirmity.
The sign of the cross is a visible evidence of our faith, so it must be performed carefully and with reverence.
To find out whether the person in front of you is Orthodox or not, you just need to ask him to cross himself, and by how he does it and whether he does it at all, everything will become clear. Remember the Gospel: “He who is faithful in little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).
The power of the Sign of the Cross is unusually great. In the Lives of the Saints there are stories about how demonic spells were dispelled after the overshadowing of the Cross. Therefore, those who are baptized carelessly, fussily and inattentively simply please the demons.
How to make the Sign of the Cross correctly?
1) You need to put three fingers of your right hand (thumb, index and middle) together, which symbolizes the three faces of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. By joining these fingers together, we testify to the unity of the Holy Indivisible Trinity.
2)
We bend the other two fingers (little finger and ring finger) tightly to the palm, thereby symbolizing the two natures of the Lord Jesus Christ: Divine and human.
3)
First, folded fingers are placed on the forehead to sanctify the mind; then on the stomach (but not lower) - to sanctify internal abilities (will, mind and feelings); after that - on the right, and then on the left shoulder - to sanctify our bodily strength, because the shoulder symbolizes activity (“to lend a shoulder” - to provide assistance).
4)
Only after lowering the hand do we bow from the waist so as not to “break the Cross.” This is a common mistake - bowing at the same time as the Sign of the Cross. This should not be done.
The bow after the Sign of the Cross is performed because we have just depicted (overshadowed ourselves) the Calvary Cross, and we worship it.
The sign of the cross accompanies the believer everywhere. You should make the sign of the cross at the beginning of prayer, during prayer and after it ends. We cross ourselves, getting out of bed and going to bed, going out into the street and entering the Temple, venerating icons and holy relics; Before eating, we cross ourselves and sign the Sign of the Cross on the food. We are baptized when starting a new business and finishing it. One must be baptized in all important situations in life: in danger, in grief, in joy. Mothers, sending their children from home, give their maternal blessing, signing the child with the Sign of the Cross and betraying their child to God's protection. Cross of Christ sanctifies everything and everyone, and therefore the image of the believer on himself is saving and spiritually beneficial.
An Orthodox baptized person should always wear a cross!
Since the first centuries of Christianity, every believer wears the Cross on his chest, fulfilling the words of the Savior: “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
(Mark 8:34).
The meaning of wearing a cross is revealed in the words of the Apostle Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:19). Sanctified pectoral cross is a symbol of faith and a sign of belonging to the Church of Christ. The cross protects from temptation and evil. Anyone who does not want to wear a cross himself rejects God’s help.
The pectoral cross can be anything: made of ordinary metal, silver, gold, or wood. Also, it is not important to have a cross on a chain or on a string - as long as it holds tightly. The main thing is that you wear it. It is desirable that the Cross be consecrated in the Church. On the back of Orthodox crosses, according to tradition, an inscription is made: "Bless and save".
You cannot wear a pectoral cross and zodiac signs (or any amulets, amulets, etc.) on the same chain - because a pectoral cross is a sign of belonging to the Church of Christ, and zodiac signs, amulets, amulets are evidence of adherence to various superstitions (you shouldn’t wear them at all) - all this is from the evil one.
Wear orthodox cross necessary on the body, under clothes, without exposing it. Until the 18th century, only Bishops had the right to wear the Cross over their clothes, and later - Priests. Anyone who dares to be like them commits the sin of self-sanctification.
Often, people who have recently embarked on the path of becoming a church face a dilemma: how should Orthodox Christians be baptized correctly? Why is this necessary?
Where did the tradition of making the sign of the cross come from? Is it correct to cross yourself with your right hand or your left? And is it possible to sign the blessing on yourself with two fingers?
In Orthodoxy, the sign of the cross performed according to all the rules shows our sincere faith. One should always be baptized respectfully, with reverence.
Alas, many do this incorrectly, not understanding the meaning of the sign of the cross and not attaching much importance to their actions. History contains examples from the lives of saints that tell about amazing miracles performed by the power of the Cross. By being baptized incorrectly, a person shows his disrespect for God.
How to be baptized correctly by an Orthodox Christian in church
The Orthodox faith carries deep meaning, and all actions in it have special meanings. This also applies to making the sign of the cross. The sign of the cross signifies the Cross on which the Lord was crucified. By performing it, we are not just following tradition, but we are protecting ourselves from evil and driving away unclean spirits.
Initially, ancient Christians crossed themselves with one finger, then several and even the whole palm. In the sixteenth century, double-fingering was adopted. And around the seventeenth century, baptism with three fingers was established.
Sometimes neophytes wonder: how to cross themselves - from right to left or vice versa? Which hand? Over which shoulder? Three fingers or two?
Now triplicate is canonical for the church. Why three fingers? Three fingers shows the unity of the Lord in three persons. The Holy Trinity united into one, incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The sign of the cross should be made strictly from right to left. To cross yourself you need:
- close three fingers of your right hand together;
- Bend the remaining fingers and place them on the palm. They point to the dual origin of Jesus Christ as the God-man;
- now say: "In the name of the Father" and place your fingertips to your forehead;
- touch the womb (stomach), saying: "And the Son" ;
- move your fingers to your right shoulder, saying - "And the Holy" ;
- touch your left shoulder and say - "Spirit" ;
- end with a bow, saying - "Amen" .
How an Orthodox Christian should be baptized in front of an icon
Few people understand how to cross themselves when praying near an icon.
Approaching the icon, you need to respectfully cross yourself twice, then light a candle, and only then venerate the holy image and cross yourself again, for the third time.
How to properly cross another person
If you need to bless another person before a long journey or difficult exam, then the sign of the cross is performed in exactly the same way as if the person crossed himself.
Regardless of which side the person is on, their back or facing you. Everything looks the same.
An Orthodox Christian always baptizes loved ones or guests leaving the house in the back, so that the Lord does not leave them on the way.
How to make the sign of the cross correctly and in what cases
A believer makes the sign of the cross before entering and leaving a church, during prayer approaching everything holy (a cross or an icon), before leaving the house, before going to bed, and in any dangerous situation.
You should also be baptized before and after meals. And of course, any important task should begin and end with prayer.
The teaching of the Orthodox Church says that the cross is the strongest weapon against dark forces. If applied with faith, the cross will drive away evil and help cope with problems.
Therefore, Christian believers try to resort to this Divine help as often as possible, along with prayer and pectoral cross, which you always carry with you under your clothes.
What could be so difficult about the sign of the cross? I thought so too, but then I caught myself thinking: should you touch your left or right shoulder with your fingers? How to cross yourself and your child correctly, how to form a cross in the air with your hands? I decided to find out the rules of the sign of the cross in Orthodox tradition, and I will share my knowledge with you. I will also explain when you need to bow from the waist, so that in church you don’t have to worry about the correctness of your actions.
An attentive person may notice that Orthodox and Catholics cross themselves in different ways. Firstly, Catholics cross themselves with two fingers, and when entering the temple they kneel on one knee. Secondly, Catholics and Orthodox Christians touch their fingers on different shoulders: they alternate between right and left in different orders.
The method of baptism took several centuries to form. The first Christians crossed themselves with only one finger, expressing with this action their readiness to be crucified for their Savior. Then the tradition arose of placing two fingers on the forehead, stomach and shoulders. Subsequently, this tradition was changed, and instead of the stomach, the chest was shaded: after all, the heart is more important than the stomach. However, this method was changed again and returned to the belly instead of the chest, in accordance with the fact that the belly symbolizes life.
In the 17th century, the sign of the cross was performed with three fingers instead of two, since the number three corresponds to the Holy Trinity. The cross was made with the right hand, since the right side symbolizes truth and righteousness. The three-fingered crossing was approved by Nikon's reform, after which a split in the Orthodox Church occurred. The schismatics (Old Believers) still retained the application of two fingers, since they did not accept the church reform.
How are Orthodox Christians baptized? This tradition is observed in Orthodoxy to this day: we make the sign of ourselves with the right right hand, three fingers, from right to left.
It is interesting that the ways of making the sign of the cross varied greatly. If at first Christians made the cross with one finger, then later the method of making the sign of the cross with the whole palm was invented. In 1656, the method of signing oneself with a cross was approved, which became widespread in Rus'. Those who did not comply with it were considered heretics. All Old Believers fell under the label of heretics, and only in the 20th century Orthodox Church approved two-fingered application as acceptable.
Right or left shoulder
How should an Orthodox be baptized - to the right or to the left? Orthodox faith came to Russian soil from Byzantium, so we adhere to the Byzantine canons in the sign of the cross. This means that it is necessary to overshadow:
- navel projection;
- right shoulder;
- left shoulder.
The sign of the cross contains sacred symbolism, from which one cannot deviate. The church fathers give direct instructions about the correct application of the cross in order to attract the grace of heaven through one’s actions. No one can forbid a person to cross himself in any way he wants, but God’s grace will not descend during such actions.
After making the sign of the cross, you must bow to the waist, expressing gratitude to Christ for salvation.
Symbolism of the cross:
- forehead - we sanctify the mind;
- belly - we sanctify our life;
- shoulders - we sanctify our body.
Why should you touch the right side of your body first? Because it symbolizes the best qualities of a person. There is a guardian angel behind the right shoulder, and heaven is located on the right side of the person. When a person places his fingers on his right shoulder and then on his left, he expresses a request to be accepted into the heavenly abode.
How to baptize a child
What changes when we sign the cross over another? The position of the sides changes - right and left. During autumn, you need to touch your right shoulder and then your left. In this case, our hand first goes to the left and then to the right. However, this rule applies if the person is facing us.
If we make the sign of the cross on someone whose back is turned to us, the movement of the hand goes from right to left. That is, we make such movements as if we were baptizing ourselves. It is important to remember one rule: the fingers must first touch the right shoulder.
How to be baptized in church and at home
During the liturgy or simply when visiting church, people often cross themselves and bow at the waist. The question arises: how to be baptized correctly by Orthodox Christians in church, how to fold their fingers correctly? The Church Fathers teach this:
- put your thumb, index and middle fingers together as if in a pinch;
- Press the ring finger and little finger into the palm of your hand (hide it).
What does this configuration mean? Three fingers, gathered together with a pinch, denote the unity of the Trinity. They are in equal positions together. Two fingers hidden in the palm express the belief that the Savior was a man.
Words during the laying of the cross:
- center of the forehead - in the name of the Father;
- projection of the navel - and the Son;
- shoulders - and the Holy Spirit.
When and how should you be baptized in church? The first time they are baptized at the entrance to the church - they apply the cross three times and bow three times at the waist. Please note that a bow from the waist is performed when the arms are already lowered down. If you bow before, the cross will seem to be “broken.” Therefore, do not rush to bow with your hand raised.
Crossing oneself hastily, without folding the fingers, is considered sacrilege. This is a great sin.
After leaving the temple, Orthodox Christians also cross themselves and bow. You need to leave the holy monastery after making the sign of the cross at the doors and gates of the temple.
When should you be baptized at home? They sign themselves with the sign of the cross in front of icons, before meals and when going to bed and upon awakening. You need to be baptized before reading prayers and at the end of reading. It is customary to be baptized in difficult life circumstances, driving away evil spirits. Sometimes this action can work wonders. However, you need to cross yourself with firm faith in your heart, otherwise this action will not lead to any results.
When and how should one be baptized? Our grandmothers began any business with the sign of the cross.
Also, believers cross themselves when looking at a temple or cathedral and when mentioning saints and the Virgin Mary with Jesus. When a person crosses himself as he approaches a church, he openly confesses the faith of Christ. This is very important, since bringing the good news to the world is the direct responsibility of every Christian. Therefore, when you pass by Christian religious buildings, do not forget to make the sign of the cross.
Listen to what Schemamonk Joachim says about the sign of the cross.
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