How do Orthodox cross yourself?

In the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, the tips of the first three fingers (the thumb, index, and middle ones) are brought together, and the last two (the "ring" and little fingers) are pressed against the palm.

How do you cross yourself in Eastern Orthodox?

Gently touch the index, middle, and thumb to the center of your forehead. Bring your hand down, maintaining the shape to right between your ribcage and belly button. Raise your hand to the right shoulder. Cross over to the left shoulder.

What is the correct way to cross yourself?

To “cross yourself,” take your right hand and put your thumb, index, and middle finger together. In Western Christianity, you then touch your forehead, the center of your chest, your left shoulder, and your right shoulder. In Eastern (Orthodox) churches, you touch your right shoulder before your left shoulder.

Why is Orthodox cross different?

The Russian Orthodox cross differs from the Western cross. The cross usually has three crossbeams, two horizontal and the third one is a bit slanted. The middle bar was where Christ's hands were nailed. The lower bar is the foot-rest.

Why is it called Greek Orthodox?

The Greek word “orthodox” simply means “correct belief” and at the same time, “correct worship.” It became the name applied to the Christian Church that grew and flourished in the eastern, predominantly Greek speaking regions of the late Roman Empire.

How to Make the Sign of the Cross | Greek Orthodox 101

How do Orthodox greet each other?

Eastern Orthodox

The greeting and reply are: Christ is Risen! – Truly He is Risen! In the original language, Greek: Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!

What the difference between Orthodox and Catholic?

The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs, too, as human and thus subject to error. In this way, they are similar to Protestants, who also reject any notion of papal primacy.

What is the cross with 3 lines?

The Russian Orthodox cross has three horizontal crossbeams, with the lowest one slanted downwards. Nowadays it is a symbol of the Russian Orthodox Church and a distinctive feature of the cultural landscape of Russia. Other names for the symbol include the Russian cross, and Slavonic or Suppedaneum cross.

How do you cross yourself in church?

The motion is performed by joining the first three fingers, to symbolize the Holy Trinity, and putting the two other fingers in the palm, then touching one's forehead, below the chest, left side, then right side and finishing with open hand on the chest again with bowing head.

What does it mean to cross oneself?

Definition of cross oneself

: to make the sign of the cross on one's head and chest I crossed myself as I entered the church.

Why do Catholic crosses have Jesus on them?

The crucifix emphasizes Jesus' sacrifice—his death by crucifixion, which Christians believe brought about the redemption of humankind.

How do Greek Orthodox do the cross?

For Greek Orthodox Christians, the sign of the cross is the ultimate expression of their faith. While making the sign of the cross, Orthodox Christians do so by touching their thumb, index, and middle fingers together, which represents the Holy Trinity.

Why is the Orthodox Easter different?

Eastern Christianity recognises a different date for Easter because it typically follows the Julian calendar. This is instead of the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used by most countries today – and that Great Britain, for example, changed to hundreds of years ago in 1752.

Can Orthodox marry a Catholic?

Most Orthodox Churches allow marriages between members of the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. For example, the Church of Greece would allow an Orthodox man to marry a Catholic bride in its church, providing the wife vows the children will be baptized Orthodox.

Does the Orthodox Church pray to Mary?

Orthodox have a prayer that uses a set of beads, but it is known as "The Jesus Prayer" and doesn't specifically venerate Mary. While many Orthodox do believe that Mary did not die but went directly to heaven, this belief isn't required by the church and there isn't a church holiday celebrating this event.

Why do Orthodox not believe in purgatory?

The Orthodox Church does not believe in purgatory (a place of purging), that is, the inter-mediate state after death in which the souls of the saved (those who have not received temporal punishment for their sins) are purified of all taint preparatory to entering into Heaven, where every soul is perfect and fit to see ...

Do Orthodox Christians kiss?

They just don't like the kissing part! The Second Commandment certainly condemns the act of prostrating oneself (bowing) before an image (Leviticus 26:1), and we Orthodox Christians prostrate all the time.

How do you address an Orthodox nun?

Always address a nun by prefacing her name with “Sister,” such as “Sister Angela Therese.” When speaking of the superior of a monastery or convent, use the title “Mother Abbess,” “Mother Prioress” or “Mother Superior,” depending on the preference of the order of nuns.

What is not allowed in Orthodox Christianity?

The Holy Tradition (written and oral) of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church, while advising avoidance of olive oil, meat, fish, milk, and dairy products every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, additionally includes four principal fasting periods per year when meat as well as dairy products and eggs are ...

Do Greek Orthodox believe in heaven?

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, heaven is part and parcel of deification (theosis), the eternal sharing of the divine qualities through communion with the Triune God (reunion of Father and Son through love).