Why do we make the sign of the cross? Clearly, it is a way of adding to the verbal prayer by sealing with our fingers. So let us ask what is the inherent symbolism expressed in this act? In order to understand the significance we must take into consideration that the sign of the cross until the Middle Ages was made on the forehead and not over the breast.
With this in mind the Old Testament roots of the custom becomes clear. The prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to put «a mark on the forehead of those who sigh and groan over the abominations that are committed in Jerusalem» (Ez. 9:4). In this context the mark on the forehead is a sign of repentance and protection.
Yet another, more joyous meaning, is also connected with this custom. Pious Jews would mark themselves on the brow with the last letter of the alphabet as a symbol of God’s glory. The last letter is to symbolise the fullness and perfection of God’s creation. In Old Hebrew the last letter, tav , was written as + and later as T . This symbolism is also expressed in archaic Greek where the letter T is written either as + or as X .
Nordic Catholic Church – Member Church of the Union of Scranton
The Oratory of the Way and the Mind of the Spirit – Nordic Catholic Church
Nordisk-katolska kyrkan i Karlskrona – Sankt Nikolaus – Den odelade kyrkans tro, som katolsk och ortodox.
Bengts Blogg | Om Katolska kyrkan, kristendom, religion, samhälle…