Making the sign of the cross is a comfort. I actually did an awkward sign of the cross when I had just accepted Christ personally and visited my grandmother’s grave to say I’d found Christ- which I know was her prayer in life, and I believe has been her prayer even now. I had no knowledge of any denominations etc- but somehow it felt appropriate.
Thank you, friend! Our friends can attest to the fact that my topics on this channel are things that excite both myself and my brother in an average conversation😆 Thank you for subscribing and your kind words
I am a 1st generation American Palestinian. I was Baptized Greek Orthodox but am now a practicing Melkite Greek Catholic. I find your videos very good and informational. It has always confused me as to how my Protestant friends or family have either said history doesn’t matter or they don’t care about it. Your videos will help me try and explain why history is so very important. Thank you!
We're definitely grateful for our history and traditions! They're wonderful. Without them we'd have to reinvent our religion every generation. With them, we follow Christ as 2,000 years worth of our predecessors ❤️ Thanks for watching!
I just discovered your channel and I love it! I've been looking into Orthodoxy for some time now as a Pentecostal Christian, and I plan on converting in the near future! Your videos are so educational, yet so refreshing. Please know your impact by creating these videos is greater than you probably think. Thank you so much for putting your time into this. P.S I love the cozy vibes coming from the background set up! ☦☦❤❤ God Bless!
May God bless your journey into the Church, and thank you so much for the kind words! It was very encouraging to read! We'll keep making them and glad you like cozy vibes as much as we do.
I'm Pentecostal as well. We covered, very briefly, the early church and barely skimmed the church fathers and the apostles. My curiosity and my desire to be a part of THE Church was not satisfied. So here I am.
@@odonohoe7654 Most Pentecostals believe in the Trinity, although not the way the Orthodox understand it. If you’re talking about Oneness Pentecostalism, then there’s probably lots of ways to show that it doesn’t work. For example, if Jesus is just the Father become human, then who is Jesus praying to? Or when the Father speaks out of heaven to Him, who is talking to Him? Is He just putting on a show for us, or does He have a genuine relationship? Not only that but so many passages differentiate between the Father and the Son, for example, ”For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.“ ~1 Corinthians 15:22-28 How can one possibly explain the above passage within Oneness theology? And many more. Alternative names for practically the same thing are Modalism and Sabellianism. I’m sure the church fathers had many arguments against this too, as it’s not a new idea by any means, it just keeps getting reinvented every so often and given a different name.
Great explanation. I'd never really thought of where/when we started doing the sign of the Cross. Just seemed like one of those "We've just always done it" sort of things. That the early reference from Tertullian was cool to discover. A quote I came across not too long ago from St. Cyril of Jerusalem (4th century) is another great one: "“Make then this sign [of the Cross] at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking; in a word, at every act.”
Strămoșii noștri făceau semnul crucii peste mâncare când găteau, însemnau cu cruce pâinea, orice mâncau, toate erau dedicate Lui Dumnezeu. Crucea sfințește și alungă duhurile necurate, și , cum spuneau sfinții părinți, chiar dacă mâncarea ar fi otrăvită, crucea anulează otrava. Acesta este adevărul demonstrat și în viețile sfinților, crucea se punea pe porți sau la intrarea în casă, ca să protejeze de rău familia. Când pleci la drum te însemnezi cu Sf. Cruce, ca să te protejeze Dumnezeu pe drum.Orice activitate începi cu sfânta cruce și cu o scurtă rugăciune. Aceasta intra în firescul vieții. Crucea se poartă la gât, la capătul mormântului etc. De asemenea, cartea Sf. Evanghelii, care conține cuvântul Lui Dumnezeu, alungă din spațiul unde se află , puterile demonice. De asemeni, împreună cu însemnarea cu crucea,se practică sfințirea casei cu tămâie și stropirea cu apă sfințită adusă de la Biserică. Aceea apa este cu adevărat sfințită, căci nu se alterează , își păstrează prospețimea și sfințenia foarte mult timp .
I was raised as Catholic but always felt like there wasnt much passion in the Catholic Church. So later in my life i joined a Protestant Church which i liked way more as there was way more Passion in that Church, but now in the Protestant Church there is still one thing that I hunger for, and that is connection. Although there is a lot of passion in this Church, I still dont really feel a connection to Christ and the rest of the Church. I try and think of what i should do and i try and fail everytime, this is what has led me to Orthodoxy. Although there isn't an Orthodox Church in the area that i live in when I graduate, I am thinking of moving to a country where there is a lot of Orthodoxy so that i can actually become Orthodox. I pray that through your videos and others I will be able to learn more about Orthodoxy until then. I pray that i could have some help from people to help me connect with the Orthodox Church as soon as possible.
God bless your journey! Remember you don't always have to move to an Orthodox country. Orthodox are in most places in the world. Try to reach out to your nearest church. And keep praying! God is near!
I recently discovered Orthodoxy. I live in Canada. I did not think there was anything close by to where I live. I did a internet search and also phoned a old friend that became a decon. He gave me 3 orthodox churches that were about 25 minutes drive from where I live. I now have been attending St Herman’s of Alaska for 2 months. What a blessing..👍🏽🙏🏽❤️🩹
As a Catholic, I firmly believe there's good parishes out there if you look! Alternatively, you can also consider Eastern Catholic churches if you specifically desire the Eastern patrimony. God bless you on your journey, wherever that may lead. 🙏🏽
I'm.really enjoying these videos, nice combo of Eastern Orthodox church history lessons and a personal message on how to tie it into our relationship with Christ and each other.
Thank you Irene! All of Christian history and theology is only useful if it grows us closer in love to Christ and His Church! It's easy to get excited by 'cool facts' (I do) but important that I remind myself of Who I am learning to love through that knowledge. Really glad you're enjoying the videos, and very grateful for the kind comments you have been leaving us!
I was raised Methodist and we never were taught or practiced it. Only recently have I found myself [somewhat unconsciously] practicing it while I see car accidents and other tragedies. This video is one of the first demonstrations I’ve learned on why Christians do this. Amen🙏
This channel is truly remarkable, the way you combine our theology with the orthopraxis brings to mind the greatest of Church Fathers! Your work for the Church is more than appreciated! Glory to God! ❤️🕊️☦️
I love your channel. Could you do a video on prostration/s and Metanie (large and small)? Actually showing how it is done and done the right way in form and gesture, eventhough there are differences in cultural execution.
I love the different ways the sign of the cross is made, The Eastern Orthodox way, The Oriental Orthodox (as described below), The Western Rite way (described in the video), And the Coptic church makes it a number of ways one of which being to extend all of the way to your feet instead of merely to your stomach.
Pretty sure EO also go all the way to the ground sometimes, I saw people do it when I was able to attend. Particularly when approaching the Icon of Christ.
The sign of the cross is a prayer, a statement of faith, a statement of theological truth. Christians have been practicing the sign of the cross longer than they’ve been reading the Bible [as a complete canon]. It is highly likely that this ancient Christian sign has been in practice since the events recorded in the Book of Acts, possibly instituted by Paul the Apostle. In every relationship we have we engage in rituals (like shaking hands, waving, eating together at table), so it follows that the greatest relationship we have, the one between us and God, should have some of these rituals and symbols of our faith in Him. Rituals are part of being human, and it’s important that being human is something we bring to God. If God became human, then surely the physical side of our faith is important to the spiritual side of our faith. And this [sign of the cross] is a physical outworking a spiritual truth. Making the sign of the cross is about as rooted in the gospel as any celebration in the Christian Church (such as Christmas or Easter). The sign of the cross isn’t the only thing from the early church that is missing in a lot of contemporary expressions of Christianity. Making the sign of the cross is a way we bring our entire selves into connection with Jesus Christ. It is a sign of all of us connecting to Jesus Christ.
I'm Catholic. When I pass an Orthodox Church, I do the sign of the cross in the Orthodox manner because I know that the true presence of Christ is in that Church.
Great video👏, growing up as an American evangelical Christian, I was taught that this was inappropriate to do, I always wondered where it came from, thank you and god bless you
A lot of us Protestants were not taught valuable traditions and practices. Much of it being scrapped at the reformation and then over the centuries and the continued scrapping and changing of these practices as more denominations popped up. But I have noticed in charismatic circles they invent their own traditions or rituals because I think they know deep inside it’s important. But at the same time they have this concept that being too religious is bad and tradition is bad. The only thing is Not All tradition is bad. Especially the traditions that the Holy Fathers passed down. Protestants never needed to reinvent the wheel. Instead of looking too far forward they should have looked backwards because the Eastern Orthodox was still right there. There was no need to reinvent the wheel..🙏🏽
I love how you shed light on the orthodox church at the end without directly saying it allowing people to want to do it for them self which causes people to be willing to do it instead of being reluctant about it. Bravo
I just discovered your channel and it’s very helpful. My husband is English and recently converted to orthodoxy and it helps me to have your video’s and share with him. Thank you for making them.
Loving the content and presentation brother …a Scottish High School Religious & Moral Philosophy teacher …with a degree in Church History… keep up the great work & God Bless 🙏
Thanks so much! And we'll definitely get to them I'm sure. I mean prostrations are as old as time so definitely worth looking at the Bible and history for that for sure.
It is so interesting ti know about the history behind the sign of the cross. To me is a no brainier in the sense it is the most summarised representation of the promises of Jesus to humankind. Yet what you says about using your three fingers for the trinity and the other two about the divinity and humanity of Jesus was gorgeous. As you says yes it is a ritual, a gorgeous one the thing with rituals is that often times we engage in them because of tradition and we don’t really or fully understand them. To me now it means the summary of the promises of Christ, his mercy, his love for human kind, but also a reminder of us living in a valley of tears where we carry our own cross. For me is the promise of God always transforming physical suffering into spiritual and everlasting joy. Ultimately making all things new and such a triumph of good over evil. The triumph of eternal life over death.
As someone who was wildly sceptical of prayer as a protestant, I've really enjoyed the sign. It feels less like a weirdly forced monologue in my head. The subconscious aspect of it is great
You have a teachers heart, and I love it. If I had teachers like you in school, I couldn't imagine failing anything haha. Thank you for your time, I have never been taught this, and I've never considered that most things I do are ritualistic in nature. If one is often habitually ritualistic, why not make them holy rituals and aid our walk. Bless you.
Oriental Orthodox Christians have always made the sign of the Cross using three fingers to represent the Holy Trinity like the Eastern Orthodox Church but going from head to stomach then from left shoulder to the right shoulder. Usually this motion can represent the Trinity itself or "God becoming Incarnate to turn sinners into saints." It's interesting to see the difference between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox on this, and I wonder which is older or whether they have a common origin.
The common origin is clear, in that it is the same sign of the cross. The same general motion As to which is older, tis a mystery of history. And there are other methods too. Like a smaller sign over the forehead, or just over the mouth. The main thing is, according to several Early Church Fathers (and some Protestant reformers actually) is to do it often!
Love your explanation. To me this way of performing the sign of the cross makes more sense to me even though being a Roman Catholic and appear different from my fellow parishioners, but feels more complete. My understanding of the western use of open hand symbolizes the five wounds of Christ. I get the western symbolism but feel the eastern way is in a way a “mini creed”. From what I learned, the eastern crossing from right to left meant to the right (the Son sits at the right hand of the Father) and to the left as being where the Holy Spirit sits. You are doing great work and will definitely share your channel. Many blessings to you!
Thank you for making this video. I am an inquiring protestant and I love to make the sign of the cross but I know it may be seen as superstitious or ritualistic to many people who do not understand it, this video gave me a ton of insight. It's interesting that it is described as a short "prayer" which is not something I ever realized. I love that it is so ancient it's possible that Jesus or the Apostles themselves could have done the sign of the cross after our Lord's resurrection. Also, the background music to this video is so groovy I couldn't help but dance haha! Blessings and peace.
Amazing summary on what is one of the most ancient traditions and rituals of the church. Even though I have been an Orthodox Christian my whole life, you are very good at explaining things that I already know in a way that I can explain them clearly to others who do not know about the faith. Well done again.😄 Hopefully in the next video #FreeTheTea will become #TheTeaIsFreed 🤣
Thanks, mate! And yeah, I've been making the sign of the cross for my whole life, but once you know a bit of WHY and just how old it is... wow. Mind-blowing And yes, the tea will be drunk, next week Ban, next week 😆
It would not surprise me if in the West we sign ourselves from left shoulder to the right for "elegance". Since we sign ourselves with the right hand, it seems logical to end on the right shoulder. I'm not saying one way is better than the other though. We also have another "sign of the cross". I don't know if other churches do it. Before reading the Gospel, we sign ourselves on the forehead, the mouth and the chest, asking that the Lord's Word remains in our minds, mouths and hearts.
Beautifully done!! In the last couple of years I've gone back to the Catholic Church & of course, I'm TRYING to lead my family back as well. One thing I like to point out especially to my 13yo daughter is just like in the end when all of us receive a mark...either from God or from satan so now in the meantime, THIS (sign of the Cross) is our mark - our badge of honor - we are branded to the Lord. Did I explain that right?? Lol. Well, hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say. Sorry, more tea needed...😂
One thing I never hear people taking about (probably due to Protestant/Modernist scholarship) is that the apostles spent time together and had liturgy together. We see this in Acts 1, 2, 15, etc. We also know that Jesus Himself spent 40 days with the apostles instructing them on how to build the church (Acts 1:3). It's quite possible that the sign of the cross was taught to them by Christ Himself or the apostles developed this practice together and shared it with one another. Is there evidence for this? Certainty - the early references to the sign of the cross, but more importantly I think is the fact that the sign of the cross is so widespread and universal in the Church from an early time. It would be hard to convince every Christian in the world to start doing it after centuries of established churches around the empire. It would make more sense if they all just received the same tradition from the very beginning.
This has easily become one of my ☦-based YT channels. If you could add subtitles, such as Russian, Romanian, Serbian, it would elevate this channel and make it more popular.
Hey great video! The second passage you mention about the cross from Galatians, it's Gal. 14, not 4. God bless you and keep it up! The world needs such content, so people see how traditional Christian practice gives glory to God and conveys biblical truth.
Just found your channel. Good presentation. Thanks for taking the time to explain and illustrate this. Have you read the Didache? It is a first century document that also describes the sign of the cross, triple immersion baptism and other early Holy Traditions.
When I was a non Christian I use to make the sign of the cross for protection before going on a plane or a amusement park ride lol with no understanding of it but but just that I am protected now I understand it fully !
I've heard somewhere that the difference between catholic and orthodox direction of making the sign is due to priest's blessing. When the priest is blessing people, he moves his hand from left to right (in both catholic and orthodox churches, if i'm not mistaken), it's just that catholic do it the same way, from left to right, while orthodox do it mirrored from priest. What about the Old Believers? Wasn't the two finger practice even older than the three finger?
In the far east, (India) Catholics and Syrian orthodox say sign of cross from left to right. So difficult to stomach that statement that western church changed it in fourteenth century. India has no Russian or Greek influence, only Syrian and western Roman
People today do not realize that For at least 1900 years The majority of the rank-and-file public has been illiterate, learning through pictures iconography, hand, signals and hand language has been around a long time to communicate between people. If you were going to teach your children, anything you had to use ritual, repetition and pictures to get the ideas across because few people. Were literate one of the reasons the church would only allow priests to read. Scripture wasn’t to keep it from the people it was because this man took the time to learn how to read, and would relay the information to those. Who didn’t we need to put ourselves in the heads of these first century Christians, and how they communicated to one another, how they taught each other and their children, and you will understand why ritual is vitally important. Today our children are taught a ritual of brushing their teeth to get the habit started when they’re very young almost all Christians. Take communion, Jesus instituted this ritual. It had much more meaning then we today consider, but it is a ritual, a necessary way of learning and training the flash to be subservient to the spirit of God and even our own control I find your videos very good very enlightening. I thought you might want to consider this thought. When you’re sharing. Thanks again.
The first historical mention probably means it happened 100-200 years before. Interesting principle. Thanks for sharing. Also how we call it ancient now, but it was called ancient in the 3rd century. Think about that.
Awesome content, brother. I would like to request a video about the tragic schism and efforts for reunification through ecumenism between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Thank you and God bless you and your work.
Wonderful channel… thank you. I’ve also seen Orthodox priests end the sign of the cross by placing their hand on their heart. What do you think of that? Just wondering.
Awesome content about the sign of the cross. One suggestion about future videos is please consider not having wall-to-wall background music for the entire video. I know you are a film maker and you have your own style so take my suggestion with a grain of salt. In this particular video the music in the final minute or so was almost drowning out your speaking.
Thanks so much, friends! Making the sign of the cross is definitely one of the greatest traditions of Christianity. I was very excited to talk about it.
I always hear the explanation for the position of the hand but I've only heard once the explanation for the places that we touch. It's obvious that they form a cross but is it true that there's a deeper meaning for each place? The forehead meaning the Most High (the Father), the stomach meaning the Incarnation in the womb (the Son) and the shoulders meaning that it was made THROUGH the Holy Spirit? I've also heard that Jesus is usually associated with the right hand of God and the Holy Spirit with the left hand of God. So if we mention each one at the time we touch each shoulder it could add even more meaning to the sign of the cross.
There's actually a lot of variety in how to do the Sign of the Cross. For some Latin American Catholics, they wrap the index finger around the thumb and let three fingers out. This represents the two natures, hypostatic union, and the Trinity. I know for some Greek speakers, they form the hand into the ICXC shape. The Russian Orthodox Church actually has St. Anna of Kashin who was canonized for not using the Sign of the Cross under Patriarch Nikon's reforms. Yeah, her canonization is weird.
thank you for explaining the sign of the cross, i have mostly all ways done the sign right to left, i wasnt taught how to do it . but as our lord is seated at the right hand of the father as we say father , son , holy spirit hope i am right also CONSTANTINE THE GREAT WAS shown the first cross in a dream a CROSS WITH A LETTER P IN THE MIDDLE GOD told him to paint it on his army,s shields this helped him win the last battle after he changed ROME from pagan to christians in thanks to god amen
I love making the sign of the cross but fail to do it at a protestant funeral. They don't believe in it which makes me reluctant to do it. At home in the catholic Church not a problem. Any comment?
I understand the DEEP spiritual message and the literal CROSS's Sign/Symbol/Mark meaning... The Crucifixion was used by the Roman Empire as their Capital Punishment (Painful and Humiliating Slow Death) for anyone who committed a crime or rebellion against the Roman Empire... However, Christ Jesus had used and turned this CRUELITY (INHUMANE) method of punishment of the literal CROSS into a SIGN/MARK/SYMBOL of CHRISTIANITY to remind us all that whoever believes in the one who had Sacrificed Himself (Christ Jesus) to Die on the Cross for the REMISSION of the SIN of Mankind shall be eternally SAVED... Before the Literal CROSS was the "Sign/Symbol of CRUELTY and DEATH" of the People... but after Christ's Death on the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension to Heaven... Christ Jesus used and turned the Literal CROSS into the "Sign/Symbol/Mark of LOVE and Eternal LIFE (Resurrection)" of the People... Just like the POLE with the bronze replica/statue of a snake, created by Prophet Moses in the wilderness, whoever looks/sees the POLE will not DIE from the bites of the Snake... (ref. Numbers 21:8-9)... that is the same analogy with the SpIritual and Literal CROSS with the Replica/Statue of Christ Jesus hanging on the Cross, whoever accepted and believed in Christ Jesus by the Grace of God through FAITH will never DIE but will have Eternal Life with God in Paradise (3rd Heaven)... In conclusion, people will KNOW the followers of Christ called CHRISTIANS (with Born again Spirit) by knowing them through their "Spiritual and Literal Sign/Symbol/Mark of the CROSS of Christ" from their Literal Forehead (thoughts/minds) and their Right Hand (physical work/deed/act of love), as well as from their Spiritual Heart and Soul (total humility and submission/obedience) ... Glory, Praise, and Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus' name...Amen and Amen...
Oriental orthodoxy always gets left out in comparative discussions of the ancient faith. It’s always Eastern and Western. It’s so annoying. We go from left to right rather than right to left, but technically it’s only a cosmetic difference, either way works as good as the other. I guess the more important thing is to do it. Maybe one day, the oriental tradition will be included in more talks instead of it only being Eastern and Western. There is so much history being left out
Isnt the trend to turn the bad into the good a permeating theme in Christianity ? Satan thought he won when Christ was on the Cross, the Cross was a sign of torture, now of love. etc.Good conquering evil.
The tradition started most probably just AFTER the events of Scripture. Some have suggested references to it in the Bible including a prophecy in Ezekiel 9:4, as well as possible reference in Revelation 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1. A reference could be perhaps seen to Christ making the sign in Luke 24:51, which says that He ascended "WHILE He blessed them".
The sign of the Cross recalls the forgiveness of sins and the reversal of the fall by passing from the left side of the curse to the right side of blessing...DeSales. Left to right also signifies our future glory, just as Christ crossed over from death to life, and from Hades to Paradise...Pope Innocent II
It is interesting that this man in the beginning of his talk makes the sign of the cross incorrectly and backwards? Forehead heart then left shoulder than right shoulder crossing over your heart why does he do it backwards when he’s giving a talk on the sign of the cross?
Do orthodox wet the tip of the finger when doing the sign of the cross(while entering a church)like Catholics do or not? I've seen them do it so I'm just curious
The practice is most likely as old as the events of the New Testament, and predates the formation of the Biblical canon. Some traditions say that Paul first began it. Some have suggested references to it in the Bible including a prophecy in Ezekiel 9:4, as well as possible reference in Revelation 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1. A reference could be perhaps seen to Christ making the sign in Luke 24:51, which says that He ascended "WHILE He blessed them".
It is a bit of a mystery. The Catholic Church changed the direction of the sign sometime in the 13th century but while there are several theories, there's no clear answer
Making the sign of the cross is a comfort. I actually did an awkward sign of the cross when I had just accepted Christ personally and visited my grandmother’s grave to say I’d found Christ- which I know was her prayer in life, and I believe has been her prayer even now. I had no knowledge of any denominations etc- but somehow it felt appropriate.
A nice story! It is a beautiful and personal prayer that is beyond any denomination!
I hurt my shoulder & it hurts to make the sign of the cross, especially to my left shoulder. I will not stop.
If you are Orthodox you can make the sign of the Cross right to Left Baptist as Escopalian we do it left to but I still do it the Orthodox Cross
Your enthusiasm for the faith is infectious. Glory to God!
Thank you, friend! Our friends can attest to the fact that my topics on this channel are things that excite both myself and my brother in an average conversation😆
Thank you for subscribing and your kind words
I am a 1st generation American Palestinian. I was Baptized Greek Orthodox but am now a practicing Melkite Greek Catholic. I find your videos very good and informational. It has always confused me as to how my Protestant friends or family have either said history doesn’t matter or they don’t care about it. Your videos will help me try and explain why history is so very important. Thank you!
We're definitely grateful for our history and traditions! They're wonderful. Without them we'd have to reinvent our religion every generation. With them, we follow Christ as 2,000 years worth of our predecessors ❤️ Thanks for watching!
I'm catholic but interested in orthodox what made you switch?
I was baptized and raised Catholic but these videos played a large factor into my conversion to Orthodoxy lol
why a greek catholic not a greek orthodox?
I just discovered your channel and I love it! I've been looking into Orthodoxy for some time now as a Pentecostal Christian, and I plan on converting in the near future! Your videos are so educational, yet so refreshing. Please know your impact by creating these videos is greater than you probably think. Thank you so much for putting your time into this. P.S I love the cozy vibes coming from the background set up! ☦☦❤❤ God Bless!
May God bless your journey into the Church, and thank you so much for the kind words! It was very encouraging to read! We'll keep making them and glad you like cozy vibes as much as we do.
I'm Pentecostal as well. We covered, very briefly, the early church and barely skimmed the church fathers and the apostles. My curiosity and my desire to be a part of THE Church was not satisfied. So here I am.
Coming from pentacostalism, what changed your mind about the trinity? I am also pentecostal learning about orthadoxy.
@@odonohoe7654
Most Pentecostals believe in the Trinity, although not the way the Orthodox understand it. If you’re talking about Oneness Pentecostalism, then there’s probably lots of ways to show that it doesn’t work. For example, if Jesus is just the Father become human, then who is Jesus praying to? Or when the Father speaks out of heaven to Him, who is talking to Him? Is He just putting on a show for us, or does He have a genuine relationship? Not only that but so many passages differentiate between the Father and the Son, for example,
”For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.“
~1 Corinthians 15:22-28
How can one possibly explain the above passage within Oneness theology? And many more. Alternative names for practically the same thing are Modalism and Sabellianism. I’m sure the church fathers had many arguments against this too, as it’s not a new idea by any means, it just keeps getting reinvented every so often and given a different name.
I am glad to hear this
Great explanation. I'd never really thought of where/when we started doing the sign of the Cross. Just seemed like one of those "We've just always done it" sort of things. That the early reference from Tertullian was cool to discover. A quote I came across not too long ago from St. Cyril of Jerusalem (4th century) is another great one:
"“Make then this sign [of the Cross] at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking; in a word, at every act.”
Yes! That's another early quote! And there are others almost as old.
It's inspiring knowing that our faith has preserved something so well for SO long
Strămoșii noștri făceau semnul crucii peste mâncare când găteau, însemnau cu cruce pâinea, orice mâncau, toate erau dedicate Lui Dumnezeu. Crucea sfințește și alungă duhurile necurate, și , cum spuneau sfinții părinți, chiar dacă mâncarea ar fi otrăvită, crucea anulează otrava. Acesta este adevărul demonstrat și în viețile sfinților, crucea se punea pe porți sau la intrarea în casă, ca să protejeze de rău familia. Când pleci la drum te însemnezi cu Sf. Cruce, ca să te protejeze Dumnezeu pe drum.Orice activitate începi cu sfânta cruce și cu o scurtă rugăciune. Aceasta intra în firescul vieții. Crucea se poartă la gât, la capătul mormântului etc. De asemenea, cartea Sf. Evanghelii, care conține cuvântul Lui Dumnezeu, alungă din spațiul unde se află , puterile demonice. De asemeni, împreună cu însemnarea cu crucea,se practică sfințirea casei cu tămâie și stropirea cu apă sfințită adusă de la Biserică. Aceea apa este cu adevărat sfințită, căci nu se alterează , își păstrează prospețimea și sfințenia foarte mult timp .
I was raised as Catholic but always felt like there wasnt much passion in the Catholic Church. So later in my life i joined a Protestant Church which i liked way more as there was way more Passion in that Church, but now in the Protestant Church there is still one thing that I hunger for, and that is connection. Although there is a lot of passion in this Church, I still dont really feel a connection to Christ and the rest of the Church. I try and think of what i should do and i try and fail everytime, this is what has led me to Orthodoxy. Although there isn't an Orthodox Church in the area that i live in when I graduate, I am thinking of moving to a country where there is a lot of Orthodoxy so that i can actually become Orthodox. I pray that through your videos and others I will be able to learn more about Orthodoxy until then. I pray that i could have some help from people to help me connect with the Orthodox Church as soon as possible.
God bless your journey! Remember you don't always have to move to an Orthodox country. Orthodox are in most places in the world. Try to reach out to your nearest church. And keep praying! God is near!
@@PatristixThank you and God bless you
I recently discovered Orthodoxy. I live in Canada. I did not think there was anything close by to where I live. I did a internet search and also phoned a old friend that became a decon. He gave me 3 orthodox churches that were about 25 minutes drive from where I live. I now have been attending St Herman’s of Alaska for 2 months. What a blessing..👍🏽🙏🏽❤️🩹
As a Catholic, I firmly believe there's good parishes out there if you look! Alternatively, you can also consider Eastern Catholic churches if you specifically desire the Eastern patrimony. God bless you on your journey, wherever that may lead. 🙏🏽
Come to Romania. You will discover a huge living orthodoxy. And wonders. Many wonders
I'm.really enjoying these videos, nice combo of Eastern Orthodox church history lessons and a personal message on how to tie it into our relationship with Christ and each other.
Thank you Irene! All of Christian history and theology is only useful if it grows us closer in love to Christ and His Church! It's easy to get excited by 'cool facts' (I do) but important that I remind myself of Who I am learning to love through that knowledge. Really glad you're enjoying the videos, and very grateful for the kind comments you have been leaving us!
The sign of the cross is so embeded in our faith I never imagined that there were Christians who didn't cross themselves. That's shocking!
I was raised Methodist and we never were taught or practiced it. Only recently have I found myself [somewhat unconsciously] practicing it while I see car accidents and other tragedies. This video is one of the first demonstrations I’ve learned on why Christians do this. Amen🙏
Great point about how every one of us have secular rituals all through out our daily life. Rituals are part of human nature.
Thank you for explaining our Orthodox faith to the world ☦️🙏
This channel is truly remarkable, the way you combine our theology with the orthopraxis brings to mind the greatest of Church Fathers! Your work for the Church is more than appreciated! Glory to God! ❤️🕊️☦️
I love your channel. Could you do a video on prostration/s and Metanie (large and small)? Actually showing how it is done and done the right way in form and gesture, eventhough there are differences in cultural execution.
I knew you'd seen Pageau's video on ritual before I saw it in the video notes. Nice work!
He puts it really well!
I love the different ways the sign of the cross is made, The Eastern Orthodox way, The Oriental Orthodox (as described below), The Western Rite way (described in the video), And the Coptic church makes it a number of ways one of which being to extend all of the way to your feet instead of merely to your stomach.
Pretty sure EO also go all the way to the ground sometimes, I saw people do it when I was able to attend. Particularly when approaching the Icon of Christ.
The extending of the hand down in kind of a sweep above the floor is a way on indicating a prostration without actually making one.. as i understand.
The sign of the cross is a prayer, a statement of faith, a statement of theological truth.
Christians have been practicing the sign of the cross longer than they’ve been reading the Bible [as a complete canon].
It is highly likely that this ancient Christian sign has been in practice since the events recorded in the Book of Acts, possibly instituted by Paul the Apostle.
In every relationship we have we engage in rituals (like shaking hands, waving, eating together at table), so it follows that the greatest relationship we have, the one between us and God, should have some of these rituals and symbols of our faith in Him.
Rituals are part of being human, and it’s important that being human is something we bring to God. If God became human, then surely the physical side of our faith is important to the spiritual side of our faith. And this [sign of the cross] is a physical outworking a spiritual truth.
Making the sign of the cross is about as rooted in the gospel as any celebration in the Christian Church (such as Christmas or Easter).
The sign of the cross isn’t the only thing from the early church that is missing in a lot of contemporary expressions of Christianity.
Making the sign of the cross is a way we bring our entire selves into connection with Jesus Christ. It is a sign of all of us connecting to Jesus Christ.
I have no words how beautiful you making your material. It's like with God you make it together.
Bless you laddie ❤
I'm Catholic. When I pass an Orthodox Church, I do the sign of the cross in the Orthodox manner because I know that the true presence of Christ is in that Church.
Thanks for the video. GOD bless.
Great video👏, growing up as an American evangelical Christian, I was taught that this was inappropriate to do, I always wondered where it came from, thank you and god bless you
Glad you can do it now! Not only is it appropriate, but highly useful, deeply Christian, and ultimately very Biblical! ✝
Yes! It’s a practical way to “take up your cross”. ❤️☦️
A lot of us Protestants were not taught valuable traditions and practices. Much of it being scrapped at the reformation and then over the centuries and the continued scrapping and changing of these practices as more denominations popped up. But I have noticed in charismatic circles they invent their own traditions or rituals because I think they know deep inside it’s important. But at the same time they have this concept that being too religious is bad and tradition is bad. The only thing is Not All tradition is bad. Especially the traditions that the Holy Fathers passed down. Protestants never needed to reinvent the wheel. Instead of looking too far forward they should have looked backwards because the Eastern Orthodox was still right there. There was no need to reinvent the wheel..🙏🏽
I love how you shed light on the orthodox church at the end without directly saying it allowing people to want to do it for them self which causes people to be willing to do it instead of being reluctant about it. Bravo
I just discovered your channel and it’s very helpful. My husband is English and recently converted to orthodoxy and it helps me to have your video’s and share with him. Thank you for making them.
Well done. Clear and concise without sacrificing depth and quality.
I just found your channel, and I’m so glad I did!!!
Amazing knowledge! I didnt know it was this old. I shall now practice it every day. Christ is King ✝️🙏
This video is so thoughtfully done. I am grateful to God for you both, my Tasmanian brothers. ☦️❤️🙏🏿
Grateful for you too, our smooth-voiced friend! 💌
I loved this!! I pray that your messages reach and bless many, many people!!
Loving the content and presentation brother …a Scottish High School Religious & Moral Philosophy teacher …with a degree in Church History… keep up the great work & God Bless 🙏
I love this so much!
Love your video, could you also please do a video on prostrations and why we do them as well as other asceticism like fasting.
Thanks so much!
And we'll definitely get to them I'm sure. I mean prostrations are as old as time so definitely worth looking at the Bible and history for that for sure.
It is so interesting ti know about the history behind the sign of the cross. To me is a no brainier in the sense it is the most summarised representation of the promises of Jesus to humankind.
Yet what you says about using your three fingers for the trinity and the other two about the divinity and humanity of Jesus was gorgeous.
As you says yes it is a ritual, a gorgeous one the thing with rituals is that often times we engage in them because of tradition and we don’t really or fully understand them.
To me now it means the summary of the promises of Christ, his mercy, his love for human kind, but also a reminder of us living in a valley of tears where we carry our own cross.
For me is the promise of God always transforming physical suffering into spiritual and everlasting joy. Ultimately making all things new and such a triumph of good over evil. The triumph of eternal life over death.
As someone who was wildly sceptical of prayer as a protestant, I've really enjoyed the sign. It feels less like a weirdly forced monologue in my head. The subconscious aspect of it is great
I love love love learning the origins of our Faith!
You have a teachers heart, and I love it. If I had teachers like you in school, I couldn't imagine failing anything haha.
Thank you for your time, I have never been taught this, and I've never considered that most things I do are ritualistic in nature.
If one is often habitually ritualistic, why not make them holy rituals and aid our walk.
Bless you.
Thanks for your kind words!
Superb episode and excellent explanation about the why of the sign of the cross. Convinced me.
Oriental Orthodox Christians have always made the sign of the Cross using three fingers to represent the Holy Trinity like the Eastern Orthodox Church but going from head to stomach then from left shoulder to the right shoulder. Usually this motion can represent the Trinity itself or "God becoming Incarnate to turn sinners into saints." It's interesting to see the difference between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox on this, and I wonder which is older or whether they have a common origin.
The common origin is clear, in that it is the same sign of the cross. The same general motion
As to which is older, tis a mystery of history. And there are other methods too. Like a smaller sign over the forehead, or just over the mouth. The main thing is, according to several Early Church Fathers (and some Protestant reformers actually) is to do it often!
Love your explanation. To me this way of performing the sign of the cross makes more sense to me even though being a Roman Catholic and appear different from my fellow parishioners, but feels more complete. My understanding of the western use of open hand symbolizes the five wounds of Christ. I get the western symbolism but feel the eastern way is in a way a “mini creed”. From what I learned, the eastern crossing from right to left meant to the right (the Son sits at the right hand of the Father) and to the left as being where the Holy Spirit sits. You are doing great work and will definitely share your channel. Many blessings to you!
Our greatest love jesus christ God the father and the holy spirit amen ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you for making this video. I am an inquiring protestant and I love to make the sign of the cross but I know it may be seen as superstitious or ritualistic to many people who do not understand it, this video gave me a ton of insight. It's interesting that it is described as a short "prayer" which is not something I ever realized. I love that it is so ancient it's possible that Jesus or the Apostles themselves could have done the sign of the cross after our Lord's resurrection. Also, the background music to this video is so groovy I couldn't help but dance haha! Blessings and peace.
I've seen it done by some in the Anglican church when they take communion .
Amazing summary on what is one of the most ancient traditions and rituals of the church. Even though I have been an Orthodox Christian my whole life, you are very good at explaining things that I already know in a way that I can explain them clearly to others who do not know about the faith. Well done again.😄
Hopefully in the next video #FreeTheTea will become #TheTeaIsFreed 🤣
Thanks, mate! And yeah, I've been making the sign of the cross for my whole life, but once you know a bit of WHY and just how old it is... wow. Mind-blowing
And yes, the tea will be drunk, next week Ban, next week 😆
@@Patristix I can't wait until next Wednesday!!! 😄👍
It would not surprise me if in the West we sign ourselves from left shoulder to the right for "elegance". Since we sign ourselves with the right hand, it seems logical to end on the right shoulder. I'm not saying one way is better than the other though. We also have another "sign of the cross". I don't know if other churches do it. Before reading the Gospel, we sign ourselves on the forehead, the mouth and the chest, asking that the Lord's Word remains in our minds, mouths and hearts.
Beautifully done!! In the last couple of years I've gone back to the Catholic Church & of course, I'm TRYING to lead my family back as well. One thing I like to point out especially to my 13yo daughter is just like in the end when all of us receive a mark...either from God or from satan so now in the meantime, THIS (sign of the Cross) is our mark - our badge of honor - we are branded to the Lord. Did I explain that right?? Lol. Well, hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say. Sorry, more tea needed...😂
I am learning so much from your videos. Thank you 💞🙏🏼
One thing I never hear people taking about (probably due to Protestant/Modernist scholarship) is that the apostles spent time together and had liturgy together. We see this in Acts 1, 2, 15, etc. We also know that Jesus Himself spent 40 days with the apostles instructing them on how to build the church (Acts 1:3). It's quite possible that the sign of the cross was taught to them by Christ Himself or the apostles developed this practice together and shared it with one another. Is there evidence for this? Certainty - the early references to the sign of the cross, but more importantly I think is the fact that the sign of the cross is so widespread and universal in the Church from an early time. It would be hard to convince every Christian in the world to start doing it after centuries of established churches around the empire. It would make more sense if they all just received the same tradition from the very beginning.
This has easily become one of my ☦-based YT channels.
If you could add subtitles, such as Russian, Romanian, Serbian, it would elevate this channel and make it more popular.
Hey great video! The second passage you mention about the cross from Galatians, it's Gal. 14, not 4. God bless you and keep it up! The world needs such content, so people see how traditional Christian practice gives glory to God and conveys biblical truth.
Amazing as always
Thank you Matrona!
Your background music is quite moving. Thank you for sharing your passion.
Just found your channel. Good presentation. Thanks for taking the time to explain and illustrate this. Have you read the Didache? It is a first century document that also describes the sign of the cross, triple immersion baptism and other early Holy Traditions.
Didache episode coming up in a few days ;) Thanks for watching, John!
Nice! Byzantine Catholics also do the sign of the cross this way.
I’m catholic and of course we make the sign of the cross but I love the teological meaning of the orthodox way of making the sign of the cross
Amen
When I was a non Christian I use to make the sign of the cross for protection before going on a plane or a amusement park ride lol with no understanding of it but but just that I am protected now I understand it fully !
I've heard somewhere that the difference between catholic and orthodox direction of making the sign is due to priest's blessing. When the priest is blessing people, he moves his hand from left to right (in both catholic and orthodox churches, if i'm not mistaken), it's just that catholic do it the same way, from left to right, while orthodox do it mirrored from priest.
What about the Old Believers? Wasn't the two finger practice even older than the three finger?
I hold my chest afterwards and it literally sends a holy chill
Wow! Never knew this. Thank you and God Bless!
Thank you for watching! God bless you too!
Thank you this is very helpful. i sometimes get confused and how to do it correctly, left or right, but this is really helped. God bless you.
In the far east, (India) Catholics and Syrian orthodox say sign of cross from left to right. So difficult to stomach that statement that western church changed it in fourteenth century. India has no Russian or Greek influence, only Syrian and western Roman
People today do not realize that For at least 1900 years The majority of the rank-and-file public has been illiterate, learning through pictures iconography, hand, signals and hand language has been around a long time to communicate between people. If you were going to teach your children, anything you had to use ritual, repetition and pictures to get the ideas across because few people. Were literate one of the reasons the church would only allow priests to read. Scripture wasn’t to keep it from the people it was because this man took the time to learn how to read, and would relay the information to those. Who didn’t we need to put ourselves in the heads of these first century Christians, and how they communicated to one another, how they taught each other and their children, and you will understand why ritual is vitally important. Today our children are taught a ritual of brushing their teeth to get the habit started when they’re very young almost all Christians. Take communion, Jesus instituted this ritual. It had much more meaning then we today consider, but it is a ritual, a necessary way of learning and training the flash to be subservient to the spirit of God and even our own control I find your videos very good very enlightening. I thought you might want to consider this thought. When you’re sharing. Thanks again.
Brilliant info!
What's with the background drums?!
Sounds like Papa Shango's entrance music...
God bless you and ur family your teaching theology is amazing I am learning a lot thanks
Hey mate, thank u this is brilliant! Very important and yet underrated practice
Beautiful. I have been doing this sign and and yet not understanding it so thank you for explaining this
The first historical mention probably means it happened 100-200 years before. Interesting principle. Thanks for sharing. Also how we call it ancient now, but it was called ancient in the 3rd century. Think about that.
Keep these wonderful videos coming thank you 🙏
Amen thank you
Awesome content, brother.
I would like to request a video about the tragic schism and efforts for reunification through ecumenism between Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
Thank you and God bless you and your work.
Wonderful channel… thank you. I’ve also seen Orthodox priests end the sign of the cross by placing their hand on their heart. What do you think of that? Just wondering.
Awesome content about the sign of the cross. One suggestion about future videos is please consider not having wall-to-wall background music for the entire video. I know you are a film maker and you have your own style so take my suggestion with a grain of salt. In this particular video the music in the final minute or so was almost drowning out your speaking.
I totally agree with you. but my 3rd movement is on the left shoulder.
I love these videos! Keep them coming.
You have excellent content! Thank you! Please keep going!
Good video.
Thank you!
Amazing video you guys!
Thanks so much, friends! Making the sign of the cross is definitely one of the greatest traditions of Christianity. I was very excited to talk about it.
thank you for information and for romanian translation
You guys have the coolest videos.
I always hear the explanation for the position of the hand but I've only heard once the explanation for the places that we touch. It's obvious that they form a cross but is it true that there's a deeper meaning for each place? The forehead meaning the Most High (the Father), the stomach meaning the Incarnation in the womb (the Son) and the shoulders meaning that it was made THROUGH the Holy Spirit?
I've also heard that Jesus is usually associated with the right hand of God and the Holy Spirit with the left hand of God. So if we mention each one at the time we touch each shoulder it could add even more meaning to the sign of the cross.
There's actually a lot of variety in how to do the Sign of the Cross. For some Latin American Catholics, they wrap the index finger around the thumb and let three fingers out. This represents the two natures, hypostatic union, and the Trinity. I know for some Greek speakers, they form the hand into the ICXC shape. The Russian Orthodox Church actually has St. Anna of Kashin who was canonized for not using the Sign of the Cross under Patriarch Nikon's reforms. Yeah, her canonization is weird.
good video
thank you for explaining the sign of the cross, i have mostly all ways done the sign right to left, i wasnt taught how to do it . but as our lord is seated at the right hand of the father
as we say father , son , holy spirit hope i am right also CONSTANTINE THE GREAT WAS shown the first cross in a dream a CROSS WITH A LETTER P IN THE MIDDLE GOD told him to paint it on his army,s shields this helped him win the last battle after he changed ROME from pagan to christians
in thanks to god amen
I flipping you man this is mint
I love making the sign of the cross but fail to do it at a protestant funeral. They don't believe in it which makes me reluctant to do it. At home in the catholic Church not a problem. Any comment?
I understand the DEEP spiritual message and the literal CROSS's Sign/Symbol/Mark meaning... The Crucifixion was used by the Roman Empire as their Capital Punishment (Painful and Humiliating Slow Death) for anyone who committed a crime or rebellion against the Roman Empire...
However, Christ Jesus had used and turned this CRUELITY (INHUMANE) method of punishment of the literal CROSS into a SIGN/MARK/SYMBOL of CHRISTIANITY to remind us all that whoever believes in the one who had Sacrificed Himself (Christ Jesus) to Die on the Cross for the REMISSION of the SIN of Mankind shall be eternally SAVED...
Before the Literal CROSS was the "Sign/Symbol of CRUELTY and DEATH" of the People... but after Christ's Death on the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension to Heaven... Christ Jesus used and turned the Literal CROSS into the "Sign/Symbol/Mark of LOVE and Eternal LIFE (Resurrection)" of the People...
Just like the POLE with the bronze replica/statue of a snake, created by Prophet Moses in the wilderness, whoever looks/sees the POLE will not DIE from the bites of the Snake... (ref. Numbers 21:8-9)... that is the same analogy with the SpIritual and Literal CROSS with the Replica/Statue of Christ Jesus hanging on the Cross, whoever accepted and believed in Christ Jesus by the Grace of God through FAITH will never DIE but will have Eternal Life with God in Paradise (3rd Heaven)...
In conclusion, people will KNOW the followers of Christ called CHRISTIANS (with Born again Spirit) by knowing them through their "Spiritual and Literal Sign/Symbol/Mark of the CROSS of Christ" from their Literal Forehead (thoughts/minds) and their Right Hand (physical work/deed/act of love), as well as from their Spiritual Heart and Soul (total humility and submission/obedience) ...
Glory, Praise, and Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus' name...Amen and Amen...
4:24
Oriental orthodoxy always gets left out in comparative discussions of the ancient faith. It’s always Eastern and Western. It’s so annoying. We go from left to right rather than right to left, but technically it’s only a cosmetic difference, either way works as good as the other. I guess the more important thing is to do it. Maybe one day, the oriental tradition will be included in more talks instead of it only being Eastern and Western. There is so much history being left out
This is good!
I noticed some parishioners bending to the floor, and then coming up to finish the gesture during liturgy.
Did he say 3rd century was the 3rd generation since Jesus?
Isnt the trend to turn the bad into the good a permeating theme in Christianity ? Satan thought he won when Christ was on the Cross, the Cross was a sign of torture, now of love. etc.Good conquering evil.
Please help, I am doing a study on the matter, can you refer me to a place in the Holy scriptures where this tradition is covered ?
The tradition started most probably just AFTER the events of Scripture. Some have suggested references to it in the Bible including a prophecy in Ezekiel 9:4, as well as possible reference in Revelation 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1. A reference could be perhaps seen to Christ making the sign in Luke 24:51, which says that He ascended "WHILE He blessed them".
The sign of the Cross recalls the forgiveness of sins and the reversal of the fall by passing from the left side of the curse to the right side of blessing...DeSales. Left to right also signifies our future glory, just as Christ crossed over from death to life, and from Hades to Paradise...Pope Innocent II
It is interesting that this man in the beginning of his talk makes the sign of the cross incorrectly and backwards? Forehead heart then left shoulder than right shoulder crossing over your heart why does he do it backwards when he’s giving a talk on the sign of the cross?
Is there a way to find the original way done by apostles with 1 finger?
I kept wondering what was in the cup of tea...
;-)
Do orthodox wet the tip of the finger when doing the sign of the cross(while entering a church)like Catholics do or not? I've seen them do it so I'm just curious
It's not an Orthodox tradition, no. We do also have many traditions regarding holy water though.
From what im understanding its traditional not biblical right?
The practice is most likely as old as the events of the New Testament, and predates the formation of the Biblical canon. Some traditions say that Paul first began it.
Some have suggested references to it in the Bible including a prophecy in Ezekiel 9:4, as well as possible reference in Revelation 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1. A reference could be perhaps seen to Christ making the sign in Luke 24:51, which says that He ascended "WHILE He blessed them".
It’s called a prayer…but what is the thought or prayer one should have in heart or mind when they make the sign?
You can make this prayer: "In the name of the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit"
Sau "Slavă Tatălui și Fiului și Sfântului Duh. Amin"
Oriental orthodoxy does it from left to right. Slight difference.
I have a question. Why do orthodox Christian’s sign with the right side and Catholics sign from the left when making sign of cross?
It is a bit of a mystery. The Catholic Church changed the direction of the sign sometime in the 13th century but while there are several theories, there's no clear answer
It also has to do with the and how we view the Trinity now why they do it open handed I have no clue.