# ✝️ The Signing of the Cross in Early Christianity – Part 2 - Link: https://lordjesuschristreigns.blog/2025/08/13/%e2%9c%9d%ef%b8%8f-the-signing-of-the-cross-in-early-christianity-part-2/ - Published: 2025-08-13T07:10:34-07:00 - Author: LordJesusChristReigns In the **[previous post](https://lordjesuschristreigns.blog/2025/08/13/%e2%9c%9d%ef%b8%8f-the-signing-of-the-cross-in-early-christianity/)**, I demonstrated that the sign of the cross was a very early Christian practice. In this continuation, I present further evidence from the early Church Fathers and Christian writings, showing that the gesture of making the sign of the cross with the hand was not only early but also widely practiced. **All bold and underline emphasis is mine.** --- ### 📖 Apostolic Constitutions – Book VIII, Chapter 47 **The Constitution of James, the Brother of John, the Son of Zebedee** “Let the high priest… put on his shining garment, and stand at the altar, and ** make the sign of the cross upon his forehead with his hand**, and say: ‘The grace of Almighty God, and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.’” This explicit gesture—tracing the cross on the forehead—was embedded in the formal liturgy, underscoring its sacred and communal significance. --- ### 🧾 Tertullian – _De Corona_ (The Chaplet), Chapter 3 **[Source: New Advent](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0304.htm)** “At every forward step and movement, at every going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at table, when we light the lamps, on couch, on seat, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, **we trace upon the forehead the sign**.” This passage powerfully illustrates how the sign of the cross had become a deeply ingrained part of Christian daily life—ritualized, habitual, and reverent. --- ### 📜 Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena (c. 270) “Paul perceived her prayer, and **made the sign of the cross**, and for several days the people entered unhindered… and all were healed.” “Andrew… standing to pray, and **folding his arms in the shape of the cross**, said,‘ Lord Jesus Christ… make clear to me this commotion of heart…’” These moments reflect both the symbolic and spiritual power of the cross gesture, used in healing, prayer, and divine discernment. --- ### 🧠 Athanasius – _Life of St. Anthony_ **[Source: New Advent](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm)** “Sign yourselves therefore with the cross, and depart boldly… So they departed fortified with the sign of the Cross.” “We by the mention of Christ crucified **put all demons to flight**… **Where the sign of the Cross is, magic is weak and witchcraft has no strength.**” Antony’s words and actions testify to the transformative and protective power of the Cross, not as mere symbol, but as a living sign of divine authority. --- ### 🕊️ Cyril of Jerusalem – _Catechetical Lectures_ **[Lecture 4](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310104.htm) | [Lecture 13](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310113.htm)** “**Seal it openly upon your forehead**, that the devils may behold the royal sign and flee trembling far away.” “**Make then this sign at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking: in a word, at every act.**” “**Be the Cross our seal**, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow, and on everything… It is the sign of the faithful and the dread of devils.” --- ### 🧠 Gregory of Nyssa – _Against Eunomius_, Book XI **[Source: New Advent](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/290111.htm)** Gregory defends the sacred customs of the Church—including the sign of the cross— against those who mock or dismiss them as superstition. --- ### 🌿 Ephraim the Syrian – _Homily on Admonition and Repentance_ **[Source: New Advent](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3707.htm)** “**Sign yourself with the cross of light**, and hasten from thence like an antelope.” “**With the sign of the living cross, seal all your doings**, my son… neglect not this sign; for there is no guardian like it.” --- ### 🕊️ John Chrysostom – _Homilies on Matthew_ **[Homily 54](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200154.htm) | [Homily 87](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200187.htm)** “**Inscribe [the cross] upon house, walls, windows, forehead, and mind**… with much care.” “**Place the sign upon your breast**… and all is quenched.” --- ### 🕯️ Theodoret – _Ecclesiastical History_ **[Book V, Chapter 21](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/27025.htm)** “He made **the sign of the cross over the water**… and the demon fled.” The fire then consumed the wood instantly, causing the temple’s collapse. The people, witnessing the power of the Cross, broke into praise. --- ### ✝️ Rufinus – _Commentary on the Apostles’ Creed_ **[Source: New Advent](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2711.htm)** “**Making the sign of the cross upon his forehead**, while he says the word… ‘the resurrection of this flesh.’” --- ### 🕊️ Jerome – _Letters 108 & 130_ **[Letter 108](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001108.htm) | [Letter 130](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001130.htm)** “**She made the sign of the cross upon her lips**… and turned the death-rattle into the praise of the Lord.” “**Fortify your brow by often making the sign of the cross**… Thus alone will the destroyer of Egypt find no place to attack you.” --- ### 🌠 Sozomen – _Ecclesiastical History_ **[Book V, Chapter 2](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26025.htm) | [Book IV](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26024.htm) | [Book VII](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26027.htm)** “Julian… **signed himself with the symbol of Christ**, just as the Christian encompassed with untried dangers is wont to do.” “**The sign of the cross appeared in the heavens**… It was the means of the conversion of many pagans and Jews to Christianity.” “Donatus… **made the sign of the cross with his finger in the air**, and spat upon the dragon… and it immediately expired.” --- ### 🙏 Martin Luther – _The Small Catechism_ **[Source: Book of Concord](https://bookofconcord.org/small-catechism/appendix-i/)** Even in the Reformation era, the sign of the cross remained a cherished devotional practice. Luther instructs believers to begin and end each day with this sacred gesture: **Morning Prayer:** “In the morning, when you rise, **you shall bless yourself with the holy cross** and say: _In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen._” Then, kneeling or standing, the believer is to recite the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a prayer of thanksgiving and protection: > I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou > hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this > day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For > into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy > angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen. **Evening Prayer:** “In the evening, when you go to bed, **you shall bless yourself with the holy cross** and say: _In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen._” Then, after prayer and thanksgiving, Luther encourages believers to go to sleep “ promptly and cheerfully.” Luther’s instructions reflect continuity with ancient Christian tradition—using the sign of the cross as a daily seal of faith, protection, and praise. ### Like this: Like Loading…