Dear bkovacs,
Just my two cents' worth (Canadian funds!).
In fact, the Alexandrian tradition prescribes the use of the hand Cross for priests and bishops. When one approaches an Ethiopian priest, for example, one kisses his extended hand Cross and then presses it against one's forehead.
However, there is no reason why we lowly laity cannot use such Crosses to great spiritual profit!
We should have the Cross on our necks, in our hands, on our lapels, on our walls and trace everything, beginning with ourselves with the powerful Sign of the Holy Cross of the Lord Jesus, using the Jesus Prayer as protection against all evil. When people ask us what we have around our necks and why, we should respond: "I bear on my body the Marks of the Lord Jesus!"
When Mary, Queen of Scots, was being led to her beheading, she held a large Crucifix in her right hand.
Upon seeing this, the Protestant chaplain accompanying her chided her for her "superstition" and counselled her to have the Cross in her heart instead.
To this, the holy Queen replied that looking upon such a beautiful Cross depicting our Saviour's sufferings inflamed her internally with love for the One depicted.
May this be said of all of us!
Salutations to the Rev. Father DIAKon!
Alex
