www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology How many of us are bold enough to cross ourselves in public?

Christ is Risen!

In a restaurant with my wife: always.

Deacon El

OK. Can't help myself. You asked for it!

How about in a restaurant without your wife?

Diak and ByzTx make good points, that considering what other Christians are going through and after undergoing difficult experiences, stares are nothing. I'll remember that.

But Alexis is right, that somehow crossing myself around Catholics and especially parishioners is more difficult because of the "holier than thou" factor.

Then again, perhaps going a step further and giving the blessing aloud as Fr. Anthony does may be the best way to get over the fear of crossing myself in public.
I would think it's easier for clergy to pray and cross themselves in public because it's almost expected of them. I'd be a bit shocked if they didn't do it.
Alice, I expect that my mother and older Baptist relatives will have the same response to my crossing myself as your father. Family is more difficult than anyone else.Though dining with muslims was pretty challenging.

How about in a restaurant without your wife?

Can't remember the last time that happened.

Deacon El

I cross myself each time the plane takes off, or when I pass by a Church, or when I have a meal in a pizzeria or restaurant, or when I say a prayer for other souls, or when I beg the mercy of God, no matter if in public. For this cross came here the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity and is live-giving. What say others it is not my business, every one with his/her way and thought. But Christ is here right now and we cannot behave with shame. Shame is good only concerning our own sins.

A blessed Holy Pascha to all who celebrate this Sunday.

marian+

I am newly Orthodox, and probably am still in the "totally enthralled" stage, but I do cross myself in public - especially when saying Grace in a restaurant, or after another prayer.
abby
<*)))><

Question: Should Roman Catholics follow the Eastern right-to-left crossing custom when they attend an Eastern Catholic liturgy or should they retain their own left-to-right custom? Does the equation change if RCs are ever at an Orthodox liturgy? I'm concerned mostly from an etiquette POV: would it be unnecessarily drawing attention to oneself to do it the Latin way at an Eastern church? On the other hand, would it be disingenuous or presumptuous to observe the When In Rome principle?

I'm a Roman who very regulary attends a UGCC parish near me, and I always cross myself in the Eastern way when there.

I have seen the Latin way of crossing at my Orthodox church, and I have crossed the Eastern way at Latin churches...perhaps it does bring attention, but I think it is an okay kind of attention.

Just please cross yourself. Otherwise, de minimis non curat praetor!

Fr. Serge

I do it most of the time silently both before meals and when passing a church.

As for 'going native' I was going to say 'it's up to you', and it is, but then I thought how I'd feel if an Eastern Catholic were told to do it the Roman Rite way (as some in RC schools were by people who didn't know better). So... you can if you want to but in the name of respecting the integrity of the rites, to each his own rite.

Should you have the opportunity to attend an Old Ritualist church sometime, by all means do so - but be sure to make the Sign of the Cross in the approved way!

Fr. Serge

I make the Sign of the Cross as I was raised, (Eastern), even when I'm in an RC church. Few people notice, even if it FEELS sometimes like everyone is watching!

Sometimes I do it in public, but after reading this thread I'll make more of an effort to do so.

One other thing: Any fans of the Steelers will have noted that Troy Polamalu doesn't hide it!

I know some wonderful folks who always make the Sign of the Cross and offer a little prayer over their medication before taking it. Makes sense to me!

Since this is my first post ever, although I've been registered for quite a while, I'll keep this somewhat brief. My wife and I, and our four kids, ages 12, 10, 8, and 6 make the sign of the cross and say the prayer, "Oh Christ our God, bless..." when we're out eating, always. Even when we were at Disney World. Sometimes the kids do it themselves without any prompting, embarrassment or self-consciousness, since they grew up doing it. My wife and I, both originally evangelical protestants and now Byzantine Catholics, consider the making of the sign of the cross a privilege,a blessing, and a cherished gift, as I hope our kids are realizing also.