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

Luke 12:8-9
And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that shall deny me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God.

Once I was ashamed of making the sign of the cross in public for many reasons:
1- fear of being mocked
2- it might be offensive to my Muslim and Jewish companions
3- ehem... the place is full of people and I might look like a hypocrite ...

EXCUSES!

Then I was reading the Holy Bible and I came across this one... I have it written on one of the walls of my bedroom to remind me that He was not ashamed of me and I hope He will not be ashamed of me when the times comes to face the Judge.

In my family, we also cross ourselves in public, restaurants, etc. We didn't do this growing up and I still feel self-conscious about it, but my kids have no problem with it at all and will often do it without prompting as well.

Wow, all of you are so inspiring. How wonderful that children are learning to cross themselves naturally with no embarrassment. I've always envied my Latin American friends this unselfconscious ease with crossing themselves.

But, Eli, those are strong words that are good to remember. Along with this reminder of recognition is the realization of the privilege of crossing ourselves (especially when so many of our brothers and sisters live in hostile environments where acknowleding or making the sign of the cross could bring serious consequences to them and their friends and families.)

Your commentary empowered me to cross myself and bless my food in a muslim restaurant in the midst of classmates and professors. Thank you!

I do it when passing by a church (catholic but I shall start when passing the orthodx after all Jesus is present in the tabenacle there too) and before grace,cemetary ambulance/fire truck and when somthing shocks me and before leaving home and upon returning.

Christos Voskrese! (Christ is Risen!)
Voistinu Voskrese! (Indeed He is Risen!)

I cross myself (Byzantine/Orthodox way) when I am near a church, cemetery as well as fire truck/ambulance. And when we eat out, I always make the sign of the cross and say a blessing, no matter what kind of restaurant it is or who the company is. I've had some looks from people, but mostly I find people respect my views. I also greet anyone I know in public with the traditional Rusyn greetings, such as the one above. I don't care if it is a grocery store, restaurant, pharmacy or on the street. I have no reason to be ashamed or afraid. We need to embrace our feelings, not hide them.

Tim

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

My family and I always sign and say blessing out loud before any meal at home and in public. We ignore any unwanted attention and don't even notice it any longer.

We sign at funeral homes, Catholic Churches all rites, when we see an anbulance and many other times. So I guess we just do it when we feel the need and don't let others stop us.

Yes, thanks for reminding me, Kathleen: I always cross myself at wakes in funeral homes.

Alice