Category Image In this sign, conquer



These words, inscribed in the sky with the Chi Rho, led St. Constantine to victory, and set the stage for the legalization of Christianity within the Roman Empire.

The sign of the cross has always played a significant role within the life of Christians from the earliest times. Nathan Bierma, from Calvin College, recently published an article in Christianity Today, surveying the history of the use of the sign of the cross, by virtue of a review of a couple of books - one by a Roman Catholic, and the other by an Orthodox author . Providentially, this article was published just a couple of weeks before the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross in the Orthodox Church (one wonders if the publishers were aware of this).

At the end of the article, Bierma makes a case for the adoption of the use of the sign of the cross by Protestants (with the acknowledgement that Liturgical Protestants, like Anglicans and Lutherans, have continued this practice from before the Reformation). This is all quite interesting. We've seen, over the last couple of decades, a growing interest in Patristics, a growing interest in Icons, and now an interest in Mary as well as an interest in the Sign of the Cross. What's most interesting is that this all feels a bit like my own journey into Orthodoxy, and somewhat like the story of others. The sequence may not be spot on, but its not far wrong. For me it started with being introduced to Patristics and Iconography by a wonderful Anglican Priest, who unfortunately has not yet converted. Then, as I became more involved in the AngloCatholic side of things, I adopted more practices of a Catholic/Orthodox nature. The sign of the cross, devotion to the Theotokos, fasting, etc. Ultimately, when, as one of my fave bloggers described it, the Episcopal Church forced me to think with my heart more, I became Orthodox. I can but pray that this generalized movement among some in the Protestant community reflects an overall movement back to the historic Church. Fulfill now the petitions of Your servants for our benefit, giving us the knowledge of Your truth in this world, and granting us eternal life in the world to come (from the Liturgy of St. Basil ).

Posted: Sunday - March 18, 2007 at 02:01 PM          

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