As baptized Orthodox Christians
first three, stacked together, the finger of his right hand represent the cross of the Lord, namely, faith in God the Father, to God the Son and the Holy Spirit.The other two fingers of his right hand - the two natures of Christ: human and divine (Christ - man-God).Described as a cross of an orthodox in more detail, then there is this: we add up the fingers of his right hand: the thumb, index and middle ends to each other, symbolizing the Holy Trinity uniform.Two other finger: the ring and little finger - as close as possible to the palm presses, representing the convergence of the Son of God from heaven to earth.When we overshadowing the cross, then presses the folded fingers to four points on our body.For the consecration of the mind we apply the cross of the Lord (Three Finger) to his forehead, to sanctify the hearts and feelings - on the belly, to sanctify the physical forces - on the right and then the left shoulder.
Consider how baptized Orthodox not during public worship.In this case, in the course of performing sign of the cross is required to pronounce the words, sanctifying in this specific area of the body (as mentioned above): "In the Name of the Father (sanctifying the forehead) and the Son (sanctifying the stomach), and of the Holy (sanctifying the right shoulder)Spirit (sanctify his left shoulder).Amen "- drop the right hand and bow.
Why Orthodox cross it from right to left
fact that our right shoulder - a paradise with the saved souls, and the left - a place of dying, hell and purgatory for sinners and demons.That is, when we are baptized, we ask God for the fate of our identity as saved souls, to get rid of the fate of burning in hell.
Orthodox Cross
At the main symbol of Christianity was once the execution of Jesus Christ.He was crucified for the sake of redemption of the world.In the Orthodox Church the cross focuses the force and power of this all-conquering spiritual weapon.It is believed that the cross discourages all sorts of evil (eg vampires), and if you make it unclean, he is like a stigma, it will burn the skin.People far from the church, called the instrument of execution Orthodox cross of Jesus Christ, blaming the Christians that they worship the gun.But this is no more than a narrow-minded talk.Orthodox Christians do not worship the instrument of execution, and Life-Giving Cross (symbol of eternal life), because Jesus Christ, crucified on it, atoned for our sins by His sufferings.
Eternal Life
Jesus crucified on the cross.We see it.Paradoxically, in the crucified Christ as time and remains eternal life.That is why the Orthodox cross - the tree that gives life.No wonder everyone of us gets in baptism Christ's crucifix, wearing it around his neck all his life.It is the personification of weapons of spiritual warfare, the symbol of our salvation and confession.Praying and turning to the Lord, the Orthodox Christian asks God to protect him and his loved ones from illness, from enemies, unclean, and so on.
So, in this article we have tried to briefly describe how the baptized Orthodox Christians, and also tell you about the Orthodox cross and eternal life, which he represents.We hope our article was useful for you.
