How do Armenians make the sign of the cross ?

[karadjordje]

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When entering a church, or any other consecrated building in which a Christian congregation worships, it is a religious tradition to make the sign of the cross. It is not known when the custom started, but it is an accepted custom for all Christians to observe the sign of the Cross.

The sign of the Cross symbolizes that Christians believe that the Savior Jesus Christ has reconciled the faithful with God by dying on the Cross, that the power of evil was crushed by Christ’s Cross and that we will receive whatever we ask through Christ’s sacrifice. Additionally, Archimandrites of the Church say that Crucified Lord is where the Cross is.

Armenians make the sign of the Cross by joining the first three fingers of the right hand and touching the palm with the two other fingers. They place the right hand, as described above, first on the forehead saying, "In the name of the Father", then a little below the chest saying, "and the Son", then on the left side of the chest saying, "and the Holy", then on the right side of the chest saying, "Spirit", and ending with the palm in the center of the chest saying, "amen".