The correct way to make the Sign of the Cross

[joasia]

"Greek" style of tiny crosses over the chest only.... Symeon

When this is done, the Cross is upside down. It's not a "Greek" style. It's a prelest style that has been adopted out of lack of fear for God due to a lack of spiritual education.

[Matthew]

yes that is correct. The Greeks are actually taught the correct way to do it when they are first chatechised. But the lazy irreverant habits of the older laymen populating the services erase that and influence the younger to be "experts, experienced, and comfortably skilled" Churchmen by "showing off" the Lazy Style of the "experts". They actually take pride and conceit in the fact that they feel they are showing others and proving that "we go to church all the time, that is why we can make the cross like this--because we done it a million times more than you 2-times a year guys." At least, I shouldn't be surprised if occasionally such thoughts cross their minds.

[jgress]

Yes, this is what I observe. The most pious members of our congregation at St Markella's typically make a full sign of the Cross. But there does appear to be a genuine difference in the traditions with respect to bowing before or after making the sign of the Cross: Greeks bow first and sign themselves while raising their bodies again, while Russians sign first and then bow.

Among Russians you can see similar variation in piety, with some Russians bowing almost to a right angle, and others just nodding the head. I find on average they are better at making the sign of the Cross.

[Maria]

Yes, this is what I observe. The most pious members of our congregation at St Markella's typically make a full sign of the Cross. But there does appear to be a genuine difference in the traditions with respect to bowing before or after making the sign of the Cross: Greeks bow first and sign themselves while raising their bodies again, while Russians sign first and then bow.

Among Russians you can see similar variation in piety, with some Russians bowing almost to a right angle, and others just nodding the head. I find on average they are better at making the sign of the Cross.

I agree with your assessment. This is what I have observed too.

[Maria]

Regarding the tiny crosses:

Greek mothers often make a tiny sign of the cross on the foreheads of their children just before they retire for the night.

I have also seen some Orthodox Christians sign themselves with three little crosses: one on the forehead, another on the lips, and then third on their chest. I had thought that this was done only in the Roman Catholic Church.

[joasia]

I've never seen that done in a Greek Church that I've gone to. It certainly sounds like a Western influence. When it's done over a body part, such as when I have a headache or stomach ache, then that's fine. When it's done over a child's head, then that is the mother's blessing. The problem is when a person does it over themselves as Icxypion described. Over the heart is the Western influence of the sacred heart worship and unfortunately (which I cannot explain), Greeks do this. I have not seen this with the Russians. But, there are Western influences everywhere. People are not educated in Orthodox spirituality.

The papists do cross themselves on forehead, lips and chest, but with their thumb. Maybe the Greeks you see are taking part of that Western papist tradition. Then they (papists) kiss their thumb. I never understood that.

[joasia]

"Greek" style of tiny crosses over the chest only.... Symeon

When this is done, the Cross is upside down. It's not a "Greek" style. It's a prelest style that has been adopted out of lack of fear for God due to a lack of spiritual education.

I should clarify, because I was tired and my brain didn't register. The upside down part is when the papists do it from forehead to chest. But, the small spaghetti Crosses are also papist. Good analogy considering it started from Rome.