The clergy (that is, specially ordained people who celebrate
the Divine Services) are our spiritual fathers. Bishops and priests sign us
with the sign of the Cross. This is called a blessing.
When the priest blesses us, he forms the Greek
letters IC XC, that is, Jesus Christ, with the fingers of his hand. This
means that through the priest our Lord Jesus Christ Himself blesses us.
Therefore, we must receive the blessing of the clergy with reverence.
When we hear in the church the words of blessing,
"Peace unto all" and others, in reply to them we should bow without
making the sign of the Cross. In order to receive a personal blessing from a
bishop or a priest, we should place our hands in the form of a cross: the right
hand on the left with the palms upward. When we have received the blessing we
kiss the hand that blesses us — we kiss, as it were, the invisible hand of
Christ the Saviour Himself.
Questions:
Who signs us with the sign of the Cross? What is this called? What does the
priest form with the fingers of his hand when he gives a blessing? What does
this mean? How should we place our hands when we ask for a blessing? What
should we do when we have received a blessing?
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