Book Review: The Sign of the Cross by Andreas Andreopoulos
The Gesture, The Mystery, The History
“My God, my God,
why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?
-Psalm 22: 1
“This appealing book provides us with many insights into the limitless, profound meaning of the sign of the cross.
It is my hope that it will acquaint many readers with a Christian custom that has roots deeper in the common history of our faith than anyone knows.”
-Frederica Matthewes-Green (From the Foreword) _________________________________
Explore the Mystery of the Ancient Gesture that Invites the Cross of Christ Into Our Lives
Millions of Christians around the world use the sign of the cross — and have done so for centuries — as a gesture of blessing.
It is practiced when alone, during worship, before sleep, upon waking, before eating, before travel, and many other times throughout the day.
But what does it mean?
Where did it originate?
What did the sign of the cross mean to the first Christians, and how has this simple movement of the hand evolved over the centuries?
The sign of the cross is literally a tracing of the cross of Christ unto the body.
By so doing, Christians invite the mystery of the cross into their everyday lives.
Now, and for the first time, Greek scholar Andreas Andreopoulos explains the tremendous meaning, mystery, and history of this dramatic gesture shared by Christians worldwide.
This readable account will fascinate and inspire all who desire to know more about the inherited spiritual practices of everyday life.
“Andreas Andreopoulos has written an unusual and immensely attractive book. Taking the use of the sign of the cross, he explores its history and introduces us to its symbolism, showing how a simple sign draws us into a world of prayer and meaning. This is a book that engages the reader on many levels.”
-Fr. Andrew Louth (Orthodox )
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“This book is a little masterpiece: it informs and it explores, it recounts history and it provokes a religious quest. It is a personal book, yet it explores the great questions of theology; it is full of learning, but not ponderous; it is written from the perspective of faith, but is not off-putting to the inquirer.”
-Thomas O’Loughlin, Professor of Historical Theology, University of Wales, Lampeter
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“Andreopoulos explains the gesture and meaning and history of why Christianity has needed symbols and signs through the ages. Throughout, his writing is as inspiriting as a restorative benediction.”
-ALA Booklist
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“The book succeeds at translating the significance of the sign of the Cross into something personal and immediate.”
-Publishers Weekly
Rev. Dr. Andreas Andreopoulos was born in Greece in 1966 and is recognized throughout the world as one of the most eloquent scholars of Christianity.
He earned his PH.D. in Theology at the University of Durham and has taught in Toronto, Montreal, and Philadelphia.
He has been Lecturer of Christian Theology at the University of Wales, and has taught Orthodox Studies at the University of Winchester since 2010.
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Click on Photo at Left to go to our webpage:
The Sign of the Cross: Early Church & Protestants (Features Category)
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tHE SAyiNGS Of tHE deSERt FatHERS (Abba Poemon):
On Fasting
Monk Joseph asked Abba Poemen, “How should we fast?”
Monk Poemen answered, “I suggest that everyone should eat a little less than he wants, every day.”
Joseph said to him, “When you were a young man, didn’t you sometimes fast for two days at a time?”
Poemon said to him, “Yes, sometimes I used to fast for three days at a time, even for a week.
But the great hermit monks have tested all these things, and they found that it is good to eat something every day, but on some days a little less.
They have shown that this is the king’s highway, for it is easy and light.”
On Keeping Silence
Poemen also said, “If someone appears silent in speech, but is condemning others in their heart, they are really talking incessantly.
Someone else may seem to talk all day, but they are keeping silence in truth, since they always speak in a way that is right in their heart.”
On Living
One of the Brothers asked Abba Poemon, “How should we live?”
Monk Poemon answered, “Scripture shows us the example of Daniel.
They accused him of nothing except that he served God.”
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