Sign of the cross

The sign of the cross is a very traditional sign that is used. It first started out as a cross that you make with your hands on your forehead. Today, it is made from the top of your head, to your chest, and than shoulder to shoulder. When doing the sign of the cross you say, " Father, Son, Holy Spirt, Amen". Father is the first person of the trinity. The Son is the second person. The Holy Spirit is the third person. You do not have to make the sign of the cross, it is not said in the Bible that you have to. Today though, most people use it when they pray and when at church.

Patterns of Religion page 520

monotheism

Monotheism is the belief in one God. It is the Creator, the One and Only God. As opposed to polytheism, which is the belief in many Gods. Although very different, the terms can also mean the same thing. They both are a concrete belief in God and only God.


http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10499a.htm

Palm Sunday

• Palm Sunday commemorates the Feast of the entrance of our lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

• After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead he was worshipped throughout Jerusalem as King and Lord.

• To see the biblical story in full click here, look at 2nd paragraph.

• In addition to the prayers experienced in church, the palms are woven into crosses and are passed out to the worshippers. For more information click here, look for 3rd paragraph-orthodox christian celebration of palm sunday.
  

Ash Wednesday

• First day of lent.-2nd paragraph and for info below.


• In the old testament it was a biblical custom that ashes were a sign of humility and mortality and as a sign of sorrow and repentance for sin.


• Originated during the papacy of Gregory the Great around end of 6th century.


• ashes on the one receiving penance motivated christians to pray for Jesus Christ and to feel sympathy for him.


• Involves the sign of the cross placed on forehead in ashes.


• the mark of the cross imitates the sign put on a newborn christian in baptism.

For full information, click here.