Birmingham.
The difference between the manner in which the members of the Greek and
those of the Latin Church used to sign themselves with the sign of the
cross is this: both used the right hand, the thumb and first and second
fingers open, and the third and fourth closed; both began at the forehead,
and descended to the breast: but in crossing that vertical line by an
horizontal one, from one shoulder to the other, the _Greeks go from the
right to the left_, but the _Latins from the left to the right_. It is
said, that in the Latin Church, up to the thirteenth century, the cross
line was traced indifferently from either shoulder.
Whilst there is this difference between the Greek and Latin sign of the
cross when made upon oneself, there is also a difference between the two
when made upon others. The Latin _Benediction_ is given with the thumb and
the first two fingers open; the third and fourth fingers remaining closed.
This arrangement of the the fingers is symbolical of the Trinity: the three
open fingers signifying the three divine persons, and the two closed
fingers being emblematic of the two natures of Christ.
The Greek benediction is given with the forefinger entirely open; the
middle finger slightly bent, the thumb crossed upon the third finger, and
the little finger bent.
In the present day, however, in the Latin Church, a person making on
himself the sign of the cross, employs the right hand entirely open,
instead of three fingers only. And as it has been thought desirable to make
a distinction between the benediction given by a bishop and a priest,
bishops reserved to themselves the right of blessing with three fingers;
and priests give the benediction with the hand entirely open. {462}
J. C. B. will find this subject fully treated in Didron's _Christian
Iconography_, Bohn's edition, pp. 405. 412.; and an illustration of the
Latin benediction at p. 205., and the Greek benediction at p. 176.