Answer: Dear Grev,

The sign of the cross is mentioned by Tertullian, an early church father. Its use varied, from the use of the thumb to the forehead to two fingers to three fingers (the Trinity). It is used commonly by the Orthodox Church as well as the Roman Catholics – and only a few Protestants (Episcopalians and Lutherans).

The sign of the cross seems to have been abandoned by Protestants because Protestants practice a much more informal form of worship, a decreased emphasis on symbols and sacraments, as well as the distrust and dislike of all things from Rome.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht