The Sign of the Cross is far more than a simple religious gesture; it is a profound declaration of faith, encapsulating the very essence of Christian belief. This is an assertion by Rev. Fr. Anthony Okeke, Parish Priest of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Okokomaiko, Lagos, and Chaplain of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN), Satellite Deanery, Lagos Archdiocese. In an exclusive interview with The Catholic Herald to mark the Feast of the Holy Trinity, Fr. Okeke described the Sign of the Cross as an “abbreviated form of the Apostles’ Creed.” He explained that it is a powerful act that reaffirms a Christian’s identity as belonging to God.
“When we trace the Sign of the Cross on our bodies, we are affirming that we are not our own, we belong entirely to God,” he said. According to the Priest, the Sign of the Cross functions as a “mini-creed,” a renewal of baptismal vows, a symbol of spiritual discipline, a sign of willingness to suffer, and a spiritual defense and offense against evil. “It is a profession of faith in God as He has revealed Himself-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” he said. Fr. Okeke traced the tradition back to the early Church. “The first-century Christians made the Sign of the Cross to remind themselves of their baptism and to renew its grace. It remains a potent spiritual act for us today,” he stated. He referenced Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 2:20 to highlight that Christians, through baptism, die with Christ and rise with Him to new life.
“Each time we make the sign, we are asking the Lord to renew those graces in us,” he added. The cleric also emphasised the dual nature of the Cross as both a shield and a sword in the spiritual realm. “It’s a defensive action, declaring our protection against the devil’s influence. But more than that, it is an offensive weapon, joining us with Christ in reclaiming all that was lost to sin. It proclaims our commitment to advancing God’s kingdom against the forces of darkness,” he explained. On the doctrine of the Trinity, Fr. Okeke addressed the skepticism of non-believers, asserting that a denial of the Trinity reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of God’s nature.
“To reject the Trinity is to misunderstand who God is. God is three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet one in essence. Denying this also means rejecting the divinity of Jesus Christ,” he stressed. Fr. Okeke’s reflections can be best described as a blend of theological insight and pastoral exhortation, inviting the faithful to rediscover the depth and power embedded in a gesture many have come to take for granted.
