10 October 2024
When giving a blessing or benediction, the pastor’s fingers may be held
in a way which approximates certain letters which abbreviate Jesus Christ. The
pastor’s index finger is held straight up, approximating the Greek I; his
second finger is curved for the Greek C [Σ]; his third finger is crossed with
the thumb for the Greek X; and his fourth finger is curved, for another Greek C
[Σ]. This therefore makes for Greek letters: ICXC. These letters are often seen
on icons as two words: IC XC. In the early Greek Bibles, a common way of
abbreviating an often-used word was to write only the first and last letter of
the word, with a line above the abbreviation. Thus, IC abbreviates IECOUC, or
actually IESOUS, since the Greek C was an early form of S. In English, of course,
it’s JESUS. The Greek XC abbreviates XRICTOC, which is CHRISTOS, or in English,
CHRIST. In short, ICXC is IC XC, which means JESUS CHRIST. This, the pastoral
benedictions are made with the sign of the cross, while the fingers designate
the One who was crucified on the cross, namely JESUS CHRIST. The blessing is
therefore made with a visible sign that it is Jesus Christ the Crucified who is
the source and cause of the blessing given.
Burnell Eckardt
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