https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePqGTHOJGB4


The sign of the cross, a political Christian symbol, came into being in Spain where Christians adopted the policy of LA SANTA FE which meant being more pious than the Muslims (Spanish Moors) so they could take back Spain in LA RECONQUISTA.  Reference to Tertullian as the founder of the sign of the cross in unsubstantiated by the early history of the Church. IT'S BOGUS! The symbol of the early Christians was the heart and NEVER THE CROSS and the churches prior to the arrival of Islam was round and referred to as "Roman churches". TRUTH BE TOLD. (Ha! Ha!) A blatant example where the Church bent the truth was alleging the body of Saint James was buried in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, which became a centre of pilgrimage after the "failed" crusades to the Holy Land. LA RECONQUISTA  was fought in his name. All this was orchestrated by the Church. Was it DISHONEST? YES! Since the end of the 20th century, the interpretation of the Catholic sanctuary has undergone a doctrinal evolution: the word tomb has disappeared from the speeches of the last popes since John Paul II: John Paul II speaking of the memorial of St. James did not use the word relics and Benedict XVI said simply that the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela "is linked to the memory of St. James." Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago :D Note: the current pope does NOT make public displays of the sign of the cross. As Catholics, we are "expected" to make the sign of the cross BEFORE Mass and when we pray. Using the sign of the cross ostentatiously is frowned on today. Ken, Toronto, Canada