This is also a special sacrament exclusive
to this church. This is used as a substitute to marriage,
which is not counted as a sacrament in this church. A reasonable
doubt has been raised by many how the sign of the cross is
a sacrament. Mar Abdisho has put it as a sacrament because "cross
is that by which Christians are ever kept, and by it all
the other sacraments are sealed and perfected". Mar
Abdisho himself has added to the confusion of the state of
this sacrament by not explaining about it in Memra 4 where
he has written about other sacraments in detail. To make
the confusion worse confounded Mar Abdisho has a chapter
'of Matrimony and of Virginity' in the same Memra where he
deals with sacraments only. Instead in the following Memra,
he has a chapter "on the worship of the Lord's Cross". "By
this sign the Apostles wrought miracles and the laying on
the hands for the priesthood, and all the other sacraments
of the church are perfected thereby". Abdisho concludes
his treatment of the subject quoting the well known Pauline
passage "the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the
power of God". Mar Abdisho reminds that "the great
foundation of Christianity is the confession that through
the cross renewal and universal salvation were obtained for
all". It is believed that the sign of the cross will
appear in the sky at the second coming of our Lord. Abdisho
also states that the cross is to be worshipped. Hence we
offer a fervent and eucharistic worship, not to the fashioned
matter of the cross: but to Him whom we figure as upon it,
and above all to God, who gave His son to be a cross (i.e
crucified) for us, through Whom He gives to such as are worthy
everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven.It must be be noted
in this connection that cross is the only object of veneration
in the Church of East. They do not use crucifix and images.
But the cross is kissed in the churches and in the homes.
There is a separate festival for the cross
on September 26th which is the commemoration of the finding
of the cross. There is a long service for this day in the
Khudra.The cross is kept in the churches. It is found on
the top of the church building. It is inside the altar. It
is kept on the tables in the nave of the of the church so
that the worshippers can kiss it when they enter as well
as they go out of the church. Inside their homes, a cross
is placed on the eastern wall of the first room. If one sees
a cross in a house and do not find a crucifix or pictures,
it is almost certain that the particular family belongs to
the Church of the East. The cross is worn from a chain around
the neck, not only by the Bishops but also by several laywomen
and men. During the wedding ceremony the bride gives a golden
cross to the bridegroom. in return for the ring which he
puts on her finger. Golden
and silver crosses are taken out in festival processions.
When blessing is given for any service the priest or Bishop
holds the cross in his hand. Golden, silver, wooden and plastic
crosses are used. Crosses are stitched with thread on all
the towels, table clothes, veil etc used in the Church. Crosses
are engraved on the chalice, paten, spoon and even on the
mould in which bread is baked.