In the Orthodox tradition, it is considered wrong, and sometimes even blasphemous, to be baptized from left to right. To a person who is far from religion, the strictly defined order of imposing the sign of the cross may seem only superstition, but for a true believer it is always important to observe established traditions.
It is widely believed among believers of the Orthodox tradition that imposing a godfather on oneself from left to right is wrong.
It is believed that the hand depicting the cross should first touch the right shoulder and then the left, which symbolizes the traditional for Orthodoxy (and Christianity in general) opposition of the right side as the dwelling of the saved and the left as the dwelling of the perishing (for more details - Matthew, 25, 31-46). Thus, the Orthodox tradition believes that by raising his hand to the right and then to the left shoulder, the believer prays to include him in the lot of the saved and to save him from the share of the perishing.
In general, in everyday life, it is customary for superstitious or religious people to single out the right side as cleaner than the left. Or even to correlate good with the right side of a person, and evil with the left. Therefore, the above opinion from the standpoint of religion seems to be quite logical.
Differences of imposing the sign of the cross in other cultures
In the tradition of Catholics, it is considered correct to be baptized from left to right, and not vice versa, like the Orthodox. However, before the great church schism, both of them were baptized mainly from right to left, although such an order was not obligatory.
Also, Catholics, unlike Orthodox Christians, cross themselves without folding their fingers - with an open palm to the side.
In Catholicism, these rules do not express anything negative, on the contrary, it is believed that such a method of imposing the banner of the cross symbolizes the transition from evil and the devil to good and to the salvation of the soul through Christ. Therefore, the Orthodox, when meeting with representatives of another branch of Christianity, should know these features and understand that they do not mean anything blasphemous.
Important to remember
However, there are currently no clearly established canons on how to be baptized correctly. There are only certain customs, violation of which, in fact, will not lead the believer to any sin.
However, if a believer signs himself with the banner of the cross surrounded by his fellow believers, it is better not to go against the traditions that have developed in their midst in order to avoid disagreements. Of course, if only lengthy disputes and discussions are not the goal of the reader.
And yet, no matter how different these and other rules may be in different directions of Christianity, the believing reader should remember first of all that God looks at the heart and deeds of a person, and not at the accuracy with which a person observes certain rituals.
