Blessing or benediction is a prayer or solemn wish imploring happiness upon another; a certain holy action which, combined with prayer, seeks for God's grace for persons, and, in a lower degree, a blessing upon things, with a view whether to their efficiency or safety. The lifting up of the hands is practised in the act of ceremonial blessing. In the Roman Catholic Church the sign of the cross is made, and the thumb and the two first fingers of the right hand are extended, the two remaining fingers turned down. In the Greek Church the thumb and the third finger of the same hand are conjoined, the other fingers being stretched out. Some see in this position a representation of the sacred monogram in Greek letters of Jesus' name. In the English liturgy there are two blessings or benedictions; in the service of the Scotch Church there is only one. Research Blessing
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Research Blessing