The Sign of the Cross

Experience, confirmed by centuries, shows that the sign of the cross has great power over all human actions throughout his entire life. Therefore, it is necessary to take care to instill in children the custom of often protecting themselves with the sign of the cross, and especially before eating and drinking, going to bed and getting up, before leaving, before going out and before entering somewhere, and so that children make the sign of the cross not carelessly or in a fashionable way, but with precision, starting from the forehead to the chest and on both shoulders, so that the cross comes out correctly... Protecting oneself with the sign of the cross has saved many from great troubles and dangers. - St. Ambrose of Optina