The sign of the cross

The practice of the sign of the cross has been an important standard in the history of the church since the very beginning.  Though the specific form has slightly changed over time (size and location), the meaning and purpose has not changed.
When I began my journey into Orthodoxy, the practice of the sign of the cross was never an issue for me.  The concept was a simple one.  The cross, a historical symbol representing the love of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is taken on and applied to one's self.  We make the sign of the cross because we are Christians.  The cross is central to our understanding of who we are and what we believe.  As someone once said to me, disparagingly, "It's just an ancient gang symbol."  If it was possible, I would have reached through the email and punched them in the head for saying such a thing.  Making a profession of the Trinity and a profession of the two natures of Christ are not "a gang symbol."  These are doctrines and beliefs that many, many people have debated, struggled and even died for.
So the sign of the cross is important.  It is a profession of our faith, a profession of who we are and with whom we are connected.