SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
3RD SUNDAY OF LENT
THE SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
The Third Sunday of the Great Fast (Lent) and the week that follows is marked by the veneration of a flower-bedecked Cross, which is set up in the center of the church for all the faithful to honor. For observant Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, as well as all Orthodox Christians throughout the world, this feast marks the middle of the Lenten Period. For Christians, who are wearied from he daily battle with Satan, the Cross is seen as the goal and a goad to spur one on to renewed striving during the remaining weeks until Great Friday and then the triumphal day of Pascha (Easter). The Lenten season is a time when Orthodox Christians set aright their priorities in life, renewing their life in Christ and seeking to end the daily compromise with Satan, who leads us into sin. In Lent, we seek to avoid sin altogether. The tools we use to strengthen us in this battle are forgiveness of one’s enemies, almsgiving, the discipline of fasting and abstinence, confession of our sins and a renewed prayer life.
If the Cross is as much an instrument of torture and death as the modern gas chamber or electric chair, why would we bedeck it with flowers and then bow and kiss it? In Paradise of old, Adam and Eve partook of the tree which did not give them what Satan promised, but rather it gave them sickness, death and a life of hard work and drudgery. The wood of the tree of the Cross on which Christ our Savior was hung had a different effect. Satan was pleased that through the wood of the cross, the supposed God-Man Jesus tasted of death and was held captive by him in Hades. This momentary triumph was undone permanently as Jesus Christ arose from the dead, opening heaven to mankind, the former outcasts. For those who choose Jesus, the mortality brought on by the wood in Eden is supplanted by immortality; that is, we too ultimately partake in the victory of Jesus. The wood of the cross, which before was shameful and humiliating, is now a symbol of utter victory. For a Christian, who is alive in Christ, Satan is chained. If we forgive one another, do not yield to temptation, humbly confess our sins and partake in the Body and Blood of Christ, how can Satan regain dominion over us. Viewing and venerating the flower-bedecked Cross reminds us of the renewed warfare with Satan and ultimate victory for those who co-operate with Jesus by fighting the good fight this Great Fast.
Ukrainian Orthodox Christians attest to all of the above when they sing in the Matins (Morning Prayer) for the feast: “In Paradise of old, the tree stripped me bare; for by giving me its fruit to eat, the enemy brought on death. But now the Tree of the Cross, that clothes men with the garment of life, has been set up on earth, and the whole world is filled with boundless joy. Beholding it venerated, O ye people, let us with one accord raise in faith our cry to God: His House is full of glory!”
The Lord Jesus was nailed to the wood of the Cross and it appeared that mere creatures would render Him lifeless, but those outstretched, bound arms would embrace all mankind and loose us from the bondage to the enemy. In the Sunday night Vespers (Evening Prayer) for this feast we sing: “O Lord, Thou hast stretched out Thine hands OF THINE OWN WILL upon the Cross; fill us with Thy light through fasting and through prayer, through abstinence and works of charity; and count us worthy to venerate Thy cross with contrite hearts, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.”
At every church service through out this week, the priest and people prostrate themselves before the flowery cross and sing again and again: “Before Thy Cross we bow down and worship, O Lord, and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify.”
May the contemplation of this feast, encourage you to take up your cross and fight the good fight always, with the victory of the Resurrection on the horizon! May your renewed Lenten strivings render you treasure in heaven and a reward that cannot be taken away.