The Power of the Cross

***

The Lord was crucified for us on the cross. This is the reason why it, as well as the sign of the cross, has such power. This is why it is life-giving. This is why even in the Old Testament its symbol had such great power. The pole upon which the serpent was set cured those who were bitten by serpents; the cross, traced by Moses's rod, separated the waters; Moses's hands uplifted in prayer, and forming the cross, conquered Amalek, and so on.  -St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ pg.  220



***

The Cross is the symbol of the Kingdom

***

Before Christ was crucified, ‘a cross signified a death sentence, but now it has become an object of honour. Previously it was the symbol condemnation, but now it is the foundation of our salvation.’ Through the Cross, we have found the way that leads to the kingdom: ‘On account of the Cross, we no longer wander in the wilderness because we have come to know the true way. We no longer remain outside the palace of the King, because we have found the door.’ The Kingdom of God has been bestowed on us through the Cross. The Cross ‘has opened Paradise which was closed… For Christ said [to the thief], Today you will be with me in Paradise [Luke 23:43].’

The Cross of Christ is not only the road leading to Paradise and the door by which we can enter; it is also ‘the beautiful paradise of the Church’. It is the tree of new and incorruptible life which nourishes the faithful:

The Wood in former times brought bitterness into Eden, but the wood of the Cross has blossomed with sweet life. For Adam ate, and fell into corruption;

but we delight in the flesh of Christ

and live and are mystically deified,

receiving the eternal Kingdom of God.

Christ is King of the Kingdom that has come and is coming. It came through the Cross, and it is coming with the Cross. For when the end comes, then will appear the sign of the Son of man (Matt. 24:30), that is, the Cross. When the light of this world is extinguished once and for all, the sign of the cross will shine like a new sun. And just as ‘before a king enters a city, the soldiers will take up banners and lift them upon their shoulders to herald his entry’, so it will be at the Second Coming: 'When the Lord descends from heaven, He will be preceded by hosts of angels and archangels bearing the Cross upon their shoulders, and they will announce to us His royal entry.’

The Cross of Christ is the road, the door and the herald of the Kingdom of God.

 -The Divine Litugy: A Commentary in the Light of the Fathers by Hiermonk Gregorios pg. 108-109

***

Kali Sarakosti!

O Lord save Your people and bless Your inheritance, grant victory to the Faithful against the adversaries of the Faith, and protect Your people by the power of Your Cross.

Hello blog-world! As I continue my Lenten journey I decided it might be a good idea to post and ponder some highlights from my spiritual readings. I would love to share this experience with others and if you are reading my blog and would like to add your thoughts or meditations about any quotes, passages, hymns, etc. that I've posted please feel free to comment!

It seems that a recurring theme for me this Great Lent is the Cross and all that it entails. Because of this, I thought it appropriate to begin my blog with the Troparion for the Elevation of the Holy Cross and in this way ask for Christ's special protection and blessing for my blog through the power of His Precious Cross. At least for now, and maybe even through the rest of Great Lent, I will try to stick to this theme of the Cross as often as I come across it during this period of prayer and repentance.