The Elevation of the Holy Cross: Commemoration and Significance, Slides of Christianity

Download The Elevation of the Holy Cross: Commemoration and Significance and more Slides Christianity in PDF only on Docsity! The Elevation of the Holy Cross September 14 Services: At St Philip Church Wednesday, September 13, 2017 6:00 pm – Vespers & Artoklasia 7:00 pm – Orthros Thursday, September 14, 2017 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy 11:30 am – Potluck luncheon (Fasting menu) The Synaxarion: On September 14 in the Holy Orthodox Church we commemorate the Elevation (Exaltation) of the Honored and Life-giving Cross. Verses: Creation, seeing the Cross highly exalted, Offereth Thee high praise in its throat, O Savior. On the fourteenth the Cross’ Wood is exalted. On this day, we commemorate two events connected with the Precious Cross of Christ: the finding of the Cross on Golgotha, and the returning of the Cross to Jerusalem from Persia. While in the Holy Land, the Empress Helena learned that the Holy Cross was buried underneath the temple of the pagan goddess Venus built on Golgotha. She demanded it be torn down and the Cross be excavated. The search turned up three crosses. Uncertain which was the true Cross, the Patriarch Marcarius ordered that each cross be placed on the corpse in a funeral procession passing by. The first two produced nothing, but the third brought the man back to life, thus determining that this was the very Cross on which our Savior brought life to the world. Later, King Chozroes conquered Jerusalem, took the people into slavery and carried off the Lord’s Cross to Persia. In 628, the Greek Emperor Heraclius defeated Chozroes, and brought the Cross back to Jerusalem with great ceremony. Heraclius was carrying the Cross on his back when, suddenly, he froze. The Patriarch Zacharias saw an angel directing the emperor to take off his robes and walk with the same extreme humility with which our Savior bore His Cross. The emperor complied, and was able to finish the procession to the Church of the Resurrection on Golgotha, where he restored the Holy Cross. By the power of Thy Cross, O Christ God, have mercy upon us, and save us. Amen. Apolytikion (Tone One) O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thy Kingdom. Scripture readings: Jn 12:28-36; 1 Cor 1:18-24; Jn 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28 Kontakion Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will was lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible. Doxasticon (Tone Six) Today the Cross of the Lord goeth forth, and the faithful welcome it with longing, and they receive healing of soul and body and of every malady. Let us kiss it with joy and fear: with fear, because of sin, for we are unworthy; with joy, because of the salvation granted to the world by Him Who was crucified thereon, Christ the Lord, Who hath Great Mercy. More Resources: http://www.antiochian.org/elevationofthecross https://www.goarch.org/exaltation How to Celebrate the Feast: Make sure you wear, prayerfully and purposefully, your baptismal cross. Take the day off from work, if possible. Invite a friend to church. A fasting meal with family & friends. Pray, read about, & discuss Christ’s cross. Give Alms. Help someone. Be bold in generosity! Visit relatives, friends and neighbors (especially those in assisted living, who are homebound, or in the hospital). Listen to an AncientFaith.com podcast on the Elevation of the Cross. Meditate on Christ’s words from the Cross, along with prayerful silence and the Jesus Prayer. 1. “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves” (Lk 23.33-34). 2. “One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘I tell you the truth, Today you will be with Me in Paradise’” (Lk 23.39-43).