THE HOLY CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST Whenever you see a cross, the first thing which comes to mind is our Lord Jesus Christ and Christianity. It is the only truly universal symbol of Christianity. Our Lord says: “He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matt.10:38). The cross is central to Christianity, it identifies us as Christians. The cross is the means of our salvation and the glory of Christians. Our Armenian Church has four feast days in honor of the Holy Cross. 1) The Appearance of the Holy Cross, 2) the Elevation of the Holy Cross, 3) the Holy Cross of Varak, and 4) the Discovery of the Holy Cross. Today, as we celebrate and commemorate the Elevation or Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is at the same time one of the five major feasts (Daghavar) of the Armenian Church, has special meaning and a close relationship to the life and the saving work of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For the Cross which we venerate as Christians, is an instrument of salvation, sign of victory, hope and eternal life. The historical background of this feast is as follows: In 610 A. D. the Persian king Khosrov occupied Jerusalem. He captured and took with him the Cross as well as other relics and religious ornaments to Persia. After almost two decades of captivity of the Holy Cross, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclitus called the help of the entire Christians in his empire to recapture the Holy Cross from the Persians. The Byzantine Emperor in 628 A. D. conquered Persia and returned the Cross to Jerusalem. On the journey from Persia to Jerusalem, the Cross was brought to the city of Garin in Armenia. The joy of the entire Christendom was overwhelming. The Holy Cross was brought back upon the shoulders of the Christian officers passing through Armenia. Throughout the entire journey the Holy Cross was greeted and venerated everywhere by pious Christian population of Armenia and Asia Minor. Then the Cross was taken to Jerusalem to be instituted in the Cathedral of the Holy Sepulcher. This event is celebrated by our church with a special service. A veiled cross, ornamented with flowers and basil, is circulated in the church by priests, deacons, and acolytes along with the choir, forming a procession. Then stopping at the middle of the church the priests bless the four corners of the world asking God’s blessings and bounties for the prosperity of the Armenian Church and country, and to Christian nations, fruitfulness of the land and all holy places and their inhabitants. By its elevation and veneration, the Christians witness the saving and healing power of the Cross.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:00:55 +0000
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