Christ came into the world not to judge it, but to save it: Bishop Veniamin at Gavanoasa Monasterytranslated

Predeceased Father Veniamin, Bishop of Southern Bessarabia, celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday at Gavanoasa Monastery in Cahul district, Republic of Moldova.

The homily of the hierarch centered around the theme of the Cross. "Christ came into the world not to judge it, but to save it," he explained.

"He made Himself known to men, healed the sick, brought life to the dead, and gave meaning to the world by revealing God's work among people and showing Himself as the Son of the Father, to Whom was given all power in heaven and on earth."

"And yet, we see Him humbling Himself and accepting the Cross with joy, teaching Nicodemus those things that would be fulfilled later," added Predeceased Father Veniamin.

Referring to the words of the Saviour: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up," the hierarch explained that the bronze serpent raised by Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ's Cross.

This view brought salvation to those bitten by serpents, and the Cross of the Saviour becomes for all humanity a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven and a sign of deliverance from sin and death.

The Cross...