Exaltation of the Holy Cross: how exactly does this holiday concern youtranslated

For centuries, the cross that priests “erected” on this day was decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. But no decorations were capable of overshadowing the original meaning of the Cross - an instrument of shameful and painful execution, to which the abandoned Man, suffocating from pain and thirst, was nailed with nails... And the meaning of this unique defeat, which became victory and triumph.

Marina BORISOVA

"You will be sad in the world..."

At the end of the 20th century, the protopresbyter of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, theologian Alexander Schmemann wrote:

“This year, like every year, this solemn ancient rite will be performed. But a huge city will thunder around the church, indifferent to this sacred celebration, in no way connected with it, millions of people will continue to live their everyday lives, with worries, interests, joys, sorrows, having nothing to do with what is happening in the churches.

Many Christians are satisfied that they are allowed to “perform their rituals” with contempt, as long as they behave quietly and obediently and do not interfere with the world building its life - without God, without Christ, without faith, without prayer. They, these tired Christians, almost don’t remember what he said...