The Cross of Christ and the Call of Man to Friendship with Godtranslated

On September 15th each year, the commemoration of the holy Presbyter Philothios follows immediately after the Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Life-Giving Cross.

Archbishop Demetrios Tsiafas, Hierodeacon of the Imperial City of Thessaloniki,

writes for the Office and Display Department of Sacred Vessels of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki

The Church continues to live in the liturgical atmosphere of these days, turning its gaze toward the Cross of death and life upon which Christ freely offered Himself for the salvation of the entire human race. In this light, the commemoration of a saint named Philothios takes on particular theological and spiritual significance. The Cross reveals the infinite measure of divine love, and the life of the saint testifies to how man is called to respond to this love and become truly "a friend of God."

The Church names the Cross "life-giving," because in the Passion of Christ, the salvific power of the divine economy is revealed. The Son freely offers Himself and enters into death of His own accord for the salvation of mankind. The Evangelist John infuses this movement into...