Is worshiping the Holy Cross idolatry?translated

On the occasion of the feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of our Lord, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Piraeus, Mr. Seraphim, presents an analytical apologetic study around a frequent question and a basic objection formulated against the Orthodox faith. "To prove that the worship of the Holy and Life-giving Cross, not only is not an act of idolatry, but on the contrary a practice completely in accordance with the biblical teaching, paternal tradition and the theology of our Church", as he characteristically emphasizes.

His Holiness through the Holy Bible, the Patristic Tradition, the historical testimony and the theology of the Church, the distinction between worship and veneration, explains why the honor to the Holy Cross is not worship of matter or idolatry, but refers to Christ himself and His saving work.

"The Holy Cross is honored because it is the instrument of the salvation of the world and the preeminent sign of Christ's victory over death", he points out at another point, underlining that "the Cross is at the center of the apostolic teaching" and that "the sign of the Cross is a confession of faith in...