Слово на всеславное Воздвижение честного и животворящего Креста. Св. Андрея, архиепископа Критского

We glorify the Cross, and the whole Church is filled with a blaze of glory. We glorify the Cross, and the face of the entire universe is illuminated with a radiance of joy. We glorify the Cross, and the darkness dissipates and light spreads. We glorify the Cross and ascend with the Crucified, so that, leaving the earth together with sin down, we may acquire heaven and heavenly things. The cross is erected, and the noisy cries of the demons fall silent. The cross is erected, and the enemy power of Satan, defeated, falls and is crushed. The cross is erected and all the believers flock in. The cross is erected, and the cities triumph and the people celebrate. Thus, just the remembrance of the Cross already arouses life-giving joy and alleviates sorrow. How important is it to see the very image of the Cross?! Looking at the Cross inhales courage and casts out fear. The acquisition of the Cross is so important! Whoever acquired the Cross acquired treasure. Perhaps you think that by treasure I mean gold, or precious stones, with which carnal people, given over to vanity, are seduced? No. The best and most precious of all treasures, both in name and in quality, in all justice, is the Cross, on which, through which and in which the building of our salvation is established and erected. If there had been no Cross, then Christ would not have been crucified. If there were no Cross, then Life would not have been nailed to the tree. And if Life had not been nailed down, then streams of immortality would not have flowed from the rib - blood and water that cleanse the world; the handwriting of sin would not have been torn, freedom would not have been given to us, we would not have enjoyed the tree of life, paradise would not have been opened for us, the flaming weapon would not have departed from Eden, and the thief would not have become an inhabitant of paradise. What am I saying? If there were no Cross, then Christ would not have been on earth. And if Christ had not been on earth, then there would have been no Virgin and the second birth of Christ; God would not have become man, there would have been no Child, no manger, no swaddling clothes, no daily circumcision, no nursing, no obedience to parents, no growth of the body, no appearance into the world; there would be no baptism, no miracles, no Judas the traitor, no judge Pilate, no crowd of Jews screaming to crucify the Innocent One. If there had been no Cross, death would not have been trampled upon, hell would not have been emptied, and the hostile serpent would not have been killed. Therefore, the Cross is a great and precious acquisition. Great because through him great blessings were manifested, all the more great because the miracles and sufferings of Christ won victory over the entire universe; precious because the Cross serves as a sign of the suffering of Christ and His victory; suffering, for He voluntarily tasted death on him - victory, for the devil was defeated by him, death was defeated, the beliefs of hell were crushed, and the Cross became the common salvation for the whole world. The cross is the hope of Christians, the savior of the desperate, the refuge of the overwhelmed, the physician of the weak, the exorcist of passions, the giver of health, life to the perishing, the establisher of piety, the curber of ungodly blasphemy. The cross is a weapon against enemies, a scepter of the kingdom, a diadem of beauty, an unwritten law, an unwritten image, a rod of strength, a stronghold of faith, a support of old age, a guide for the blind, a light for those who sit in darkness, a mentor for the ignorant, a teacher for young men, a guide for youths, a guardian for babies, a trampler of sin, a messenger of repentance, a herald of truth. The cross is a ladder to heaven, a path to virtue, a guarantee of life, death for death, a reflection of decay, extinguishing fire, boldness towards God, the key to the kingdom of heaven. The cross is a guardian in the night, a fortress in the days, a leader in darkness, a curber in joy, an animate in sorrow, an intercessor, a propitiator, a reconciliator, a champion, a protector, a patron. The cross is a helper in temptations, a guardian in dangers, a comforter in sorrows, a representative in needs, a helmsman at sea, a consolation in misfortunes. The cross is a guardian of those who sleep, a watcher with those who are vigilant, a co-worker with those who work. The cross is strength for the powerless, rest for the burdened, food for the hungry, strengthener for fasters, advisor for ascetics, clothing for the naked, companion for wanderers. The cross is the tamer of the rich, the provider of the poor, the protector of widows, the patron and nourisher of orphans. The cross is the honor of rulers, the fortress of rulers, the victory of leaders, the seal of virginity, the union of marriage. The cross is the guardian of cities, protector of homes, mediator of friends, avenger of enemies, adversary of adversaries, pursuer of pagans, defender from barbarians, guardian of silence. The cross is the king of love, the calmer of the world, the union of creation, the determinant of the boundaries of love - the height of the sky, the depth of the earth, the length and breadth of the universe. Briefly say: The Cross is the head of Christ’s suffering, the crown of miracles performed for us. That is why the Cross is called the glory of Christ and the height of Christ. That is why it is considered the cup of desire and the totality of the sufferings of Christ endured for us. And that the Cross constitutes the glory of Christ, listen to Christ Himself about this. He says: Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him, and He will glorify Him... Glorify You, Father, and You with the glory that You had before the world was not. And again: Father, glorify Your name. But a voice came from heaven: I have glorified, and I will glorify again (John 13:31; 17:5; 12:28). Here Christ speaks of the glory that accompanied His Cross, that is, of the confusion of the elements then, and the compassion of nature: for it was necessary for creatures to have compassion for the Creator. And that the Cross also constitutes the height of Christ, listen to what Christ said: if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everything to myself (John 12:32); and in another case: just as Moses lifted up the serpent from the desert, so it is fitting for the Son of Man to ascend, for what? - that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life (John 3:14, 15). Do you see that the Cross constitutes the glory and height of Christ? Do you want to know what glory is and what the height of Christ is? Listen to what they say - David: Ascend into heaven, O God, and throughout all the earth is Your glory (Psalm 107:6), - and again Isaiah, from the face of Christ: now I will rise, says the Lord, now I will be glorified, now I will be exalted (Isaiah 33:10). So, since glory consists in height, then Christ, having ascended to the Cross, is glorified. If the Cross of Christ constitutes glory, then even today the Cross is erected so that Christ may be glorified. It is not Christ who is raised up so that the Cross may be glorified, but the Cross is raised up so that Christ may be glorified. And Christ is glorified in order to lift us up with Him. Therefore, when the Cross is erected, then the spirit of the pious is exalted with it. Christ is glorified, and those who glorify Him are glorified with Him. The Cross is erected and demonic pride is trampled under foot. Christ is glorified, and the ancient evil serpent is put to shame. The Cross is erected and raises up the fallen. Christ is glorified and erases the shame of those committed by sin. The Cross is erected and idols fall. Christ is glorified and the devil is humiliated. The Cross is erected not only because Christ was lifted up on it, but also because, having been found, it exposed the madness of the Jews. When and how was the Cross found? - Under the emperors who believed in Christ: however, it was not found as if someone had deliberately prepared the Cross in order to deceive the people with mere plausibility, but it was acquired by Divine and artless power, solely by the strength and firmness of faith; for the Cross is the treasure of God. When the Lord of life and death, three days after death on the cross, rose again; then the Jews, wounded by the arrows of envy and possessed by fear (so that any of the venerable and sacred instruments of the suffering of Christ, having been preserved, would not become instruments of vengeance on the Jews and protection for Christians), buried them in the ground, and thus hid the treasure - that is, the Cross and all other instruments of the cross, such as: nails, a copy and an inscription written by Pilate and laid on the Cross. But when God handed over to the Christians the Royal scepters and all the power over the Romans, at that very time He was pleased to reveal the Cross through a pious wife, the wife of the Queen, a wife adorned with royal wisdom - He deigned to reveal during the reign of her son over the Christians, without any human effort, making the wife (let's say) wise with His Divine Wisdom, so that she, using partly the power of the word characteristic of a royal person, used everything that could move the unyielding heart of the Jews. And so, the world treasure was not hidden from the Queen for long. looking for it without any delay. The hand of God soon gave her his gift. that is, the very Cross of the Lord, which is now being erected for the whole universe; and along with it she handed over other instruments with which the blessed and world-saving suffering was accomplished. That is why we are now triumphant, that is why we celebrate that on this day a long-hidden shrine was found, - that this hidden treasure, having been pulled out of the ground, shone like gold, - that the august banner of the kingdom of Christ, previously buried, came to light, - that the demonic storm subsided with the appearance of the Cross, - that a sword against enemies, a self-forged sword, shone forth from the darkness, that the Church had received her adornment, that she who possessed treasures had found the lost drachma. This is the Cross of Christ, the sign of the Lord, the weapon of salvation, the royal power, the trophy of victory, the mediator between heaven and earth, the firm union of believers, the glory of the apostles, the mirror of the prophets, the crown of martyrs, the pledge of those who worship Christ. Since the Cross of Christ has existed, Christ has been worshiped. Since the time of the Cross of Christ we have come to know the Son of God. Since the Cross of Christ we have honored the Son with the Father. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, Jewish rituals have been abolished, paganism has fallen, Christianity has been exalted, the air has been sanctified, we have been freed from bloody sacrifices, having become participants in a bloodless sacrifice. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, the demonic stench has dissipated, and we have begun to smell the spiritual stench of the poured-out world (Song of Songs 1:2). Since the time of the Cross of Christ, the fabulous genealogies of the gods have become nothing. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, we have confessed the mystery of the Birth of Jesus according to humanity. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, we have come to know the beginningless Beginning, which comes from the pre-eternal Beginning. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, we have been taught to believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and have rejected the destructive and vain nonsense of pagan polytheism. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, we have driven away the shadows of portentous images and have been reconciled to the light of truth by grace. Since the time of the Cross of Christ, death has been despised, idols have been crushed, the slaughter of animals as sacrifices has ceased, demons have been driven out, idolatrous churches have been destroyed to the ground. Everywhere - churches, altars, chants, all-night vigils; everywhere - theology, baptism, unanimity of believers, knowledge of the Scriptures, contempt for earthly things, acquisition of heavenly blessings, communication with God. But why talk a lot? Since the time of the Cross of Christ, people have cohabited with Angels, heaven is open to earth-born, and God is present and dwells among people. About the Cross - Christ’s and our much-named praise! O blessed tree on which Christ prostrated himself! Oh, Vine of immortality, from which Christ the grapes exuded life-giving drink for us! About the Cross, with which the handwriting of sin was blotted out and the covenant of freedom was inscribed! About the Cross - a treasure of innumerable blessings, a guide to paradise, the keymaster of the kingdom, the absolver of sins, the giver of victories. Christ, crucified on you, has made you a tree of life. Christ, nailed to you, has made you a ladder leading to heaven. Christ, hanging on you, has shown you to be the mediator of blessing. Christ, prostrate upon you, has loosed the bonds of those bound by sin. Christ, who voluntarily ascended upon you, took the world with him. Christ, lifted up upon you for our sake, pulled down the brass serpent lifted up on the banner. There is no longer a copper serpent, who, through one glance at him, healed the ulcers of those wounded by serpents (Num. 21:8). There is no longer a serpent guarding the heel of the path (Gen. 49:17). No longer is anyone cursed who hangs on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23). How is this possible? - such that the blessed youth Jesus, the Son of God, changed our oath into a blessing. The cross is no longer an object of curse; the oath is nailed to the Cross; Christ destroyed the oath and brought blessing upon us. This Cross of Christ has become for us the source of all blessings. It is called by various names. It is called the “rod of righteousness,” “kingdom,” “power,” “inheritance.” Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness, a scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast delivered with the rod of Thy inheritance (Psalm 45:7; 73:2). The Lord will send a rod of strength from Zion (Psalm 109:2). The cross is called a “club”: Your rod and Your club, the comforter of me (Psalm 22:4), “tree of life”: the tree of life is for all who hold on to it (wisdom), and to those who worship it, as to the Lord, it is solid (Prov. 3:18); “tree”: and it will be like a planted tree (Psalm 1:3). Where? – with outgoing water. What waters? - Inspired Scriptures. The cross is called “the footstool”: Lift up the Lord our God, and worship His footstool, for it is holy (Psalm 98:5); “place”: let us enter into His villages, let us worship in the place where His nose stood. If I give sleep to my eyes, and slumber to my every side, until I will find the place of the Lord, a habitation for the God of Jacob (Psalm 132:7, 4, 5). Patriarch Jacob foreshadowed this Cross. When he laid his hands in a cross on his grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:14). The same Patriarch prefigured the Cross when he bowed to the top of Joseph’s rod (Gen. 47:31). The rod of the same patriarch Jacob was an image of the Cross when crossing the Jordan, for Jacob says: with this rod the Jordan passed away (Gen. 32:10). And a little earlier, the sign of the Cross was shown to Abraham in the form of the horns of a ram held in a thicket (Gen. 22:13), when the Patriarch mysteriously performed a symbolic sacrifice that foreshadowed the Crucified One. The cross was also prefigured by Isaac, who carried the wood of the burnt offering and hastily followed his father, like the sacrifice that Abraham hastened to offer (Gen. 22:6). The power of the Cross was also foreshadowed by the rod of Moses (turned into a serpent), which defeated the rods of Egypt by devouring them, and for the Egyptians turned the river waters into blood so that they could not be drinkable. At the wave of the rod of Moses, frogs appeared from the waters, locusts swooped in, tangible darkness spread, and all other plagues befell the Egyptians (Ex. 7)... The same rod of Moses was an image of the Cross, when Moses divided the Red Sea with the rod - here and here. and the parting of the waters formed for him and for the people a wall on the right hand and a wall on the side (Ex. 14:21, 22). The prototype of the Cross was the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud, with which God guided the wandering Israel who fled from Egypt (Ex. 13:21). Moses himself depicted the view of the Cross on the mountain, raising his hands to the mountain when Jesus fought with the foreign Amalek, and when Moses was supported by Aaron and Hur, and Israel was strengthened and overcome (Ex. 17:11). The image of the Cross was also depicted by the rod that struck a stone in the desert, and produced abundant springs from its barren womb (Ex. 17:6). Isaiah, cut in two with a wooden saw, also typified the mystery of the Cross. I will remain silent about Haman, hanged on a tree (Esther 7:10), and about Sisera, pierced with a tabernacle stake, although they clearly depict the Cross (Judges 4:21). But one cannot fail to mention Elijah’s mantle, which foreshadowed the power of the Cross, when Elijah, having divided the Jordan with the mantle, crossed it as if on dry land (2 Kings 2:8). Is it possible to pass over in silence the miracle of Elisha, when he lowered the tree into the water, and thereby pulled out an iron ax from the bottom of the river, lifting the heavy metal with a light piece of wood (2 Kings 6:6)? And what is the rod that in one night produced a branch, flowers and fruit (Num. 17:8)? Isn’t it obvious that he also prefigured the Cross? Great, truly, is the Cross, testified and foreshadowed everywhere in Scripture, presenting images of all those miracles that are performed daily by His power. We venerate the Cross: for through it we came to know the Lord. We venerate the Cross, for blessed is He who was crucified on it. We venerate the Cross, for through it we received the blessing and were freed from the oath. We venerate the Cross, for through it we have cast out the bitter fruit of the tree of disobedience and tasted the sweetness of salvation. Blessed is the tree: through it the tongues received the blessing. Blessed is the tree: on it God prostrated himself in flesh. To see God crucified, and among thieves, what sight could be more amazing? Blessed is the tree: through it the thief entered paradise, and eating from this tree destroyed the anciently tasted bitterness. Could anything be more wonderful?... The dwelling that the seduced Adam had concluded was opened by a prudent robber, and from where Adam was expelled, the robber was called there, and there he was decorated with the title of citizenship. What a consonant difference! A robber went out, and a robber came in: the first through obedience, the last through confession; one was accused along with the seducer, the other was crucified along with his Creator. Blessed is the wood from which the ark was built, which mysteriously saved the world from drowning. Blessed is the tree from which the thief ate and was rewarded with heavenly pleasure. Blessed is the tree, from which the progenitor Adam did not eat before, hastening to eat from the tree of knowledge, which is why he changed life to death - and the quality of which he recognized later, when he came to repentance, for which he was called back to his previous state. Blessed is the tree, by the power of which the muscles of the proud are weakened, the necks of the enemies bow, the barbarian retreats, while no one persecutes him. So, on this day, let us lift up our voices and offer the treasure of the Cross with worship the saying of Scripture. I call Christ the Son of God the Treasure of the Cross. It is to this treasure that we must most especially turn with the words of Scripture: All the nations that you have created will come and worship before You, O Lord, and glorify Your name: for you are great, and you work wonders, You are the only God (Psalm 86:9, 10). Amen 13. See Curs. Compl. Patrolog edit. Migne, Tom. XCVII. col. 1018–1036; cp. Christ. Read 1839, III, pp. 307–326; Church Led. 1897, no. 37, pp. 1297–1301; Sunday Read XV (1851–52), pp. 217–218). You might be interested in: