The Sunday sermon after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross from the Diocese of Ierapytni and Sitiatranslated

In the written sermon of the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross, the Holy Metropolis of Ierapytni and Sitia exhorts the faithful to follow Jesus. As it is characteristically stated: "in our self-centered age, the word of Jesus, "whoever wants to follow me, deny myself and take up his cross, and follow me", is the secret to our success." Let us follow Jesus". The sermon of I.M. Ierapytni and Sitia

My brothers, in today's gospel reading, Jesus said: "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself and bear his cross, and follow me." So let's see these words in more detail.

The Lord said "Whoever wants", that is, if by chance someone wants. Christ addresses persons, and we as persons respond freely. If Christ saw us as his slaves, he would not give us the freedom of choice. "Whoever wants"! Christ does not force anyone and does not oblige anyone to follow him, and even though he knows that we will move away, he tolerates us and waits for us to repent so that he embraces us. That is why we, as his disciples, must give freedom to our fellow human beings,...