A word on the veneration of the honorable and life-giving Cross during Pentecost

St. Theodore the Studite is the author of an extensive book of praise (πανηγυρική βίβλος). Only 12 sermons from this collection have survived to this day, including the “Word on the Worship of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross in the Midst of Pentecost” (on the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross). His sermon, Rev. Theodore begins with a call to the entire universe to sing the praises of the Cross, revealing its significance for our salvation. He contrasts the life-giving tree of the Cross with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, emphasizing that the first gives life, enlightenment and salvation, while the second led to death and darkness. Particular attention is paid to the victory of Christ over the devil and the liberation of humanity from the power of sin through the Cross. The author examines in detail the Old Testament prototypes of the Cross, tracing the continuity of cross symbolism in the history of salvation from Noah to the acts of the apostles. Numerous examples illustrate the appearance of these images long before the incarnation of Christ, emphasizing the deep connection between past and present in the plan of salvation. An important theological aspect of the sermon is the discussion about the miraculous power of the image of the Cross. St. Theodore asserts that “the image representing Christ,” whether in inanimate or animate objects, works miracles, since it contains the form and sign of the Prototype and is “as much worthy of the same worship with its Prototype as the name.” The sermon ends with renewed praise for the Cross and a prayer that it will deliver all those who worship it from troubles, preserving them in peace and the Christian faith. In general, the sermon is a call to worship the Cross as a symbol of the atoning sacrifice of Christ and the path to salvation for every person. The present day is a day of joy and gladness, because now a sign of joy is offered. Now a hymn of praise and confession is heard, because the most holy tree appears. O most precious gift! Look at the radiance before your eyes! This is not a tree of the simultaneous knowledge of good and evil, like the one in Eden; no, this tree is entirely splendid and beautiful both to the eye and to the taste. For this tree gives us life, not death, enlightens us, and does not darken us, leads us into Eden, and does not expel us from it. This tree, on which Christ ascended as a king on his chariot, struck the devil, who had the power of death, freeing the human race from heavy slavery: This tree is precisely the one on which the Lord, being wounded, like a warrior during a battle, in the hands, feet, and divine ribs, healed the wounds of sin, that is, our nature, struck by the evil dragon; and, if another hymn must be added, this tree is the one to which the flowing blood of the Lord imparted such invincible power that it casts down demons and enlightens the world. Who wouldn’t flock here to enjoy this coveted spectacle? Who wouldn't want to embrace this heavenly branch? Come and enter into spiritual communion, all tribes and peoples, every gender and age, every condition and rank, priests and kings, rulers and subjects. Since this gathering of the people was organized by God himself, it seems to me that the angels joyfully join this host, and the apostles unanimously rejoice with us, as well as the host of prophets, the face of martyrs and the entire council of the righteous. For is it possible that they would not all be filled with joy at the sight of this victorious sign, by which they themselves, imitating Christ, defeated the enemy forces and were crowned with heavenly glory? It seems to me that even inanimate beings feel joy within themselves, namely, the earth, like a mother, which has brought forth this tree like a fruit from its bosom, all the oak trees, honored by their common name with the tree of the cross, the sun, constantly shining, the moon, rich in light, the shining stars, and, finally, this very sky, vast and moving, because from the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross came every change is for the better. For this reason, David, striking his spiritual zither, exclaims very appropriately (for the current celebration): “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship His footstool, for He is holy” (Psalm 48:5). The wise Solomon also calls out: “Blessed is the tree, wherein righteousness comes” (Wis. 14:7). Therefore, the Church is now a paradise, having in the midst of it the tree of life - a paradise in which there is no longer the deceiving demon who led Eve astray, but the angel of the Almighty Lord, surrounding the one who comes. Now the Holy Cross is worshiped, and the resurrection of Christ is proclaimed. Now the life-giving tree is being honored, and therefore the whole world is excited to praise. Now the three-part Cross is being venerated, and all four countries of the world are celebrating in joy. “If the feet of those who bring good news are red, so are those who bring good news,” says the apostle (Rom. 10:15). And I would say: blessed are those eyes that contemplate this triumph of universal peace, those lips that kiss this most excellent sign. Abundant grace is offered to all; the source from which sanctification flows is indicated and which does not deprive anyone of abundant benefits, but makes a pure person even purer, and makes those defiled by vices pure, humbles the arrogant, excites the careless, attracts the absent-minded, tames the stiff-necked - and if only everyone comes to him with a desire for the best and approaches without insolence and arrogance, he does not drive him away from himself, but gives him to him divine powers, beneficial to life and piety: for the Cross loves the humble, but turns away from people who have opposite properties. This life-giving tree, which we contemplate, provides healing to the eyes deceived in paradise by the view of the murderous tree. By touching this tree with our lips and offering it to our eyes, we are freed from tasting and touching the deadly tree. O great gift that lies before us! Oh, inexpressible bliss! Having previously been put to death by the tree, we now receive life through the tree. Having previously been deceived by the tree, we now drive away the deceiving serpent with the tree. Wonderful change! Instead of death (we are given) life, instead of corruption - incorruption, instead of dishonor - glory. And therefore, at the right time, the holy apostle cried out: “Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: to whom peace was crucified, and to the world” (Gal. 6:14). For on the Cross the highest wisdom shone forth, which puts the proud worldly wisdom to shame. Through the cross, the fruitful knowledge of all goodness suppressed the seeds of evil. Even the prototypes of this tree have been harbingers of great events since time immemorial. Look, you inquisitive person. Didn’t Noah, together with his sons and their wives, and with every kind of animal, escape, by the will of God, the general flood through the “little tree” (Wisdom 10:4)? Jacob, stripping the bark from the twigs and putting them in troughs, at the time of the birth of the lambs, did not, to his greatest surprise, make the sheep his own (Gen. 30, 37-43)? Then, what did Joseph’s rod mean, on top of which the patriarch Jacob bowed (Heb. 11:21), if not the image of that life-giving tree, which is now worshiped? What did the rod of Moses mean? Was he not also a prototype of the Cross? He transformed water into blood, and swallowed up the imaginary snakes of sorcerers, and with one blow he divided the sea, with another he united the waters of the sea again, and thus drowned the enemies and preserved the chosen people. Also, wasn’t Aaron’s rod also a prototype of the Cross, which one day flourished and thereby proved the legitimacy of the priesthood? But I would be expanding too much if I wanted to present here all the omens of the Cross. For Jacob also typified it when, blessing the sons of Joseph, he crossed his hands one on top of the other. Moreover, Moses himself showed the image of the Cross in his own person when he defeated the Amalekites by raising his hands. Also look at Elisha, who threw a piece of wood into the water, and with this wood he pulled out iron from the depths. But the image of the Cross not only in the Old Testament, but even in the law of grace, revealed many wondrous things - in winning victories over enemies, in driving away demons, in healing illnesses and in many other countless cases. You see, beloved, what power lies in the image of the Cross! But if such is the power in the image of the Cross, then what should be the power in the image of Christ crucified on the Cross? For it is obvious that the more excellent the prototypes, the more magnificent the images are. But if someone asks: “Who in ancient times bore the image of Christ within themselves? I would like to know this,” then I answer: the same ones that depicted the Cross. For just as Moses’ raising of his hands foreshadowed the Cross, so Moses himself represented in his face the image of Christ conquering the invisible Amalek. This can also be confirmed by other examples in which a prototype of both is presented. “But there, someone will object, there was a living image: why are you talking about inanimate?” I am talking about this because here the same thing happens as with the sign of the Cross, when a visible object, in which and through which something miraculous is accomplished, has no life in itself: like the image of the Cross, which appears in animate and inanimate objects, the image representing Christ usually performs wondrous deeds, as bearing on itself the appearance and sign of the Prototype and equally worthy of the same worship with its Primordial, as much as its name - this is self-evident. Although this seems somewhat far from our main subject, it nevertheless contributes to the exposure and shame of the heresy of the iconoclasts, which perverts the mystery of the economy of Christ. For whoever degrades the image degrades the original image itself, because these two objects have similarities and relationships with each other in the eyes of sane people. But let us now approach the Cross and enjoy the number of its praises. The Cross of all treasures is the most valuable treasure, the Cross is the firmest refuge for Christians, the Cross is the lightest yoke for the disciples of Christ, the Cross is a comforting consolation for grieving souls, the Cross is a stumbling-free guide to heaven. The height and breadth of the Cross is the truest measure of the vault of heaven. The strength and power of the Cross is the death of all enemy power. The appearance and image of the Cross is the most pleasant decoration of all objects. The rays and shine of the Cross are the brightest radiance of the sun. The grace and glory of the Cross is the most beautiful gift of all gifts. The cross is the peacemaker of heaven and earth. The name of the Cross is sanctification, especially pronounced with the lips and heard with the ears. By the cross death was put to death and Adam received life; The apostles boast of the cross, martyrs are crowned and saints are sanctified. By the cross we put on Christ and put off the old man. By the cross we, the sheep of Christ, are gathered into one sheepfold and destined for the mansions above. With the cross we drive away our enemies and erect the horn of salvation. By the cross we subdue passions and prefer a higher life than a human one. He who wears the Cross on his shoulder becomes an imitator of Christ and also receives glory with Christ. At the sight of the Cross, the angel triumphs, and the devil is put to shame. The thief, having acquired the cross, moves from the cross to paradise and, instead of predatory prey, receives the kingdom. Depicting the Cross on oneself drives away fear and returns peace. He who is protected by the Cross does not become the prey of enemies, but remains unharmed. The lover of the Cross hates the world and becomes a lover of Christ. Oh, the Cross of Christ, the greatest glory of Christians. Oh, the Cross of Christ, the chosen subject of the apostolic preaching. Oh, Cross of Christ, royal crown of martyrs. O Cross of Christ, the most precious adornment of the prophets. Oh, Cross of Christ, the most brilliant illumination of the whole world. Oh, Cross of Christ! I turn to you, as if to a living being: protect those who glorify you with a fiery heart; save those who with faith accept and kiss you. Guide your servants in peace and right faith. Grant everyone the privilege of achieving the joyful day of the Resurrection, protecting hierarchs and kings, monks and hermits in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages Amen. You might be interested in: