By Archimandrite Tryfillios Onesiforos
In a chilling and festive atmosphere at the same time, on the afternoon of Friday the 13th of September, at the Holy Cross Church of Strovolos, the Great Archieratic Vesper was held on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Cross, officiated by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus. In this festive Vesper, Bishop Gregory of Mesaoria co-officiated, while there participated clergy of the archdiocesan district.
In his sermon, the Archbishop emphasized to the congregation of the city capital that “only through the Cross will the true joy, uninterrupted and unfinished come into our lives”.
In our souls, all believers must place this sacred symbol in a “prominent” position, because it has contributed to our salvation. The devil was trying to dishonor the Lord with the crucifixion. And as our Lord was crucified, the devil thought that he would win and lead Christ to Hades eternally. He was unaware that there would be his own death, his own grave…
Christians on a daily basis must be shielded through this bishopric symbol, which is no other than the Cross. So let us do all our work and finish with the sign of the Divine Cross. Because by elevating and worshiping the Holy Cross, we venerate and glorify Christ, who was crucified on the Cross.
And about what we have heard in our schools lately about the symbols of our religion, we say that our people are Orthodox and honor and bear the Cross on them. And in most cases, if our students carry a simple cross or rosary on them, no one has the right to remove them.
“Don’t be afraid. So many conquerors passed through our island, and all of them were driven out by the Grace of the Cross. In this case as well, the Cross of Christ will defeat them…”
