• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Monday, January 30, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Metropolitan of Sweden: Fear and joy reveal the deeper meaning of the mystery of the Cross

Sep 13, 2022 | 15:31
in Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Metropolitan of Sweden: Fear and joy reveal the deeper meaning of the mystery of the Cross

“Our mortal mind cannot interpret the mystery of the Incarnate Logos’ sacrifice, just as it cannot comprehend His kenosis or self-emptying as we term it in English, and His humility” stressed Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden in his sermon on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

And he continued “My dear brethren, fear, and joy reveal the deeper meaning of the mystery of the Cross, which symbolizes the concept of χαρμολύπη, which can be loosely translated to mean sweet sorrow or happiness intermingled with sadness. It refers to the spiritual condition that reflects or should reflect the permanent ethos of the Orthodox Christian mentality and Orthodox Christian truth”.

Read below the sermon of Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We gathered today, on this most solemn and radiant feast day of our Lord commemorating the Universal Exaltation of the Holy and Lifegiving Cross, so that we may jointly confess our common faith in Christ the Life-giver, and partake of the Cup of life. On today’s feast, the Church invites us to venerate the Holy Cross, as the faithful did during the time of St. Helen, who discovered it, and with the guidance of Patriarch Macarios, identified it so it could be exalted before the people, who gathered to venerate it.

One of the hymns in today’s feast calls upon all of us – clergy and laity alike – to venerate the Holy Cross with joy and fear. Relying on these two internal states, which appear to be opposites at first glance, the sacred hymnographer of the Church invites us to stand before our Lord’s Cross with feelings of elation and awe.

Initially with joy, because the Cross serves as the source of Christ’s victory over the demonic forces and death, while it also became the instrument of salvation and hope for the human race. However, the veneration of the Cross must also be conducted with a sense of fear. Here, the term fear holds a theological meaning. It doesn’t refer to the emotional state caused by some danger or threat. It refers to the fear that overcomes the human soul when events and circumstances in life surpass human limitations and capabilities, and cause the soul to be overcome with marveling, surprise, and awe.

Turning our attention back to aforementioned hymn, the hymnographer calls upon us to approach the Holy Cross with awe, because it was upon this instrument of punishment, which was thought to be shameful during that era, that Christ the God-man, Who is without sin, willingly affixed Himself and suffered the most anguishing and humiliating of condemnations so that He could wash away our sins. He willingly accepted to endure this deep pain, which was the end result and consequence of human failure.

The Passion of our just and forbearing Lord, which He voluntarily endured for the salvation of mankind, naturally evokes a sense of fear. Our mortal mind cannot interpret the mystery of the Incarnate Logos’ sacrifice, just as it cannot comprehend His kenosis or self-emptying as we term it in English, and His humility. Therefore, the only way to approach this singular event of Divine condescension and love is through fear and joy.

One medium that aids us in understanding Christ’s awesome contribution and gift to all humanity is today’s festal hymns, as well as the prescribed fast, which resembles that of Good Friday. In this manner, the appropriate climate is created to enable the faithful to come to the realization that Christ’s voluntary sacrifice of Himself is no ordinary event, nor can it be explained in human terms.

My dear brethren, fear, and joy reveal the deeper meaning of the mystery of the Cross, which symbolizes the concept of χαρμολύπη, which can be loosely translated to mean sweet sorrow or happiness intermingled with sadness. It refers to the spiritual condition that reflects or should reflect the permanent ethos of the Orthodox Christian mentality and Orthodox Christian truth. Let us not forget that the Cross holds a prominent position in the life and faith of Orthodox Christians. It is depicted in our iconography, it is showcased in our churches, and it is formed by the faithful everywhere during prayer.

The frequent act of crossing of ourselves throughout all our worship services is not something we do mechanically, nor is it devoid of substance. On the contrary, it expresses the two internal states that every faithful Christian is experiencing or should be experiencing. Χαρμολύπη is our ethos, our life.

St. Silouan would say that the Cross of the Lord grants hope and the ability to overcome the hell of failure, because it opens up prospects for us to observe life and experience it, overcoming hell and Hades.

In our daily struggle, let the Lord’s words ring clearly and triumphantly: “In the world you shall have tribulation; but take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Besides, we must not forget that even the simplest faithful Christian expresses the state of χαρμολύπη through the sign of the Cross.

I express the humble wish that we may all derive spiritual joy from today’s feast, since we all confess that: “behold, through the Cross joy has come to the entire world.” Let us all boast in Christ, as St. Paul the Apostle did: “but God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).

This is a boast that is made not with sentiments of egotism and pride over being superior to others, but because our Savior Jesus Christ Himself, Who went up on the Cross, calls us to a life and freedom and love. As we venerate the Holy Cross, let us reiterate the words of the sacred hymnographer, crying out: “O Cross of Christ, save us through your power!” Amen.

Tags: Metropolis of SwedenMetropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

Celebration of Epiphany and Cutting of the Vasilopita in Iceland
Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Celebration of Epiphany and Cutting of the Vasilopita in Iceland

January 16, 2023
Metropolitan of Sweden to make his 7th pastoral visit to Iceland
Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Metropolitan of Sweden to make his 7th pastoral visit to Iceland

December 30, 2022
Metropolitan of Sweden to make pastoral visit to Kalmar
Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Metropolitan of Sweden to make pastoral visit to Kalmar

December 28, 2022
Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden visited Gothenburg Parish
Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden visited Gothenburg Parish

December 27, 2022
Flooding and damage to the facilities of the Holy Trinity Church in Gothenburg
Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Flooding and damage to the facilities of the Holy Trinity Church in Gothenburg

December 22, 2022
Metropolitan of Sweden welcomed Pontian Carolers to Stockholm Cathedral
Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Metropolitan of Sweden welcomed Pontian Carolers to Stockholm Cathedral

December 19, 2022
Load More
Next Post
Archbishop of America welcomed the new Consul General of Greece in New York

Archbishop of America welcomed the new Consul General of Greece in New York

Latest News

Pilgrims from Ioannina to the Theological School of Halki

Pilgrims from Ioannina to the Theological School of Halki

by NewsRoom
Jan 30, 2023 | 18:54
0

A group of fifty pilgrims from Ioannina visited the Holy Theological School of Halki on Sunday, January 29. The...

The feast of the veneration of Apostle Peter’s sacred chain at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (VIDEO)

The feast of the veneration of Apostle Peter’s sacred chain at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (VIDEO)

by NewsRoom
Jan 30, 2023 | 17:31
0

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of the veneration of the Holy chain...

School Feast of the Three Hierarchs in Birmingham

School Feast of the Three Hierarchs in Birmingham

by NewsRoom
Jan 30, 2023 | 14:23
0

With poems, music, and dances, the Three Hierarchs were celebrated on Sunday, January 29, at the Greek Orthodox Community...

Memory of Three Holy Hierarchs

Memory of Three Holy Hierarchs

by NewsRoom
Jan 30, 2023 | 13:52
0

Our Church and the ecumenical Greek education celebrate today the memory of the Three Holy Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers,...

Archbishop of Australia: The Three Hierarchs belong to the Great Fathers of the Church

Archbishop of Australia: The Three Hierarchs belong to the Great Fathers of the Church

by NewsRoom
Jan 30, 2023 | 13:44
0

Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited the Orthodox Day Schools for the beginning of School and the Feast of The...

Metropolitan of Ioannina officiated at the Patriarchal Church in the Phanar (PHOTOS)

Metropolitan of Ioannina officiated at the Patriarchal Church in the Phanar (PHOTOS)

by NewsRoom
Jan 30, 2023 | 13:08
0

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was present in prayer from the Holy Altar during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday 29...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT