• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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

Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated Sunday of Adoration of Precious and Life-giving Cross

Mar 23, 2020 | 11:45
in Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated Sunday of Adoration of Precious and Life-giving Cross

© Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, March 22, 2020, was celebrated by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as Sunday of the Adoration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has designated for this Sunday the veneration of the Holy Cross with a special service, so that the faithful may be strengthened by its protection for the remaining of the fasting during Great Lent.

At the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, this feast was celebrated as Parresia with Great Vespers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the afternoon, led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

On the day of the Feast, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the All-Holy Tomb, again led by Patriarch Theophilos, with the co-celebration of Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishops Theophanes of Gerassa, Theodosios of Sebastia, Demetrios of Lydda, Aristovoulos of Madaba, and Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and deacons, as the chanting was delivered by the Byzantine choir leader Hierodeacon Simeon on the right and Vasilios Gotsopoulos on the left. The service was attended by monks and nuns of the Patriarchate, members of the Greek Consulate in Jerusalem and only a few faithful of the city of Jerusalem, due to the restriction measures for the protection against COVID-19 virus.

The Divine Liturgy was followed by the Litany three times around the Holy Sepulchre and the shrines. After the Litany, Patriarch Theophilos read a prayer against the infectious disease before the Holy Tomb.

Concluding the Services, the congregation returned to the Patriarchate Headquarters, where Patriarch Theophilos briefly addressed the few Fathers and faithful present, wishing the strength of the Precious and Life-giving Cross may help the tackling and eliminating of every disease and infliction of the evil one.

Read the full address of Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem:

“Today the words of the Prophet are fulfilled: for see, we worship at the place on which Thy feet have stood, O Lord; and tasting from the Tree of salvation, we have been delivered from our sinful passions at the intercessions of the Theotokos, o Thou who alone lovest mankind”, the hymn-writer of the Church proclaims (Triodion, Third Sunday of Lent, Matins, Canon 3, hymns of the Cross).

Today my dear brothers and sisters our Holy Church celebrates the Veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is for our comfort and strengthening in order to go through Great Lent in fasting and repentance.

Christ’s Cross is not only a symbol of victory and triumphs against the devil, but it is also the incarnation of the righteousness in Christ and of our redemption from the corruption of death, namely of sin, as St. Paul proclaims by saying: “And you, being dead in your sins… hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:13-15).

Interpreting these words, St. Chrysostom says: “With His death on the Cross, Christ stripped the powers and principalities on the one hand; and on the other, He humiliated the evil powers and put them in shame”. In this sense, Christ’s Cross is the means “by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11) according to Paul.

In other words, the Precious Cross is the means of the divine mystery of atonement and reconciliation of us humans with God, as St. Paul preaches: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

Behold, therefore, why the Cross is the source of the power of the Church, but also its boast, St. Paul confesses, by saying: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). And according to St. Cyril of Alexandria, the Cross of the Saviour stands for the life of the world and its incorruption” (Sofon. 621.20).

This means that through the Cross and by the Cross, life in Christ is made understood, according to the Lord’s word: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). In other words, the word of the Cross is God’s power just as the Gospel of Christ is God’s power, leading to the salvation of anyone who believes, according to Paul (1 Cor. 1:18, Romans 1:16).

Our Holy Church has called us to the communion of this power of the Cross, through the veneration of the Precious and Life-giving Cross in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre today, the third Sunday of Great Lent, so that we may be deemed worthy to celebrate also the Life-giving Resurrection of our God and Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Whose mercy and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit may be with all of us. Amen.”

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem

© Patriarchate of Jerusalem
© Patriarchate of Jerusalem
© Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Tags: Patriarch Theophilos of JerusalemPatriarchate of Jerusalem

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

Announcement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to Greek pilgrims in Jerusalem and surrounding areas
Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Announcement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to Greek pilgrims in Jerusalem and surrounding areas

June 13, 2025
Patriach of Jerusalem: We pray for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Patriach of Jerusalem: We pray for peace in Gaza and Ukraine

June 10, 2025
Saturday of Souls celebated at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (VIDEO)
Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Saturday of Souls celebated at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (VIDEO)

June 7, 2025
Visit of the Patriarchal School of Sion pupils to Patriarch of Jerusalem
Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Visit of the Patriarchal School of Sion pupils to Patriarch of Jerusalem

June 7, 2025
The President of the SYRIZA party visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The President of the SYRIZA party visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

June 6, 2025
The feast of Saints Constantine and Helen at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (VIDEO)
Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The feast of Saints Constantine and Helen at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (VIDEO)

June 4, 2025
Load More
Next Post
The Heads of Orthodox Churches sent their own messages to the faithful in the time of coronavirus

The Heads of Orthodox Churches sent their own messages to the faithful in the time of coronavirus

Latest News

Patriarch of Romania: Sanctification of humankind was the purpose of Pentecost

Patriarch of Romania: Sanctification of humankind was the purpose of Pentecost

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 22:02
0

Patriarch Daniel of Romania explained that the Sunday of All Saints follows immediately after Pentecost because “the purpose of...

The Archbishop of Albania at the Theological School of Halki

The Archbishop of Albania at the Theological School of Halki

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 16:28
0

On Monday, 16 June 2025, the newly elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, John, paid an official...

Archbishop of Albania warmly welcomed by Megalo Revma Community

Archbishop of Albania warmly welcomed by Megalo Revma Community

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 15:00
0

On the evening of Sunday, June 15, the Megalo Revma Community had the distinct honor of welcoming Archbishop Ioannis...

Metropolitan of Maroneia expresses solidarity with Patriarch of Jerusalem amid Middle East tensions

Metropolitan of Maroneia expresses solidarity with Patriarch of Jerusalem amid Middle East tensions

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 14:20
0

Metropolitan of Maroneia and Komotini recently reached out by phone to Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem concerning the recent...

Blessing Ceremony and Family March held at St. Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia

Blessing Ceremony and Family March held at St. Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 12:50
0

On June 15, 2025, with the blessing of Metropolitan Daniel of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch, a water blessing service...

Serbian Patriarch celebrates Divine Liturgy on All Saints Sunday in Zemun

Serbian Patriarch celebrates Divine Liturgy on All Saints Sunday in Zemun

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 11:50
0

On June 15, 2025, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Mother of...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

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

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

Terms Of Use

© 2025 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