The Season of the Holy Cross I Sep 14 to Oct 30

We are into the last season of our Liturgical Calendar for the year, from the Feast of the Cross to Koodosh Etho. The emphasis is on Second Advent, End of the world, Eternal Life – Eschatology as “we wait in and for the blessed hope – “the glorious appearing of our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2: 13). The importance here is to the last paragraph of the Nicene Creed, “we look forward for the resurrection of the dead and the life eternal to come”. The period of the Cross denotes the symbol of the revelation or manifestation of our Saviour (Rev. 21: 1). By the Cross of our Lord, the earthly race of Adam has been saved. The cross becomes a strong wall for the faithful holy Church in the all parts and all directions of the world. It will drive out schisms and splits, evil divisions and bickering, and scandals and shame, from her and will counsel peace and tranquility in her forever. The Holy Cross teaches us that through pain and suffering patiently, we shall see the fulfillment of our hopes: the heavenly inheritance and eternal glory. ‘Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven’.

Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine found the Holy Cross of Christ, with great wonder, on the 14th of September and the Church exalted its feast on 14th September each year. The Cross of our Lord was veiled from the faithless people, but it was shown to by God, through Queen Helena and its rays cause to shine upon the earth. It was an unshaken shelter, for all the faithful. The Church venerates and honors it, because it saved her from ignorance about and lack of communion with the true God, and through it she inherits the eternal kingdom. The Cross of light has shone forth in the world for the salvation of all. And by the splendor of its rays the world has been illuminated, so that we can to find comfort, refreshment, and rejuvenation under the Life-giving Cross. This Cross of Light is the gateway portal between darkness and light, between this world and the world to come, the world of the Eternal Life. As soon as our perishable personality is willing to be attached to this Cross of Light, the immortal soul within us will resurrect in the light of the heavenly realm.

However, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be the end of history and the beginning of Eternal Life. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory (Mark 13: 26).” ^“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21: 27).

How do we prepare for the end of the world?

We should not be afraid or shaken in mind. ‘not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come’. (2 Thess. 2:  2)

We should not be concerned as to how and when the world will end, but should be watchful, vigilant, and prayerful at all times, obediently and awaiting in faith, His Second Coming. 

Diligently doing our duties, encouraging one another. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thess. 5: 11). May all the faithful children of the Holy Church be protected and sheltered under the wings of the Life giving, Precious Holy Cross