Holy Cross Celebrates Patronal Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
On the week of the patronal feast of Holy Cross Monastery, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Archimandrite Seraphim and brotherhood were honored to receive an archpastoral visit by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen).
On Thursday September 26th, His Eminence led the celebration of the feast-day Vigil, at the conclusion of which he performed the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross. A reception was offered afterwards for the brotherhood and pilgrims in the monastic trapeza.
The next day, despite the wind and rains lashing the monastery from Hurricane Helen, many local clergy and faithful joined Vladyka and the brotherhood for the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. At the Little Entrance Hieromonk Gabriel (Hooten), the monastery dean, was elevated to the rank of igumen.
After the Dismissal, Metropolitan Jonah gave a homily on the meaning of the Cross. Quoting the Holy Apostle Paul, Vladyka emphasized that the Cross will always be foolishness and a scandal to the world, whose “wisdom” and “power” are built on hatred as evidenced in the terrible conflicts and atrocities convulsing today’s world. However, our Lord Jesus Christ is the true power of God and the wisdom of God. This divine power and wisdom are most perfectly expressed in His Cross, which is a symbol of His love. Thus, when we embrace our own cross, we commit ourselves to a life of sacrificial love for God and neighbor. Thereby, we are gradually transformed and so liken ourselves to Christ, that we may be found like Him when He comes in His glory.
Following the Thanksgiving Prayers, a festal banquet of traditional Lebanese fasting cuisine was served by beloved monastery friends and benefactors Julian & Jihad Saad, parishioners of nearby Holy Spirit Antiochian Orthodox Church. May God reward them, and may He ever compass us about with power of His Precious and Life-Giving Cross, preserving us from every evil!
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