The cross is a symbol of pain, but also of resurrection and joy!

 

Bishop Parthenius, Abbot of Bigorski

Sermon by His Eminence, Bishop Parthenius, Elder and Abbot of the Holy Bigorski Monastery, delivered at the Holy Liturgy on the Feast of the Cross in Rajcica, after the reading of the Holy Gospel, 14/27 September 2020 Year of Our Lord.

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34).

My dear ones, we were just reminded through the reading of the Gospel, of the tragic event that took place at Golgotha ​​of that time. We heard of the sufferings and the Cross our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ willingly suffered in total humility, for the salvation of each one of us. Therefore, today we honour and glorify the Holy and Honorable Cross, celebrating its discovery by the Holy Empress Helena and Exaltation before the whole nation.

Previously we heard Apostle Paul’s thoughts about the cross: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). Who, in fact, are the ones who perish? Those are the people who have conformed to the king of this world; people who can not understand the mystery of the Cross, because that mystery is great and miraculous and it requires self-sacrifice in order to be understood. The world can not understand how the Christian can live with his enemies, and not only live but love them; also when offended, to retaliate with love; when struck on the cheek, to turn the other side. It is incomprehensible to the world how the Christian constantly strives to overcome himself, his egoism, to respect and love others.

On the contrary, the world is preparing and arming us with the following teachings: “If someone attacks you, immediately strike back; If someone treats you in a way that you think is rude or beneath you and your social status, then you reciprocate. If someone insults you, you return with triple insults”. Respond to evil with the even greater evil. And our Savior says: Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (Matthew 5:38-41). This is the greatness; here is the greatness of the mystery of the Cross!