The Cross - The Story
How was the Cross of Jesus' Crucifixion discovered?
Three crosses were found and dug up from the ground in Jerusalem. A deceased person was laid on each cross and when he was laid on the Cross of our Lord Christ he arose from death.
"the sign of victory that was given to the Christians for strengthening... that is in Paradise, whose sweet-smelling branches give life to everyone... the sign of salvation that Constantine saw shining in the midst of the heaven." (Psali, sung in the Feast of the Cross during Raising morning/evening of Incense)
What is the sign?
The Cross
When should we remember the Cross? And what should come to mind when we remember the Cross?
In all times and places.
God's love for us, and His sacrifice of His only-begotten Son for our salvation from our sinful nature.
St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." What power is he talking about?
The power that comes from belief in the Cross, which is the belief that the Son of God suffered and died to pay the penalty for our sins of His own will and love for us.
Who was Pope Demetrius before he became a patriarch?
A vinedressed and farmer
Who legalized Christianity, what was the name of the edict, and why did he do it?
Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan (313 AD). Constantine was fighting in war with another Roman general to be king of Rome. On the battlefield his army was losing. He prayed to the Lord and then the Lord showed him a silhouette of the Cross blocking the sun. The Lord told him, "by this sign you shall win this war". By the will of God Constantine won the war and made Christianity legal right after.
"Christianity without a Cross is really not Christianity”.
Which Pope said this about Christianity?
HH Pope Shenouda III
What does it mean to "take up your cross" (Matthew 16:24)?
It is a call to discipleship that means a follower must deny themselves, prioritize God's will over their own, and willingly endure life's difficulties out of obedience and love.
Luke Chapter 6:37 says, "Do not judge, and..."
"... you will not be judged."
A catechumen is a believer in Christ who is being prepared by the Church to become a member of the body of Christ. St. Demetrius paid great attention to growing and improving the catechetical school of Alexandria. He appointed prominent scholars as deans to oversee the school and ensure it continued its leading role in educating believers.
Who made the journey to Jerusalem to look for the Cross, and why did they decide to make this journey?
Empress Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, made the journey from Rome to Jerusalem to search for the Cross. After Constantine became emperor, she became a servant of the Lord by helping the poor, building churches, and journeying to Jerusalem to uncover the Cross.
What did Jesus' Crucifixion teach us about our relationship with God?
Jesus taught us that God loves us more than we could ever know, and would sacrifice anything, even His only-begotten Son, for our sake. This taught us the depth of God's love for us even at our worst and most sinful condition.
How can the Cross help us fight against temptation?
When we make the Cross, Satan is terrified and remembers his greatest defeat, and so he is ashamed and runs away. Thus all the sons of God constantly use the sign of the cross, considering that it is the sign of conquest and victory, that it is the power of God.
Luke 6:39 reads, "He also told them this parable: 'Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?'" What is the meaning of this parable?
This parable talks about proper spiritual teaching and cautions against following those who lack true spiritual insight, because they will lead everyone to ruin. The parable shows us the need for self-examination before correcting or teaching others.
When was Pope Demetrius alive? Why did the people dislike Pope Demetrius?
189-232 AD
Because he was illiterate (could not read or write) and for this reason people thought he was not smart or educated enough to be their leader.
Who was Isaac the Samaritan, and how did he come to believe in the Cross?
A Samaritan called Isaac, as he was traveling with his family to Jerusalem, made fun of the people for going to Jerusalem to worship a piece of wood. Among the people was a priest named Okhidus. While travelling, they became thirsty. They came to a well where the water was foul and bitter. Isaac mocked them, saying, "If I witness a power by the name of the Cross, I will become a believer of Christ." The priest Okhidus was moved with divine zeal and prayed over that foul water and made the sign of the Cross on it, and it became sweet. All the people and their animals drank, but when Isaac drank, the water was bitter and wormy. He regretted and cried and came to the saint, Father Okhidus, bowed down at his feet and believed in the Lord Christ. Then he drank from the water, and he found it sweet.
Why did Christ die for us?
It was the sacrificial atonement for our sinful nature which was inherited through Adam and the original sin. Because sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), by atoning for our sins, Christ gave us SALVATION and LIFE. He lifted God's divine justice from us.
Name four reasons we make the sign of the Cross.
1. We remember the love of God for us, who accepted death instead of us, in view of our salvation. 2. We remember our sins. 3. We remember the divine justice. 4. We declare our discipleship to Jesus. 5. We declare the Trinity. 6. We declare the Incarnation and Redemption of humanity through Christ. 7. We remember forgiveness. 8. We remind ourselves of the Christian teachings. 9. We preach Christ's death to others. 10. We remember that the result of sin is death. 11. It gives us power to resist temptation.
In Luke 6:48, Jesus says about the person who practices His words, "They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." What does this mean?
The one who follows Jesus' words will never be destroyed or swept away because Jesus' words are the truth, and the way to eternal life.
How did God reveal the holiness of Pope Demetrius?
After praying the liturgy, Pope Demetrius asked the people to stay at the church, and he asked the deacon to bring him the censer with a burning charcoal. He put the lit charcoal on his garments and his wife’s clothes but it did not burn them.
Which of the Jews helped Helena find the Cross? How did he help?
When St. Helena came to Jerusalem, and asked the Jews about the whereabouts of the Cross, they did not inform her. The Jews said, "We will not show the cross even if we have to die." So, she kept asking around until she found a Jewish man named Judas. He denied her at first, but when she kept asking, he helped her and prayed saying: "O Lord the Pantocrator, the Lord of hosts, who is sitting on the Cherubim, show us. O who measured the heavens by the span of His hands and the earth with His fist, show Your Cross for the glory of Your holy name."
Name three reasons why it was necessary that Jesus be sacrificed on The CROSS.
Jesus had to die publicly for all to see, so that they may believe in His Resurrection (On the Incarnation §23). Jesus died with His arms openly spread, to unite all peoples, Jew and Gentile, in His Death (On the Incarnation §25). Jesus died to defeat the prince of the power of the air, Satan (Ephesians 2:2, “you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.”
Why do we make the sign of the Cross during the administration of the Holy Sacraments (baptism, confession, communion, etc.)?
Because they all have their source in the merits of the blood of Christ on the Cross. We could not enjoy the blessings of any mystery from the mysteries of the Church without the Cross
Name two Bible verses that talk about the Cross.
Galatians 2:20. Galatians 5:24. Galatians 6:14. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18. Colossians 1:20. 1 Corinthians 2:2. Luke 14:27. Romans 6:6. 1 Corinthians 2:8
Pope Demetrius became very learned and helped to calculate the Epact Formula. What is the Epact Formula, and is it still used today?
A specific calculation used to determine when to start fasting and to set the date for the feast of resurrection each year. This was eventually approved by the Council of Nicaea and is still in use today.