THE CROSS - A VICTORY OVER EVIL, SIN, SATAN AND DEATH
Fr. Andrew Maginas, ST. CATHERINE, W. Palm Beach, FL

The Ecclesiastical -Church- year began on September first. It is ironical that we celebrate a new Church year and new beginnings at the same time that the school year is beginning. No matter how hard the anti-Christian forces in our society attempt to separate us from our churches- we continue to cross paths with our faith in our daily lives.

The feastday of the Elevation, also called the Exaltation. of the Holy Cross is one of the two occasions during the year that the Church focuses attention on the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Savior. The Cross reminds us first of Holy Friday when Christ hung on a cross, shed His blood, and died that we might live. On that first Holy Friday the cross meant blood and death. After Jesus’ resurrection on the third day; the cross was transformed into a symbol of victory and glory. A victory over evil, sin, Satan, and death. Glory for Jesus Christ who rose from death on the third day, Easter Sunday (Pascha). Important for all believers is the fact that we -all of us- share in Christ’s victory and glory. The message of the cross tells us that all who believe in Christ’s work of redemption shall not perish but have eternal life.

Orthodox Christians wear a cross rather than some astrological symbol, or other non-Christian symbol. We place our faith in Christ. We believe in the power and grace of the cross, not in the foolish and superstitious teachings of astrology. The Orthodox do well to wear their baptismal cross, rather than symbols such as “eyes.” What distinguishes the Christian from the non-believer is that the Christian places his or her full trust in a living, personal and just God - while the non-believer often believes in fate, superstition, and luck.

The feastday of the Elevation of the Holy Cross is set aside as a day of prayer and fasting. The faithful bring cuttings from Basil plants (vasiliko) to the services for the ceremony marking the discovery of Christ’s cross by St. Helen. The importance of the Cross is evident in that this is a special day of fasting and that we repeat the ceremony of the cross on the Sunday after the feastday for the benefit of the many parishioners and their children who are at work or school.

You will note in the calendar that with the beginning of the new Church year many activities are resuming which had been dormant during the summer months. Please take advantage of the various ministries and programs available to you through our parish. This year Greek School has added Saturday also.

Parents, your children cannot participate in the many offerings of the parish without your support and encouragement unless you happen to live on the same block as the Church - allowing your children to walk safely to the parish. Unfortunately none of our families live that close. It is therefore your responsibility not only to encourage your children’s participation but to facilitate it by bringing them faithfully, and on time, just as you most certainly do in their public (or private) school.

The Sunday School program must be your number one concern. Your children will remain in the faith as adults when only if they know their faith and live it both at Church and home. If their attendance is irregular and if they arrive late they know that it is really not very important to you and that is how they will feel also. After all, you do make sure that they arrive at public school, Greek School and dance practice on time, that you arrive at your job on time, and that you get to the movies on time. Please make sure that you are not telling your children one thing and through your actions actually teaching them another. May God bless our new Church year!