👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 In Search of the Divine #Cross
Beloved in Christ, today we have celebrated the finding of the Cross by St. Helena. The Ethiopian Orthodox narrative regarding the True Cross is rich, steeped in history, and holds a resonance that echoes in our hearts, much like the great teachings of our church fathers.
👉 The Precursors to the Cross's Discovery
Before Helena's endeavor to recover the cross, it was prophesied in various Ethiopian texts, blending seamlessly with the Biblical narrative. The Kebra Nagast, one of our most cherished writings, hints at the future rediscovery of the cross. Such texts serve as spiritual compasses, guiding the faithful toward greater understanding.
The cross is not simply an instrument of death; in Ethiopian Orthodoxy, it represents the intertwining of mankind’s salvation and Christ’s sacrifice. When we reflect upon Adam, our forefather, it is said that from his burial place at Golgotha, the wood that would form the True Cross sprouted.
👉 Queen Helena's Divine Endeavour
Our narrative is enriched by the dedication of Queen Helena, mother to Constantine the Great. Her pilgrimage to Jerusalem wasn’t just for devotion; it was a divine mission to recover the True Cross upon which our Savior was crucified.
Her quest, fueled by dreams and divine interventions, led her to the Holy Land. With fervent dedication, she oversaw excavations at Golgotha. And lo, three crosses were found. But which was the True Cross of Christ?
It was in the divinely inspired wisdom of a holy man that the True Cross was identified. By touching each cross to a dying woman, the True Cross manifested its sanctity by restoring her to life. Such was its power, such was its grace!
👉 Meskel: The Celebration of the Cross in Ethiopia
We Ethiopians are blessed with the festival of Meskel, an annual reminder of the discovery of the True Cross. This celebration, marked with bonfires and fervent prayers, represents not just the physical finding of the cross, but the spiritual rediscovery of its significance in our hearts. It is a fusion of joy, gratitude, and renewal.
Deep Revelations of the Cross:
1. The Cross as Divine Love's Apex:
In the silent proclamation of the Cross, we hear the resounding declaration of God’s love. Just as our Lord gave himself up for us, we too are called to love sacrificially, reflecting His selflessness. Our love should mirror that of Christ's – boundless, unwavering, and forgiving.
2. The Cross as Our Fortress:
In the words of our venerable Saint Yared, “The Cross is our stronghold.” It reminds us that through Christ’s sacrifice, we have overcome the world, sin, and death. As the psalmist proclaims, we find refuge in the shadow of His wings – and the Cross stands testament to this.
3. Embracing the Cross's Path:
The path of the Cross is one of sacrifice, as Christ himself proclaimed, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” To bear one’s cross is to embrace the sufferings, trials, and tribulations that come with our earthly pilgrimage, always with an eye towards the heavenly reward.
In conclusion, my beloved, the story of the discovery of the True Cross is not merely a historical recounting, but an ever-present call to embrace our faith, to delve deep into the love of Christ, and to remember that through His sacrifice, we find salvation. Like Queen Helena, may we always seek the Cross in our lives, find it, and cherish its divine message.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of The Virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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