🕃 Commemoration of the Appearance of the Sign of the Precious Cross over Jerusalem; The Holy Martyr Acacius.
Saint with Six Stichera.
1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35.
Read John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35
The one who knows God will follow the Lord’s footsteps, bearing the cross of the Saviour. It is said, “The world is crucified to him and he to the world.” The Lord says, “He who loses his life will save it.” We can “lose our lives” in one of two ways. First, we can risk our lives just as the Lord did for us. Secondly, we can separate our lives from the customary things of this world. Bearing the cross means to separate our souls from the delights and pleasures of this life. If you do this, you will find your life again – resting in the hope of what is to come. Dying to ourselves means being content with the necessities of life. When we want more that these necessities it is easy to sin. (St. Clement of Alexandria in The One Who Knows God)
When the first creature was shut out from Paradise, An order was given to the Cherubim to guard the road; But take My cross On your shoulders, and thus go into Eden with haste. If the sword of the Cherubim did not see you wearing the title rights of the inscription, The sword of flame which stands guard would consume you But, taking the inscription of My cross, robber, Walk up to the Cherubim, And they will know the symbol of life and they will give into your hands The power to open and to lead My friends Into Paradise. (The Kontakia of Romanos, On the Adoration at the Cross)