Fast of the Cross Day 1

Fast of the Cross Day 1

Admin: The inclusion of this event in the online calendar is for educational purposes. Please follow the guidance from one's spiritual father. The Fast of the Cross is not found in the Hudaya Canon of Mor Gregorios bar Ebroyo and is not presently one of the fasts currently in vogue within the SOC worldwide.In the Syriac Orthodox tradition, the mystery of the Holy Cross is understood as a living reality. The life of a Christian, and indeed all of creation is inexplicably linked through liturgical time with the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. The Cross is our key to deification, opening the door to paradise wherein all the types and symbols of the Cross are fulfilled. With this in mind, St. Ephrem the Syrian expounds: "The Cross is our weapon and wall, it is our life and light. The Cross reconciles and renews everybody, it consecrates and sanctifies everyone The Cross has become a breakthrough by which the two sides which were angry are reconciled." (HDisp. XX,2)Ultimately, we are taught by the saints that the Holy Cross permeates the liturgical life of all members of Christ's body in the Church, and it is through the Cross that salvation is enacted within the Holy Sacraments: "Everything in the Church is consecrated, completed and perfected by the Cross: holy chrism, baptism, communion, ordinations, altars, sanctuaries, prayer houses and others. As Mor Severus the Patriarch and teacher of the universe said in his homily on the Cross, the Cross consecrates the new birth from baptism, completes and perfects the sacrifice which is rational and bloodless and all the service of priesthood and holy ministry. Why is everything in the Church consecrated and perfected by the Cross? Because the Cross portrays Christ Who consecrates all and is not Himself consecrated. Despite the presence of other symbols of Christ in the Church, it is through the Cross that the whole economy was completed. Through it, we received salvation and deliverance." (Mor Severios Moshe bar Kepha, as quoted and elaborated by St. Dionysius Yac'ub bar Salibi, referenced in Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, 'The Sign of the Cross'. Pro Oriente Syriac Dialogue V 2003)