{"id":26999,"date":"2025-03-17T15:03:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T15:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=26999"},"modified":"2025-03-17T15:03:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T15:03:07","slug":"st-peter-news-march-18-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-march-18-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News March 18, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Third Sunday of Great Lent
\nVeneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
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The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil<\/h4>\n

Venerable-martyr Nikon of Sicily and with him 199 disciples<\/h4>\n
\"Elevation<\/p>\n

Elevation of the Precious and Life Giving Cross<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. This Sunday’s theme is that in the cross of Christ crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24). On this Sunday in the middle of the Lenten season, the cross stands in the middle of the church, not merely to remind the faithful of Christ’s redemption and for them to keep the goal of their Lenten efforts, but also as a reminder: “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38).<\/p>\n

Historical theme<\/strong><\/p>\n

The historical theme, as seen in the hymnology, is the victory and joy of the cross, not the suffering. The Church fathers equate the life-giving cross with the tree of life and plant it in the middle of the Lenten pilgrimage. It was the tree that was planted in Paradise; it is to remind the faithful of both Adam’s bliss and how he was deprived from it.<\/p>\n

Personal theme<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the catechumens of the early church, and the faithful preparing for Pascha today, the spiritual theme starts to change from personal faith, and personal effort, to Christ. The Church teaches that it is Christ’s cross that saves. One cannot take up his own cross and follow Christ unless one has Christ’s cross which he took up to save mankind. Partaking of this tree, one will no longer die, but will be kept alive.<\/p>\n

This is done to refresh, reassure and to encourage those participating in Great Lent. The Church equates the appearance of the cross at this time to the banners and symbols that precede the return of a victorious king. The Epistle reading is from Hebrews 4:14-5:6 and explains Christ’s priesthood, and the Gospel lesson from Mark 8:34-9:1 ends with And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”<\/p>\n

From Orthodoxwiki website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Fr. Thomas Hopko on “Taking Up Your Cross”<\/h2>\n
\"Fr.<\/div>\n

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.<\/p>\n

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Listen here:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/div>\n
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Services and Events This Week<\/h2>\n