Simple Black Orthodox TriBar Cross | Nail My Passions to the Wood of Thy Precious Cross O Lord | Orthodox Christian Embroidered Knit Beanie

...after the Saviour’s sufferings, the cross became the sign of the Son of man, that is, the cross signifies the Lord Himself, incarnate and suffering for our salvation.

+ St. John of Kronstadt

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When Thou didst set upon the Cross, О Word, the luminaries, not bearing to shine, dimmed their rays; the earth quaked, and the rocks split asunder; the majesty of the temple was rent in twain; the graves opened, and the dead arose; Hades released all who were below, and the demons were vanquished; and death was reckoned by all to be but sleep.

When the good-hearted thief beheld Thee, the fruitful Vine, О Christ, he became a better thief and yet more skilled, for with a few words he quite simply stole the forgiveness of ancient offenses. Let us all, then, make haste to emulate him, crying aloud: Remember us also, О Lover of mankind!

Truly Thy divine Cross shineth like a star in the sky, О Christ, burning up the demons, shedding light upon the faithful, and casting shame upon the faces of those who crucified Thee. By it Thou didst lead our first parents forth from the slavery caused by the tree which was the image of the Cross, and in the desert didst cause Thy people to suck forth honey from the rock.

- Tone 2, Tuesday Vespers, Lord I Have Cried