Metr. Nicolae Reflects on the Meaning of the Holy Cross

CHICAGO — Metr. Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas reflected on the significance of the Holy Cross and its place in the Christian life in a meditation for the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The feast, celebrated near the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, commemorates the discovery of the Cross by Empress Helen and its elevation before the faithful by Patr. Macarios in Jerusalem. Metr. Nicolae noted that the feast is surrounded by Sundays dedicated to the Cross, and because it falls on a Sunday this year, three Sundays in September honor the feast.

Turning from the historical event to Christian discipleship, the Metropolitan focused on Christ’s command that His followers deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Him. He connected this teaching with St. Paul’s description of Christ, who “made himself nothing” by taking the form of a servant.

Metr. Nicolae said that surrendering one’s life to Christ means recognizing that human existence does not possess its ultimate value apart from God. He explained that people discover their true light and worth when God’s love shines through them and when their abilities and efforts are dedicated to proclaiming the truth revealed in the Gospel.

The Metropolitan described the Christian life as a choice between treating the soul as one’s own possession and surrendering it to God in order to receive it back transformed. He urged the faithful to carry two questions throughout the new ecclesiastical year: why the Son of God was lifted up on the Cross, and what that means for each believer personally.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitanate mobilized relief for Colombia.