Dear brothers and sisters!

Today, in the middle of Great Lent, the Holy Church brings the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord to the middle of the temple — to strengthen us on the path of our spiritual feat.

Bearing one's cross is not the sole lot of chosen righteous people. It is a natural path of every Christian, commanded to us by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Both hierarchs and priests and laymen — all of us are called not to look for easy evasions but to learn to bear our life crosses humbly.

Christianity is not a religion of comfort. It is the hardest labour of spiritual life. There was a reason why ancient ascetics said, 'Give your blood and receive the Spirit.'

The Lord allows a cross for each of us according to our strength. But this cross is never accidential. It is given to us for salvation, for the cleansing of heart, and for the person to learn to trust God fully.

It is particularly important to keep spiritual sober-mindedness on one's cross path. When a person falls into pride and arbitrarily takes on himself someone else's cross, an unbearable one, a disaster occurs. We see it both in history and in our contemporary life, when a person's own will is put higher than the will of God and starts to be portrayed as a feat.

A Christian is called to bear humbly that very cross which is allowed for him by God. Yes, this cross is never easy. But we do not remain alone in bearing it. Our merciful Lord always stands by us: He strengthens us, makes us wiser, supports us in minutes of weakness and despair. He helps us to bear our crosses till the end.

Therefore, let us not lose heart. The Gospel reveals a great truth for us: the darkness and loneliness of Golgotha are inevitably followed by the light of Resurrection.

May the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord strengthen us on the path of Great Lent. I wish all of us strength, patience, and inexhaustible help of God in living the rest of the Holy Forty Days.

Happy feast!
We  worship Thy Passion, O Christ!