{"id":207007,"date":"2018-09-17T23:04:48","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T20:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=207007"},"modified":"2018-09-17T23:05:08","modified_gmt":"2018-09-17T20:05:08","slug":"the-cross-is-the-sign-of-salvation-patriarch-daniel-at-caraiman-monastery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/the-cross-is-the-sign-of-salvation-patriarch-daniel-at-caraiman-monastery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cross is the sign of salvation \u2013 Patriarch Daniel at Caraiman Monastery"},"content":{"rendered":"

While addressing the believers present Friday on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Caraiman Monastery, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said that \u2018the Holy Cross is the sign of salvation\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross out of love for humans, so that we could gain eternal life, salvation.<\/p>\n

The Patriarch noted that Christ the Lord conquered Old Adam\u2019s disobedience through his obedience to death, \u2018fulfilling the will of the Father who sent Him to be the Saviour of the world.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018He showed Himself humble unto death so that He may heal and correct the sin of our first parents Adam and Eve, who sinned through their disobedience to God.\u2019<\/p>\n

Christ on the other hand \u2018became obedient unto death because the Old Adam, urged by the devil, desired to become like God but in disobedience to God, in the breaking of the loving communion with God,\u2019 His Beatitude said Sept. 14.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Daniel cautioned that we often repeat this sin \u2018when we disobey God, when we lack humility, pridefully considering ourselves better or smarter than others and forgetting that all our virtues, intelligence, beauty, spiritual and physical power come from God the Giver.\u2019<\/p>\n

Love is stronger than sin<\/h4>\n

During his homily, the Patriarch of Romania referred to Christ\u2019s love manifested on the Cross saying that this love is \u2018stronger than hatred, sin, death, the devil and hell.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018This humble, and yet almighty love manifested in Jesus Christ is symbolized by the sign of the Holy Cross.\u2019<\/p>\n

That is why \u2018the Holy Cross is a sign that is dreadful to demons because they see the humble Christ crucified; they, who are proud, see the Merciful and Forgiving One crucified; they who are evil see Christ the Holy One.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018When we cross ourselves,\u2019 the Patriarch noted, \u2018we summarise hundreds and thousands of theology books speaking about God\u2019s love shown in Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world.\u2019<\/p>\n

Christ was crucified because of hatred<\/h4>\n

The patriarch went on to refer to Christ\u2019s forgiveness and patience since he did not respond to the wickedness of those who crucified him.<\/p>\n

\u2018Our Saviour Jesus Christ was crucified because of envy and hatred, but he did not respond to evil with evil, to hatred with hatred. He answered with a humble patience and forgiveness.\u2019<\/p>\n

That is why Jesus did not curse his persecutors, but he prayed for them saying, \u2018Father, forgive them for not knowing what they are doing.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Every time we make the sign of the Holy Cross we refer to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,\u2019 the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church said adding that \u2018in Christ\u2019s love on the cross the humble love of the Most Holy Trinity was made manifest\u2019.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Daniel ended his speech by presenting historic details about the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross.<\/p>\n

Caraiman Monastery<\/h4>\n

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Hermitage was founded in 2000 during the stewardship of Patriarch Teoctist Arapasu.<\/p>\n

A first wooden chapel was consecrated in 2001 in honour of the Protection of the Mother of God.<\/p>\n

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross main church was consecrated by Patriarch Daniel on Sept. 14, 2014.<\/p>\n

The Caraiman Hermitage was elevated to the rank of monastery in 2008.<\/p>\n