The Cross in the Orthodox Church

I would now like to share with you the meaning of the Cross in the Orthodox Church. For us, the Cross is not only a reminder of Christ’s suffering, but also the sign of His victory over sin and death.

The Cross is at the center of the Gospel. Saint Paul said: “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called ... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23–24). The Cross is not an accident—it is the very heart of God’s plan of salvation.

On the Cross, Christ bore our sins. The prophet Isaiah wrote: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole” (Isaiah 53:5). Saint Peter says the same: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

The Cross is also Christ’s victory. By dying and rising, Jesus destroyed the power of death. “He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in Him” (Colossians 2:15). What looked like defeat became the greatest victory.

The Cross is the path of discipleship. Jesus said: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). This means that every Christian is called to carry his or her own cross—enduring struggles with faith, patience, and love, following Christ’s example.

The Cross brings life. Jesus said: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32). In Orthodoxy, we see the Cross as the tree of life, because through it, Christ has opened the way to eternal life.

The Cross is our sign of hope. Saint Paul declares: “Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). We wear the Cross, make the sign of the Cross, and place it at the center of our churches—not as a decoration, but as a reminder that Christ has conquered, and we share in His victory.

The Cross is both sacrifice and triumph. It shows us God’s love, frees us from sin, defeats death, and calls us to follow Christ with courage and hope.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

Next Letter: The Resurrection of Jesus.