Vigils Reading – Exaltation of the Holy Cross

THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

From a treatise by St John Chrysostom1

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Isaiah made it clear that Christ will raise up all men when he said: “The

dead shall be raised up again, even those in the tombs shall be raised up. For

the dew from you is healing for them.” That was not all. After his cross, after his

slaughter, his glory will shine forth more brightly; after his resurrection, he will

advance the message of his Gospel still more.

He was bound, betrayed by an apostle, spat upon, outraged with insults,

scourged, nailed to the cross, and, as far as the Jews were concerned, he did not

deserve to be buried in a tomb. His executioners divided his garments. They

suspected that he aspired to be a king, and he died for it. “For everyone who

makes himself king, sets himself against Caesar.” They suspected him of

blasphemy, and he died for it. “Behold, you have heard his blasphemy.”

Even though he would undergo all these torments, he roused up those

who would listen, he stirred them to courage by saying: “Do not be afraid

because of these things which they did to me. I was crucified, I was scourged, I

was outraged and insulted by robbers, I was arrested on suspicion of blasphemy

and of being a king. But after my death and resurrection, people will look on my

sufferings in such a way that no one will say that they were not filled with

abundant value and honor.”

Certainly, this did come to pass. And a prophet predicted it long

beforehand when he said: “There shall be the root of Jesse, even he who rises

up to rule nations. In him nations will put their trust, and his resting place shall

be glorious.” This kind of death is more glorious than a crown. Certainly, kings

have laid aside their crowns and taken up the cross, the symbol of his death. On15

their purple robes is the cross, on their crowns is the cross, at their public

prayers is the cross, on their weapons is the cross, on the sacred table of their

altar is the cross. Everywhere in the world, the cross shines forth more brightly

than the sun. “And his resting place shall be glorious.”