Divine Liturgy

3rd Sunday of Lent Veneration of the Holy Cross

The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the Lenten season not merely to remind us of Christ’s redemption and to keep before us the goal of our efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which humanity must live to be saved. “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt.10:38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor.1:24).