Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: September 14

The Month of September

Day 14

15. How Christians Should Conduct Themselves When Carrying Holy Icons and Banners in Cross Processions

(Sermon for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Honorable Cross of the Lord. Menaion, September 14)

To the Rural Parishioners

When, brethren, a cross procession goes forth from our church, those of you who undertake to carry the holy icons and banners from the church ordinarily conduct yourselves in a manner that is not entirely becoming. Almost invariably, disputes arise among you over who is to carry what; and then, once you have taken the holy objects into your hands, while waiting for the clergy to come out of the church, you either begin engaging in idle conversation among yourselves or, even worse, begin arguing with one another or exchanging jokes. This is not good—very far from good, brethren!

For a cross procession is a great and solemn act, and when we conduct one, we should not do so with arguments and laughter, but rather with lamentation and tears. For this is what Blessed Symeon of Thessaloniki says concerning the cross procession:

“During cross processions, we offer prayers along roads and at crossroads, so that we may cleanse all the roads and byways that have been defiled by our sins. We raise the sacred icons from the churches, bring out the Honorable Crosses, and sometimes, wherever they are present, even the most holy relics of the saints, in order to sanctify both the people and everything they require for life—that is, their homes, roads, waters, air, and the very earth itself, which is trampled upon and defiled by the feet of sinners.” (ch. 353)

From this it becomes clear that, when conducting a cross procession, we should rather weep and lament over our sins than argue, laugh, quarrel, or engage in improper conversation.

But this is not enough. In order that you may understand even more deeply the truth that we ought to approach a cross procession with genuine humility, self-reproach, and tears, learn what God Himself requires of us during such a procession:

“When the Life-giving Wood of the Cross of the Lord was returned from the Persians to Jerusalem, the emperor Heraclius, dressed in a purple robe adorned with gold and precious stones and wearing the imperial crown upon his head, took it and carried it upon his shoulders to the cathedral church. The emperor was accompanied by the patriarch and, as it is said, by all the people of Jerusalem.
 

When the emperor with the Cross of the Lord reached the city gates, an invisible power stopped him, and despite every effort, he was unable to move from the spot. Everyone was terrified. At that moment, Patriarch Zacharias saw at the gates an Angel shining like lightning, and the Angel prevented the emperor from entering through them. And the Angel said to Zacharias: ‘The Lord did not carry the Wood of the Cross in the manner in which you are carrying it.’
 

Having heard this, the patriarch said to the emperor: ‘It is not pleasing to God that you, clothed in royal garments, should carry the Wood that Christ, who became poor for our salvation, carried. If you wish to bring His Cross into the church, follow His poverty.’
 

Then the emperor removed his purple robe and imperial crown, clothed himself in simple and poor garments, and thereafter, in these garments, and even without shoes, carried the Holy Wood without hindrance and placed it in the church at the place where it had previously stood.”

From this, too, you can be convinced of the truth that God Himself requires us to conduct cross processions with humility and an awareness of our sinfulness.

What shall we say to you in conclusion? We shall say this: no one forces you to carry holy icons and banners in cross processions. You yourselves undertake this good work for the salvation of your souls. Why, then, turn a good work into something destructive?

Where there is a good and holy work, there must be every effort, zeal, and reverent fear. When these are absent, your good work ceases to be a good work.

Take this to heart, O God-loving bearers of the church banners, and do not take offense at us for what we have said to you. Amen.

Questions for Discussion 15

1. With what disposition should we conduct a cross procession?

2. According to the words of Symeon of Thessaloniki, why do we offer prayers along roads and at crossroads?

3. According to the words of Symeon of Thessaloniki, why do we raise the sacred icons from the churches, bring out the Honorable Crosses, and sometimes, wherever they are present, even the most holy relics of the saints?

4. In what clothing was Emperor Heraclius able to bring the Holy Wood into the church?

5. What must be present wherever there is a good and holy work?

 

Source: The Cheti-Minei: Homilies for Every Day of the Year (Book 1: September, October, November) by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. Publication of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, 1896. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.