The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross was commemorated today with millennia-old Athonite tradition at the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, on the semi-autonomous monastic community of Mt. Athos.
The Divine Liturgy was officiated by Archimandrite Elder Ephraim, the Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, and co-officiated by other Vatopedi Elders.
A litany of the True Cross and Holy Relics followed around the catholicos (main cathedral) of the monastery, with Vatopedi Elders chanting the Apolytikion of the Sunday of the Holy Cross.
First Tone: “Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.”
The Sunday of the Holy Cross is commemorated on the third Sunday of Great and Holy Lent, where the Orthodox Church celebrates the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This year’s commemoration comes days after a decision by the Mount Athos council to ban the arrival of visitors and pilgrims to the monastic community, a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak.
READ MORE: The Causes of the Pandemic – photo journal from the Sunday of the Cross (Audio)
Photos : asceticexperience.com
