Misterium Świętego Krzyża
Mystery of the Holy Cross

Summary/Abstract: The mystery of the cross was present in the world and in human life even before the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The power of the cross was realized in the Old Testament in the form of symbols and images as an anticipation of the past mystery. Only by the power of the holy cross could a sin, which after the fall of man violated his nature and rendered him incapable of realizing his humanity, be stopped and annihilated. The pre-images and symbols in the Old Testament regarding the saving mystery of the Cross of Christ were fulfilled with the birth of the God-man Jesus Christ and the realization of his saving work. The Son of God has accomplished our salvation through the cross, accepting the fullness of our fallen nature, identifying with us. The crucifixion of Christ made the cross the most holy sign and gave it extraordinary, divine power. In the cross, as a visible sign, the mystery of holiness, deification and sanctification of all creation is hidden from the eyes of humanity. Salvation came to us through the cross. The whole divine Trinity participates in this work: „The Father is crucifying love, the Son is crucified love, the Holy Spirit is the invincible love of the cross,” says Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow. The cross reveals the saving divine mysteries for each of us in accordance with the thought of the Apostle Paul: „For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”(1 Cor 1:18 NRSV).

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