Tye greatest Homily on the Precious and Life-Giving Cross

By St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, A.D. 395

“We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, but to those who are called—Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:23–24)

Behold the wood of the Cross—not a symbol of shame, but the banner of victory.

Once it was the instrument of execution, now it is the tree of life.
Once it was a curse, now it is a crown.
Once it held the condemned, now it holds the King.

This Cross—this holy and precious wood—was not chosen by accident.
By a tree we fell; by a tree we rise.
The Cross is the reversal of Eden, the answer to death, the glory of the Church.

It is from this altar, not made by human hands, that the Blood of the Lamb was poured—not in symbol, but in truth.
By this Blood, demons tremble, sins are forgiven, and hell is plundered.

What did Christ do upon the Cross?
He embraced it. He ascended it willingly, like a priest to His altar.
He did not cry out for escape, but for mercy.
He said not “Destroy them,” but “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).

O wisdom beyond understanding!
What the devil thought was victory, God turned into eternal defeat.
He caught Satan with his own weapon: pride.
He broke death by death.
He conquered sin by becoming sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21).

Therefore, let no man be ashamed of the Cross.
Let no Christian flee from the Cross.
The Cross is our boast, our hope, our resurrection, our light.

Wherever the Cross is lifted high, the devil flees.
Wherever it is signed upon the body, the angels gather round.
Wherever it is preached, hearts are pierced—not by sword, but by love.

For Christ did not come to be served, but to serve—and to give His life as a ransom for many.
And that ransom was paid here: not in gold or silver, but in blood—holy blood.

So I say to you today, brothers and sisters:
Adore the Cross.
Cling to the Cross.
Let it be ever before your eyes.

For it is not just wood.
It is the pulpit of Christ.
It is the ladder to heaven.
It is the judgment seat of mercy.

And when you make the sign of the Cross, do it not in haste or habit, but with reverence.
You are invoking your redemption.

As St. Paul said, “May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

This, then, is our glory.
Not that we are strong, but that Christ was crucified.
Not that we are righteous, but that He was made sin.
Not that we have overcome, but that He has overcome in us—through the Cross.

To Him be glory and dominion, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.