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The community of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone, New York welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on the evening of Thursday, April 9, for the Orthros of Great and Holy Friday, the Service of the Twelve Gospels. Celebrating alongside His Eminence was Proistamenos Fr. Nicolaos Paros.
In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the Cross to which the parish is dedicated, as the faithful concluded their hearing of the Twelve Gospels recounting the arrest, trial, and Crucifixion of the Lord. His Eminence offered a series of images for what Christ made of the Cross: a compass, a ship’s mast, a ladder, a bridge, and, finally, a pulpit — from which the Lord preached His last seven utterances to all humanity.
“As we leave the Service of His Passion this evening, the Lord remains upon His Cross, in His Pulpit,” His Eminence said. “Pay close heed to His sermon. Let it fill your heart and soul and mind. You will then find that this Pascha will be a real resurrection of your life, your love, and your spirit.”
> Read His Eminence’s full homily here
On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas.
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