This Sunday, March 31, is the third Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.
The readings from Holy Scripture are: John 21:15-25 (11th Matins Gospel), Hebrews 4:14-5:6 (Epistle), and Mark 8:34-9:1 (Gospel).
Concerning this day we are told:
“… the Holy Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is placed in the middle of the Fast, as the ancient tree of life was placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. By this, our Holy Fathers wished to remind us of Adam’s gluttony as well as the fact that through this Tree has condemnation been abolished. Therefore, if we bind ourselves to the Holy Cross, we shall never encounter death but shall inherit life eternal”.
from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website at goarch.org/sunday-venerationcross
