The Shape of Your Salvation

In this season of Holy Great Lent, we confront one of Christ's most challenging commands: "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me". But what is your cross? This homily explores the deeply personal, yet universally shared, mystery of the cross, reminding us that since each soul's burden is unique, we must follow the instruction of St. Ephraim the Syrian and seek to see our own transgressions, not to judge our brother. In today’s homily, Archbishop Irineos assures us that divine love transforms this difficult path into a bearable and salvific journey, and urges the faithful to heed the solemn warning of the Church Fathers: if we refuse to willingly carry our cross, it will instead carry us toward spiritual peril. May God, by His Grace, enable each of us to to identify our cross, embrace the struggle with joy, and understand why this sacred instrument is nothing less than the very shape of our salvation.