The Cross is the guardian of the whole world; the Cross is the support and staff of the faithful; the Cross is the beauty of Church of Christ; the Cross is the mighty strength of kings; the Cross is the glory of Angels; it is the wounding of demons.

The third Sunday of Holy and Great Lent is called "The Veneration of the Cross." At the Vigil of that day, after the Great Doxology, the Cross is brought in a solemn procession to the center of the church and remains there for the entire week--with a special rite of veneration following each service. It is noteworthy that the theme of the Cross which dominates the hymnology of that Sunday is developed in terms not of suffering but of victory and joy. More than that, the theme-songs (hirmoi) of the Sunday Canon are taken from the Paschal Service--"The Day of the Resurrection"--and the Canon is a paraphrase of the Paschal Canon.

Lord have mercy (40 times)

O Christ Our God, Who at all times and at every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are worshiped and glorified, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; Who love the just and show mercy to the sinners; Who call all men to salvation through the promise of the blessings to come: Do You, the same Lord, receive also our supplications at this present time, and direct our lives according to Your Commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with Your holy Angels so that being guarded and guided by their presence, we may arrive at the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your ineffable Glory; for Blessed are You unto the ages of ages. Amen.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever thing are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever thing are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever thing are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, thin on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

The Holy Scripture and the early Church Holy Fathers are absolutely clear on the importance of faith as an outset of one's journey towards salvation: "He that "believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (St. Mark 16:16). "But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (St. John 1:12-13).

I am confident that everyone is aware today, that there is not very much said about our God-given conscience and its significance in our life in Christ. The conscience is the moral law given to us by Our Lord God. Everyone has it. The conscience is the voice of God in a man's soul. The conscience is the foundation of morality in all humanity. Conscience is created by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ acting within us. Once a Christian acquires it, an alarm is sounded in his heart and mind whenever he comes close to improper actions, thoughts, lack of love or charity towards others, false ideas, and deviations from our Faith.