Q. Orthodox pilgrimage routes often point out various holy springs. What is significant about them? What kind of water is in them? How should we use it?

Q. Andrei, are there many wonderworking (miracle-working) icons in the Church? Is such a designation appropriate? And how can we explain it?

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. First Tone

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

In a third war fought by Constantine the Great with the Scythians along the River Danube, the weapon of salvation appeared in the heavens (sky), bringing victory as it had before. Thus, he became convinced of the power of Christ, Who was crucified upon the Cross. Believing in Him as the Only True God, he was baptized together with his praiseworthy mother Helen, who was full of love for God. It was Helen whom he sent to Jerusalem with great riches to search for the Precious and Holy Cross.

On the holy Feast-Day of the Exaltation of the Cross, September 14th, we call to mind as Orthodox Christians Christ's Life-Giving death on the Cross, which He underwent for the salvation of each one of us.

As the psalmist says, "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned" (Psalm 39:3). One of our God-bearing Fathers taught us about this, saying, "Strive as hard as you can to ensure that your inner labor is according to God's will, and you will conquer the outward passions." The great Paul, urging us on in the same direction, says, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Elsewhere he exhorts, "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth" (Ephesians 6:14). For the contemplative part of the soul strengthens and supports the part concerned with desires, and chases away fleshly lusts...