The Feast Of The Holy Cross Of Varak

(Photo Caption: Monastery of the Holy Cross of Varak)

This Sunday, the Armenian Apostolic Church will solemnly observe the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak. This sacred day is commemorated not only as a national, historical, and spiritual remembrance, but also as a living message that continues to inspire each of us. The Cross stands eternally as the sign of divine love, sacrifice, and hope, a reminder that through Christ we can endure and triumph over every trial in life.

The Cross is the symbol of victory. It proclaims that suffering and hardship are never the final word. Through the Cross, Christ conquered death and bestowed resurrection upon the world. This truth calls us to view every challenge not as a dead end, but as a path leading toward light, renewal, and new beginnings. When we bear the difficulties of our lives with patience and faith, the crosses we carry become sources of blessing, strength, and salvation. As Simon of Cyrene, who bore Christ’s Cross on the way to Golgotha, testifies: “The Cross in your life is the greatest blessing. If you bear it rightly, it will turn to gold. That morning, the Cross I carried placed my feet on a path that led me to the greatest eternal treasure… On Golgotha, I found the Savior. The Cross I committed to carry for Christ brought me eternal blessing. Blessed are those who willingly take up their cross and follow Christ” (Archbishop Vazgen Archbishop Keshishyan, The Path of Conversion, Holy Etchmiadzin, 2015, p. 54).

The Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak also teaches us the steadfastness of faith. For centuries, the relic of the Lord’s Cross was preserved despite persecution and war. This enduring witness reminds us that our faith, too, must remain firm and unshakable in the face of trials.

In our own time, when the world is marked by uncertainty, fear, and countless challenges, the message of the Cross resounds with even greater urgency: never lose hope. The Cross calls us to be partners in love, to sow goodness, and to uphold justice. A heart that carries the meaning of the Cross cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of others.

May the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak be an occasion for us to renew our faith, draw strength to overcome adversity, and restore our hearts in the spirit of love. May the Cross guide our steps toward truth, peace, and light in order that we may live with faith, walk with hope, and act with love.

Deacon Mikayel Margaryan