Articles

The most important sacrament of our Church, and one of the most frequently used, is the sign of the cross. Whenever we use it, we are reminded of the sufferings and death of our Blessed Saviour. It is the symbol of our deliverance and the emblem of

the mercy of God giving redemption to sinful man. It is made from above downward and from left to right with fingers in the form of a cross. No ceremony in liturgy is performed without the sign of the cross. A priest

confers blessings by the cross. In administration of all the sacraments, this sign is employed many times. The sign of the cross is made over water at its blessing. In the Holy Liturgy or Mass, the celebrant makes the sign of the cross very frequently over the people, the Sacred Host, and the Precious Blood. The Church teaches that the cross is a summary of the faith and salvation. It reminds us that we are the brethren of Jesus Christ and it is our strong weapon in our fight against evil. The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church teaches the faithful to venerate the cross. It is one of the insignia of the ordained clergy. A priest or a bishop always holds it in his right hand and offers it to the faithful who kiss it with deep recollective piety.

The faithful use the cross as a pious decoration and understand its devotional value. They proclaim their love for it in various ways. Primarily, a cross is attached to a cord or fine chain, and is worn around the neck by all Christians from childhood until death. The faithful also adorn their clothes and ornaments with marks of the cross. They bear cross-shaped tattoos on their foreheads, their chests, around their necks and their arms.

After death, a cross made out from wood, metal or stone is placed over graves to show that the cross is not only a symbol of death and suffering, but also a sign of resurrection and life.

Those who use the cross without piety and only for its decorative value have lost its true meaning. Crosses used in this manner are as worthless as the crosses used to crucify the two convicted robbers on either side of Jesus. They had no healing powers.

The true, genuine and holy veneration, the grandeur, magnificence and solemnity with which Eritrean Christians treat the cross will never be realized by any one unless he/she witnesses the ancient and ageless holiday of MESQUEL(Cross).

Rhus Be'al Meskel ygberelna..

May the love of the Cross be with all of us!!!!