Reflections on September 11th

2025Reflections
Written By Kevin Morton

Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow, Icon in Light

September 11, 2025

Dear friends and faithful of Holy Cross,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I’m sure many of us feel overwhelmed today as we recall the tragic events from 24 years ago, when unimaginable suffering was inflicted on innocent people during the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Add to that the senseless violence and the killing of a young man on a college campus in Utah. How can we make sense of this violence and discord? Where do we find comfort and solace amid the constant reminders of darkness, division, hatred, and evil that seem so prevalent in our world?

I found myself feeling quite numb yesterday afternoon, so I walked into the church to pray. At that time, the sun was shining through one of the high windows directly onto the icon of the Theotokos, Joy of all Who Sorrow, where confessions are held. It felt as if the Theotokos herself was gently reminding me of her prayers—she is the one who is quick to hear, who understands suffering and sorrow. I recall that after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Archbishop Dimitri of blessed memory asked us to add the beautiful hymn “Beneath your compassion” to the end of our services during that time. It is a beautiful hymn to the Mother of God, asking for her intercession in our sorrow. This hymn is among the earliest recorded hymns in church history, dating back to the mid-third century.

“Beneath your compassion, we take refuge, Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessity but deliver us from harm O only pure, only blessed one.”

We fervently ask for her protection to shield us in our distress. As she stands before her Son and our God, as our Mother, these prayers gain great favor from the Master.

Of course, we also ask Christ for His prayers, as the One who suffered the unimaginable death on the Cross Himself. I couldn’t help but think about our upcoming feast this weekend, where we hymn and glorify this “weapon of peace.” It is through this Cross that “joy has come into this world!”

The Cross remains steadfast, and the world revolves around it. The Cross is the axis upon which the universe turns, giving life and light to this dark, death-filled world. I was reading the hymns we sing as we come to venerate this wood of the Cross this weekend, and I found strength and encouragement in them today:

Today, the Master of the creation and the Lord of glory is nailed to the
Cross, and His side is pierced; and He who is the sweetness of the
church, tastes gall and vinegar. A crown of thorns is put on him who
covers the heaven with clouds; He is clothed in a cloak of mockery.
He who formed man with His hand, is struck by a hand of clay. He
who wrapped the heaven in clouds, is smitten upon His back. He
accepts spitting and scourging, reproach and buffeting; and all these
things my deliverer and God endures for me that am condemned, that
in His compassion He may save the world from error.

Today He who is by nature unapproachable becomes approachable for
me, and suffers His Passion, thus setting me free from passions. He
who grants light unto the blind is spat upon by the mouths of
transgressors, and He gives His back to scourging for the sake of those
that are captive. When the pure Virgin, His mother, beheld Him upon
the Cross, she cried out in pain: “Woe is me my child! Why has Thou
done this? Thou, whose beauty was fairer than that of all mortal men,
does appear without life and form, having neither shape nor
comeliness. Woe is me, O my Light. I cannot bear to look upon Thee
sleeping, and I am wounded in my most innermost self, a harsh sword
pierces my heart. I sing the praises of Thy Passions. I venerate Thy
merciful kindness: Glory to Thee, O long-suffering Lord.”

Rejoice O Life-Bearing Cross, the invincible banner of godliness, the
gate of paradise, the protection of the faithful. The Cross is the might
of the Church. Through it corruption is abolished. Through it the power
of death is crushed, and we are raised from earth to heaven. The
invincible weapon of peace! The Cross is the enemy of demons, the
glory of martyrs, the haven of salvation, which grants to the world
great mercy.

O marvelous wonder! The Cross which carried the Most High as a
cluster of grapes full of life is seen today exalted high above the earth.
Through the Cross we are all drawn to God, and death has been
forever swallowed up. O undefiled wood, through you we enjoy the
immortal fruit of Eden, as we glorify Christ!

Today, the Cross of the Lord goes forth, and the faithful welcome it
with love: and they receive healing of soul and body and of every
weakness. Let us kiss it with joy and fear: with joy, for upon it Christ
the Lord was in His great mercy crucified, who grants the world
salvation.

The Cross is the guardian of the universe; the Cross is the beauty of
the Church; the Cross is the strength of kings; the Cross is the support
of the faithful; the Cross is the glory of the angels and the wounder of
demons.

He who died on this Tree is the Savior of the world. He is our life. He is the ultimate victim who chose not to be victimized by his aggressors. In our sorrow, dear ones, let us not fall into the temptation of fighting evil with evil, but fighting evil with good. The devil wanders around like a lion seeking his prey. When we give in to hatred and despair, we fall prey to darkness and evil. Let us echo Saint Paul, who said boldly, “God forbid that I should glory except in the Cross of our Lord!” which the hymns for the feast say, “by which he killed our passions by his Passion. Let us, then, firmly hold fast to the cross of the Lord, which is the glory of all of us. For this wood is our Salvation, the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace!” 

In XC,

Fr. Christopher

Kevin Morton
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