When you see the cross on the church, at a crossroads, be reminded that: we are orthodox. Every time you see the Holy Cross, be reminded that you were baptised in this faith, that your godfathers said the creed for you, that you should live a life closer to Christianity. When you see a cross you should think “My mother is the Orthodox Church, my father is Christ and my sister is the Mother of God”- what a blessed family has the Lord gave to me!  

Each time you see the sign of the Holy Cross you should wonder: “Did I do my prayer in the morning?” “Or I didn’t?” When you see the sign of the Holy Cross, wonder: “Have I been to church last Sunday? Or I haven’t?” When it’s Wednesday and you see the sign of the Holy Cross, ask yourself: “Have I fasten today or I haven’t?” When you see the sign of the Holy Cross you should wonder “Since when I haven’t done charity”, “when was the last time when I fed a stranger?” “When was the last time when I bought a pencil, a notebook for a family with children starting school? This is the meaning of the Holy Cross! We place it here, on the steeple of the church, with this purpose: to remember we are Christians!”

I would ask you, when you see the sign of the Holy Cross, stop for a moment, and make the sign of the Holy Cross. If you are a man, uncover your head and say “I am an orthodox!” And, of course, when thinking about it, little by little, you will feel the need to pray, to fast, to confess your sins, go to Church and everything a Christian does.

(Translated from Cuvânt rostit Duminică, 23 august, la sfârșitul slujbei de sfințire a troiței din Parohia „Sfântul Mare Mucenic Gheorghe“ din satul Topile, comuna Valea Seacă, Protopopiatul Paşcani)