Speaking at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan offered a poignant reflection on the spirit of self-sacrifice.
His thoughts were especially appropriate in light of the previous day’s solemn anniversary, marking 20 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks. “Who could forget the terrible events of 9/11? The collapse of the Twin Towers, and the loss of thousands of innocent people,” the Bishop said. “So much of it happened just a short distance from where we stand. But people everywhere were affected.”
He spoke in St. Vartan Cathedral on the evening of Sunday, September 12. On the major feast day known as Khatchveratz in the Armenian Church, the Primate led area clergy, deacons, and faithful in a service to bless the “four corners” of the world.
At the center of the service was a special treasure of St. Vartan Cathedral: a large ceremonial cross containing a relic of the True Cross of Christ. The sliver of wood visible in the reliquary is held to have come from the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
A Miracle of Self-Sacrifice
In summoning memories of 20 years ago, Bishop Daniel recalled one account told by a group of people who survived the collapse of the World Trade Center. In the North Tower, when the 93rd floor was hit, a group of 14 people found themselves trapped on the 89th floor. All seemed lost—until a group of four New York City firefighters arrived, broke down the door to open the exit stairway, and ordered the 14 people to flee down the steps.
“But as the grateful survivors escaped onto the streets, they realized that the firefighters were not with them,” said the Primate. “Instead of fleeing down the escape staircase, the firemen had gone up, to find and rescue others.” Those brave heroes saved more than 70 people from death. But they lost their own lives on that terrible day.
Bishop Daniel told this story, then implored his listeners: “Dearly beloved, reflect on this miracle of self-sacrifice. Those firefighters knew the risk to their own lives—but still they went up higher. They did so for one reason: so that others could live.”
He continued: “This is the true meaning of the Holy Cross. Jesus Christ too went up: up onto the cross. He gave his life so that we would be saved. Instead of living his life on this earth, he followed God’s will and ascended the cross, knowing he would suffer pain and death. But in following God’s will, Christ also knew he would give his life for us to live—and live eternally.”
The Primate drew a comparison with the similar spirit shown by the 9/11 firefighters.
“Look at the example of self-sacrifice they showed to the world 20 years ago! Sadly, that spirit does not seem to be as vivid in our present world. Even in a time of crisis like we’re in now, there is so much selfishness. Too many people follow the erroneous principle of thinking first of themselves, and leaving the leftovers to others. But that kind of selfishness is contrary to the spirit of the Holy Cross—contrary to the will of God.”
A Sign to the World
He suggested that as human beings, we must be attentive to the signs that reveal to us, and nourish in us, God’s true will. The Holy Cross, he said, is such a sign:
“Today, we worship before this Holy Cross. But wherever we go, whenever we see a cross, it should be a reminder to us, a sign, of the spirit we have embraced as Christians: the spirit of self-sacrifice. That attitude should strengthen in our hearts every time we see the sign of the cross. It’s the spirit that inspired those firefighters on 9/11 to go upward. It’s the spirit Jesus taught us when he went up on the cross to suffer torture and death—so that we would be saved, and live eternally.”
“Even when the world is falling down around us, we must go higher. As children of the Armenian Church, we have a very intimate experience of that spirit. As a people we have experienced terrible things—whether in history or in the present day—but we have not lost faith. In spite of every setback, we have tried to rise, to go up higher, for the sake of others. It should be an example and sign to the entire world, whenever people like our ancestors, or the heroes of 9/11, lift up the Holy Cross of Christ.”
Bishop Daniel delivered his sermon in Armenian (the extracts above are translated) in the sanctuary, before he and a retinue of priests, deacons, choir members and faithful processed out to the plaza, to surround the relic of the Holy Cross. Following the outdoor antasdan service, in which all prayed for God’s blessing on the world and its people, worshippers were invited to approach the relic for veneration. A reception concluded the gathering.
Click on the following link to view a gallery of photos by photographer Albin Lohr-Jones.
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Albin Lohr-Jones, Gilda Kupelian, Steve Nigohosian, and Chris Zakian contributed to this article.