Prayer of the Holy Cross

This pattern is based on manuscript, a Four Gospels book from the beginning of the 16th century. The Cross is one of the most precious and meaningful items for Christians. The cross, once a tool of death, has become a means to life, an instrument of salvation. It gives strength to resist temptation, to refrain from gossip or harsh words, and to dispel fear. St. John of Kronstadt confessed that

We honor the Cross with such reverence that we make mention of its power in our prayers after asking for the intercession of the Mother of God and the Heavenly Powers, before asking for that of the Saints, and sometimes even before asking for that of the Heavenly Powers? Because after the Saviour's sufferings, the Cross became the sign of the Son of Man, that is, the Cross signifies the Lord Himself, incarnate and suffering for our salvation.

            This particular prayer is part of the prayer rule before going to sleep and has protection power against all evil forces. I have explored this theme through a variety of visual appearances. This particular work is the first to commemorate the Cross and was completed on September 14, 2009, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The Cross also is celebrated during the third Sunday during Lent. I combined illumination patterns from Bulgarian manuscripts with gold and red colors.