Welcome! 

St. Luke Orthodox Church is a vibrant, spiritual home to a growing community located in Anniston, Alabama, serving all of Calhoun County and East Alabama,

Everyone is welcome to visit, pray and worship at our parish. 

1415 Woodstock Avenue

Anniston, AL. 36207

Upcoming Services

Saturdays

Great Vespers, 4 pm

Sundays

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

Wednesdays during Lent

Presanctified Liturgy, 4 pm

This icon used for the Third Sunday of Lent—the Sunday of the Adoration of the Cross—is rich with symbolism. It is not simply depicting the crucifixion; rather, it shows the Cross already victorious, being honored by heaven and offered to the faithful as strength in the middle of Lent. 

1. The Cross at the Center

At the center stands the three-bar Orthodox Cross.

• Top bar – the title board placed above Christ (“INRI” in Western tradition, but written differently in Orthodox iconography).

• Middle bar – the beam where Christ’s hands were nailed.

• Slanted footrest – symbolizing the judgment of humanity:

  • the upward side points toward the repentant thief who entered Paradise

  • the downward side toward the unrepentant thief.

In this icon there is no corpus of Christ, because the Cross is being shown as the instrument of victory, not the moment of crucifixion. The Church is contemplating the Cross already glorified.

2. The Cross Planted on Golgotha

At the base of the Cross is a small dark cave with a skull.

This represents Adam’s skull, according to ancient Christian tradition that Christ was crucified over the tomb of Adam.

The meaning is profound:

• Adam fell → death entered the world.

• Christ dies on the Cross → death itself is destroyed.

So the Cross stands as the Tree of Life planted in the grave of humanity.

3. The Angels

On both sides are two archangels reverently bowing toward the Cross. These are traditionally understood to be:

• Archangel Michael

• Archangel Gabriel

They hold staffs and incline toward the Cross in liturgical veneration.

This shows something very important:

Even the angels worship the Cross because through it Christ defeated death and saved creation.

4. The Heavenly Witnesses Above

In the upper corners appear seraphim and cherubim—the higher ranks of angels.

Their presence means:

• The event of the Cross is not only earthly.

• Heaven itself participates in the mystery of salvation.

The entire cosmos stands in awe before the Cross.

5. The Sun and Moon

Often in icons like this (sometimes faint or stylized) you see the sun and moon.

They symbolize creation itself reacting to Christ’s death, recalling the Gospel:

“The sun was darkened.” (Luke 23:45)

Creation mourns the death of its Creator.

6. Why This Appears in the Middle of Lent

The Great Lent places this feast exactly at its midpoint.

The Cross is brought out for veneration because:

• The fast is difficult.

• The Church gives the faithful strength and encouragement.

Just as a traveler rests under a tree in the desert, the faithful rest spiritually beneath the Cross before continuing the journey toward Pascha.

7. The Spiritual Meaning

The icon teaches three things:

1. The Cross is victory, not defeat.
Christ conquers death through suffering.

2. The Cross restores humanity.
It stands over Adam’s grave, healing the fall.

3. The Cross strengthens us in the struggle.
In the middle of Lent, the Church says:
Look to the Cross and continue the journey.

March 1st, 2026