Chapter 1

To the Reader

The study concerning the precious Cross that I wrote at the request of His Eminence the Metropolitan of Athens and President of the Holy Synod, Theokletos, for the refutation of the erroneous opinions and beliefs of people who have been led astray, who possess an intellect yet complete ignorance of the historical manifestation of the precious Cross, etc. Having accepted the proposal of His Eminence, we composed the present study, which we published in the periodical Hieros Syndesmos of the sacred association of the same name. We are publishing this study again with some additions, so that we may disseminate it to a wider circle and make known to the Greek faithful of the Church the historical truth concerning the origin of the manifestation of the precious Cross, its discovery, and its veneration as the precious Wood and as the saving instrument in the saving oikonomia that was accomplished.