THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD-KHACHELOOTIUNN KRISDOSEE

Fr. Garabed Kochakian

Jesus' Crucifixion, Armenian Miniature. (Source: Kilikia.weebly.com)

Holy Scripture unveils the Crucifixion with prophetic precision. The 53rd chapter of Isaiah paints the Suffering Servant—despised, pierced, and burdened with humanity’s sins—a portrait fulfilled centuries later in Golgotha. As the Gospels testify, every detail of Christ’s Passion echoes divine promise. 

In his Commentary on the Diatessaron, the 4th-century saint Ephrem the Syrian (whose words resonate in both Syriac and Armenian tradition) captures the paradox of the Cross: 

"The Lord vanquished death through His cry upon the wood. While death sought to bind one Man, those nail-pierced hands shattered our chains. The Cross, an instrument of shame, became a fountain of life. Death swallowed His body like a starving beast—only to vomit forth Life itself, for what it devoured was undigestible Light."

This cosmic triumph is eternally proclaimed in the sacred Icon of the Crucifixion, where sorrow and glory intertwine: 

The Icon’s Revelation

At its center hangs the Crucified Lord, His halo inscribed with the Cross—marking Him as "God the Son, Messiah, and Savior.” Behind Him looms Jerusalem’s walls, for He died "outside the gate" (Hebrews 13:12) at Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull." 

Beneath His feet lies Adam’s skull—a stark reminder of Paul’s words: "As in Adam all die, so in Christ, all shall be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22). The New Adam’s blood drips upon the old, sanctifying the very ground where humanity fell. 

The Witnesses

- To His left: the Birth-giver-of-God, Mother Mary, supported by holy women. Her anguish mirrors Simeon’s prophecy: "A sword will pierce your soul" (Luke 2:35). 

- To His right: St. John the Beloved, whose grief foreshadows his later revelation of the Lamb "standing as if slain" (Revelation 5:6). 

- Behind John: Longinus the Centurion, his finger pointing upward in awe. At Christ’s last breath, he would cry: "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39)—a confession echoing the Gentiles’ future faith (Matthew 8:11). 

The Heavens Weep

Above, angels veil their faces (cf. Isaiah 6:2), for even the celestial hosts cannot fathom the cost of redemption. The sun darkens (Amos 8:9); the earthquakes (Matthew 27:51). Yet the icon’s golden background defies the gloom—declaring that God’s glory shines brightest in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

The Hour of Victory

As Armenian faithful gather between the third and ninth hours (9 AM to 3 PM) on Great and Holy Friday, they remember: this is not defeat. The Cross is Christ’s throne, where "He disarmed the powers of darkness" (Colossians 2:15). The blood that stains Golgotha’s soil will soon glisten on resurrection morning—for the One who cried "It is finished" (John 19:30) is even now preparing to trample death by death.