John of Damascus
Leo,Bishop of Neapolis in Cyprus. From his book against the Jews, on the Adoration of the Cross, and the Statues of the Saints, and on Relics.
On Holy Images — translated by Mary H. Allies
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¶1
If you, O Jew, reproach me saying that I adore the wood of the Cross as God, why do you not reproach Jacob, who worshipped on the point of his staff (ἐπὶ τό ἄκρον τῆς ρἁβδου)? Now it is evident that he was not worshipping wood. So with us; we are worshipping Christ through the Cross, not the wood of the Cross.
¶2
_Commentary._—If we adore the Cross, made of whatever wood it may be, how shall we not adore the image of the Crucified?
Translated by Mary H. Allies. Edition opa.patristics.john-of-damascus.on-holy-images.en.