The Cross Did Not Begin On Golgotha
When most Christians think of the Cross, they think of Golgotha—the hill outside Jerusalem where Christ was crucified. But Orthodoxy teaches us that the mystery of the Cross is far older than Calvary.
In fact, the roots of the True Cross stretch all the way back to the earliest chapters of salvation history, and one of the most surprising figures connected to it is Lot, the nephew of Abraham.
This story, passed down through Orthodox Christian Tradition and preserved in the writings of the Saints and in pious accounts from the Holy Land, reveals that the True Cross—the wood upon which Christ would offer His life for the salvation of the world—has a mystical and prophetic beginning tied to the obedience, repentance, and testing of the righteous.
Through Lot and three rods of different trees, the foundation of the Cross was miraculously planted and prepared by God.
Orthodoxy does not see the Cross as a mere instrument of death. It sees the Cross as the Tree of Life, planted in human history by God Himself.
And just as the Tree of Life once stood in Eden, so too would a new Tree of Life be planted, watered, and grow until the time was fulfilled in Christ.
Lot’s Life After Sodom: A Path Of Repentance
After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s story could have ended in shame. But Orthodox tradition tells us something much deeper.
Having been rescued from judgment, and after the disturbing event with his daughters in the cave, Lot desired purification and reconciliation with God.
In one of the most beautiful and mysterious traditions of the Orthodox Church, God did not punish Lot with words or fire.
Instead, He gave him a command. Lot was to plant three dry wooden rods—one from a cedar, one from a pine, and one from a cypress—into the dry soil of the Jordan Valley.
He was then to water them daily with water from the Jordan River, making a journey that was physically exhausting and spiritually humbling.
This command may sound strange, but its meaning is profound. Orthodoxy teaches that true repentance is shown in obedience.
Lot was not given a temple or altar to build. He was given dead wood, and told to care for it. This was his cross. His work. His daily repentance.
The Wood That Bloomed Into Redemption
The Church Fathers, including Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem and later Saint Andrew of Crete, mention the legend that one day, after years of faithful watering, the three rods miraculously grew together into a single tree.
It was a tree unlike any other. A fusion of cedar’s strength, pine’s fragrance, and cypress’ endurance. This tree stood as a witness to Lot’s perseverance, humility, and repentance.
What was the purpose of this tree? Why does Orthodox Christianity preserve such a story?
Because, according to Tradition, this very tree became the source of the wood used to craft the True Cross of Christ. The miracle of Lot’s obedience became the vessel of our redemption.
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Orthodoxy never separates the Old Testament from the New. Christianity sees all of history as a preparation for the coming of Christ.
The blooming tree of Lot was not an isolated miracle. It was a living prophecy, a sacred anticipation of the Cross that would one day be lifted up for the salvation of the world.
The Hidden Cross Throughout the Old Testament
The Holy Cross is hidden throughout the Scriptures.
In Genesis, Isaac carries wood on his back as he climbs Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:6).
In Exodus, Moses casts wood into bitter water to make it sweet (Exodus 15:25).
In the Psalms, David writes, “God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 73:12, LXX).
The blooming tree of Lot is one more moment in this divine pattern. Orthodoxy shows us that nothing in Scripture is meaningless, and everything points to Christ.
The Cross was always in God’s plan. It was not a last-minute decision or a tragic accident.
It was a Tree planted with love from the beginning of time.
Lot’s Dry Rods And The Dryness Of The Human Heart
Why did God ask Lot to plant dead wood in dry soil?
Because this is a symbol of what God asks each of us.
The Orthodox life is not lived in ideal conditions. Our hearts are dry, our will is weak, and our sins have withered our strength.
But God tells us to plant obedience, water it with prayer, and trust in His grace.
Saint Isaac the Syrian writes, “Blessed is the man who sows in tears, for he shall reap in joy.”
Lot’s daily labor with the rods was not dramatic, not visible, not praised by others. But it was a work of salvation, slow and faithful.
And it bore fruit—not just for him, but for the whole world.
Orthodoxy teaches that every act of faith matters, even when we see no result.
Lot did not see the tree blossom overnight. But God, who sees the secret heart, brought life out of lifelessness.
In that blooming tree, the mystery of the Resurrection was already being announced.
The Three Woods And The Unity Of Redemption
Why did God choose three types of wood for the Cross? This is not an accident.
In Orthodox symbolism, the number three always points to the Holy Trinity.
Each wood had symbolic meaning:
- cedar represented kingship and strength,
- cypress was associated with mourning and immortality, and
- pine with purification.
Together, they reflect the full work of Christ. He is the King, the Lamb who mourns for mankind, and the One who purifies us from sin.
The three woods becoming one tree mirrors the unity of God’s plan. And just as the Trinity is three Persons in one God, so the three rods became one Cross, the tree of life that opens Paradise.
Saint Justin the Martyr wrote, “The Cross was hidden in the world before it was revealed. Even the trees spoke of it.”
This is the voice of Orthodoxy—a voice that sees mystery in matter, grace in history, and Christ in every shadow of the Old Covenant.
Pilgrims And The Tree Of Lot
To this day, many Orthodox pilgrims in the Holy Land visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.
Tradition holds that it was built near the spot where Lot’s tree once stood.
Some say the monks of old knew the roots. Others say a fragment of the tree remained beneath the altar.
Whether or not every detail is confirmed, the spiritual truth remains: God prepared the Cross not in one day but over centuries.
And He chose people like Lot—not perfect, not always wise, but willing to obey when called.
Orthodoxy reveres not only the Crucifixion, but the whole story that led to it. The blooming tree of Lot reminds us that God is never late, and that everything done in obedience is gathered into His saving plan.
From Lot’s Tree To Christ’s Cross
In the Gospels, the Cross is planted on Golgotha, the Place of the Skull. According to ancient tradition, Golgotha was the burial site of Adam. The first man sinned at a tree.
The New Adam, Christ, redeemed us on a tree. The blood of Christ flowed down and touched the bones of the first man, bringing full-circle the story of salvation.
This is not poetic imagination. It is spiritual reality, preserved in Orthodox liturgy, hymnography, and iconography.
The blooming tree that Lot watered became part of this long journey from Eden to Calvary. And the fruit of that tree was Christ Himself, lifted up for the life of the world.
Christians must not forget this.
The Cross is not just where Jesus died. It is where all of history was healed.
And in Orthodoxy, we hold up the Cross not in shame, but in glory. It is the weapon of peace, the invincible standard, the bridge between earth and heaven.
What This Teaches Us About Christian Life
Lot’s obedience seems strange to modern minds. Who would carry water every day to a lifeless rod?
But this is the lesson. Orthodoxy calls us to faithful obedience, not instant results.
Our repentance may feel dry. Our prayer may seem weak. But if we stay faithful, if we water the dry wood of our heart with humility, God will make it bloom.
Saint Theophan the Recluse writes, “Grace comes quietly. It does not shake the soul with noise. But when it comes, the dead heart blooms again.”
In Christianity, no action of love or obedience is wasted. Even if no one sees it. Even if it seems pointless.
Lot’s obedience, his repentance after the fall, his quiet watering of dead wood, all became part of the salvation of the world.
How To Explain This To Children
Parents may tell children:
“After God saved Lot, He asked him to do something very special. Lot had to water three dry sticks every day. That sounds strange, right? But Lot obeyed. And one day, those sticks grew into a big tree.
Later, the wood from that tree was used to make the Cross of Jesus. God shows us that if we are faithful in small things, He can do something very big through us.”
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