Orthodox Christians celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, fragment of an icon. Photo: blagovist.info

On September 27, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord – one of the twelve great feasts of the Christian year. On this day, a strict fast is observed in memory of the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering on the Cross.

Christians recall the events of the 4th century, when the Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Helena discovered the Cross on which the Lord was crucified.

Historical background

After the greatest events in the history of mankind – the Crucifixion, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ – the holy Cross, the instrument of the Savior’s death, was lost. In 70 AD, the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem, and the holy sites connected with the earthly life of the Lord were forgotten; on some of them pagan temples were built.

The discovery of the Holy Cross took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great. According to 4th-century church historians, Constantine’s mother, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Helena, went to Jerusalem at her son’s request to find the places associated with Christ’s earthly life, as well as the holy Cross, the miraculous vision of which had once been a sign of victory for Constantine.

The Cross was found beneath a pagan temple. When the shrine was demolished, three crosses were uncovered, along with the inscription from the Lord’s Cross and the nails. To determine which of the three was the true Cross of Christ, each was touched to a gravely ill woman, and she was healed. According to another tradition, the crosses were touched to a dead man, and he was raised to life. All who were present glorified God, who revealed the greatest of all holy relics – the Tree of the Lord’s Cross. The Holy Cross was then raised by Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem for the faithful to see.

Later events

In the 7th century, another event was added to the commemoration of the Exaltation of the Cross – the return of the Tree of the Life-Giving Cross from captivity in Persia.

In 614, the Persian king conquered Jerusalem and plundered it. Among other treasures, he took the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord into Persia. The relic remained with the foreigners for fourteen years. Only in 628, when Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians and made peace with them, was the Cross restored to Jerusalem.

Upon its return, the Cross was again exalted – raised high for the multitudes of faithful to see.

Liturgical celebration

On this day, the Divine Liturgy is served in churches. The faithful pray before the Cross, and the Gospel reading tells of the Lord’s crucifixion and death. The Holy Cross is raised up in a place of honor, accompanied by the singing of troparia and hymns of praise.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord reminds the faithful of Christ’s victory over sin and death and calls them to imitate His sacrifice in their own daily lives.

Earlier, the UOJ published a sermon for the feast of the Exaltation, reflecting on who was the first to raise the Cross of the Lord.

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