The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a significant Christian holiday included in the annual church cycle. It features twelve important dates and is on September 14th. For deeper insights into this day, one can refer to biblical accounts.

History

The origin of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is linked to a biblical legend. Following Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, opponents sought to erase traces of His existence by destroying the Cross on which He was crucified.

Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, who fervently supported Christianity and built churches, was determined to find the Cross. She traveled to Jerusalem, where a Jewish elder informed her that the Cross was buried beneath the Temple of Venus.

Upon demolishing the temple, three crosses were unearthed. To identify the true Cross, they were tested on a deceased man and a sick woman; miraculously, the man revived and the woman recovered upon contact with one of them. A church, named after Saint Helena, was subsequently built on the site and consecrated on September 13, 335 AD. Services celebrating the discovery of the Cross commenced the following day.

In 614 AD, the relic was seized during a Persian raid but was retrieved 14 years later by Emperor Heraclius after peace negotiations. It was then housed in the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Byzantium, restoring solace to the faithful. Since then, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross has been globally annually.

How to Take Part

• Observe a strict fast on this day, abstaining from meat and dairy products.
• Use holy water to bless your home while reciting prayers.
• Attend church services dedicated to this observance.
• Avoid starting new ventures on this day, as it is considered an omen of bad luck.
• Maintain a peaceful and positive demeanor, avoiding disputes, which are considered particularly sinful on this day.

When is The Exaltation of the Holy Cross in 2024?

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is observed on September 14 each year.

Observations