Great Feast

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Elevation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross

Icon: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Exaltation of the Cross - Palekh icon (19 c, priv.coll) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

When: September 14 (Old Calendar: 13 days later on the civil calendar).

This feast recalls the finding of the Cross of Christ in Jerusalem by Empress Helen in the fourth century, and its lifting up before the people by the bishop so all could venerate it. It also remembers the dedication of the Church of the Resurrection built by Constantine over Golgotha and the tomb.

It is a feast of both joy and sorrow: the Cross, an instrument of death, has become the sign of Christ’s victory. The day is kept as a strict fast in honor of the Lord’s Passion.

In church, the cross is carried out on a tray of flowers and basil, raised in blessing toward the four directions while the choir sings “Lord, have mercy” many times.

Written for this app in our own words from the Gospels and long-standing Church tradition. All Great Feasts & Holy Week · Calendar