The Exaltation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Commemorated: 14 September

This is one of the 12 major Feasts of the Orthodox Church. It commemorates the finding of the True Cross in 326 AD and its recovery from the Persians in 628 AD.

About the Feast:

In the year 325 AD, St Helen, the mother of St Constantine the Great, journeyed to Jerusalem to find the Cross which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.

Aided by St Macarius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, St Helen searched tirelessly. But this was made difficult by the fact Roman emperors tried to eradicate any trace of Christ’s existence. Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD) ordered the ground of Golgotha and the Tomb of the Lord be covered, and a temple dedicated to Venus be built.

However, St Helen was directed to an elderly Jew named Jude who said that the Cross was buried where the temple stood. St Helen ordered the temple be demolished and, after praying, they began to excavate the ground. The Tomb was discovered and they found three crosses, the sign placed above Christ’s head and the four nails which had pierced His Body. They also found an unknown flower of rare beauty and fragrance which was named Vasiliko (Basil - flower of royalty) in honour of St Helen.

However, St Helen was unsure which of the crosses was Christ’s and those of the thieves crucified with Him. Then St Macarius got a sick, dying woman to kiss each of the crosses. When was kissed the Cross of Christ’s she was healed instantly. At that time a funeral procession was passing nearby and St Macarius instructed that the corpse touch each cross. When the body was placed on Christ’s Cross, the man came to life – hence, the ‘Life-Giving Cross’. St Macarius then stood on an ambo (pulpit) and elevated the Cross up high so all may see it. Huge crowds of Christians came to reverently prostrate before the Holy Cross and cried out "Lord have mercy".

The elder Jude and other Jews there believed in Christ and were baptised. Jude received the name Cyriacus and afterwards was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem.

After its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by St Helen, the Church of the Resurrection (notice the domed church in the above icon).

Then, in 614 AD the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross. In 628 AD, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, escorted it himself back to Jerusalem. However, as the emperor carried the Cross to the Church of the Resurrection, when he reached the gates which ascended to Golgotha, the emperor suddenly stopped and was not able pass. The holy Patriarch Zacharios, who was present, explained that an angel of the Lord was blocking his way. The emperor was told to remove his royal gowns and to walk barefoot, since He Who bore the Cross for the salvation of the world from sin had made His way to Golgotha in all humility. Heraclius wore instead a plain garb, and without further hindrance, carried the Cross of Christ into the church.

How is it celebrated:

It is a day to rest from work and a day of strict fasting.

A Great Vespers is conducted on the eve of the feast. The readings are:

• Exodus 15:22-16:1: tells of the "tree" which made the bitter waters sweet – the symbol of the Tree of the Cross.
• Proverbs 3:11-18: which reminds us that the Lord chastens and corrects those whom He loves and that Divine Wisdom is "a Tree of life to those who lay hold upon her and trust in her, as in the Lord."
• Isaiah 60:11-16: it tells of the "city of the Lord" where both Jews and Gentiles will live together and shall prostrate themselves at the place of God's feet and "shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob."

On the Feast day there is Matins. The Gospel of John 12:28-36 is read in which Christ says that when He is elevated on the Cross He will draw all men to Himself. A cross is placed on a tray and decorated with fresh basil leaves, flowers, and a candle burns before it on the altar table. The cross reposes on the "High Place" of the Holy Table, where the Gospel Book normally lies.

Followed by Divine Liturgy where I Corinthians 1:18-24 is read. Then John 19: 6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35 which recounts the Passion. At the end the priest brings the cross out of the sanctuary and proceeds in a solemn procession through the church chanting the Hymn of the Feast. He sets the cross on a table in the solace of the church as the choir sings the festal Troparion of the Cross: “Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance, granting unto Orthodox Christians victory over enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross, do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.”

A special "Exaltation" is performed by the priest in front of the table. The priest takes the cross in his hands and raises it above his head. He makes an exclamation, to which the choir respond, chanting, Kyrie eleison (“Lord, have mercy”). As they chant, he makes the sign of the Cross with it three times, then slowly bows down to the ground, and stands up again raising the cross above his head as before – symbolises Christ’s willingness to come down from Heaven to save us. This process is repeated four more times to the four points of the compass representing the universal nature of the offering of Christ upon the Cross.

At the conclusion of the service the people come forward to venerate the cross and receive basil from the priest. Basil is used and offered as it was the fragrant flower growing where the Cross was found.

Apolytikion in the First Tone

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

Why is it important?

• Celebrates how an instrument of shame (crucifixion on a cross) was used to overcome death and bring salvation and eternal life.
• An opportunity outside of Holy Week to celebrate the significance of the victory and wisdom of God through the Cross over the powers of the world.
• To relish the full glory of the Cross as a source of light, hope and victory.
• Celebrate the work of redemption achieved through the Cross (Tree of Life).