Unveiling Tomorrow’s Cross Celebration: A Feast with a Unique Twist!

Tomorrow, September 14 dawns a “great” day for Christianity, as tomorrow we celebrate it Exaltation of the Holy Cross Daywhich is recognized as despotic by the Orthodox Church.

The honor to the Holy Cross goes back to the early Christian period, that is, between the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

The letters of the Apostle Paul are full of passages in which the role of the Cross for the salvation of the world is highlighted.

However, the celebration concerns the raising of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, after it was found by Saint Helen, mother of Constantine the Great.

This is the symbol of her son’s army, as it appeared in the sky with the phrase “In this victory” shortly before his victorious battle against Maxentius to claim the Roman Empire.

How was the Holy Cross found?

Saint Helen made great efforts to find the Holy Cross. After painstaking excavations in the area of ​​the martyrdom, three crosses were finally found, of the Lord and of the two robbers.

The faithful queen mother, with tears in her eyes, handed over the Holy Cross to Patriarch Makarios, who on September 14 of the year 335 raised it to Golgotha ​​and placed it in the Church of the Resurrection, which the saint had erected above the Holy Sepulcher and which is preserved to this day.

When the Holy Cross returned to the Christians

The Holy Cross, however, in 613 AD. it became a spoil for the Persians, who conquered Palestine and – among other things – plundered and destroyed the holy pilgrimages.

The Holy Cross was spared destruction, as the Persians considered the Holy Wood to be magical and therefore guarded and worshiped it, not knowing its true nature and properties.

Emperor Heraclius after his victory against the Persians received the Holy Cross and took it back to Jerusalem. Patriarch Zacharias raised him again in the Church of the Resurrection. It was September 14, 626.

The Holy Cross, as it was considered to belong to all of Christendom, was decided to be cut up and distributed throughout the Church. For this reason, many pieces have been preserved to this day, which are kept as the most precious heirlooms, mainly in the holy monasteries of Mount Athos.

What do we eat on the day of the Cross?

For the day of the Cross, the Church asks and imposes on the believers absolute fasting, even from oil and seafood without blood. That is, to follow everything on Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion.

An exception, however, is the case that September 14 coincides with a Saturday or Sunday, which allows the use of oil, as is the case in the current anniversary of 2024. Something similar will apply to the next year, 2025.

In other words, on this day, Christians honor all kinds of oily dishes, with the main ones being beans, which also have their place of honor due to the season.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated with splendor every year on September 14

On this day, the double finding of the Cross on which our Christ was martyred is celebrated.

Saint Helen, in 326 AD she went to Jerusalem to worship the Holy Places and thank God for the triumphs of her son, Constantine the Great.

Divine zeal, however, made St. Helen to begin research to find the Holy Cross. On Golgotha ​​there was a pagan temple of the goddess Aphrodite, which he tore down and began the excavations.

Then, Saint Helen was led to find the Holy Cross by an aromatic plant growing in that place, our familiar basil. After painstaking excavations, three crosses were found, of the Lord and of the two robbers. The bishop of Jerusalem Makarios, after praying, touched the body of a pious lady who had died on the crosses. When her turn came and she touched the third cross, which was really the Lord’s, the woman immediately rose again.

September 14 of the year 335: Patriarch Makarios raised the Holy Cross on Calvary and placed it in the Church of the Resurrection. On the day of the celebration until today, basil is distributed in the Churches, so that the faithful remember the way in which the Holy Cross was found that Christ was martyred for.
The recovery of the Holy Cross

613 AD: The Persians conquered Palestine, plundered and destroyed the holy places of pilgrimage and took the Holy Cross as booty. After they brought it to their country, they considered the Cross magical, because of some miracles that happened.

September 14, 629: Emperor Heraclius, after his definitive victory against the Persians, recovered the sacred symbol of Christianity and took it first to Constantinople, where it was part of his triumph, and then to Jerusalem.

Finally, the church of Jerusalem considered that the Cross of Christ belongs to all of Christianity and therefore decided to chop up the Holy Wood and distribute it throughout the Church.

Why we fast even the oil

So for the Commemoration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross we fast on September 14, because the Cross is a Commemoration of Christ’s Passion. Because just as every person who carries out the collection (exhumation) of the remains of a relative (for example his father, his mother and others), grieves remembering that person, so do we Christians, seeing the Cross and reflecting that Christ He was crucified for us sinners and as Man Suffered, we humble ourselves and show Brokenness of heart by fasting.

The Holy Fathers of our Church point out that “the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is Equal to Good Friday”, since on both of these Days we equally honor the Passion and the Crucifixion of the Lord.

Fasting, according to Saint John Chrysostom, “is not done for Easter, nor for the Cross, but for our sins… because Easter is not a matter of fasting and mourning, but of cheerfulness and joy. For this reason we should not say that we mourn for the Cross. We don’t mourn him either. But for our sins.” We also fast to imitate the Lord, Who fasted for forty days and nights on Mount Sarantario.

Deliveries in Greece on September 14

In our country, Stavros and Stavroula celebrate that day.

The farmers bring to the church a mixture of the grains they will sow to receive the priest’s special blessing.

Sailors used to stop on long sailing voyages, as advised by the proverb: “Tou Stavros, cross and bind”.

With the basil they get from the church, the housewives used to make the leaven of the year.

In Aegina, the so-called “Leidinos” is being revived, a mimetic performance, with obituaries and the burial of an effigy of a small child, a custom of probably ancient origin.

Introit

Save, Lord, Your people and bless Your heritage, defeat the kingdoms against the barbarians and grant them a kingdom through Your Cross.

Source: vimaorthodoxias.gr

Read also:

DATA C Poll for pelop.gr: Upheavals in the parties – 1,143 voters for Sakellaropoulou, Ukraine and accuracy

The death of the 46-year-old man in Nea Smyrni was a crime – knife in the abdomen

Andromache: The snapshot shared by Giorgos Livanis after the birth of their son

EFKA: When are the October pensions paid?

To Jerusalem in a majestic procession, reinstating ‍its significance for Christians. This ​event is commemorated on the Exaltation‍ of the Holy Cross Day, reminding believers of the enduring ⁢power and reverence⁤ associated with the Cross throughout history.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Day:​ A Celebration⁢ of Christianity

Tomorrow, September 14th, marks a significant day ⁤for Christians around the world as we celebrate the Exaltation of‍ the Holy Cross‍ Day, a despotic holiday recognized by the ‌Orthodox Church. This day honors the sacred symbol ⁤of Christianity, the Holy ⁤Cross, which has been a cornerstone of the ⁢faith since⁢ the early Christian period.

The Early Christian Period and the Importance of the⁤ Cross

The letters of the Apostle Paul are filled with⁢ passages that highlight the role⁤ of the Cross in the salvation of the world. ⁢The‍ Cross⁢ was central to the early Christian period, with its⁢ significance evident in the​ writings of ​the Apostle Paul. The celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy ‍Cross Day, therefore, is a recognition ⁣of the⁢ importance of the Cross in Christian theology.

The Story of Saint Helen and the Finding of the Holy Cross

According to legend, Saint ‌Helen, the mother​ of Constantine the Great, made great efforts to find the Holy Cross. After painstaking excavations in the area of the martyrdom, three crosses were finally discovered: the Cross⁢ of⁤ the Lord and those of the two robbers. The faithful queen‌ mother, with tears ‍in her eyes, handed over the Holy Cross to Patriarch Makarios, who raised it to Golgotha‍ and placed⁤ it in the Church of the Resurrection, which still stands today.

The​ Return of⁣ the Holy ⁣Cross to Christians

However, in 613 AD, the Holy Cross was taken by the Persians, who conquered Palestine⁣ and plundered the holy places of‌ pilgrimage. The Cross was spared destruction, as the Persians considered it magical and therefore guarded and worshipped it. Emperor Heraclius eventually recovered the Holy Cross and took it

Celebrated its exaltation in a solemn liturgy, marking a pivotal moment in Christian history.

The Significance of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Day: Celebrating Faith and Redemption

Tomorrow, September 14, marks a momentous day for Christianity, as it is celebrated as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Day. This day is recognized as a significant event in the Orthodox Church, commemorating the discovery of the Holy Cross by Saint Helen, mother of Constantine the Great. The Holy Cross is a powerful symbol of faith, redemption, and salvation, and its discovery has had a profound impact on Christian history and tradition.

The Early Christian Period and the Significance of the Cross

The honor bestowed upon the Holy Cross dates back to the early Christian period, between the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The letters of the Apostle Paul highlight the crucial role of the Cross in the salvation of the world. The Cross is a potent reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and his triumph over sin and death.

The Discovery of the Holy Cross

The celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Day revolves around the discovery of the Cross in Jerusalem by Saint Helen. After painstaking excavations in the area of the martyrdom, three crosses were finally found: the Cross of the Lord and the two crosses of the robbers. The faithful queen mother, with tears in her eyes, handed over the Holy Cross to Patriarch Makarios, who on September 14,