What does the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross mean?

It falls on September 27 every year.

For Christians, this is a unique holiday, because, although it has the status of a great one, it is probably the only one that begins its history from the Bible.

The basis for the celebration was a tradition that appeared in later years.

According to this legend, fragments of the Calvary cross were found around 326 AD near Mount Calvary, where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified.

If we believe the ancient books, it was in that year that Empress Elena, who was later canonized by the Church and named Equal to the Apostles, came to Jerusalem for a visit.

The main purpose of her trip was to search for the Lord's relics.

She became one of the first to start archaeological excavations of holy places.

It was during such excavations that a cross was found on which, if church records are to be believed, Jesus Christ was crucified.

What traditions exist

Feast of Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord / Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Traditionally, on this day, the all-night vigil is held and the Divine Liturgy is held in all churches.

Most often, they perform a festive Divine Service.

Believers at the Exaltation of the Lord's Cross thank God for salvation and ask him to grant them well-being, happiness and health.

Among our ancestors, there was a statement that the life-giving cross helps to protect all living things on earth from dark forces.

Therefore, small homemade crosses were traditionally consecrated on this day.

Then they were put in the barn, in the house, in the pantry and in general in all the cozy corners of the yard.

Also, on September 27, they try to observe a strict fast.

It is not allowed to eat meat and dairy products.

There was even a proverb among the people: "

Whoever fasts on Ascension Day, seven sins will be forgiven

."

Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord: what not to do

  • They try not to start new things, because it is believed that they will "freeze" halfway.

  • They didn't go on a long journey, because you can wander where you didn't even think to go.

  • Children and adults are not allowed to walk in nature.

Folk omens for September 27

  • The wind blows from the north - next summer will be hot.

  • From the Exaltation, autumn shifts to winter.

  • On this day, snakes hide in burrows.

Prayer for the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord

Let God arise and his enemies be scattered, and let all his haters flee from his face.

As smoke disappears, let them disappear, as wax melts from the face of the fire, so let demons disappear from the face of those who love God and who, with great courage and firm faith and trust in the Lord God, overshadow themselves with the sign of the cross and joyfully say: Rejoice, Reverend and the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, who drives out demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on you, who descended to hell and overcame the power of the devil, and gave us you, Your Honest Cross, to drive out every adversary.

Oh, Venerable and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with the Holy Virgin Mother of God and with all the holy Heavenly Powers always, now, and always, and forever and ever.

Amen.