Elevation of the Cross

Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross

Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross

 Troparian for the Elevation of the Cross

"Before thy Cross, we bow down in worship O Lord, and thy Holy Resurrection, we glorify."

    The feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross is celebrated to remember the discovery of the true Cross, upon which Christ was crucified. During the Divine Liturgy, the Cross is carried in a procession. It is held up high in a tray of flowers and/or the herb basil. At the end of the service, the blessed flowers and basil are distributed to the people. This is done because according to tradition, Saint Constantine and his mother Saint Helen, had their servants dig in the spot on Golgotha, where Jesus was put into the tomb. Saint Helen picked the spot because she smelled sweet basil which was growing there. She found the true cross between two other crosses, which belonged to the two thieves. She was able to identify the cross because it bore the inscription: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". Many miracles occurred through contact with the true Cross.

    The Cross is a very important Christian symbol, because it is symbolic of the crucifixion of Christ, and His suffering and death for the sins of the people of the world. Christ died on the Cross so all our sins could be forgiven.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)