The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, also known as the Triumph of the Cross, commemorates the Holy Cross through which Jesus Christ brought redemption to the world. This veneration of Christ’s Cross can be traced back to the fourth century.
The genesis of this tradition is associated with Saint Helen, mother of Constantine. On September 14, 326, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she miraculously discovered the True Cross. In honor of this momentous find, Constantine erected the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the discovery site. On the same journey, Saint Helen also commissioned the construction of two more churches: one close to Bethlehem’s Grotto of the Nativity and another near the Mount of the Ascension in Jerusalem.
The significance of this feast became particularly prominent in the Western Church in the seventh century. This was following the return of the Holy Cross to Jerusalem by the Byzantine emperor Heraclitus in 629 after he defeated the Persians, who had previously taken it. However, in 1187, the Holy Cross fell into the hands of the Muslim leader Saladin during the Battle of Hattin. Legend has it that Saladin paraded the Holy Relic through the streets of Jerusalem, dragging it behind his horse.
For Christians, the act of “exalting” or raising the Cross is a form of worship. It is not just the wooden or metal cross that is venerated, but what it stands for: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who endured unimaginable pain on this Roman implement of torture to offer humanity redemption from sin and eternal death. It encapsulates the entirety of Jesus’ Passion, Crucifixion, and subsequent Resurrection.
The Cross holds an unparalleled position in the Christian faith, symbolizing the foundational event of Christianity. This emblem of faith has given birth to several rituals and practices such as making the Sign of the Cross, marking the head, lips, and heart during the Gospel reading, undertaking the Stations of the Cross, and reverently kissing the crucified image of Christ on Good Friday.
The presence of the crucifix, which showcases Christ on the Cross, in Christian homes, churches, educational establishments, and other institutions, or even wearing it as a personal ornament, serves as a perennial reminder of Christ’s triumph over sin and death. Through His sacrifice on the Cross, He emerged victorious!
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lord by your cross and ressurection u have saved the world and so i plead with u to save and protect my grandchild from substance abuse and menrtal illness and allow him to hold on to your cross when temptation comes.especially today ,also guide and heal him and his mom from any disease known or unknown to them.i ask all this in jesus,s name amen and amen.thanks for answered prayers.
It is quite sad that in our modern times of tolerance, the secularisation in a few countries that were traditionally Christian implicitly forbid any display of religious items like the cross. Faith and the practice of one’s faith is deemed a private matter. The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is certainly the occasion for us to pray that leaders of nations while accepting that they should not show a preferential leaning towards one denomination or faith community might see external practice of one’s faith, as long it does not infringe in the rights of other members of the population, should not be discourage or legislated against.
It is quite sad that in our modern times of tolerance, the secularisation in a few countries that were traditionally Christian implicitly forbid any display of religious items like the cross. Faith and the practice of one’s faith is deemed a private matter. The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is certainly the occasion for us to pray that leaders of nations while accepting that they should not show a preferential leaning towards one denomination or faith community might see external practice of one’s faith, as long it does not infringe in the rights of other members of the population, should not be discourage or legislated against.
Comment:indeed the cross of Jesus has really set us free from fear and grief their is power in the cross of Jesus
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Pray for us!
What happened to the Cross?
“No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
I cannot believe people are saying “Hail, O Holy Cross” talk about false idols. Why would you praise the weapon that killed Jesus unless you wanted him dead?
Your guidance of what the Holy Cross represents is mislead by the one who rejected God.
I pray for your conversion.
O cross, you are the glorious sign of victory.
Through your power may we share in the triumph of Christ Jesus. Amen.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross: HAIL, O CROSS OF CHRIST!!!
O Cross erected above the world – Cross of our Savior King.
O Cross erected above the world
“The cross is a symbolic summary of the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ — all in one image.”
O cross, you are the glorious sign of victory.
Through your power may we share in the triumph of Christ Jesus.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord … as custody of Christ Crucified. Praying fervently for clergymen, bishops, religious, laity who are all starving for the Truth to return to prominence and support for those being silenced for speaking out in cancel culture against the hypocritical heresy which has gutted the Faithful. Steadfast integrity seems so rare and the widespread persecution and suffering only makes sense in light of the Cross. Holy Mary, help the helpless. You were there from beginning to end. Thank you.
‘Do whatever He tells You.’ (Mary, Cana)
‘Do as I have done.’ (Jesus, Holy Thursday)
Amen.