Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord 2024: history, traditions and signs of the holiday

>> Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross/Collage of Radio MAXIMUM

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on September 14 according to the New Julian calendar. It is one of the biggest Christian holidays of the year, and folk signs indicate that on this day autumn hands over its rights to winter. For your attention, the history and traditions of the holiday.

Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is one of the 12 main holidays celebrated by the Orthodox. We tell the most important facts about this day.

Click on the item that interests you and go to the required section:

• History of the holiday
• Folk traditions and omens
• Prohibitions for September 14

History of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

On the day of the Exaltation of the Cross, they remember the discovery of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. It happened in 326 near Mount Calvary in Jerusalem. Since the 7th century, this day also marks the return of the Life-giving Cross from Persia by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius. The holiday is called the Exaltation of the Cross, because both when the Cross was found and when it was returned, the priests raised (“raised”) the cross three times so that everyone could see it. holy places for Christians in Palestine and to find the Cross on which the Savior was crucified. His mother, Tsarina Elena, undertook to fulfill the king's wishes.

In 326, Queen Elena went to Jerusalem for this purpose. She made a lot of efforts to find the Cross of Christ, because the enemies hid it underground. Finally, Elena was pointed to an old Jew who knew where the Lord's Cross was. After long inquiries and persuasions, he told that the holy thing is in a cave, covered with garbage and earth, and above it stands a pagan temple. The queen ordered the destruction of this building and the excavation of the cave.

Konstantin and Elena they found a cross

When they dug up the cave, they found three crosses and a tablet with the inscription: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. It was necessary to find out which of the three crosses belonged to Jesus. The Patriarch (Bishop) of Jerusalem Makarios and Queen Elena firmly believed and hoped that God would point to the Holy Cross of the Savior.

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On the bishop's advice, crosses were brought to a seriously ill woman. No miracle occurred from two crosses, but when the third cross was placed, she immediately became healthy. In this way, they recognized the Cross of the Lord, through which the Lord performed a miracle. Therefore, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles kings Constantine and Helen built a large temple in honor of the Resurrection of Christ over the place of suffering, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Queen Elena brought part of the Cross to her son Konstantin, and left the other part in Jerusalem. This precious remnant is still kept in the Church of the Resurrection.

Traditions and omens for the holiday of September 14

On this day, you should visit the church where the Holy Liturgy, which ends with a solemn demonstration of the Cross. Every Orthodox person wants to attend a church service, pray for their relatives, repent and touch the Cross.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

After the church service, you should gather around the dinner table. It is interesting that our ancestors feasted on pies with cabbage on this holiday.

Since ancient times, it has been customary to clean the house with the help of holy water, the healing properties of which only increase on this day. Water will drive away negative energy and protect against ill-wishers.

On Ascension, the ancestors made their most secret wishes and believed in their fulfillment. You had to make a wish while looking at a flock of birds.

On the holiday you can do housework, laundry, cooking, but you should do it only if necessary.

On the Exaltation, you should visit the temple

Prohibitions on Exaltation

• A strict fast falls on Exaltation. Meat, fish, eggs and dairy products should be excluded from the diet.
• The most important prohibition is quarrels, cursing and slander. You can't give free rein to your negative emotions.
• Avoid noisy gatherings and entertainment. You cannot plant plants, do sewing and needlework.
• It is not recommended to go to the forest on this day, so as not to disturb the animals – they are preparing for winter hibernation.
• This is an unfavorable time for new beginnings. : they can turn out to be a failure.