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On September 27, the Church celebrates the great feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Explore the significance, traditions, and customs of the Orthodox feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrated on September 27.
Key Takeaways
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a major Orthodox feast with deep historical and spiritual significance.
- Queen Helena’s discovery of the cross is central to the celebration and associated miracles.
- Strict fasting and specific rituals on September 27 are believed to bring health, protection, and forgiveness of sins.
- Traditional customs include protective symbols and foods linked to the feast day.
- The feast represents the triumph of good over evil and the enduring power of faith.
What the video covers
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the twelve major Orthodox feasts celebrated annually on September 27.
- The feast commemorates the discovery of the sacred cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified by Queen Helena in 326 AD.
- Three crosses were found at Golgotha, and miracles confirmed the authenticity of Christ’s cross.
- The feast involves church liturgies, processions, and powerful prayers, especially before the icon of the Life-Giving Cross.
- Traditional customs include taking rowan twigs to church, fasting strictly, and performing rituals to ensure health and protection from evil.
- People draw crosses on their homes and place protective items like rowan twigs, garlic, and candles to ward off evil spirits.
- Giving children gold or silver crosses on this day is believed to offer protection even if the cross is forgotten at home.
- The day is also known as 'cabbage day' marking the start of the cabbage harvest and the preparation of traditional cabbage dishes.
- Breaking the fast on this day is believed to add sins, while observing it can forgive seven sins.
- The feast symbolizes the battle between good and evil and is deeply rooted in Orthodox Christian faith and folklore.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
- 00:39Rules and Prohibitions on September 27
- 01:22Significance of the Feast in Orthodoxy
- 02:04Discovery of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena
- 02:40Testing the Miraculous Properties of the Crosses
- 04:24Miracles Confirming the Cross's Authenticity
- 05:11Erection of the Cross and Church Construction
- 06:38Spiritual Significance and Prayers
- 07:10Traditional Customs and Rituals
- 08:34Fasting and Consequences of Breaking It
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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Signs of September 27 will tell you what you absolutely must not do.
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The main rules and prohibitions, the violation of which will bring great misfortune to everyone, are described.
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The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated annually on the same day, September 27.
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This church feast is one of the twelve, one of the twelve most important feasts of Orthodoxy.
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The reason for the celebration was the discovery of the sacred cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
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This cross was lost after the execution, and for a long time its location was unknown.
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However, in 326, the Holy Queen Helena went to Jerusalem in search of lost relics.
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The ruler ordered excavations at Golgotha, where the crucifixion took place.
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The queen's efforts were successful, and the cross was found underground.
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However, Christ was crucified along with two thieves.
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Therefore, biblical archaeologists have found three crosses at once.
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According to legend, to establish the relic's authenticity, each of the discovered crosses was tested for its miraculous properties.
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The finds were placed on a sick person, and the touch of the Lord's cross brought healing.
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Another miracle also convinced the seekers.
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A funeral procession passed by, and one of the deceased rose from the dead when the cross was placed on him.
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Then, Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem erected the cross so that all present would rejoice at the discovery of the relic.
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In turn, Queen Helena's son, Emperor Constantine, ordered the construction of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem.
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However, construction was not completed until 335, after Helena's death.
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On September 27, it is customary to attend church for the liturgy and procession.
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It is believed that the battle between good and evil takes place on this day.
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Prayers for the Exaltation of the Cross are very powerful.
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One can ask for help with infertility, toothaches, and persistent headaches.
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They are especially powerful before the icon of the Life-Giving Cross.
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According to popular belief, when going to church on September 27th, you should take rowan twigs with you and slap yourself with them three times after leaving the church gates, starting from your head, then at heart level, and then on your feet.
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This is done to ensure good health throughout the year.
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It is also necessary to observe a strict fast, as this day is associated with the suffering of Jesus on the cross.
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It is believed that if you abstain from animal products on September 27th, seven sins will be forgiven.
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However, if you break the fast, seven more sins will be added.
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On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, people draw crosses on the walls of their homes with chalk, garlic, and soot to ward off the evil eye and evil spirits.
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Small wooden crosses are also made and placed in barns to protect pets.
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To protect your home from all evil, you should hang a rowan twig over the door.
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The berries are also placed on windowsills.
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Dried thistle and wormwood can be placed on the windowsills.
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On this day, people buy three candles and light the walls and corners of the house while reciting the Creed.
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On September 27th, you can give a child a cross; a gold or silver cross bought on the day of the Exaltation of the Cross will protect its bearer, even if they forget it at home.
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Another name for this day is "cabbage day," because it was traditional to prepare pies and other delicacies with this vegetable on this day.
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In fact, in many regions, the Exaltation of the Cross marked the beginning of the cabbage harvest for the winter.
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Cabbage was salted and pickled.
Topics:Exaltation of the Holy CrossOrthodox feastQueen HelenaHoly Cross discoverySeptember 27 traditionsOrthodox Christianityreligious fastingchurch ritualsprotective customscabbage day
