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LET US BOW IN WORSHIP TO THE BLESSED CROSS OF THE LORD

The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross is one of the 12 great feasts of our Holy Orthodox Church. It commemorates the finding of the true Cross of our Lord by St. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine the Great, who led an expedition to the Holy Land for this purpose.

During the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection of our Lord in Jerusalem in 335 A.D., it is said that the Patriarch Elevated the Cross for all the faithful to see. Those present fell to their knees and prayed repeatedly: Lord Have Mercy! This ritual is still practiced today in Orthodox Churches throughout the world.

The Cross is the greatest of all Christian symbols. It is a constant reminder of God’s love for us, for Christ’s death upon it brought redemption and, ultimately, salvation to mankind. On the Feast Day of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, a cross is placed before us in our churches in a prominent place, reminding us of our obligation to venerate, love and give glory to this “instrument of our salvation.” Saint Cyril of Alexandria writes: “Do not be ashamed of the Cross of Christ. Trace it clearly upon yourself, so that when the demons see this sacred sign, they may tremble and flee. Make this sign when you eat and drink, when you sit, lie down, rise or walk. Do it every chance you have!”