Holy Cross Day

Russian Icon - Feast of the Exaltation of the CrossGury Nikitin, ca. 1680.

As Rev. Lee taught in her sermon this morning, the 14th of September is a Holy Day -- the Feast of the Holy Cross.  According to legend, as Lee said, remnants of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified are said to have been found by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 326 A.D.

The title for this day has several variations.  In the Anglican, Episcopal and Lutheran denominations, it is generally referred to as Holy Cross Day; in the Roman Catholic, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross or the Triumph of the Cross.  It may also be called the Feast of the Glorious Cross.

In the Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) church where this Holy Day first arose, the  Universal Exaltation (or Elevation) of the Precious and Life-Creating Cross commemorates not only St. Helena's finding the True Cross, but also its recovery from the Persians in 628.

Monastic Orders of the Holy Cross, such as the Anglican/Episcopal Order of the Holy Cross may mark this Feast Day -- which is their titular day -- as the beginning of "monastic winter", instituted by St. Benedict as the period where there are three nocturns of psalms and readings at Matins, from this date until Easter.

Helena of Constantinople
- Cima da Conegliano - 1495