The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This feast celebrates the cross as the instrument of our salvation and honors its discovery by Saint Helena.

September 14, 2026RedFeast · Ordinary Time

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on September 14th, glorifies the Cross on which Christ won our salvation. This feast celebrates the instrument of torture that became the throne of victory.

Historical Origins

This feast commemorates two events:

  1. The discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, around 326 AD in Jerusalem
  2. The recovery of the Cross by Emperor Heraclius in 628 AD from the Persians who had stolen it

When Helena discovered the Cross, a church was built on the site—the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This feast originally celebrated the dedication of that church on September 14, 335.

The Scandal of the Cross

To the ancient world, the cross was an obscenity—the most shameful form of execution, reserved for slaves and the worst criminals. Saint Paul acknowledged this scandal:

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." — 1 Corinthians 1:18

Yet this instrument of shame became the sign of glory. What the Romans intended as humiliation, God transformed into exaltation.

The Cross in Scripture

Jesus himself elevated the meaning of the Cross:

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." — John 12:32

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." — John 3:14-15

The connection to Numbers 21—where the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent—reveals the Cross as the source of healing and salvation.

The Sign of the Cross

Christians mark themselves with the sign of the Cross, invoking the Trinity and recalling our baptism. We venerate the Cross on Good Friday, sing hymns to it (Vexilla Regis, Faithful Cross), and display it in our churches and homes.

Taking Up Our Cross

Jesus calls his disciples to embrace the Cross:

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." — Matthew 16:24

The crosses of daily life—suffering, sacrifice, self-denial—unite us to Christ's redemptive work.