How the Feast of the Exaltation is celebrated. What is celebrated on the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord? The history and traditions of the holiday - This day is considered fasting
Great religious holiday The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on September 27 (September 14 according to the old style) of each year.
The holiday is dedicated to the Cross of Jesus Christ, on which he was crucified. Rising means "lifting up". This holiday symbolizes the lifting of the Cross from the earth after it was discovered there.
Other holiday names
Exaltation, Exaltation Day, Stavrov's Day, Third Autumn, Battle of Truth and Falsehood, Kapustnitsy, Autumn Serpentine.
About the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
About three hundred years after the crucifixion of Christ, there were terrible persecutions against the Orthodox Church. Roman rulers from Nero (reigned 54-68) to Diocletian (reigned 303-313) different ways they destroyed Christians, they were thrown to be torn to pieces by beasts, they were killed, crucified, rotted in dungeons, burned at the stake. Roman pagan kings sought to erase from human memory everything connected with the coming of the Son of God Jesus Christ to our land.
The Appearance of the Cross to ConstantineBut at the beginning of the fourth century, by the providence of God, Emperor Constantine came to power, who, before the decisive battle for power, had a heavenly sign in the form of a cross. And at night, Jesus Christ Himself appeared to him and said that in order to win, he must replace the Roman symbols on the banners with crosses. Constantine fulfilled the command of the Lord and received a long-awaited victory, after which he himself and his mother, Queen Elena, believed in True God Jesus Christ.
The persecution of Christians by royal decree was stopped and the restoration of Christian churches and shrines began.
In 326, Queen Helen went to Jerusalem. Arriving at the holy place, she saw that a pagan temple in honor of Venus was built on the site of Golgotha, and a temple in the name of Jupiter was erected on the site of the Holy Sepulcher. He ordered the destruction of pagan sanctuaries and the erection of Christian churches in their place.
But it was still necessary to find the Cross on which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. Elena searched for the Holy Cross for a long time and in vain, hundreds of Christians and Jews were interviewed, no one could give at least some information. Quite by accident, she learned that an old Jew named Judas could tell where to find the shrine. He was persuaded for a long time to tell where this place was, finally he showed a cave filled with stones, where the Cross of the Savior and two crosses could be located, on which the robbers were crucified that day.
Cross of the Lord With prayers, they began to dig a cave and found three crosses in it, and next to them they found a tablet on which was written in three languages "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
In order to understand which of the crosses was the Cross of the Savior, they brought a seriously ill woman, on whom all the crosses were placed in turn. After she touched the real Life-Giving Cross, the patient was healed.
In order to make sure that this is exactly the same Cross that they were looking for, it was attached to the deceased, who was carried to be buried. After the Cross touched the deceased, he resurrected and everyone was completely convinced that such a miracle could only come from the Life-Giving Cross.
With great joy, Empress Elena and all the people who were with her bowed to the shrine and venerated it. The news of the holy discovery almost instantly spread throughout the district, and Jews began to gather at the place where the Cross was found. There were so many people that many could not only bow to the Cross, but even see Him. To show the find, Patriarch Macarius stood on a high place and raised (raised) the Life-Giving Cross, everyone finally saw Him and, falling on their knees, prayed "Lord have mercy."
Later, by order of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine, in Jerusalem, on the site of the Resurrection of Christ, the construction of a monument to this event began, which was built for ten whole years.
Saint Helena died in 327, she did not live to see the completion of construction for eight years. The temple in honor of the Resurrection of Christ was consecrated on September 13 (according to the new style), 335.
And the next day, September 14, was set as a holiday - the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross.
By the care of the holy Empress Helena, more than eighty churches were founded, including in the birthplace of Jesus Christ - in Bethlehem, in the place of the Ascension of the Lord - on the Mount of Olives, in Gethsemane, where the Savior prayed before His Holy Death and where the Mother of God was buried after Dormition.
For all the work that Konstantin and Elena put into the distribution Christian faith, the Holy Church canonized them as Equal-to-the-Apostles.
Heraclius brings in the Cross of the Lord On this festive day, Christians remember another event - the return of the Cross of the Lord to Jerusalem from fourteen years of Persian captivity.
Chosroes II, the king of Persia, attacked Jerusalem, seized the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and captured Patriarch Zechariah (609-633).
For 14 years, the Holy Cross was in Persia until the time when, from God's help, Emperor Heraclius won the battle against Chosroes. Peace was concluded and the shrine finally returned to the Christians.
With great solemnity, the emperor Heraclius, in the royal crown and purple, carried the returned Cross to its rightful place in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Patriarch Zacharias walked beside him. But near the gate that led to Golgotha, the procession suddenly stopped, Heraclius could not go further. To the astonished emperor, the Holy Patriarch suggested that the Angel of the Lord Himself blocked the path, because the One Who had to bear the Cross in order to atone for human sins, passed this path in humility and in a humiliated form.
Then the emperor took off his royal robes and put on simple poor clothes. Only after that he was able to bring the Life-Giving Cross into the temple.
On the day of the Exaltation of the Honest Christ, a strict fast is observed!
magnificence
We magnify Thee, Life-Giver Christ, and honor Your Holy Cross, by which Thou hast saved us from the work of the enemy.
How and what to pray to the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
Holy Cross pray in different occasions, in joy, in trouble, in happiness or in sorrow. The prayer "Let God rise again ..." included in the evening rule is the most strong prayer that every Christian needs to know. She will protect you from all evil and misfortune. The Holy Fathers recommend reading the prayer to the Holy Cross before each exit from the house.
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let all who hate Him flee from His presence. As the smoke disappears, let them disappear; like wax melts from the face of fire, so let the demons perish from the face loving God and signing the sign of the Cross, and saying with joy: Rejoice, Most Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, drive away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been crucified on you, who descended into hell and corrected the power of the devil, and gave us His Honest Cross to drive away every adversary. O Most Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Lady Virgin Mother of God and with all the saints forever. Amen.
Traditions and rituals on Vozdvizhenye
- September 27 - worship of the Cross, religious processions, Exaltation evenings, reading a conspiracy for love, on this day they do not start new business.
Believers of the Orthodox Church worship the Cross.
On this day, people do not start any business, as there will be no positive result.
Traditionally, detours or religious processions are made with icons and prayers.
On this day, Vozdvizhensky evenings begin, which last for two weeks. Unmarried girls gather and read a certain spell seven times. According to legend, after such a ceremony, the one who is dear to her heart will fall in love with the girl.
Whoever observes the fast during the Exaltation will receive forgiveness of 7 sins, and those who do not observe it will receive 7 sins.
On this holiday, crosses are drawn in houses with chalk, soot, coal, garlic, animal blood. Small crosses made of wood are placed in the bins and mangers of animals. In the absence of crosses, they are made from rowan branches. They protect people, animals and crops from evil spirits.
Signs and sayings on the Exaltation
- The rise of autumn moves towards winter.
- At sunrise, the moon outlines a reddish, quickly disappearing circle - the weather will be clear and dry.
- The north wind on this day prophesies a warm summer next year.
- Geese fly high - the flood will be high, low - the river will practically not rise.
- If the cranes fly slowly and high, cooing in flight, then the autumn will be warm.
- If the west wind blows for several days in a row, then the weather will be bad in the coming days.
- On September 27, birds begin to fly south. And there is at the same time a very good sign, which reads as follows: if you see the departure of birds for a holiday, you must definitely think cherished desire that will come true anyway.
- It is also very important to say that earlier on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, absolutely every housewife cleaned the house. It was believed that in this way, it is possible to expel all kinds of evil spirits and damage from the house.
- It will also help to expel negative energy and negativity from home next ritual on the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord: for this it is necessary to take three church candles directly, and install them on one saucer. Next, you need to spray absolutely every corner of your home with a cruciform movement. At that moment, it is imperative to say absolutely any prayer that you know by heart. But the best option would be the prayer "Our Father" or the ninetieth psalm.
- It is very important to remember that it is categorically not worth starting any new business on the holiday, because, unfortunately, it is according to the sign that this business will end in failure.
- It is from the holiday of September 27 that incredibly cheerful youth holidays begin, which in turn have a name - skits. In ancient times, young beauties dressed up in festive dresses and went directly from house to house to chop cabbage. This action was carried out with extremely cheerful songs and was accompanied directly by delicious treats.
- Previously, they always knew that if you go to the forest on the Exaltation holiday, then there is a high probability that you will not be able to return at all. It was assumed that on September 27, the goblin collects each animal in the forest in order to unambiguously count each of them and thereby know how many living creatures live in his forest. And this action categorically no one should observe. And whoever disobeys and still goes to the forest for the Feast of the Exaltation, thereby showing disrespect to the goblin, may not return home that day.
Father Alexander Men on the Exaltation
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victory against resistance and Thy keeping Thy cross.
If the Nativity of the Mother of God is the threshold of the mystery of the Incarnation, then the Cross announces to us the redemptive sacrifice of Christ. Therefore, it also stands at the beginning of the church year.
The sign of the cross from deep pre-Christian antiquity was a symbol of the Divine and eternal life in many religions. But after Golgotha, the abstract hieroglyph became a real sign of salvation.
With a speed incomprehensible to the pagans, the news of the “folly of the Cross” swept through the world; Jews demanded signs, Hellenes - proofs, but in response they heard: "We preach Christ Crucified ...".
“We worship Your Cross, Vladyka,” the Church sings; - and we glorify your holy Resurrection ... ".
Through suffering to joy, through death to victory, through sacrificial self-giving to the fulfillment of the will of the Father—such is the path of the Redeemer of the world, such is the path of all who follow Him. “Whoever wants to follow Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me.” It's not just hardship and suffering; by themselves they may not be a "cross". “Taking up your cross” means “rejecting yourself”, conquering selfishness, learning to live for others, learning courage, patience, and total devotion to Christ.
The hymns of the feast speak of the Cross, which rises above the world as "the beauty of the Church," as "the affirmation of the faithful." He is a sign of God's love for man, a herald of the coming transformation of nature. “Let the oak trees rejoice, having been sanctified to their nature, having been planted from Him from the beginning” (canon of the Exaltation).
Already in the II century, Christians began to overshadow themselves with the sign of the cross. Even earlier, the first images of the cross appeared in the Church. These depictions predate the Crucifixions, the earliest of which were made around the 6th century.
Of all the types of Crucifixes, perhaps the most majestic is that which arose in Byzantium. Christ is depicted as having "betrayed the spirit". Head bowed, eyes closed. But the most remarkable thing is the hands. They are not lifeless. They are open like an embrace. In all the guise of the Crucified, peace and forgiveness. Already, as it were, a victory over death is foreshadowed ...
Holiday kontakion:
Ascended to the cross by will, to your namesake new residence, grant Your bounty, Christ God, rejoice us with Your power, giving us victories for comparisons, help to those who have Yours, the weapon of the world, an invincible victory.
The origin of the holiday is associated with the triumph of Christianity under Constantine the Great (IV century), who erected the Church of the Resurrection on the site of Golgotha and the Holy Sepulcher. This place attracted Christian pilgrims from the first years of the Church's existence, but at the beginning of the 2nd century, the emperor Hadrian, hostile to both Judaism and Christianity, decided to destroy all traces of both religions that were objectionable to him. He completely rebuilt Jerusalem, calling it Elia, dug down the Calvary hill, filled up the cave of St. Sepulcher and built a temple of Venus there.
When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, he ordered the temple to be demolished and excavations to begin on the holy site. “They removed layer after layer,” writes a contemporary of the events, Eusebius, “suddenly, in the depths of the earth, beyond all expectations, there was an empty space, and then an honest and all-holy sign of the saving Resurrection.” It was the cave of the Holy Sepulcher. The emperor provided the Bishop of Jerusalem Macarius with the means to build a temple over the cave.
After some time, Palestine was visited by the elderly mother of Constantine, Elena. Eusebius has no reports that she managed to find the authentic Cross of Christ. But in the second half of the 4th century, this relic was already honored in Jerusalem. St. Cyril testifies that parts of the Cross were sent throughout the empire. According to St. John Chrysostom, a sign by which they learned that it was the Cross of the Lord, was the inscription on it. At the beginning of the 5th century, Rufin already definitely associated the find with the name of St. Helena, and the historian Sozomen recorded a legend around 440 about how the queen was looking for the Cross and found it buried in the ground near Golgotha. To verify its authenticity, a dead man was placed on the shrine, and he came to life. After that, the patriarch "raised" the Cross over the praying crowd. The lack of information from Eusebius gave rise to historians to consider Sozomen's story a legend. But there is nothing incredible about the fact that the Cross was actually found. According to Jewish custom, the instruments of execution were placed in a mass grave along with the bodies of the crucified. Therefore, the Cross of Christ could be buried next to the robbers.
Be that as it may, the veneration of the Cross is of great general Christian significance. In honor of this shrine, the Feast of the Exaltation was established.
On the eve of it, during the all-night service (after the Great Doxology), the priest brings the image of the Cross to the middle of the temple. In the cathedral churches there is a custom to "raise" it to the four cardinal points while singing "Lord, have mercy."
On the day of the Exaltation, fasting was established.
Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
Historical content
On this day, the glorious christ-sti-a-not sun-on-mi-na-yut two co-existence. As the Holy Pre-given, the Cross was found in the year 326 in Jeru-sa-li-me. It was the eye of Mount Gol-go-fa, where the Spa-si-tel was laid out. And the second co-existence is the resurrection of the Living Cross from Persia, where he was in captivity. In the 7th century, he was returned to Iera-sa-lim by the Greek im-pe-ra-tor Iraq-liy. Both co-existences are united in the name of the celebration by the fact that the ob-re-ten-ny Cross is in front of the house of the air-dvi-ha-li, that is, under - no-ma-whether.
The holiday of the Exaltation, dedicated to the Holy Cross of Christ Christ, expresses whether there is a tour-gi-che-sky (God-serving-zheb- ny) as-pect in-chi-ta-niya hri-sti-a-na-mi Gol-gof-ko-go Cross as an instrument of spa-se-niya che-lo-ve-che-stva. The name of the decree-zy-va-et on the solemn raising of the Kre-hundred up ("lift-up") after about-on-ru-same -tion of it in the ground. This is the only two-on-de-si-th holiday (i.e., one of the two-on-twenty-ve-tea-shih holidays-to-go-to- th cycle-la), the historical-ri-che-os-no-howl of someone-ro-go appeared not only new-in-for-veteran-events, but also later- nie - from the field of church history.
Birth-de-nie Bo-go-ma-te-ri, celebrating-but-vav-she-e-six days-earlier, - pre-d-ver-rie secrets in-plo -shche-tion of God on earth, and the Cross speaks of His future sacrifice. In this way, the holiday of Kre-hundred is also worth it in the cha-le of the church-of-the-th-year (September 14/27).
With the feast of the Ascension of the Cross of the Lord, the Right-of-the-glorious Church unites b-go-go-vey-noe and bless the gift of remembrance of the very Cross itself, on which our Savior was crucified, and joyfully but sadly -by-mi-on-the-co-beings about-re-te-niya honestly and to-hundred-by-klo-nya-e-my tree-va of this Cross-hundred State- under-nya.
On this day, the Right-to-glorious Church invites the ve-ru-yu-shchih to repay the good-go-go-vey-noe-clo-non-honest-no- mu and Life-in-tvo-rya-sche-mu Cross, on which our Lord and Savior re-re-carried ve-li-tea-shie stra-da-niya ra-di on-she-go spa-se-niya.
On this Cross, in the words of church songs-no-singings, “death is dead-in-la-is-sya and we-do not appear in vain”, on it “with -de la spa-se-nie Pre-eternal King in the middle of the earth "and they carry out the" eternal truth "; for us, the Cross of Christ is a divine flattery, “by it we ascend to heaven”; spa-si-tel-noe is a tree - “a weapon of the world, not-be-di-may in-be-yes”, someone-swarm “we-not-se us on the lane - your bliss, even before the enemy stole the sweetness, from-gone us from God co-create, "and we are" earth-we-we-ho-hom-sya " and "everything to God is attached to-vle-ko-hom-sya." How can we not bless the Lord on this holiday, praise the clo-not-nie to Christ Christ-sto-vu, who appeared for us, “for-rya-mi not-corruptible-us-mi” on our spa-se-niya, someone has opened access for us to the kingdom of God, to heavenly bliss, through someone we are like “immortal food”!
According to the words of one-ve-li-ko-go father of the Church, “The cross is the head of our spa-se-nion; The cross - at-chi-on the im-number-len-th blessings. Through something else, we, who were previously demon-glorious-we-mi and from-re-wives-we-by-God, now you are among the sons-of-new ; through something we no longer remain in delusion, but did we know the truth; through something else, we, formerly, bowed-shi-e-sya de-re-vyam and stones-yum, now we know Spa-si-te-la of everyone; through no-go we, the former ra-ba-mi gre-ha, with-ve-de-us in the freedom of the great-weed-no-sti, through no-th earth-la , at the end, it became a non-bom. The cross is “the firmament of the saints, the light of the whole universe. As in a house, enveloped in darkness, whoever, for-burned-shi-sve-til-nick and put it on the vault, pro-go-nya-et darkness, so is Christ in the all-flax, embraced by that darkness, having brought the Cross, as it were, some kind of lamp, and lifting it up, so-co, dis-se-yal all the darkness on earth. And just as the sve-til-nik contains the light above on its peak, so the Cross above on its peak did not have the si-i-th-sun -tse truths ”- on-the-she Spa-si-te-la.
“The rise of the Cre-hundred of the Lord-under-nya” This is what the Cross of Christ is for us, and we are holy and bless-go-go-vey-but we must read and read it. Each of us sanctifies his whole life with the cross and the sign of the cross. From early childhood to my own death, each hri-sti-a-nin but sits on himself, on his chest, the cross as a sign of Hri -hundred-howl in-we-dy and ours for-shchi-you and forces; every de-lo we na-chi-na-em and okan-chi-va-em with the sign of the cross, doing everything for the glory of Christ-sto-vu. As such a protection and protection, we in the hell-you-va-em sign of the cross on everything for us dear and holy, and on our own their houses, and on the walls, and on the doors. With the sign of the cross, we are on the day, and with the sign of the cross, we are going to sleep, for-can-chi -we-eat day.
Now the cross - on-sha ve-li-tea-shay holy-you-nya, on-sha glory-va, our spiritual all-beige-y-y-sword, and that Christ made it for us with his death and his-and-mi-stra-yes-no-I-mi on the Cross.
The Savior received on the Cross a mu-chi-tel-ney-shui from the executions, “sin-khi-sha voz-not-se on Te-le Svo-em on the tree” (), “humbled Se-be, having listened to being even to death, the death of the cross” (). Somehow, in the s-mom de-le, in-ra-zi-tel-noe, pre-you-sha-yu-che-lo-ve-che-no-no-ma-nie mature -more. “Here, - the Church rises this day, - the Lord of creation and the Lord of glory, you are nailed on the Cross and pro- bo-yes-et-sya in reb-ra; The sweetness of the Church-vi tastes bile and ocet; In-roof-va-yu-shchy not-bo about-la-ka-mi about-la-ga-et-sya ter-no-vy wreath and dress-va-et-sya clothes-doy-ru -g-tion; With-z-given-shih hand-che-lo-ve-ka for-u-sha-et-sya with a perishable hand; Ode-va-yu-shchy not-bo about-la-ka-mi with-ni-ma-et hit-ry on the shoulders, with-ni-ma-et for-ple-va-nia and wounds , in-no-she-niya and for-u-she-niya and endures everything for the sake of us, convict-den-nyh ”(sti-khi-ra). How are we, the possession of the god-death-of-the-cross and the suffering of Spa-si-te-la, can we not bow down in the b-go-go-vey-nom tre-ne-te before the “required-la-wife-tree, on it Christ, the King and the Lord, is spread”, do not honor the holy Cross, - for us glory, for us in trouble in Christ and with Christ.
Such a you-with-some and sacred meaning of the Cre-sta of the Lord, of course, de la-lo in the eyes of christ-sti-an ve- li-tea-shey holy-you-her and sa-my tree Cre-hundred Lord-under-nya, that sa-my de-re-vyan-ny cross, on which the Spa was laid -si-tel. But first-at-first-but this holy Cross was not saved by hri-sti-a-na-mi, was not up to-st-I-no-it ve-ru-yu-shih , in those whole three hundred years, there wasn’t even from the vest, but exactly the place where this christ-an-sky saint is hidden . According to rab-vin-sko-mu pre-pi-sa-nii, “ka-men, someone was killed by someone, de-re-vo, on someone-rum someone- bo was ve-shen, a sword, someone-eye, someone was decapitated, and ve-roar, someone-swarm someone was for-du-shen , we must be in-gre-be-us together with the kaz-nen-us-mi ". But, not saying that the Savior was put to death by the Roman execution for us, this is the requirement of rab-vin-sko -th for-to-on could not be used-full-not-but in relation to Christ-sto-vu Krest also in a way that is more-pure te-lo Spa-si-te-la would-lo-gre-be-but ru-ka-mi His disciples and friends. In any case, all-ma ve-ro-yat-but that all three cross-hundreds (Spa-si-te-la and two times-fight-no-kov) would-whether in-lo- women or buried near the place of a hundred races and deaths Spa-si-te-la. Blessed-go-vey-naya pa-myat not-in-medium sw-de-te-lei and eye-witnesses of the races of the five Spa-si-te-la - His beloved by-schoo-scholars-no-kovs and apprentices, ko-nech-but, holy something, keep-no-la with your own in-chi-ta-no-eat and in-clo-no-no-eat it place. None of the following circumstances of the life of the first Christians, no matter how difficult these circumstances are for them wouldn’t, couldn’t make them forget to be places, consecrated things-whether-tea-shi-mi co-being-i-mi lives-no Spa-si-te- la. In the aftermath of the storage-ni-te-la-mi re-creation-by-mi-na-ny about the holy places of death and in-gre-be-niya Spa-si-te-la-be- whether the first hier-sa-lim-sky episcopal-py and the next-du-u-christ-sti-a-ne. Already St. Ky-rill Yeru-sa-lim-sky testifies that since the time of the apostles, travels to Yeru-sa-lim for a clone -niya places, consecrated-by-my-on-ni-i-mi about different co-existences of earthly life Lord-by-yes Ii-su-sa Hri -hundred. The capture and destruction of Ieru-sa-li-ma Ti-tom in a significant degree from me-no-whether many places-a-hundred-ro -yes, - could it be subjected to from me-not-nia, for-sy-pa-nia mu-so-rum and once-wa-li-on-mi is also connected puppy places of a hundred races and deaths Spa-si-te-la. In addition to that, a historian of the 4th century. Ev-se-viy testifies that the enemies of hri-sti-an - tongue-no-ki - with-no-ma-whether measures to something to hide and yes - desecrate the thread of the saints for hri-sti-an me-hundred; that not-che-sti-people with na-ro-chi-that insane goal so-ver-shen-but from-me-no-whether the view of places-but-sti Gol-go-fa and St. Gro-ba. They za-sy-pa-li mu-so-rum, on-a rash from above you-we-we-sti stone-it and here erected an al-tar bo- gi-no sweet-to-passionate love-vi. Other histories testify that especially ben-but tried to desecrate all the holy places be-sov-ski-mi ido-la-mi and victim-va-mi not-che-sti-vy im-pe-ra-tor Roman Ad-ri-an (117-138 A.D.). Elevated on the site of ra-zo-ren-no-go Ti-tom Ieru-sa-li-ma city, he ordered for-sy-pat the coffin of the Lord-on-the-day of the earth and many stones, and on the mountain where the Spa-si-tel was crucified (on the “rock of the Cross”), he built a temple of the tongue and the idol of Yupi-te-ra was placed over the Sepulcher of the Lord under him. But neither the destruction of Ieru-sa-li-ma Ti-tom, nor the restoration of its Ad-ri-a-nom, could it be so from me-thread kind and holy places, so that b-go-go-vey-but remembering these places hri-sti-a-wouldn’t recognize them, couldn’t they find. And the aspiration-le-niya of the non-pious and pagans desecrate the thread and hide these places to-sti-ha-whether so-ver-shen-but the reverse goal : their-and-mi on-sy-five-mi and idol-mi-co-or-same-ni-i-mi they are strong, but from-me-cha-whether these places are, de-la-whether not -possible for-b-ve-ing their ve-ru-u-schi-mi and yes-s-mi-mi language-no-ka-mi. So the Lord raz-ru-sha-et “so-ve-you are not-che-sti-vy” and the very evil of man turns to the good of his Church !
Bless-go-go-vey-but keep mine in pa-my-ti ve-ru-yu-shchih and so on from-me-chen-noe tongue-no-ka-mi, ho-cha and desecrated by them; -stan-ti-on Ve-li-ko-go. This hri-hundred-lu-bi-vy im-pe-ra-tor, still bu-duchi external-not language-no-one, but de-I-tel-no-sti is-la-is christ-sti -an-skim go-su-da-rem, had the os-no-va-niya especially-ben-but to honor the Cross of Christ. This is the sign of Christ howl in trouble, according to the Divine dispensation, served three times for Kon-stan-ti-na Ve -whether-know-someone-me-ni-eat him in-be-dy over the enemies. In 312, Kon-stan-tin in-e-val against the same-hundred-to-go Mac-sen-tia, in-tsar-riv-she-go-sya in Rome, pre-sequence to-vav-she-go and kill-vav-she-go hri-sti-an, pro-div-she-go not-che-sti-vuyu life. According to the words of that-g-dash-not-go isto-ri-ka (Ev-se-via), Mak-sen-tiy, getting ready to fight with Kon-stan-tin-n, pri-be-gal to various sorceries and suu-faithful rites; Kon-stan-tin, not with everything in-la-ga-being on the strength of his-e-th howl, feeling-shaft not-about-ho-di-bridge in the supernatural help over the enemy, but in a certain way he thought about which God he should pray for this help. In this difficult mi-well-tu, Kon-stan-tin remembered that his father Kon-stan-tsiy, who provided the patronage of Christ, sti-a-us, pol-zo-val-sya bla-go-so-one-hundred-I-no-eat, then-g-yes, how-go-no-te-whether hri-sti-an had poor- stven-nu-yu end-chi-well, - and in a certain way, I decided to o-ra-tit-sya with a prayer to God Kon-stan-tion, go-no-mu, Ver-hov-no-mu Su-shche-stvo. And so, when he gave himself up to an zealous prayer, then an eye-lo-d-d-nya saw a ray-che-zar-ny cross in the sky, si-yav-shey is stronger than the sun-nech-no-th-th light, with over-pi-sue on it: “sim in-be-di-shi”. This is a miraculous sign of vi-de-li and in-and-us, among some-something there was half-to-dets Ar-te-miy, subsequently for-mu-chen-ny (with Yuli-a-not O-step-no-ke) for Christ. In a-ra-wife-not-usual-tea-not-bes-wi-de-ni-em, Kon-stan-tin fell into a deep sleep, and in a dream Spa himself appeared to him -si-tel, again showed him the same sign of the cross, ordered him to use the image of the cross as the sign in howl-with-kah, and promised him in trouble not only over Mac-sen-ti-em, but also over all enemies. Waking up, Kon-stan-tin ordered to make the Cross of the Lord in a day, after a beating of vi-den-no-go to them of knowledge, from another -valuable stones, as well as drawing a depiction of a cross on banners, on weapons, helmets and shields in-and- new Since then, the howl-ska Kon-stan-ti-na so-ver-sha-li-ho-dy, having its own cross, connected with the first -mi buk-va-mi name-no Spa-si-te-la. In the battle on the Melviysky bridge (across the Tiber), Kon-stan-tin won a brilliant victory over Mak-sen-ti-em (October 28, 312). Mac-sen-tiy himself drowned with many of his in-and-news in the river, and Kon-stan-tin went to Rome in a be-to-nose-but. After this, he erected in Rome a statue of himself, holding a cross in his right hand, and in over-pi-si on the statue in a be- yes, over Mac-sen-ti-em, there was a “spa-si-tel-no-mu-know-me-niyu” of the cross. Also, in the war-not with vi-zan-tiy-tsa-mi and ski-fa-mi two more times Kon-stan-tin saw-del on the sky the miraculous sign of the cre -hundred, something-ve-sti-lo to him in trouble over the enemies.
It’s easy to understand how b-go-go-ve-ne-em to the Cross of the Lord-under-nu-nu was pre-is-pol-not-but after these events of the heart -tse hri-hundred-lu-bi-vo-go king Kon-stan-ti-na. And this im-pe-ra-tor, “not without inspiration from above, but in-boo-yes-e-my Du-home sa-mo-go Spa-si-te-la” re - sewed not only to find an honest tree of the Cre-sta of the Lord, to give him respect, but also “a place sacred to her neck -tel-no-go resurrection in Ieru-sa-li-me to do before-me-th all-gen-bla-go-go-wei-no-go-chi -ta-niya "- build a temple over it. Is-full-ni-tel-ni-tsey b-go-che-sti-vo-go-on-me-re-niya his mother appeared to him, blessed wife -ri-tsa Elena-na, according to-a-hundred-i-ni-yam sa-mo-go im-pe-ra-to-ra having accepted hri-sti-an-stvo, from-li-chav -sha-i-sya bla-go-che-sti-em and fiery zeal-no-stu according to the faith of Christ-howl. In 326, Yele-na-great-went to the holy land with the aim of finding and visiting places consecrated by the chiefs-ne-shi-mi co-being-I-mi life-no Spa-si-te-la. Arriving in Iera-sa-lim, full of bless-go-che-sti-in-go-la-niya to find a cave-ru-gro-ba of the Lord-under-nya and honor noe tree Kre-hundred, she zealously began to search for them. Pat-ri-ar-hom in Ieru-sa-li-me was at that time Ma-ka-riy, who met the tsa-ri-tsu with po-do-ba-yu-schi-mi -che-stya-mi and o-zy-vav-shey help her in her holy de-le.
In half-but-those b-go-go-vey-noy ra-do-sti and the spirit-how-no-go mind of the tsar-ri-tsa and all those who were with her in-clo-not-nie and whole-lo-va-nie Kre-stu. And since, due to the multitude of things on-ro-yes, not everything could-whether in-clo-thread-sya honestly-to the tree of the Cre-hundred of the Lord and yes not everyone could see him, then Patri-arch Ma-ka-riy, standing in your place, under-no-small - erected the hall of St. Cross, showing it on-ro-du. The people bowed to the Cross, exclaiming: “Lord, by the way, by the way!” From-here-yes, and I-got-chilled my-cha-lo and the name of the holiday of the Resurrection of Honest and Life-in-your-thing Kre-hundred Lord-under-nya. This is a co-existence about-re-te-niya of the Honest Cre-st of the Lord-under-nya and chu-de-sa, co-leader-give him, pro-of-we-whether -any vpe-chat-le-nie not only in christi-an, but also in iu-de-ev. Jude-yes, so not-oh-hot-but uka-head-to-ho-de-the holy places, together with many-gi-mi ev-re-i-mi uve-ro-val in Christ and baptized, having received the name Ki-ri-a-ka in the holy baptism. Subsequently, he was pat-ri-ar-hom of Ieru-sa-lim-sky and pre-ter-sang mu-che-no-che-kon-chi-nu with him-pe-ra-to- re Yuli-a-not From-step-no-ke. Kon-stan-tin himself, as a consequence, in a letter to Jer-sa-lim-sko-mu pat-ri-ar-hu Ma-ka-riyu wrote-sal about about-re-te-nii Honest Kre-hundred Lord: “there are no words for a worthy description of this miracle. Knowing the holy passions, hiding so long under the ground and remaining in the not-from-the-west-but- sti in those whole centuries, finally rise-si-i-lo ". Holy tsar Elena, with the mighty co-action of his son-on-tsar Kon-stan-ti-na, na-cha-la stro - to be in Jeru-sa-li-me and throughout Pa-le-sti-not temples-we are in places consecrated by co-being-I-mi from the life of Spa-si-te- la. And before everything was, by the will of the tsar-ri-tsy and the tsar-rya, in the same way, but the os-but-va-nie and the steps-le-but to the build-ke on the site of the Gro-ba of the Lord-under-nya and about-re-te-niya of St. Kre-hundred churches-vi Resurrection of the Lord-yes-on-she-go Ii-su-sa Christ, consecration of someone-swarm was-lo co-ver-she -but on September 13, 335 the place where the coffin of the Pre-Holy Bo-go-ro-di-tsy was located, in the name of Her success and, besides that, seven-twenty churches in different places of the holy earth.
What ka-sa-et-sya fate sa-mo-go about-re-ten-no-go St. The barely honest tree of the Cross of the Lord, then, unfortunately, it cannot be an indication of the exact and completely definitive - de la no. This tree-in the Cre-hundred of the Lord-under-nya has become-la-lo for christ-sti-an so great-a-holy-you-nu that christ-sti-a-ne, already with sa- my about-re-te-nii him in a large number-li-che-stve on-full-full of Jeru-sa-lim, not only go-re-do-la-ni-em in-clo -thread to him, but, if possible, and succeeds, get a part of it from him. Indeed, St. Kirill Ieru-sa-lim-sky (IV century) testifies that already in his time, small parts of Life would there be races-pro-countries-not-us all over the earth. And St. John of Evil-to-mouth (IV century) testifies that “many, both husbands and wives, received a small part of tsu of this tree and about-lo-living it with gold, ve-sha-yut on your neck.
But not all ancient crosses were une-se-but in such a way from Ieru-sa-li-ma. Part of the ob-re-ten-no-th tree of the Kre-sta and nails from the not-th tsar-ri-tsa Yele-na in-la-la to his-e-mu sy-well Kon-stan-ty -well, and the rest would be for-the-key-che-but in the se-reb-rya-kov-cheg and vru-che-but before-one-hundred-I-te-lu Iera-sa-lim-sky The Church-vi with a-ka-for-no-it store a thread for the coming-of-the-co-le-tions.
And St. Cy-rill Ieru-sa-lim-sky confirms that the honest tree of the Cross of the Lord of the Lord in his time was kept and seemed to be va-moose on-ro-du in Ieru-sa-li-me. And in the description of the divine service of Ve-li-koy Pyat-ni-tsy in Ieru-sa-li-me, made by not-to-her noble pa- scrap-ni-tsey IV century. (Sylvie-ey, or Ete-ri-ey), we find an in-te-res-noe description of the self-m-th about-rya-yes in-clo-not-niya-dre- wu Kre-hundred of the Lord-under-ny with the indication of those measures, which, at the same time, were against the races of the holy tree blah-go-che-sti-you-mi pa-lom-no-ka-mi. “On Gol-go-fe,” it says in this description, “behind the Cross, i.e. behind the temple in honor of St. Kre-hundred, even before the six-hundred-th hour of the morning, the bishop-pu-ca-fed-ra. A bishop sits on this cafe, in front of him there is a table, covered with a scarf, around a hundred there are dea-cos and pri-no - sits a se-reb-rya-ny-golden cove-cheg, in some-rum there is a holy tree of the Kre-hundred; from-kry-va-et-sya and you-no-ma-et-sya; put on the table like the tree of the Cross, and to the cheek (titulus). So, ko-g-yes-yes-lo-same-but on the table, the bishop sits down with his-and-mi-ru-ka-mi ends of the holy tree wa; dia-ko-us, someone-rye stand in a circle, guard-nya-yut. It guards in such a way that there is a custom for tea, for some reason the whole people, coming up alone at night ke, both faithful and announced, on-clo-nya-ut-sya to the hundred, lo-be-for-the holy tree and pro-ho-dyat. And since, ras-say-zy-va-yut, I don’t know who-g-yes, someone nibbled and stole parts of the holy de-re-va, then it’s -mu-now the dia-ko-nas, standing around, are guarding, so that none of the under-goings would dare to do that th. And so the whole nation goes on-o-di-night-ke, everything is pre-klo-ny-ya and ka-sa-be first-for-a-scrap, then with the eyes of Cre- a hundred and up to-cheek-ki and, about-lo-by-the Cross, pass; ru-ku, no one pro-tya-gi-va-et for touch-but-ve-niya. On-ho-de-nie parts of the tree of the Cre-sta of the Lord-under-nya in Ieru-sa-li-me confirm-waits-and other-histo-ri-che- ski-mi dan-ny-mi. In the 7th century in the kingdom-va-nie of the vizantine-im-pe-ra-to-ra Fo-ki (602-610) this ve-li-kai hri-sti-an-sky saint-you -nya for a while in-pa-la in the hands of per-owls. Hoz-roy, the king of the Persian Sid, having entered into a war with Fo-koy, in-ko-ril Egi-pet, Af-ri-ku and Pa-le-sti-nu, took Jeru-sa -lim, plundered his co-kro-vi-shcha and, among these co-kro-visches, took from Ieru-sa-li-ma and the tree of Life go Kre-hundred Lord-under-nya and took him to Per-sia. But the Lord did not let the unfaithful long to own the christ-an-sky saint-you-her. Pre-em-nick Fo-ki imp. Iraq-liy for some time could not beat Hoz-roy, and then he turned to God with a prayer about po -mo-shchi. He commanded and to all believers of his kingdom to make prayers, god-service and stas, that- would the Lord from ba-vil from the enemy. The Lord let Iraq-liy be-du over Hoz-ro-em, someone himself was killed by his son. After that, Iraq-liy took from the Persians many-valuable holy-you-nu-christi-an - an honest tree of the Cross of the Lord-under-nya and re - sewed pe-re-not-sti its tor-same-stven-but again in Jeru-sa-lim. In 628, im-pe-ra-tor Iraq-liy, having reached Ieru-sa-li-ma, laid st. tree on his shoulders, carried him, dressed in his royal clothes. But suddenly at the gate, someone-ry-mi rose-ho-di-whether to the Forehead place, don’t-wait-given-but stop-but-wil-sya and couldn’t make a distance -she not a step. And then-g-yes Za-ha-rii, pat-ri-ar-hu con-stan-ti-no-Polish-mu, you-went-she-mu together with the zhi-te-la-mi Ieru -sa-li-ma on-meet-chu tsa-ryu, would-lo from-kro-ve-nie from the light-nose-no-go an-ge-la, which is not-possible-but-dre -in, someone was carried by Christ in the company of uni-chi-zhe-niya, non-sti in royal robes. That-g-yes, the king put on simple and poor clothes, and, with bo-sy-mi-no-ga-mi, in such a form brought in St. the tree to the church to the place where it is on-ho-di-moose before the capture of Khoz-ro-em. Here is an honest tree of the Cre-sta of the Lord on-ho-di-moose and in the next-du-th-time. At the very least, in the na-cha-le of the 9th century. among the cli-ra of the temple of the Resurrection-se-niya would there be two pre-s-s-te-ra st-ra-m, on the obligation of someone-ry-le-m -lo protect St. Cross and su-da-riy. At the cross-noses of St. the tree is the same, not-with-m-nen-but, on-ho-di-moose in Ieru-sa-li-me and more than once served as a rim-re-ni-em and protection noah their howl-with-kam in battles with not-faith-us-mi. One-on-one, the further fate of the honest tree of the Kre-hundred Lord is exactly not from the West. Very-ma-ve-ro-yat-but that with those-che-no-thing time, gradually decreasing in its volume, due to the blah -go-che-sti-in-go-la-niya of various obi-te-lei and mo-on-sheep to have parts of St. tree-va, it is perfect-shen-but it would be split-fraction-le-but into separate parts, some-rye and indicate those -pen in many temples and mo-on-stays. In particular, in Rome, in the ba-zi-li-ke of St. Cre-hundred, de-re-vyan-naya is kept to a cheek, someone you-y-yut for that cheek, titulus, someone-paradise would-la-be-bi-ta over the head Spa-si-te-la and after nai-de-na St. Barely le-zha-schey from del-but from Kre-hundred.
And now, not, on the day of the feast, no-ka, the rise of the Honest and Life-of-things-of-the-go-of-the-hundred of the Lord, we, christ -a-no, we can only think-len-but-give b-go-go-vey-noe in-clo-not-no-honest tree Kre-hundred, for someone- rum was our Spa-si-tel. But this Cross is not-out-of-glam-di-mo on-the-black on our blessed hearts, but its material image - before- me in the temple and on us - on our chest, in our dwellings.
“When-and-di-those, believers, living-in-your-ra-sche-mu-tree-in-clo-him-sya, on it is Christ, the King of glory, in- I pour ru-tse ras-pro-era, elevate us to the first bliss!” (sti-khi-ra sa-mo-gl.).
The meaning of the holiday
Be-duchi one-but-kind-nym in connection with-one-nya-e-my-mu-re-in-mi-na-ny with the seven-passions of Christ-hundreds, on-hundred- I-a holiday according to ha-rak-te-ru so-ver-shen-but from-whether-cha-et-sya from those exclusive-key-chi-tel-nyh in the year by mind-whether -tel-no-sti and the greatness of days - days, some-eye one right-is-in-learning-e-but-the-name of “saints and great-li- to their". These are the days of weeping over the Divine Stra-dal; this is a day of joy about the consequences of His suffering, about the fruits of redemption. This is a holiday of names, but in honor of sa-mo-is-kup-le-niya in the person of the main tool, sign-me-niya and send it to us .
The tool is worthy of-stay-but such-th-th-stvo-va-niya, sa-mo-one-hundred-I-tel-no-go-holiday-no-va-niya in honor of him not only for to the meaning, something it had in the very act of issuing, not only in view of the importance that it with the same time-me-no-lu-chi-lo in the life of hri-sti-an, but also according to what it was for Christ himself hundred. “The cross has the glory of Christ-hundred-howl and you-with-that Christ-hundred-howl,” says St. An-drey Kritsky (word on the Air-movement), referring to confirming the first thought on and the second on John 12:32 : "if Az voz-not-sen will be from the earth ...". “If the Cross of Christ composes the glory of Christ, then on the present day the cross rises for the one that -would Christ be glorified. Not Christ exalted, so that the Cross would be glorified, but the Cross would be exalted, so that Christ would be glorified " .
Being Christ, His glory and you, this Cross is too close to us already according to its original idea. He, in fact, is our Cross. Christos “carried on his shoulders that very cross, on whom did they crucify him, as if he had taken on himself for , define-de-len-nye co-gre-shiv-shim "; He “carried the cross to us over-le-zha-shchy” (St. Cyril of Aleksandria on John book 12).
From-here-yes, those not-is-numbers-we-we-ha, some-rye from-whether you are on us with the Cross. “This good fodder, full of abundance, we abound all our life and dying it, still gave us eternal life in the future” (St. Eph-rem Sirin, word on the Holy Cross). “With the cross we got out of enmity and with the cross we established ourselves in friendship with God. The cross co-th-tal people with the face of an-ge-lov, making them alien to all-to-perishable-no-go-de-la and to-sta-viv they have the opportunity to lead an imperishable life ”(word-in on the Voz-dvi-zhe-nie of Va-si-liya Se-left-kyi-go, with-pi-sy-va -e-mine and St. Jo-an-well Evil-to-mouth). “He made a clean earth, led our nature to the royal throne” (St. John of Evil-to-mouth, the word in clone -nie Kre-stu). “This Cross turned the whole world onto the true path, drove it out for wandering, returned the truth, made the earth not-bom” ( a word about the Cross, with-pi-sy-va-e-my St. Io-an-well Evil-to-mouth). “He laid down the end of the world-less de-lams of the world, suppressed his godless teachings, and the world does not please more than dia -volsky for-to-us and not ties-y-va-et-sya bonds of death; (Cross) approved for-because whole-wisdom and is-to-re-nil sweetness-to-passion; consecrated the right-vi-lo voz-der-zha-niya and lower-lo-lived the state-under-stvo in a ho-ti. In s-my de-le, what kind of good-ro in-lu-che-but na-mi-mi-mo Kre-hundred? Which of the blessings is yes-ro-va-but we can’t through the Cross? Through the Cross, we learned the goodness and knew the power of the Divine nature; through the Cross, we cheer-zu-me-whether the truth of God and in-sti-ga-em good-ro-de-tel whole-lo-wisdom; through the Cross we knew each other; through the Cross, we knew the power of love and not from-ca-zy-va-em-sya to die for each other; b-go-da-rya Kre-stu, we de-migrate all the blessings of the world and put them into nothing, expecting future blessings and not-see-di- my pri-ni-may, as vi-di-mine. The cross is pro-ve-du-et-sya - and the truth is all over the all-len-noy race-pro-country-n-is-sya, and the kingdom of the heavenly honor-sto-ve -rya-et-sya (word-in Voz-dvi-same-nie Va-si-liya Se-left-kiysko-go or Io-an-na Evil-to-u-hundred).
In my-mo-o-o-re-te-niya for man-lo-ve-che-stva of these higher spiritual blessings, the Cross from ancient times began to manifest spa-si -tel-nuyu si-lu and in a hundred everyday needs hri-sti-an. “This is a sign in the time of our ancestors, - testifies to St. Evil-mouth or contemporaneous pi-sa-tel, - from-ver-for-lo behind-the-key-chen-nye-ri, it uga-sha-lo gu-bi-tel -nye poisons, is-tse-la-lo bites of poisonous animals. If it is from the gate of hell and opened the heavenly vault, re-sta-no-vi-lo the entrance to heaven and so-kru-shi-lo si-lu dia - in-la, then what is surprising-vi-tel-no-go, if it pre-odo-le-va-et destructive poisons? (word-in-clo-non-nie Kre-stu, with-pi-sy-va-e-my holy. Evil-to-mouth).
Along with this, so to speak, mystical, mi-sty-che-sign for christ-a-no-na, a cross in a lu -chil for non-th and chi-hundred mo-ral-noe meaning. He became a rim-re-ni-em and support for him in the burdens of a personal cross. “Look, - as if Christ says, - at what My Cross did; do-those and you are such a kind of weapon, and do what you want. Let (after-the-follower of Christ) be so ready for that, in order to endure the swearing and be crucified on the cross ste, says the Lord, how ready is he who does not set a cross on his shoulders; let him consider himself in such a close proximity with death. Before such a person, everyone comes in amazement, because we are not so afraid of them in the arms of the female demons -len-ny-mi che-lo-ve-che-ski-mi oru-di-ya-mi and strong kim mu-fe-stv, like che-lo-ve-ka, oda-ren-no-go such a power ”(word-in-clo-non-nie Kre-stu, with-pi-sy-va-e-my Evil-to-mouth).
“Looking at the cross inhales courage and out of fear” (St. Andrew of Crete’s word on the ).
Finally, the cross became-chil for hri-sti-a-ni-na and es-ha-to-lo-gi-che-sign. “So-g-yes, say-for-but, the sign of the cross will appear on the sky. Ko-y-yes "that-y-yes"? Ko-g-da si-ly not-devil-nye move-nut-sya. That-g-yes-decorated with the signs of the church, stya-zhav-shie-be this many-valuable bi-ser, ho-ro-sho- keeping this image once and before bee, rise-hi-shche-we will be on ob-la-kah ”(Pan-to-lei, pre-sweater Vizantian , reading on the Air-motion).
Do not be surprised that the cross has become a sign of hri-sti-a-ni-na. “The cross was given to us as a sign on the forehead in exactly the same way as From-ra-i-lyu about-re-for-nie; for through no-one we are faithful times-whether we eat and we-know-we know from the unfaithful ”(St. John Damas-kin, word -on the day of Cre-hundred).
In-degree-but christ-sti-an-estimation-ni-lo all the meaning-for-th-th-th-sign-me-tion, this-th trophy-of-be-dy Hri -hundred-howl. And then the pro-thought came to the aid of the Church-vi not-by-mean-action of its own - from-ve-de-ni-em of the Cross from the bowels of the earth and -le-ni-eat it on no-be. “The Lord would not have let him stay in the earth, but he pulled him out and carried him to heaven; He has to come with him at His second coming.” (St. John of Evil-to-mouth, the word about the Cross and the cross-five). He is ob-re-ten with them-pe-ra-to-rah, ve-ro-vav-shih in Christ-hundred, ob-re-ten with the power of the divine and artless -noy, the only power and firmness of the faith. When-yes-yes, God handed Christ-sti-a-to-us the royal ski-pet-ry, at this exact time, it was pleasing to Him to open the Cross through the same b-go-che-sti-vuyu, well-well, tsar-ri-tsu, well-well, decorate-shav-shu-yu-sya royal wisdom, wisely, well, say so, the divine god-wisdom, so that she, using part of the power of the word, characteristic of the royal person , upo-tre-bi-la everything that could only move the indecent heart of iu-de-ev ”(St. An-drey of Crete, word in Voz- traffic). “You came from the treasures of the lands of the earth, the sign of Vladyka, the sign, shaking some hellish caves osvo-bo-di-whether so-der-zhi-my soul-shi in them. A spiritual pearl came out on the faithful, approved in the crown of Christ, in order to illuminate the whole universe. He appeared in order to be raised-well, and lifted-ha-et-sya, in order to appear (so that you can see him). Many-times-but under-no-ma-yut him and-ka-zy-va-yut on-ro-du, just not exclaiming: “behold, about-re-te-but uta -en-noe with-kro-vi-sche spa-se-niya ”(St. An-drai of Crete, the word on the Elevation).
Establish-new-len-ny in pa-meat about-re-te-niya and yav-le-niya already under-go-to-flax soil, was from-ve-that to a long-standing request for their spirit. But he, having immediately received a wide-ro-of-country and great solemnity, without hesitation, smartly stung love bov to the Cross and po-chi-ta-nie him. The cross is now a special meaning in the struggle of hri-sti-a-ni-na with not-vi-di-we-mi enemies-ga-mi of his spa se-niya, especially ben-but in the hands of moving-no-kov. Now, evaluate-ni-va-yut and all its meaning not only in the de-le of our spa-se-niya, co-ver-shen-nom Christ, but also in the veterinary -ho-for-vet-nome with-go-tov-le-nii of this spa-se-niya, explaining a lot of it here, so to speak, with a return action.
Pub-li-ku-et-sya from-da-tion: Ska-bal-la-no-wich M.N. The rise of the Honest and Life-of-things-of-the-go-of the Lord's-under-the-hundred.
Kyiv. Ed. "Prologue". 2004 pp. 7-18, 45-46, 232-236, 249-250.
Liturgical (liturgical) features
An all-night vigil is performed the night before. See in.
Audio:
Kondak 1
Come, people of Christ, let us praise the Holy Cross, on which Christ, the King of glory, has spread his hand, elevate us to the first blessedness, from the worthless fall of the serpent's charm. You, O Holy Cross, as if you have the power of the Crucified Christ inherent in you, save and save from all troubles lovingly calling you:
Ikos 1
Angelic faces, like God's ministry, the Cross is present, the free passion of Christ the Life-Giver is glorified. We, having escaped the suffering of that eternal death, imitating the heavenly forces, joyfully cry out:
Rejoice, O Cross, as Christ our God is upon you, by the will of his hand he has spread, our salvation has been done; Rejoice, as if Christ spread upon you the crime of Adam and Eve, who stretched out their hands to the forbidden tree, be abolished.
Rejoice, for I have exalted the former on you, like a criminal, to the Lawgiver, the ancient oath, which was already on us, is needed; Rejoice, for the human race has been freed from mortal aphids by a strange sacrament that has happened to you.
Rejoice, for the sting of death is crushed on you by those who suffered and died; rejoice, for the sake of suffering, God is reconciled with people.
Rejoice Honest Cross, the joyous sign of our redemption.
Kondak 2
Seeing fallen people, Lord, You became human, You suffered the cross and death freely in the flesh for our kind, but from eternal death deliver those who confess Thee, the Son of God and cry out to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The human mind is exhausted in comprehending the great mystery of Yours, Christ, the incarnation and the suffering that is free for us: what You, God, this passionless, the passion of the cross, like a man, have endured and this instrument of Your death has made you a source of life and salvation for all those who believe piously in You and eulogizing:
Rejoice, Cross, on which the sacrament was performed, predetermined from the ages; rejoice, for our redemption has been accomplished on you, in many forms in images and senech presented.
Rejoice, as the Life-giver who died on you, exude blood and water, in the image of our sins are washed away; Rejoice, as with drops of the most holy blood of His sinful scabs of our souls are cleansed.
Rejoice, Cross, like an animal tree, hedgehog is in the midst of God's paradise, desired by Christians; Rejoice, thou who cleverly nourishes us with the fruits of immortality and encourages our cowardice with the hope of eternal life.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 3
Your Cross, even if the tree is apparently a being, but the Divine garment is a power, and sensual world Cleverly revealed, our salvation works miracles, ascetic to sing to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
We have before our eyes the Most Holy Cross, with holy worship of that we honor those who have spread themselves for the sake of Christ the Savior on it, and kissingly cry out:
Rejoice, Cross, glorified by the obedience and suffering of Christ; Rejoice, exalted by the exaltation of the Son of God upon you, Who raised the whole world from the fall of Adaml.
Rejoice, for the terrible mystery of the earth that has come true on you is horrified and trembling, as if you want to swallow the criminals; Rejoice, as I have slain on you the Lamb of God, the veil of the temple has been torn apart and the sacrifice of the Old Testament has been abolished.
Rejoice, Cross, as if I would fall apart under you to a stone, give birth to Jews with unbelief from God with a stone heart, having lost the grace of the priesthood and the kingdom; Rejoice, as if I have darkened the sun in the passion of Christ, the night of polytheism has passed away and the light of faith has ascended.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 4
Breathing with a storm of malice and moving with envy, the high priests of Judaism, hiding Your Cross in the ground, O Christ God, may their madness not be a rebuke; but that one, like a precious treasure, ascended from the bowels of the earth, acquired by the diligence of the pious Empress Helena and revealed to the joy of the whole world, with a God-beautiful song: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Seeing then the Christian people of the honest Cross, the acquisition, glorifying Christ God spreading on it, "Lord, have mercy" crying. Now, imitating them, we glorify His holy Cross with laudatory chintz:
Rejoice, O Cross, sanctifying our earthly nature, hidden and defiled by sins, into the earth; Rejoice, having put to shame with your appearance from the bowels of the earthly detractors of the incarnation and the Divinity of Christ.
Rejoice, as if He suffered on you in the flesh, having received all power in Heaven and on earth, and bring everyone and everything to God the Father; Rejoice, as if He died on you, as a man, by the power of His Divinity, crush the rivets of hell and bring out the souls of the righteous from there.
Rejoice, Cross, like a prudent thief, crucified to Christ, confessing Him, you, like a ladder, ascend to Heaven; Rejoice, as if by cutting off the passions of Christ who are crucified, you elevate them to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 5
Lord, under Moses, sometimes we prophesy the image of Your Cross, defeating Your defeat, now the very Cross of Your property, we ask for help: strengthen Your Church and grant her victories against enemies, may all Your enemies be scattered, not crying out to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Honest Cross, Christ, having imagined the action of Moses, defeat Amalek in the desert of Sinaiste: when you stretch out your hand, creating the image of the cross, the people are strengthened; now, all things are fulfilled in us: today the Cross is erected, and the demons run, today the whole creature is freed from aphids, as if the whole Cross for the sake of exalting gifts to us. The same, rejoicing, we cry out:
Rejoice, Cross, the terrible weapon of Christ, whose demons tremble; Rejoice, as by the power of the Crucified Christ on you, demonic hordes are driven far away.
Rejoice, for by the power of Divine grace acting in you, victory over the opposing people is granted by Christ-loving people; rejoice, for from you, as from the tall and prolific tree of Christ, suffering on you, the fruits of life and salvation, grow for us.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 6
Sometimes the life-giving tree of the Cross appears as a preacher of the power and Divinity of Christ, when you resurrect the dead with your touch and raise him to life, having seen it, many from the Jews and knowing the tongue of great piety the mystery: for salvation for the sake of man, God appeared in the flesh and endured the passion of the cross, yes save those who cry to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Like a tree of heavenly glory, the honest Cross of Christ rises on Golgotha, from which it will spread the mental branches of grace to the whole universe and Spread on it: under its canopy, they find the coolness of the palimia with the heat of passions and those who want to piously live in Christ Jesus. In the same way, we, the grace of that communicant, cheerfully cry out:
Rejoice, holy Cross, the tree of life, planted in Eden for Adam's sake, foreshadowed; Rejoice, new Adam, with outstretched hands on you, revealed to the world.
Rejoice, for under the shadow of your grace-filled protection all the faithful come running; Rejoice, for by the mercy of Him who gave you to us, the penitent sinners of the fire of Gehenna avoid.
Rejoice, Cross, our consolation in sorrows and sorrows; Rejoice, life-giving joy and help to the exhausted in the struggle against the attachments of the passions, the world and the devil.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 7
Although to reveal to the human race of His goodness and mercy an unsearchable abyss, Thy Cross, Lord, has given us a firm guardian and exorcist of demons. All the same, we all, who believe in You, glorify the greatness of Your passion, gratefully singing to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou hast shown wondrous deeds, O Lord, with Thy honest Cross: I will burst open thee on that flesh, the whole creation will change: the sun will hide its rays, the foundations of the earth will be shaken, hell will be broken by the power of Thy power and bring out the tyrants, even from time immemorial it has contained. For this sake, we link these songs with flowers:
Rejoice, O Cross, as if all creation had compassion on You, as if it were its Creator and Master; Rejoice, for the power of That and the Divinity is witnessed by the sun by darkening and the earth by vibration.
Rejoice, for the one who died on you was not kept in the dead, but, having destroyed the power of death, rose again on the third day; Rejoice, as if I have risen to Tom, the gospel sermon, which began from the face of the apostle, has gone to all the ends of the earth.
Rejoice, O Cross, for by you the worship of idols and pagan polytheism have been abolished; rejoice, for for your sake the right faith in the One God, in the Trinity of glory, is established throughout the earth.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 8
Strangely, having incarnated God and on the Cross the former mentally seeing was crucified, let us leave the vain world, the mind is turned to Heaven. For this reason, God descends to the earth and ascends to the Cross, so that, like a ladder, he will raise up to Heaven those who cry to Him: Hallelujah.
Ikos 8
Today, Adam and Eve rejoice, the sight of the Cross, which was struck by the adversary, who of old in paradise by eating the forbidden fruit of those deceitful and captives he created for himself. In the same way, we, rejoicing at our forefather for deliverance from the captivity of our souls, reverently sing:
Rejoice, Cross, for on you the good Shepherd lay down His soul for His sheep, and even down to hell, looking for the lost; Rejoice, for He did not despise the work of His hand, Adam and Eve, but with them, the righteous, I was rescued from hell, as if from the jaws of a strong beast, and put them into paradise.
Rejoice, for on you, nailed to Christ, splash a fiery weapon Dada and Cherubim, guardian of Edom, depart from the tree of life; Rejoice, as we, now reborn through Baptism, new people in Christ, unhinderedly partake of heavenly food.
Rejoice, Cross, rod of the power of Christ, sent from Zion, by whom we feed on the pasture of the gospel teachings; Rejoice, for we are preserved unharmed by you from the soul-destroying wolves, like lions roaring and looking for someone to devour.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 9
All the troubles and machinations of the enemy deliverance, the blessed Cross, as if receiving grace and strength from Christ nailed to you, to Him, as our God and Savior, we thankfully and laudatoryly sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Vetiystvo any earthly is not sufficient for the glorification of Your Cross, Lord, on which Thou hast made our salvation; the same, perplexedly praising that according to her property, we cry out to the sitsa:
Rejoice, Cross, as if the Savior of the world ascended on you, many people in the knowledge of His call and still calls; Rejoice, as if shining on you, like on a candlestick, the true Light illuminates all the ends of the earth with the light of the knowledge of God.
Rejoice, for now the East and the West glorify the One who suffered on you; rejoice, as thee, as the footstool of Christ, all the faithful, uplifting, glorify.
Rejoice, as from you, as from an inexhaustible source, the name of Christ, people will draw an abundance of eternal blessings.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 10
To be saved by those who want us and those who come running under the shadow of your protection, be an assistant, the Most Holy Cross, preserving us from all evils with the power of the Crucified Christ on you, to Him, as God and our Savior, we thankfully and laudatoryly sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are the wall that protects us from troubles and misfortunes, the all-honourable Cross, and a strong pillar against the face of the enemy, they do not dare to approach him invisibly, fearing to look at Your power. For this sake, with faith, we are protected by your holy sign and merrily sing:
Rejoice, most honorable Cross of Christ, protect us from the attack of the spirits of malice; Rejoice, keep us safe from various arrows.
Rejoice, as from your sign, piously done with faith, all the forces of hell, like smoke from the wind, disappear; rejoice, as through you all their strength, like wax from the face of fire, melts.
Rejoice, as if you were a holy martyr, shielding yourself with your sign and calling on the name of Christ, everyone courageously endured the form of torment; Rejoice, as the venerable fathers, with the help of the power of the Divine, inherent in your sign, demonic fear and the passions of rebellion, conquered.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 11
We offer all-compassionate singing to Thee, all-honourable Cross, and we humbly pray to Christ our God crucified on you, Who has given us joy and comfort in sorrows, may He deliver us from soul-damaging passions with His passion and teach us to faithfully sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the light of the grace of God, which is mysteriously inherent in you, enlighten our spiritual feelings, Holy Cross, let us illuminate and instruct with it, we will not stumble on the stone of temptation, but let us be able, by the commandments of God, to be right in our whole life, singing to you:
Rejoice, messenger of the unceasing miracles of Christ and His mercy to the human race; rejoice. Cross, the renewal of the human race and the New Testament of Christ, the seal and confirmation.
Rejoice, triumph of the Christian faith and trustworthy anchor of our hope; Rejoice, adornment of the holy temples of God and protection of pious houses.
Rejoice, blessing of fields and gardens; rejoice in all the elements, sanctification.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 12
Grant Thy almighty grace to us, Lord, let us follow Thee, our Lord, take up our cross, not nailed to it with nails, but by labor, abstinence and humility, so let us be partakers of Thy suffering, from them the sweats of Eternal Life flow, soldering all the faithful, piously singing T: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your greatness, all-honourable Cross, we all praise you, like the victorious scepter of the King of Heaven, our salvation is a joyful sign, we also cry out:
Rejoice, Cross, the power of Orthodox Christians and their indestructible fence; Rejoice, adornment of the saints and strength and reinforcement of all ascetics of faith and piety.
Rejoice, Cross, from the cradle to the grave, on all paths of life, protect us and, after death, on air ordeals, protect us from the spirits of malice; Rejoice, for under your sign those who rest, who have died in faith and piety, will be resurrected on the last day into eternal life.
Rejoice, O Cross, foreshadowing the glorious Second Coming of Christ with your appearance in Heaven; Rejoice, for the crucified Christ and all unbelievers will see you then and the highlander will mourn, but those who love the Lord, seeing you, will rejoice greatly.
Rejoice, Honest Cross, joyful sign of our redemption.
Kondak 13
Oh, Most Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, consolation for all Christians! Now, now presenting you seeing, we raise our thoughts to Christ crucified on you, and we pray humbly to Him, for the sake of you, have mercy on us sinners, and make us worthy in the villages of paradise to sing to Him: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer
Holy Cross, guardian of soul and body, wake up: casting down demons in your own way, driving away enemies, abolishing passions and granting reverence to us, and life, and strength, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and honest prayers of the Most Pure Theotokos. Amen.
This article will discuss one of the most significant Christian holidays - the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. What is the history of this holiday, what date is it celebrated, what signs and traditions are associated with this day - you will find answers to all these questions here.
What holiday is it
The Orthodox Church annually celebrates twelve main holidays. The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord is one of them. This holiday is dedicated to the Cross of our Savior. As all Orthodox Christians know, Jesus was crucified on the Cross, and since then the Cross of the Lord has been the main Shrine Orthodox world. The holiday symbolizes the lifting of the Cross from the earth after it was found.
After Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, the pagans decided to erase the memory of this momentous event from human memory so that future generations would not know what happened. They covered the place where the execution was carried out, as well as the Holy Sepulcher, with earth. At this place they erected a pagan temple, where they continued to worship their deities.
Neither more nor less, but as many as 300 years passed, until the greatest religious Shrine was regained. It happened under the Emperor Constantine. Thus, despite all the tricks of the pagans, the Cross of the Lord returned to those who believe in Christ. And in all ages it serves as a protection and a talisman for all Christians of the Earth.
What date is the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord? The Orthodox Church celebrates the holiday on September 27th. It is on this day that Christians remember the great event that returned to them one of the most significant Shrines of Christianity.
From the history
The life-giving Cross on which Jesus was crucified was found by the mother of Emperor Constantine, Queen Helen, in a cave near Jerusalem. This happened in 326. Help in this matter was provided by an elderly Jew. He knew where the Cross was, and showed this place to the Queen Equal to the Apostles. When they dug a cave under the pagan temple, they found three crosses in it.
As is known from history, two thieves were executed along with Jesus. The tablet with the inscription "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" lay separately from the crosses. Before the people who found the cave, the question arose of how to determine on which of them Jesus was crucified. For this, the following method was invented: all three crosses were brought to a seriously ill woman in turn, two of them had no effect on the woman, and the third Cross worked a miracle - the woman recovered.
There is also a belief that at this time the body of a deceased person was carried past the cave for burial. All three crosses in turn began to lay on the body. Two did not affect the deceased in any way, and the Life-Giving Cross again performed a miracle. Man is risen! Thus, it was established which Cross is life-giving and on which exactly Jesus was crucified. It was through him that the Lord performed a miracle and showed his power.
What does the Exaltation of the Holy Cross mean?
All the people present at the events described above, including Patriarch Macarius and Empress Elena, bowed to the Cross with great joy and began to kiss it. Other Christians also learned about this great event. Many people gathered at the place where the Cross of the Lord was found. Every Christian yearned to venerate this great shrine. However, there were so many people that it was physically impossible to do so. Then people began to ask at least to show them this miracle. Patriarch Macarius stood on a hill and raised (raised) the Cross several times so that everyone could see Him. That is why the holiday was called the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. During the raising of the shrine, all those present bowed and exclaimed: “Lord, have mercy!”
Helen brought a part of the Cross of the Lord to her son, and the other part was left in Jerusalem. Emperor Constantine commanded that the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord be built in Jerusalem. Its construction lasted almost ten years. This is not the only temple that was erected in honor of this event. Temples were also erected in Fevron, on the Mount of Olives and in Bethlehem.
Return from captivity
Something else happened in the 7th century significant event- this is the return of the Tree of the Cross from the Persian captivity. In 614, the Persian king conquered Jerusalem. The city was plundered, and along with other treasures, the king took to Persia the tree of the Life-Giving Cross. The shrine was held by foreigners for exactly fourteen years, until in 628 Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians. He made peace with Persia and returned the Life-Giving Cross to his homeland in Jerusalem.
What happened next with the greatest Shrine of Christians is not known for certain. According to one version, the Cross was in the homeland until 1245, while other historians believe that it was divided into parts and carried around the world. One of the parts of the Life-Giving Cross is still kept in the ark in Jerusalem in the altar of the Church of the Resurrection.
Customs and traditions
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross began with the event to which it is dedicated. Since the great Shrine of Christians was found, all generations from year to year revere and celebrate this day.
Many traditions and customs are associated with the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Just like on any other significant church holiday, the Exaltation is held All-night vigil and Liturgy. In all Christian churches, festive services are held on this day. During the service, the Cross is brought to the middle of the temple for worship. The day before the holiday itself, there is a forefeast. After the Day of the Exaltation, there are seven days of afterfeast. In addition, the Exaltation is preceded by Saturday and Sunday, which are called Saturday and the Week before the Feast of the Exaltation.
Of course, believing Christians must visit the temple on this day. They pray, listen to sermons about the history of finding the Life-Giving Cross. Orthodox Christians worship the Cross as the most sacred thing. According to tradition, on this holiday procession with prayers and icons.
In the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, all Christians pray for the health of their loved ones, as well as for well-being, understanding and happiness in their family. We should also not forget about people who have a need for something. During this period, it is customary to give alms to the poor, donate your funds to the needs of the temple, and also perform other good and charitable deeds. You can visit an orphanage with gifts and please children deprived of parental love. Everything that is done with love and concern for others brings you closer to God.
What to do on this holiday
For everybody Orthodox Christian it is important that significant days go as well and correctly as possible in order to do everything as useful as possible for your family and soul. The Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is also no exception to this rule. Therefore, many are interested in the question of what can and cannot be done on this day. Perhaps some traditions are superstitions that the church does not approve of. But it is still very interesting to know what is considered useful to do on this day.
First of all, a strict fast must be observed on this holiday. The church teaches this, and it is accepted according to church laws. Neither meat nor milk, as well as other products of animal origin, should not be consumed. This rule also applies to Sunday, if the holiday falls on it. Many housewives prepared a variety of cabbage dishes for food. This vegetable was present in abundance in every home. Various pies, casseroles, cabbage salads decorated the festive table. Cabbage was fried, stewed, and used in sauerkraut. Therefore, the day of the Exaltation was still secretly called "Cabbage".
On this day, it will also be useful to sprinkle your home with holy water. It is believed that this action will help protect the house from evil spirits, dashing people and other misfortunes. At the same time, it is advisable to read a prayer to the Life-Giving Cross, because it is he who - main symbol this holiday. In houses where cattle were kept, according to custom, on the Feast of the Exaltation, small crosses were made of wood and placed in mangers and animal bins. Some people made crosses from rowan branches. These symbols were supposed to protect livestock and property from evil forces, to keep everything safe and sound.
In ancient times, there was even such a custom: crosses were painted in houses with chalk, garlic, soot or animal blood. Therefore, the Feast of the Exaltation was also called Stavrov's Day. "Stavros" in Greek means "cross". There is also a belief that when you see birds flying south on the Feast of the Exaltation, you need to make your most cherished wish. It is believed that it will definitely come true.
What not to do on this holiday
In addition to what needs to be done on the day of the Exaltation, there are also things that are strongly discouraged from doing. Firstly, on this day, as already mentioned, you can not eat animal food. Secondly, you can not swear and swear. This is especially true for close people. It is believed that all the negative energy released at this moment will return as a threefold boomerang.
Thirdly, on this holiday it is not recommended to do hard work around the house, for example, make repairs, chop wood, etc. In principle, it is not advised to work hard on other great Christian holidays. It is better to spend this day in prayers, thoughts about God, in doing good deeds in relation to your neighbors. Of course, if the circumstances are such that something needs to be done to prevent damage to property or human health, this prohibition is lifted. But purposefully planning something grandiose, requiring labor-intensive costs, is not worth it. Especially if this action is not urgent and it can be postponed for another day without prejudice to all.
Fourthly, it is believed that new business cannot be started on this day. All of them are supposedly doomed to failure. Everyone decides for himself whether this is true or a superstition that does not need to be followed. In the old days, people also believed that it was impossible to leave the doors open on the Feast of the Exaltation. It was believed that on this day the snakes are looking for a place for wintering and for this they can choose any house. However, this is most likely more connected not with the holiday itself, but with the time of the year on which this holiday falls.
And quite already from ancient beliefs: it was believed that on this day you can’t go to the forest. Allegedly, the goblin goes around his possessions, counting the animals. At this time, it is better not to catch his eye, because you can stay forever in the forest. Of course, in our times, these superstitions seem ridiculous to us.
Signs
The signs of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross are primarily associated with the fact that colds are coming, the seasons are changing. The peasants perceived the holiday as the final offensive of autumn. There was even such a saying: “On the Exaltation, a fur coat stretches for a caftan,” that is, it’s time to get warm clothes. This is the period when the last birds fly south, the bears prepare for hibernation, and the snakes hide in their holes.
It is believed that the Exaltation marks the end of the "Indian summer", that is, after this holiday, it is no longer worth waiting for heat. The autumn season is also coming to an end - the last one rises from the field. According to signs, if frosts strike on the day of the Exaltation, then spring is expected to be early.
For unmarried girls there was a special sign. It was believed that if the beauty read special prayer seven times - she will definitely like the guy she loves.
For those believers who strictly observe Lent on September 27, there is also a good sign. There is a belief that such people are forgiven all sins. Of course, observance of the Fast is not enough. If a person has evil thoughts and deeds, then it is unlikely that abstinence from animal food will help him. However, if a person tries to live according to the Commandments of God, then the observance of all the recommendations and instructions of the church will certainly benefit. The main thing is sincere faith and diligence to serve for the glory of God.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Icon
The meaning of icons in Christianity is very great. Through them, among other things, there is a creed. Even illiterate people, looking at the icons, can understand what events are depicted on it. Accordingly, comes awareness and understanding of the key points of Christianity.
The icon of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord reflects the events of that great day when Christians finally found, after a long and exhausting search, the greatest Shrine - the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. On the holy canvas you can see a large crowd of people against the backdrop of the temple. In the center is the Patriarch with the Cross. To the right is Empress Helen with her son, Tsar Constantine. There are many saints and believers in the picture. All reverently look at the tree of the Life-Giving Cross. Sometimes the icon also depicts a reminder of the great miracle that accompanied this event, namely the image of the resurrected dead, healed by touching the shrine.
The icon of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross is famous for its miraculous abilities. Before her, it is customary to pray for healing from all sorts of ailments - migraines, infertility, toothache, diseases of the bones, joints, and so on. The holy canvas can heal from any disease, even the most neglected. There are cases when terminally ill people, coming to the icon to pray and ask for healing, recovered.
Prayers
For an Orthodox Christian, prayer is both the way and the means for absolutely all achievements. This is the source of all prosperity. According to Pavel Florensky, prayer is the inhalation of God's grace. Therefore, prayer should be considered the most important activity during the day (after deeds in the name of mercy). Before any deed, a person must read a prayer. Then it begins with love and hope, which, together with faith, will surely lead him to success. Reading a prayer before any event in your life, you receive God's blessing.
The history of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is unique. For believers, this is undoubtedly one of the most significant events. True Orthodox Christians must go to church on this day and pray before the icon of the Life-Giving Cross. If it is not possible to attend church, then you can pray at home.
"Honest Cross, guardian of soul and body, wake up: casting down demons in your own way, driving away enemies, exercising passions and giving reverence to us, and life, and strength, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and honest prayers of the Most Pure Theotokos. Amen."
In principle, there are no strict rules about how to pray. It does not matter where you will do it - at home or in the temple. The main thing is that it should be sincere with faith and with all my heart. The most important condition for praying is to get rid of worldly thoughts, stand reverently in front of the images and thoughtfully read every word with trepidation in the soul. The power of prayer is difficult to overestimate. If it is pronounced with sincere faith, it can work a miracle. Nothing is impossible for the Lord. What seems impossible for a person, everything is subject to God. The main thing is to believe and hope.
Conclusion
The postcard once again clearly demonstrates the events of that great day. Visualization will add positive emotions from the holiday, fill the heart with joy and happiness. You need to share your warm feelings, send them to those around you, and then love, kindness, faith and hope will only multiply for the glory of God.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross in 2019 will be on September 27. More about the background and holding of this important holiday Orthodox Church read the article!
Exaltation of the Holy Cross in 2019
Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord (Approval of the Cross) - September 27, 2019
On which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, the holy Queen Equal to the Apostles Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. With the accession of her son, Empress Elena lived at the court. Without interfering in political affairs, she devoted the remaining years of her life to strengthening the Christian faith. It is impossible to imagine anything sadder and bleaker than the state in which the last Roman conquest left Palestine.
On the ruins of the city of David, a new city was rebuilt, adorned with pagan temples and other monuments of idolatry. The altar of Jupiter was placed on the very spot where Solomon's temple had formerly stood. Intentionally or accidentally, the places consecrated by the birth and death of the Savior were defiled by temples dedicated to vile mysteries. An image of a pig was placed over the main city gates, so that this emblem, hated by the Israelites, would force them to move even further away from their holy city.
Upon arrival in Jerusalem, the first desire of the empress was to visit the burial place of the Savior. "Let's go," she said, "let's go to honor the place where His sacred feet stopped walking." But, to her great surprise, no one could accurately indicate this place. For a long time, the pagans filled up the cave in which Jesus Christ was buried in order to deprive her of the reverence that the Christians showed her. Little by little, the Christians themselves stopped visiting the cave, so as not to show any respect for the objects of idolatry, deliberately placed by the pagans in the holy place. Then, as a result of political upheavals, fires and devastation that took place in Jerusalem, the very location of the city changed a lot.
The new generation that inhabited the city almost lost the legends about the holy places. Only the birthplace of the Savior, the Bethlehem Cave, has survived from general oblivion. But Elena did not retreat before these obstacles. At her invitation, the most educated of Christians and Jews gathered to her, and in her presence they made a topographic study on the place of the suffering of Jesus Christ. They say that in this case one Jew rendered great services, inheriting from his ancestors the secret of the holy Christian places.
Empress Elena finds the life-giving cross. Chapel of San Silvestro of the XIII century in the Roman monastery complex of Santi Quattro Coronati
As soon as the place of the suffering of Jesus Christ was determined, Elena herself, at the head of workers and soldiers, hurried to the indicated place and ordered it to be cleared. The work presented great difficulties; it was necessary to destroy a large number of buildings that towered on the hill of Golgotha and its environs. But Elena had a command from Constantine not to back down from any difficulties. They destroyed both houses and pagan temples, dug deep pits, and, moreover, took care to carry the dug out materials as far as possible in order to clean Holy place from all that was made by the hands of the Gentiles. Saint Helena encouraged everyone to work with ardent words. “Here,” she said, “is the place of battle, but where is the sign of victory? I am looking for this sign of our salvation and I do not find it. How! I reign, and the cross of my Savior lies in the dust! .. How do you want me to consider myself saved when I do not see the sign of my redemption?
Finally, the Lord blessed the extraordinary efforts of St. Helena with complete success: under the ruins of the temple of Venus, the cave of the holy sepulcher was opened and, according to the testimony of all historians (except Eusebius), three wooden crosses were found, preserved completely unharmed. No one doubted that these crosses were the instruments of execution of Jesus Christ and the two thieves who were crucified with Him. The only difficulty was how to find out on which of the three crosses the God-man suffered.
To the place where the crosses lay, a woman was brought, possessed by an incurable disease; They took out three found crosses from the cave. Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem, Empress Elena and all those present fell on their knees, asking the Lord to show them the tree of salvation. Then two crosses were placed on the patient in turn, but to no avail. But as soon as the third cross touched the members of the dying woman, she opened her eyes, stood up and began to walk, glorifying the Lord.
Finding the Cross. Athos, Pantokrator Monastery. 17th century
As soon as the Lord, by the power of a miracle, witnessed the true cross of Christ, Saint Helen, with a heart filled with joy and at the same time fear, hastened to approach the sacred tree. She desired, but at the same time considered herself unworthy to touch and kiss such a great shrine. With feelings of deepest reverence, she bowed before the cross of Christ.
Before leaving Palestine, the empress was very actively engaged in the construction of the Church of the Resurrection and the Cross of Christ, which they decided to erect over the holy tomb. In addition to this temple, Elena began to build two more: over the cave of Bethlehem, where the Savior was born, and on the Mount of Olives, from where He ascended into heaven.
