Feast of the Cross in the Ancient Faith预览

Day 1: The Discovery of the Holy Cross

The Cross stands at the center of our salvation. As we read in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." What appears as defeat to the world is, in truth, the greatest victory in human history - the victory of life over death.

In the Orthodox Christian tradition, we commemorate the Feast of the Cross with profound reverence, celebrating this life-giving symbol three times throughout the liturgical year. The primary feast falls on the 17th of the Coptic month of Thoout (September 27th/28th), commemorating St. Helena's discovery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, journeyed to Jerusalem around 326 AD to locate the holy sites associated with Christ's Passion. Through divine guidance and the assistance of a Jewish man named Judas (who later converted and became known as St. Cyriacus), she discovered three crosses buried at Golgotha. To determine which was the Cross of Christ, each was placed on a dead man and when the true Cross touched him, he was miraculously restored to life.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, who served as Bishop of Jerusalem shortly after these events, wrote in his “Catechetical Lecture 10”: "The holy wood of the Cross bears witness, seen among us to this day, and from this place now almost filling the whole world, through those who in faith take portions from it." The discovery of the Cross became a moment of triumph for the Christian faith, newly liberated from persecution under Constantine's Edict of Milan.

In the Coptic Orthodox Christian tradition, we celebrate this feast with the joyful hymn: "Ekesmarout" (Blessed art Thou), venerating the life-giving Cross that has become our armor against the enemy and the sign of our salvation. During the procession, the clergy and congregation sing "Kyrie Eleison" (Lord Have Mercy) 100 times in each direction of the church—east, north, west, and south—symbolizing how the message of the Cross has spread to the four corners of the whole world.

The discovery of the Holy Cross was not merely a historical event but a moment of divine revelation that continues to hold profound significance for us today. When St. Helena unearthed the precious wood, she brought to light not just a relic but a tangible symbol of God's sacrificial love for humanity - pieces of which still exist today. This revelation transformed the Cross from an instrument of torture and shame into the most sacred emblem of our faith.

For Orthodox Christians, this feast reminds us that the power of the Cross is ever-present in our lives. Just as the dead man was revived by its touch, we too are given new life through its power. In our daily struggles against sin and temptation, the Cross stands as our protection and hope. The Cross guards us and is the beauty of the Church. The Cross is the strength of kings and is the support of the faithful.

As we contemplate the discovery of the Holy Cross, let us reflect on how we might discover its power in our own lives. How might we unearth the treasure of Christ's sacrifice that may have become buried under the cares and distractions of our daily existence? How can we, like St. Helena, persist in our search for holiness with determination and faith?

On this feast day, we are called to embrace the Cross not merely as a historical artifact or a decorative symbol, but as the very means of our salvation; a living power that continues to transform lives, heal wounds, and restore what was lost. May we, through our veneration of the Holy Cross, experience the same joy and wonder that filled the hearts of those who witnessed its miraculous discovery in Jerusalem.

Prayer: O Christ our God, who chose the Holy Cross as the means of our salvation, grant us to venerate Your Cross with pure hearts. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and by the power of the life-giving Cross, protect us from all harm and guide us in Your eternal light. Amen.