Removal of the Holy Cross; St. 7 Maccabee Martyrs brotherstranslated

Orthodox calendar, August 1 1. On the feast of the Removal of the Holy Cross, in Constantinople, part of the wood of the Holy Cross was removed from the chapel of the imperial palace and carried in procession to the "Saint Sophia" Church, where it remained until August 14.

This liturgical moment was performed in memory of the appearance of the Holy Cross in the sky, by the Holy Emperor Constantine the Great.

The victory, with the power of the Holy Cross, of Emperor Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1180) over the Turks is also linked to this celebration.

Tropar Voice 1

Save, Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance. Give victory to the good-faith Christians over the adversary and with Your Cross protect Your people.

2. The seven Maccabean brothers lived during the time of the emperor Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 BC). They, together with their mother, were captured and brought before the emperor Antiochus, forced to eat pork, which was contrary to the Jewish faith. Refusal to eat pork meant they were sentenced to death.

The first of the brothers who refused to sacrifice to idols and eat pork was flayed and burned in front of the others, and so was the second. The one…