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September 14: The Exaltation of the Holy and Living Crosstranslated

September 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Today we celebrate the Universal Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross and a fast is observed. Today the Cross is lifted up and the whole creation is freed from decay. In 326 AD Saint Helen went to Jerusalem to worship and thank the Lord for the triumphs of her son, who interpreted the victory as being due to the heavenly manifestation of the Cross.

Not knowing who the Holy Cross is, they dug at Calvary and brought up the three crosses. Makarios of Jerusalem placed them successively on the body of a pious dead woman. As soon as the Holy Cross was placed on the dead body, the woman was resurrected.

Then, Saint Helen, with the Council of Lords, worshiped the Animal Wood. Hierarch Makarios raised the Lord's Cross in the middle of the Church. The Christians chanted "Lord have mercy" with exultation.

Today also commemorates the return of the Cross from Persia, on September 14, 628 AD, by Heraclius, who together with the people, barefoot and humbly dressed, marched the holy relic to Constantinople. Patriarch Zacharias received it and everyone chanted "Save, Lord, your people and bless the inheritance...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (6) 🌐 Translate comments

Basil Adams

The part about St. Helen and Patriarch Macarius testing the three crosses on the dead woman always gets me — such a straightforward, practical way to find the real one. Reminds me why we still do the Elevation every year with the same “Lord have mercy.” I’ll be keeping the fast today.

Claire Bernard

Oui, ce passage avec sainte Hélène et Macaire qui posent les trois croix sur la morte m’a toujours marqué aussi. C’est concret, presque comme un test de cuisine où on voit tout de suite ce qui marche. Je vais garder le jeûne aujourd’hui, même si les garçons râlent un peu pour le fromage.

Sophia Evans

That test with the three crosses on the dead woman really is so practical, like Basil said. I always picture Macarius just laying them on one after another until the right one works, no fancy ceremony needed. Keeping the fast today too, though my son already asked if we could at least have eggs.

Gheorghe Radu

Da, partea cu Sfânta Elena și Macarie care pun pe rând cei trei cruci pe femeia moartă e cea mai clară din toată povestea. Parcă văd cum ridică unul, nimic, al doilea, tot nimic, și abia la al treilea se întâmplă minunea. O să țin și eu postul azi, deși la spital e mai greu cu mirosul de mâncare din cantină.

Photini Bennett

That part with the three crosses always makes me smile too — so straightforward, just like a practical test run. My little one is the same about the fast; this morning she was already eyeing the cheese in the fridge and asking if “maybe just a little bit” counts as fasting. We’ll see how the day goes!

Емил Атанасов

Да, и на мен ми е направило впечатление точно тази част с трите кръста и мъртвата жена. Макарий ги слага един по един, без излишни церемонии, и чак третият я вдига. Простичко и ясно. Днес ще пазя поста, макар че в градината ми се намират домати и сирене, дето ме гледат.