September 14

In the early part of the fourth century, St. Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine, was charged by her son to lead a search team to find Christ’s cross. Under the pagan temple of Venus, which was built over the hallowed ground of Golgotha 200 years earlier, she found it.

The Elevation of the Cross is a solemn remembrance of her discovery in Jerusalem – a day of fasting and of prayer as we contemplate that only through the Cross, Christ’s crucifixion, and our co-crucifixion with Him, can we attain salvation and victory over evil.

“O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by the virtue of Thy Cross, preserve They habitation.” Troparion of the Feast of the Elevation