One of the great feasts of the Church is the Exaltation of the Live-Giving Cross of the Lord. The Cross is the main symbol of our salvation. Upon it our Savior was crucified and died for our sins.

Thanks to the efforts of the Equal-of-the-Apostles Empress Helen, the Cross was found in the 4th century, and ever since, the Church celebrates this event with the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. To commemorate its elevation by Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem upon its discovery, in cathedrals it is customary for the bishop to perform the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross in the middle of the church with rose water being poured over the Cross. The water drips into a basin filled with flowers, which are later distributed to the faithful upon venerating the Cross.

Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY is blessed to have a piece of the True Cross, which is richly decorated with flowers and left in the body of the church for the remainder of the afterfeast.

On Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th of September, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse performed the ceremony of the Elevation of the Cross at the end of the All-Night Vigil for the feast, and presided at Divine Liturgy the following morning, co-served by monastery clergy.

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