What Is Holy Cross Day?

Holy Cross (Year C)

Scripture

Old Testament: Numbers 21:4-9

Psalter: Psalm 98:1-5 (alternative—Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38)

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Gospel: John 3:13-17

___

Prayer

Accept our prayers, God of mercy, in union with Jesus the Christ, who offered his life for our salvation upon the wood of the cross and who now reigns with you in eternal glory forever and ever. Amen.

___

Reflection

from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

A major feast observed on Sept. 14 in honor of Christ’s self-offering on the cross for our salvation. The collect for Holy Cross Day recalls that Christ “was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world unto himself,” and prays that “we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him” (BCP, p. 192). The themes of Holy Cross Day are powerfully expressed by the hymn “Lift high the cross” (Hymn 473).

This feast is known as “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross” in the eastern church and in missals and sacramentaries of the western church, and it is known as “The Triumph of the Cross” in the Roman Catholic Church. It was one of the 12 great feasts in the Byzantine liturgy. The 1979 BCP is the first American Prayer Book to include Holy Cross Day.

Historically, the feast has been associated with the dedication on Sept. 14, 335, of a complex of buildings built by the Emperor Constantine (c. 285-337) in Jerusalem on the sites of the crucifixion and Christ's tomb. This shrine included a large basilica and a circular church. Constantine's mother, Helena (c. 255- c. 330), supervised the construction of the shrine, and a relic believed to be the cross was discovered during the work of excavation. Claims by the Church of Jerusalem to have the cross date from the mid-fourth century, and the pilgrim Egeria mentions a feast commemorating the discovery of the cross in Jerusalem in the late-fourth-century. This feast has also been associated with the exposition at Jerusalem of the cross by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius (575-641). He recovered the relic from the Persians who took it from Jerusalem in 614 when they destroyed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Although the authenticity of alleged relics of the cross may be questionable, Holy Cross Day provides an opportunity for a joyous celebration of Christ’s redeeming death on a cross.

PRAYER: For the healing of the nations, O God, you raised up your Son on the wood of the cross and exalted him as the Lord of all creation. Grant that all who believe in him may have the gift of eternal life and share in the glory of your kingdom, where you live forever and ever. Amen.

___

Check out my portal to all things “Faith Seeking Understanding,” here.