Holy Cross Day

Cross of Triumph

Brief History

The history of this observance dates back to the time of St. Helena, Empress and mother of Constantine. If you recall our post about her, St. Helena is said to have discovered the authentic cross in May of 329. After her conversion, St. Helena traveled to the holy land, where she began building churches and looking for relics in places that were significant in Jesus’ life and ministry. While in Jerusalem, she found what she believed to be the authentic cross on which Jesus was crucified.

Actually, legend holds that she didn’t find just one cross but three! And so she was unable to distinguish Jesus’ cross from the others. To solve this problem, all three were taken to a sick woman: the woman touched the first cross and then the second, but nothing happened. However, when she touched the third, she was healed! Other versions of this story exist, but they don’t need to be recounted here.

Over two centuries passed in which the discovery of the holy cross was commemorated annually on May 3rd. But the pattern was broken when Persian King Chosroes II invaded Jerusalem and captured many of the relics, including the cross. But it would not be lost for long. 

Emperor Heraclius of Constantinople, 300 years after the initial discovery of the true cross, recaptured the treasure and restored it to its place on September 14th, 629 with greater solemnity than before, inspiring Rome to move the feast from May to September.

Both dates, May 3rd for Helena’s mission and September 14th for the exaltation of the regained cross, continue to make their way into sanctoral calendars such as the 1896 Lutheran martyrologium of Wilhelm Loehe. 

St. Helena may have found Jesus’ true cross, but whether she did or not, our joy for the crucifixion that Jesus underwent for our salvation remains the same. We take joy on this day in the knowledge that, whether we know the location of Jesus’ Holy Cross or not, the crucifixion took place here in time and physically on earth – and on a real physical tree.

Further, this feast reminds us that the cross is a symbol of comfort for us Christians! That is why even the crosses that adorn our walls symbolize the world’s redemption and the true image of love: Jesus laying down his life for sinners so that we might be his own.

One final note: Holy Cross Day is the landmark for the Fall Ember Days. They fall on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following Holy Cross Day, which means that the Ember Days are September 15th, 17th, and 18th this year.

Collect

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that He might draw the whole world to himself: mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow Him; who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Lessons

Resources

References:
1. Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints. Concordia Publishing House. 2016.
2. Issues Etc. interview with Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt on Holy Cross Day
3. Archæology of the Cross and Crucifix article by New Advent
4. The Story of St. Helen of the Cross and the Feast of the Exaltation of the True Cross, St. Helena and the Cross. https://www.sthelenofthecross.org/blank-page-test

Images:
1. Christ on the Cross between the Virgin and Saint John, Albrecht Dürer, Germany, 1516.
2. The Legend of the True Cross, Agnolo Gaddi, Italy, ca. 1385.