The Strongest prayer for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Every year on September 27, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of the most important church holidays dedicated to the finding of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. Izvestia tells us which prayers to read on the day of the celebration.

What to pray for at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Divine services are held in churches for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On the evening before the holiday, an all—night vigil is held - it often becomes the central event of the celebration. At the end of the service, the first priest or bishop carries a Cross to the lectern. Parishioners kiss the shrine, and the primate anoints them with oil. A festive liturgy is served in the morning.

On September 27, believers glorify the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, symbolizing Christ's victory over death. The central theme of the festive divine services is the preservation of the Orthodox Church and the Fatherland's stay in faith. Nevertheless, more personal prayers are often heard on this day: for the health of loved ones, the resolution of difficult situations, etc.

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What do they pray for at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

• about healing from diseases;
• about finding family happiness, harmony between relatives;
• about the birth of a healthy child;
• about strengthening faith, returning the lost to the right path;
• help in the fight against temptations, passions, addictions;
• about protection from enemies;
• about the atonement of sins.

From whom and what are they asking for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

On the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, believers pray to Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind, as well as to the Life-giving Cross as an instrument of this salvation. You can ask for anything on a holiday — the main thing is that the prayer should be sincere and selfless.

Which icon should I pray in front of in church on September 27th?

On the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, it is most appropriate to pray in front of the Cross itself, which is placed on the lectern during the divine service. You can also read a prayer in front of the icon of the Exaltation. It depicts people who participated in the search for and return of the shrine, Equal—to-the-Apostles Constantine and Elena, as well as Patriarch Macarius.

At the beginning of the fourth century, Emperor Constantine the Great made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and stopped the persecution of believers. On his initiative, the search for places and relics related to the life of Christ began. Around 326, the Emperor's mother Elena led an expedition to discover the Holy Cross. As a result, she managed to find three wooden crosses, nails, and a plaque with the name of Jesus on the site of an old pagan temple. To find out which one of them the Savior died on, the crosses were attached in turn to the recently deceased person. Having come into contact with the latter, the deceased came to life.

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When the miraculous discovery became known, believers began to arrive in Jerusalem, wishing to worship the shrine. A lot of people gathered, and so that people could see the Cross, Patriarch Macarius stood on a hill and erected it, that is, raised it high. Hence the name of the holiday — the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

In addition, on September 27, the church honors the memory of St. John Chrysostom, one of the greatest preachers and theologians of the IV—V centuries. This date also marks the day of the Lesninsk Icon of the Mother of God, found in 1683. Her original is currently in France. If desired, believers can say a prayer in front of the list of the miraculous image, the icon of John Chrysostom or any other shrine.

Is it possible to pray at home for the Exaltation

On the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, believers are advised to visit the temple and pray in front of the Honest Cross. However, if a person does not have the opportunity to attend a divine service or at least briefly stop by the church to light a candle, he can say a prayer at home. This is not considered a sin.

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The Orthodox Church does not establish clear rules for prayer on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Believers can pray the way their soul requires, using a prayer book or turning to God on their own.

A short prayer to the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord

"O Honest Cross, guardian of my soul and body, be with me: by thy image, casting down demons, driving away enemies, exercising passions and giving me reverence, and life and strength, through the help of the Holy Spirit and the honest supplications of the Most Pure Theotokos. Amen to that."

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Another prayer to the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord

"O Most honorable and Life-giving Cross of the Lord! In ancient times, you were a shameful instrument of execution, but now you are a sign of our salvation, always revered and glorified! How worthily will I be able, O unworthy one, to praise Thee, and how dare I bow the knee of my heart before my Redeemer, confessing my sins! But the mercy and ineffable love of humanity of Him who crucified you gives me humble Boldness, so that I may open my mouth to glorify You; for this I cry out to you: hail, O Cross, the beauty and foundation of the Church of Christ, the confirmation of all the universe, the hope of all Christians, the power of kings, the refuge of the faithful, the glory and praise of angels, demons — fear, destruction and banishment, the wicked and infidels — shame, the righteous — delight, the burdened — weakness, the overwhelmed — shelter, the lost — mentor, the possessed with passions — repentance, the poor — enrichment, floating — helmsman, the weak — strength, in battle — victory and overcoming, the strong — faithful protection, widows — Intercessory, virgins — chastity protection, the unreliable — hope, the sick — the doctor and the dead — resurrection! You, who were shaped by the miraculous rod of Moses, are a life—giving spring that nourishes those who thirst for spiritual life and delights our sorrows; You are the bed on which the three-day Resurrected Conqueror of hell regally rested. For this reason, morning, evening, and noon, I glorify You, O blessed Tree, and I pray by the will of Him who crucified You, that He may enlighten and strengthen my mind with You, that He may open in my heart the fountain of perfect love, and that all my deeds and my ways may be overshadowed by You, that I may magnify Him who is nailed to You, my sin For the sake of the Lord my Savior. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told how and what to pray for on the Nativity of the Virgin.

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