The Exaltation of the Holy Cross in 2025: how to protect your home and family with the help of the cross

On Saturday, September 27, Orthodox believers celebrate one of the twelve feasts of the church calendar — the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This is the only one of the twelve feasts that is not connected with the earthly life of Christ. The events to which it is dedicated took place 300 years after the crucifixion of Christ. Read more about the holiday, its history, and how to protect your home on this day in the Izvestia article.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross: what kind of holiday is this, the story

Every year Christians celebrate the twelve—day feast of the church calendar - the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord (or the Exaltation of the Cross). Orthodox Christians celebrate it on September 27 in a new style (Catholics have a holiday on September 14).

The history of the holiday dates back to the IV century. According to church tradition, the holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified was considered missing, but was found by Queen Elena (mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great) around 326 in Jerusalem, on Golgotha. The veneration of the Cross began not only as an instrument of suffering, but also as a symbol of salvation.

The Icon of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

In addition, since the 7th century, the holiday embodies another important event — the return of the Life-Giving Cross from captivity in Persia. In 614, the Persians captured Jerusalem and took away the Cross, and in 628, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius secured the return of the shrine.

The name "Exaltation" directly refers to the church tradition of raising a Cross (erecting it) so that all believers can see it and worship.

Since then, the holiday has become one of the twelve (that is, the 12 main ones) in the Orthodox calendar.

Divine service on September 27: features

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is both joyful and mournful. He reminds Christians of the Savior's great victory over death and, at the same time, of the sufferings of the cross through which this victory was achieved.

As on any great church holiday, an all-night vigil and a festive liturgy are held on the day of the Exaltation. The main feature of the service is the special rite of the exaltation of the Cross: the shrine is solemnly removed from the altar so that the faithful can worship it. The priest raises the cross above himself, goes out with it through the northern gate and places it on the lectern in the center of the temple, accompanied by incense and prayers.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Pavel Bednyakov

On this day, the clergy dress in dark liturgical robes, and women traditionally cover their heads with black or dark headscarves. As a sign of remembrance of the sufferings of the Lord, strict fasting has been established: only vegetable food is allowed, while meat, dairy products and other animal foods are excluded.

Russian Orthodox Cross: what does each crossbar mean, as opposed to the Catholic cross

Historically, this variant has been found in Byzantine art since the sixth century.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the folk tradition

The celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross includes traditional worship services, prayer acts, as well as folk elements related to the house and its protection.

September 27 also coincides with the national day known as the third Autumn, the celebration of the end of the harvest and the transition to autumn chores.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Epanchintsev

In rural areas, customs persist to place wooden crosses and mountain ash branches criss-cross in bins and barns or over door jambs to protect grain, livestock, and property.

How to protect your home and family with the help of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord

In the Orthodox mind, the cross is not just a symbol, but an effective spiritual weapon, protection from evil forces. In this regard, there are many, often folk, ways to protect the home and family on this day.

On September 27, it was customary to chalk a cross in the corners of the house or, for example, in the attic and in the pantry to protect their home from dark forces and various troubles. It was also depicted above the entrance. It was customary to walk around the fields from which the crops were harvested with a cross in their hands and ask God to send them their daily bread for the next year.

During the service on the evening before the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the cross is washed with fragrant water. After the liturgy, it is distributed to the people the next day. Believers also use it at home: they sprinkle thresholds, door jambs and other spaces of the house. They do this by reciting a prayer to protect their homes from people with evil thoughts and evil spirits.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

In Russia, on September 27, crosses were also raised on newly built temples, small chapels were erected, and roadside crosses were erected. This was done in gratitude for protection from invaders, drought and pestilence.

It is important to remember that the cross does not turn into an "amulet" devoid of meaning. The cross is not a magical talisman, but a symbol and a means of helping God. To rely solely on formal rituals without a spiritual life is to miss the depth of faith.

With a reasonable combination of inner spirituality, prayer, and external rituals, the cross in a house can serve as a sign of God's protection, a reminder of Christ's sacrifice, and a symbol of salvation and strengthening for all its inhabitants.

A wonderful Orthodox rite in honor of the feast of September 27 — the rite of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

In 2025, the event falls on a Saturday.

Prayers for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 27

— Troparion of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. "Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting victory to the Orthodox Christians in the resistance and preserving Thine habitation through Thy Cross."

— Kontakion of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. "Having been lifted up on the Cross voluntarily, grant Thy mercies to the new people named after Thee, O Christ God; rejoice in Thy power to Thy faithful people, giving us victories over our enemies, to help those who have from Thee, the weapons of peace, an invincible victory."

— 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."