The greatest holiday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: date in 2025, spiritual meaning, schedule of services

Traditionally, September ends with one of the most important Christian holidays — the Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is dedicated to finding the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Although the event is not directly related to the earthly life of the Savior, it occupies an honorable place among the 12 main celebrations of the Russian Orthodox Church. For more information about the traditions and peculiarities of worship on this day, see the Izvestia article.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross: what date is in 2025, transitional or not

The Exaltation of the Holy and Life—Giving Cross of the Lord (abbreviated as the Exaltation or Exaltation of the Cross) is a great twelve—day and non-transitory holiday, its date does not change from year to year.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Pyatakov

Orthodox believers celebrate it on September 27. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Saturday, which makes it especially convenient for parishioners to attend services. The Catholic Church celebrated the Exaltation on September 14.

The Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is accompanied by a pre-celebration and a post-celebration. The pre—celebration lasts for one day - September 26. Preparatory services are beginning in churches, and believers can already begin to pray in front of the Honest Cross. The celebration lasts for seven days (until October 4), during which festive services are held in churches, special troparia and kontakion readings are read, and believers continue their spiritual reflection on the meaning of the Cross in their lives.

The essence of the Church feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The holiday got its name from the words "to erect", which literally means "to raise" — after finding an Honest Cross, it was erected for the universal worship of the people.

According to legend, Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsarina Elena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in the fourth century in order to find relics related to the crucifixion of Christ. The instruments of execution were usually buried near the place of the crucifixion, so the search was conducted under the ruins of a pagan temple. The location of the temple was indicated to Elena by a Jew named Judas, who later converted to Christianity.

Nails, three crosses and a plaque with an inscription were found under the temple, which was nailed over the head of Jesus. To determine which of the crosses the Savior was crucified on, Bishop Macarius suggested attaching each of them to a sick woman. When the believer touched one of the crosses, she was healed, and thus the holy Cross was found. There were many people who wanted to worship the shrine, so Bishop Macarius raised the cross on a platform so that the people could offer prayer.: "Lord, have mercy!"

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Photo: RIA Novosti/Ariel is Controversial

Initially, the feast of the Exaltation was celebrated on the second day after Easter, as the shrine was found before this holiday. Tsarina Elena ordered the construction of a temple on the site of the crucifixion of Christ, which was named in honor of the Resurrection of the Lord. However, she did not live to see the completion of construction. It was decided to celebrate the consecration of the temple on September 26 (13), and the feast of the Exaltation itself on September 27 (14).

In the 7th century, the feast of the Exaltation also became a reminder of the return of the Tree of the Holy Cross from Persia. In 614, the Persian king Khozro captured Jerusalem and took away part of the Cross. In 628, Emperor Heraclius returned the shrine to the city. He brought her into the temple barefoot and in simple clothes.

According to legend, the Cross was divided into parts. The largest one is kept in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Small fragments are found in different countries: in Roman and Florentine churches (Italy), the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana (Spain), the Scheyern Monastery (Germany), Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgia), the museum "Etchmiadzin Treasury" (Armenia). In Russia, parts of It are located in churches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Ivanovo.

The spiritual significance of September 27 for Orthodox Christians

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross has primarily a symbolic meaning. In the Orthodox tradition, the cross is not just an instrument of execution, but a sign of Christ's victory over death, sin and evil, through which humanity received redemption. He reminds believers of the need to follow the Savior with heroic deeds and self-sacrifice.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov

On this day, people worship and kiss the shrine, asking for grace. In addition, the Cross is perceived as a source of comfort, healing, and protection that can be turned to in difficult times. The holiday unites the memory of ancient events with the spiritual present, reminding that the story of salvation continues and that every believer can incorporate its meaning into his life.

The Icon of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The icons of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross reflect the key events associated with the finding of the Holy Cross and its subsequent solemn worship. The main image on the icons is the Patriarch of Jerusalem or another hierarch, erecting a Cross on the pulpit or dais. The cross is often decorated with twigs of plants, symbolizing life and spiritual rebirth.

In the foreground, believers are depicted, including saints, singers in pointed hats and ordinary people who came to worship the holy Tree. The figures of Emperor Constantine and Tsarina Elena, who historically participated in the acquisition of the Cross, can often be seen on the right under the ciborium. Sometimes the composition includes scenes of miracles that occurred when touching the shrine, such as the healing of the sick or even the resurrection of the dead, which emphasizes the miraculous power of the Cross.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Malgavko

Early images of the Exaltation of the Cross can be found in the paintings and mosaics of Greek and Ancient Russian temples of the X–XI centuries. Over time, iconography was developed in the artistic monuments of the XVI century, among which the three-row and two-sided icons, such as the "Exaltation. The miracle of George about the snake. Selected Saints" (early 16th century, State Tretyakov Gallery), "The Exaltation" (second half of the 16th century, Tretyakov Gallery), "The Exaltation. The cover. The Chosen Saints" (1565, Tretyakov Gallery), double-sided icon "The Mother of God Incarnation. The Exaltation of the Cross" (XVI century, Museum of Fine Arts).

Architectural elements of Jerusalem or the Church of the Resurrection of Christ are often painted in the background of icons, which emphasizes the historical place of events. It is characteristic that the Cross on the icons is depicted as flourishing — with vegetation and flowers, symbolizing his life-giving power. Icons of the Exaltation of the Cross form an important part of the festive iconographic series and on the day of the feast are traditionally placed in iconostases or on special stands in churches, allowing believers to worship the shrine and participate in the spiritual tradition of worship.

Church service: What time is the start, how is the service going?

The liturgical tradition of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross has its own peculiarities and occupies an important place in church life. As with any great church celebration, an all-night vigil and liturgy are served. However, in modern times, they rarely serve all night, so the festive vigil on the eve becomes central. In most churches, it starts around 17:00 and ends around 20:00, although the exact schedule may vary. On this evening, verses, canons and the akathist to the Cross are read, and parishioners can confess and prepare for the main celebration.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Pyatakov

On the day of the feast itself, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, in many churches there are two: early (begins at 6-7 a.m.) and late (at 9-10 a.m.). The exact schedule should be clarified in a particular temple. Unlike on ordinary days, during Matins on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Gospel is read in the altar, and not in the middle of the temple. The culmination of the celebration is the carrying of the cross by a priest or bishop dressed in purple robes. All the worshippers in the temple kiss the shrine, and the primate anoints them with holy oil. During the general worship of the Cross, a troparion is sung: "We worship Your Cross, Vladyka, and we glorify Your holy resurrection."

After the festive liturgy, the cross is traditionally left on the lectern until October 4, the day of the Exaltation, when the shrine is carried to the altar. During the celebration, prayer services, the consecration of crosses and water, the reading of festive troparia and kontakion, as well as memorial services for the deceased continue. Thanks to this liturgical tradition, believers have the opportunity not only to worship the shrine, but also to delve into the spiritual significance of the Cross, strengthen faith and feel connected with the history of the salvation of mankind.