Exaltation of the Lord. Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord: date, history of the holiday, signs. The further fate of the shrine

This holiday has been around for over a thousand years. However, Christians of all denominations continue to honor him. This will be confirmed by the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord in 2018. All Christian people will visit churches and bow to the Cross on which our Savior was crucified. The parishioners will again remember the suffering that Jesus went to for the sake of our redemption.

What date is the holiday

The Exaltation refers to one of the twelve most important holidays in the Christian faith. It is celebrated by all denominations without exception. True, different currents have a different date.

Our people are mostly Orthodox, so the holiday is celebrated on 09/27/18. It will be Thursday, a working day.

When and how did the holiday originate?

According to an ancient legend, once the Roman Emperor Constantine was visited by Jesus Christ himself on the eve of an important battle, in whose hand was a cross. He informed the commander that he would defeat the enemy only thanks to the cross. The emperor believed Jesus and even drew a cross on his banner. The result was a resounding victory. After this, Constantine was finally convinced of the correctness of the Christian faith. He instructed Empress Elena to find the cross on which Christ was crucified. The emperor's mother made a lot of efforts to find the place of execution of the Savior. Well-known historians, cartographers and archaeologists were connected to this at that time.

The fact is that after the Resurrection of Jesus, the pagans tried in every possible way to destroy this important event from the people's memory. They literally razed to the ground everything that reminded of the Savior and even buried the cross on which he was crucified. Pagan places of worship were built on the site of Christian churches. So on the site of Solomon's temple, the Altar of Jupiter was built. The cave where Jesus was buried was filled up. On the main gate of the city of David, the pagans placed the image of a pig so that the Israelites would forever forget about their holy city. More than three hundred years have passed since then, but Elena still managed to find the place of Jesus' death and the cross on which he was crucified. For this, the ruins of the temple of Venus were cleared and the cave of the burial of Christ was excavated.

Actually, it was not easy at all. After all, not one cross was found, but three at once. As you know, two more thieves were crucified with Christ. Elena, together with Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem, turned to God to indicate which of the crosses is a sign of Salvation. At this time, a funeral procession was passing near this place. A deceased woman was brought to the artifacts, and the queen's servants placed all the crosses on her in turn. The first attempts did not give any result. But when she touched the third cross, the woman opened her eyes, got up and began to glorify the Lord. All those present immediately realized that before them was the instrument of execution of Jesus Christ. Thus, one of the shrines of the Christian world was rediscovered.

Celebration of the Exaltation in Rus'

After the introduction of Christianity in Rus', the people did not associate this holiday with any biblical events. Even in the pagan era, at this time they celebrated the harvest festival and farewell to summer.

Only after some time, ordinary people began to go to church and perceive this holiday as a worship of the Cross, which has great power and no forces can resist it. For the Orthodox, the Exaltation is considered the day of the struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness. In this struggle, in the end, God's cross wins.

Currently, a solemn divine service is being held in churches during the Exaltation, in which parishioners recall the events of two thousand years ago.

Regardless of the day of the week, the church calls for strict fasting on this day. It is no coincidence that the Exaltation is still popularly called cabbage. It is this product that is most often prepared for the holiday. Housewives manage to cook a lot of delicious dishes containing cabbage on a fast day, such as:

• borsch;
• pies;
• vareniki;
• pies;
• all kinds of salads, etc.

In some places, the Exaltation is called Stavrov Day. This name comes from the ancient Greek word "stavros", which means cross.

Previously, in Russian villages, there was a tradition to burn or draw crosses on their homes in order to protect themselves from diseases and troubles. In the villages, all kinds of amulets in the form of a cross were also brought to the barn so that the cattle would not get sick. Do not forget about the bins with the harvest. On this day, they were illuminated so that the old stocks would be preserved until the new harvest.

In order for life to be prosperous, religious processions were held in Russian villages. People conveyed congratulations to each other and wished prosperity and health.

There was a belief that after the Exaltation, nature freezes:

• migratory birds leave our lands;
• forest creatures hide in holes;
• everything is immersed in winter sleep.

The last warm days are coming to an end.

What not to do on this day

• On the Exaltation, you can not eat food of animal origin. There is even a saying about this, which says that whoever fasts, seven sins will be forgiven.
• On the holiday, you also can’t start new business and engage in hard physical work, as well as sewing and washing.
• As with other Christian holidays, it is not recommended to do bad things against other people, swear, and even think badly about someone.
• There is also an opinion that one should not go to the forest on Exaltation. There, on this day, the goblin counts all the animals.
• It is also recommended to keep the house closed. On this day, snakes can crawl into your home, looking for a place to hibernate.
• The old people say that on the Annunciation it is necessary to bypass the places where the murders were committed.
• You should also not cross unknown tracks on the ground. They can be left by forest evil spirits. Otherwise, the person may get sick.

On Vozdvizheniye, it was customary to sprinkle your house with blessed water to protect the residents from evil spirits.

Signs

Very often on this day, birds fly to the southern regions. At the sight of them, you can make a wish, which, according to experts, will surely come true.

Conspiracies

Immediately after the holiday, the so-called girls' evenings begin. If a girl, going to them, reads a special plot seven times, then one of the guys will definitely pay attention to her.

Previously, starting from the Exaltation to the Intercession, the girls burned fires and performed all kinds of love spells.

Conspiracies were especially popular, which should have been pronounced in the evening at dawn right on the porch of the house. True, for this the house must have its own basement.

On Friday, September 27, believers celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord - one of the 12 main holidays of the Orthodox Church after Easter. In folk tradition, this day is associated with the end of the harvest, preparation for winter and the autumn equinox. Details - in the material Federal News Agency.

history of the holiday

The Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is one of the few church holidays that began simultaneously with the event in honor of which it was established.

The fact is that after the crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension Jesus Christ the cross, which became the instrument of his execution, was lost. In the 4th century, the Byzantine emperor Konstantin, who was a zealous Christian, decided to find this cross at all costs, and sent his mother, the queen, to search for Jerusalem Elena.

According to legend, after lengthy inquiries and careful searches, Elena found three crosses near Golgotha, on one of which Jesus Christ was crucified. Also, during the excavations, four nails were found, with which, as those who found them believed, Jesus was nailed to the cross, and a plaque with the inscription: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," made by order Pontius Pilate.

The question of which of the three crosses found is the one on which the Savior died fell away by itself, because the real cross turned out to be healing and life-giving - after being applied to it, a seriously ill woman was healed and the deceased came to life, who at that moment was carried past.

In honor of the acquisition of the holy cross, Emperor Constantine ordered the installation of the famous Church of the Resurrection of Christ, which houses both Golgotha ​​and the Holy Sepulcher. The majestic temple was built for about ten years. Queen Elena did not wait for its consecration, she died in 327, and the temple was consecrated only in 335. This happened on September 13 (26), and the next day, September 14 (27), the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross was established.

The rise of the Slavs

In the folk calendar of the Slavs, Exaltation is celebrated on this day - the third and last meeting of autumn, the end of the harvest and the beginning of preparations for winter. From that day on, the harvesting of cabbage began, so in some regions the holiday was called Kapustnik.

It was believed that on the day of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross, a battle was played out between "honor" and "evil spirits", "truth" and "falsehood", light and darkness, but all bad things recede before God's cross. Therefore, in the villages, the peasants protected their homes, households and livestock with willow or mountain ash branches tied crosswise. Also, crosses were painted and burned on doors and gates to protect themselves from troubles.

Folk beliefs and signs

According to folk signs, Vozdvizhenye is the last day of Indian summer, after which there will be no heat. The last birds on this day fly away for the winter to warmer climes, and the bears hibernate in their lairs.

They believed that if you see the last flock of birds flying south that day, and make a wish at the same time, then it will certainly come true.

What not to do in Vozdvizhenie

The people tried not to go to the forest on Vozdvizhenye, because they believed that on this day “snakes and reptiles go into the ground”, and whoever goes into the forest at this time will be lost. For the same reason, the doors were kept locked that day - so that the "bastards" would not crawl into the house.

It was believed that nothing new and important should be done on the Exaltation, because everything would go to waste.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on September 27, 2020 (September 14 is the date according to the old style). The holiday is dedicated to the Cross of Jesus Christ, on which he was crucified. Rising means "lifting up". This holiday symbolizes the lifting of the Cross from the earth after it was discovered there.

On this day, people do not start any business, as there will be no positive result.

Traditionally, detours or religious processions are made with icons and prayers.

On this day, Vozdvizhensky evenings begin, which last for two weeks. Unmarried girls gather and read a certain spell seven times. According to legend, after such a ceremony, the one who is dear to her heart will fall in love with the girl.

Those who keep fasting during the Exaltation will receive forgiveness of 7 sins, and those who do not observe will receive 7 sins.

On this holiday, crosses are drawn in houses with chalk, soot, coal, garlic, animal blood. Small crosses made of wood are placed in the bins and mangers of animals. In the absence of crosses, they are made from rowan branches. They protect people, animals and crops from evil spirits.

history of the holiday

After the death of Christ, the holy Empress Helena ordered the erection of about 90 churches in various places: where the Savior was born, from where he ascended to heaven, where he prayed before death, at the burial place of his Mother. Part of the Cross and the nails with which he was chained to it, she brought to Constantinople. By order of Emperor Constantine, a temple was built in Jerusalem in honor of the Resurrection of Christ. Its construction took almost 10 years.

In 327, Queen Helena died, not having lived to see the consecration of the temple. Despite this, on September 13, 335, it was consecrated, and the next day - the 14th - the celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord was appointed.

Have an interesting day

Task for today: Refrain from food of animal origin.
The Holy Empress Helena, after the death of Christ, ordered the erection of about 90 churches. Temples were supposed to be in a variety of places: where the Savior was born, from where he ascended to heaven, where he prayed before his death, at the burial place of his mother. But the queen did not live to see the consecration of the temple. And yet, on September 13, it was still lit, and the next day a holiday was appointed.

According to Orthodox tradition, on the day of the holiday itself, there is a strict fast - refrain from food of animal origin.

Signs

North wind - to a warm summer.

If the west wind blows for several days in a row, then the weather will be bad in the coming days.

At sunrise, the moon outlines a reddish, quickly disappearing circle - to clear and dry weather.

Geese fly high - the flood will be high, low - the river will rise low.

If the cranes fly slowly and high, cooing on the fly, then the autumn will be warm.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is an Orthodox holiday celebrated on September 27, 2018. On this day, believers remember how in 326 they found the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. We talk about the history and traditions of the holiday, is there a fast on this day and what can not be done on the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord-2018.

What is the meaning of the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord?

Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord: this is the full name of the holiday on September 27th. On this day, the Orthodox Church recalls two events at once, according to the Foma magazine.

According to the Holy Scriptures, in 326, Emperor Constantine and his mother, Queen Helena, went on a campaign to the Holy Land to find the shrine. Not far from Golgotha ​​they found three crosses. According to legend, a sick person touched one of the crosses and recovered. So they found the very Cross on which Christ was crucified.

The holiday is called the Exaltation, because the Cross was raised and shown to people from the dais so that everyone could see it and pray.

In the 7th century, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross was combined with the memory of another event: in 628, the Cross of the Lord was returned to Jerusalem from Persia.

Now part of the Cross is kept in the altar of the Greek Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. How the fate of the Christian shrine evolved is not exactly known.

Exaltation of the Cross-2018: church and folk traditions

On the day of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, believers go to the festive service in the temple, try to confess and take communion.

Church and folk traditions of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Rus' were mixed up.

• On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the peasants painted crosses on the doors of their houses.
• Wooden crosses were placed in the feeders for cows and horses.
• September 27 was considered to be the last day of Indian summer;
• The young people arranged "Kapustin's Evenings", and they lasted two weeks;
• The need to fast was reflected in proverbs and sayings: “Though on a Sunday, come Exaltation, and everything on it is Friday-Wednesday, Lenten food!” or “Whoever fasts on Exaltation, seven sins will be forgiven.”

Is there a fast on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross?

Yes, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, a strict fast is established in the Orthodox Church.

What can you eat on September 27, 2018?

On the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, fasting people should not eat meat and dairy products, fish and eggs. Food can be seasoned with vegetable oil.

Mikhail Vinokurtsev.

What can not be done on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross-2018?

• You can not get carried away with all sorts of beliefs. All the signs that are associated with the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the church considers superstition. They have nothing to do with the Orthodox faith.
• Do not think that on Orthodox holidays it is forbidden to work in the garden, sew or clean up. This is wrong. It is recommended to dedicate the holiday to God and communication with loved ones. But if a person needs to work, it is not a sin.
• On the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, one cannot swear, swear with others.
• The church advises on the Exaltation of the Cross-2018 (as on other days) to refrain from conspiracies, occult and magical rites.
• On September 27, 2018, alcohol should not be abused. On an Orthodox holiday, you need to go to the temple, pray, take part in church rites, and not arrange a violent holiday.

One of the first twelfth holidays in the church year is September 27, the Exaltation of the Cross, commemorating the discovery of the Holy Cross on Golgotha ​​by Queen Elena in the 3rd century. The church year begins and ends with an indict - the new year, which is celebrated on September 14th.

It is known that in the Orthodox Church the commemoration of a saint or a feast is celebrated daily in honor of an important historical event for the teaching of Christ. Each church holiday has a special instructive, educational meaning. The feasts of the Church preserve the true purpose of the feasts - it is a renewal of life, a reminder of special events, and not just drunken fun, unbridled fun.

The Exaltation of the Cross among the Twelfth Feasts

In the annual church cycle there are twelve holidays, called "twelfth" (in Church Slavonic duodecimal). These are the days dedicated to the most important events of the earthly life of Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as the most important historical events of the Church.

The traditions of their celebration have evolved over the centuries, and today they are celebrated all over the world, and, due to their prevalence, they cover even the lives of non-religious people. This is a church sermon, the glory of the name of Christ, which goes beyond the church fence.

In every Orthodox country, these holidays reflect traditions, national mentality and historical culture. So, in Russia and Greece, on different holidays, earthly fruits are brought for blessing. Elements of Slavic ritualism have been preserved, for example, in the traditions of caroling on the Christmas holiday in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

Thanks to the tolerance and love of the Orthodox Church, many ancient good traditions have come down to our days.

These days are like spiritual bright milestones of the year. Remembering this or that event, giving praise to the Lord and the Mother of God, we rejoice in God's love for people and again look at ourselves from the outside, trying to be worthy of this love. Believers try to confess and take communion on the Twelfth Feasts.
The twelfth holidays are divided according to their content:

• Lord's (Lord's) - eight holidays,
• Mother of God - four,
• commemoration days of sacred events.

According to the solemnity of worship, determined by the Charter:

• small,
• medium,
• great.

By time and date of celebration:

• motionless;
• mobile.

Note that this does not apply to the Twelfth Holidays. Happy Easter. It is "holidays a feast and a celebration of celebrations". According to comparisons of church writings, the twelve days are like stars, the Nativity of Christ from them can be compared with the moon, and Holy Easter is the Sun, without it (without the Resurrection of Christ) life is impossible, and the stars fade.

Easter needs a separate detailed story. On Easter night, solemn religious processions are held in all churches, people try to come to the service at least for a short time. However, the night service is often performed on Christmas Day, and in some parishes on other holidays.

History of the Exaltation of the Cross

It is known that in the first centuries after the birth of Christ - they are also called the early Christian times - many thousands of people gave their lives for Christ, refusing to renounce him, and became martyrs. The fact is that the emperors of Rome at that time professed paganism, and most importantly, the emperor himself was always in the host of pagan gods, prayers were offered to him (although how could he hear them?) and sacrifices were made. Moreover, the emperor was declared a god by the right of the throne: it does not matter what the level of his morality was, whether his life was righteous and whether he was fair. On the contrary, from history we know about murderous emperors, lechers, traitors. But the emperor could not be overthrown - only killed. So, the disciples of Christ refused to worship the gods, calling God One Christ, for this they, as disobedient to the emperor-god, were tortured and killed.

But one day, having heard the sermon of the disciples of Christ, the mother of Emperor Constantine the First, Empress Elena, was baptized. She raised her royal son to be an honest and righteous man. After Baptism, Elena wanted to find the Cross on which the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and which was buried on Mount Golgotha. She understood that the Cross would unite Christians and become the first great shrine of Christianity. Over time, Constantine the Great adopted Christianity.

The Cross of Christ was found in 326 by Empress Helen, who was looking for it together with priests and bishops, among other crosses - instruments of execution - on Mount Golgotha, where the Lord was crucified. As soon as the Cross was raised from under the ground, the deceased was resurrected, who was carried past in a funeral procession: therefore, the Cross of Christ immediately began to be called Life-Giving. It is with such a large cross that Queen Elena is depicted on the icons.

Throughout her later life, she helped Emperor Constantine in spreading and preaching Christianity throughout the Roman Empire: she erected temples, helped those in need, talked about the teachings of Christ.

Icons of the Holy Cross

The icon of the Exaltation of the Cross is an illustration of a great historical event, in honor of which the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross was also established. After the earthly life of Christ and His death on the Cross, the very instrument of His execution - but also the weapon of human deliverance from sins, the Holy Cross of the Lord was lost.

This image was very common in Russian churches in the 15th century.

The icon depicts many people against the backdrop of the temple. In the center is the Patriarch in black and white robes with the Cross, which he holds raised above his head. On the right hand of him are the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helena. The rest of the people are Orthodox Christians praying to God.

Church tradition says that the icon of the feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross was painted by Byzantine icon painters as early as the 4th century, when one of the greatest miracles in history occurred: the emperor of Byzantium, Constantine, learned about Christianity and, unlike his royal predecessors, did not persecute the disciples of Christ but turned in his heart to the Lord Jesus. And before one of the terrible battles, after a sacred prayer, the emperor saw a shining Cross in the sky above the battlefield and heard God's voice: "By this, conquer!" - that is, "you will overcome with the help of this sign." So the Cross became the military banner of the whole Empire, and under the sign of the Cross, Byzantium flourished for many centuries. Constantine, on the other hand, was called the Great and, after his death, was canonized as a holy king equal to the apostles - for his deeds and for his faith.

The Holy Church on this day reminds the faithful not only of the finding of the Cross by the holy Empress Helena in Jerusalem, but also of the return of the Life-Giving Cross from captivity in the 7th century by Emperor Heraclius: the shrine was captured by the Persians, and then returned by the Christians.

On this day, we also remember the death of the Lord on the Cross and, as a sign of honoring the sufferings of Christ, believers keep a strict fast (without food of animal origin: meat, milk, eggs, fish). If you want to honor this holy day, but have never fasted, you should at least refrain from meat and delicious delicacies, sweets, and delicacies.

During the divine service on this day, a large Cross is brought to the middle of the temple, to which the faithful venerate.

Snake shift

Many church holidays have become truly popular, signs have been timed to coincide with them, they began to bring certain seasonal fruits for consecration, that is, the blessing of God in the church, to pray for certain things related to the holiday.

The beginning of preparations for winter, the first frosts are connected with the Exaltation of the Cross. At this time in Rus' they usually harvested cabbage, they said that a good owner would have a pie with cabbage that day. You can time the family sauerkraut for the holiday.

A sign of the movement of snakes on the Exaltation of the Cross is a popular belief that on this day one cannot go into the forest, because snakes crawl out of their holes. Orthodox Christians do not believe in conspiracies, but it does not hurt to listen to beliefs, because signs are a storehouse of folk wisdom.

Prayer for the Exaltation of the Cross

Particles of the Life-Giving Cross are today found in many churches around the world. Perhaps in your city there is a particle of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, and you can venerate this great shrine. The cross is called Life-giving - creating and giving life, that is, having great power.
In the morning and evening prayers, found in every Orthodox prayer book, there are prayers that call on the power of God, which comes from the Cross of the Lord. Orthodox Christians thus protect themselves for every day and every night with the power of the Cross of the Lord.

Pray to the Lord, protect yourself with the banner of the cross and sincere faith in God - and you will see how your life will change.

Protect me, Lord, with the power of Your Honorable and Life-Giving Cross and save me from evil.
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy Church, giving victory to Orthodox Christians against enemies and Thy keeping the believers with Thy cross.

The faith given by the Lord, the knowledge of His help must be multiplied among people. Therefore, unlike the conspiracies that are spread by the servants of the dark forces and which should be “read secretly”, you can and should share your faith, talk about the miraculous help of God and his mercy. Good deeds that are done with the invocation of God's grace will always be accomplished successfully.

What not to eat on the Exaltation of the Cross

In the Orthodox Church, the observance of fasts and fast days is one of the most important traditions. Believers, as far as possible, in accordance with their health, observe the calendar of fasting days and follow it.

Perhaps only monks can adhere to the full Church Charter on fasting, however, according to your zeal, you can observe such a fast at least on the day of the Exaltation, and for long fasts you already need to take the blessing of the priest. You can not eat at the Exaltation of the Cross

• Meat,
• Dairy products,
• Eggs,
• Fish.

During long fasts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, fish, wine and oil are forbidden by the charter and it is allowed to eat food without vegetable oil (dry food) only after the evening service. On the rest of the days - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - it is allowed to eat food with vegetable oil.

It is important to understand that fasting is not a goal, but a means for humbling one's flesh in order to be cleansed from sins through abstinence from food. It is abstinence, and not exhaustion of the body, therefore, everyone should measure the rules for observing fasts in relation to food with their own strength, with the degree of their preparation for fasting.

The duration and measure of fasting may vary depending on the internal state of a Christian, as well as the objective conditions of his life. In particular, in acute or chronic diseases requiring a special diet, fasting in relation to food can be reduced, facilitated or canceled. The same applies to Christians who, on a temporary or permanent basis, stay in a secular hostel, which involves common food (military units, hospitals, boarding schools, special schools, places of detention).

The Cross of Christ and the Sign of the Cross

Pectoral crosses of various shapes and materials are worn by all Christians.
It doesn't matter what the cross is made of, different traditions existed in different centuries, and today the cross can be made of metal or wood; from threads or beads; be enamel or glass; most often they choose the one that is comfortable to wear, durable - usually these are silver or gold crosses; you can choose blackened silver crosses - they do not carry any special signs.

The Church recommends choosing crosses with the Crucifixion - that is, the figure of Christ and the inscription "Save and Save", which usually comes from the back. They are sold in temples. Turning to the power of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is a great defense for every person. It is known that the sign of the cross stops the demonic influence: the devil and his servants cannot endure the correct cross, therefore they often try to mock him (this is the origin of the satanic symbols of the inverted cross).

The correct sign of the cross is made with the right hand, clenched by the thumb, forefinger and middle fingers (they symbolize the power and omnipotence of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit - the Indivisible Holy Trinity). First, fingers should be pressed to the forehead, then to the stomach (approximately at waist level), to the right and then to the left shoulder.

May the Lord keep you with the power of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross!