What is the Holy Cross?
Being the universal symbol of the Christian faith, the Holy Cross celebrates its feast day on September 14 of every year. From a brutal instrument of death, on this feast day we celebrate its transformation into a divine instrument that brings hope to all humankind.
The Feast of the Holy Cross commemorates the discovery of the True Cross, which is believed to be the actual Cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. According to tradition, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the 4th century. During her visit, she sought to locate the True Cross and ran excavations that led to the discovery of three crosses. To determine which one was the cross of Christ, a dying woman was brought before the crosses. Miraculously, she was healed when she touched the True Cross, affirming its authenticity.
The Feast of the Holy Cross serves as a time of reflection and reverence for the most commonly-used symbol of Christianity. It is a celebration of the victory of Christ over sin and death, reminding us of the amazing journey of Jesus’s life. Christians worldwide engage in special prayers, liturgies and processions to honour the Holy Cross and remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
The observance of the Feast of the Holy Cross also holds a spiritual significance in that it serves as a reminder of the call to take up one’s own cross and follow Christ. The Cross becomes a symbol of hope, salvation and the transformative power of faith.
Throughout the centuries, the Feast of the Holy Cross has been celebrated with devotion and solemnity. It is a time for Christians to draw closer to the Cross, seeking forgiveness, renewal and strength in their spiritual journey. The significance of the Cross as a symbol of faith and divine love continues to inspire and guide believers, providing a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.