His Beatitude
Gregory III (Laham)
Patriarchal
Grand Master
His Excellency
Cyril Salim Bustros
Provincial
Grand Prior
His Excellency
John Adel Elya
Provincial
Grand Prior
(Emeritus)
Mission
Supreme
Council
District
Government
Southern
Commandery
Patriarchal Order
of the
Holy Cross of
Jerusalem
Province of the United States
Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14
The Southern Region celebrates this solemn feast day at the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos Monastery during Vespers on the Saturday closest to the Holyday.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross originated in Jerusalem in 355 to commemorate the dedication of the Basilica of the Resurrection. When the true cross of Jesus was found shortly afterwards, this event was commemorated on the same day. In time, the Feast of the Exaltation supplanted the feast of the dedication.
In 395, St. John Chrysostom wrote
of three crosses which were discovered beneath Golgotha by the Empress Helena.
Many other writers speak of miracles which occurred through contact with the
true cross. It was through one of these miracles that the true cross was
recognized by St.Helena and St. Macarius, the Bishop of Jerusalem.