GREAT FEAST, ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

One of the Great Feast by the Eastern Rite, both of the Catholics and Orthodox, the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life creating Cross, also known to be the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, commemorates both findings of the true Cross. First is in 326 A.D When Empress Helena, Mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered it in the Golgotha after a Ailing Woman was healed and a Dead man giving his life after the Cross was put to him. The Second is when the Cross was returned in 628 A.D by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius after it was stole by the Persians, Legend has it that when he insist to carry the Cross back to Jerusalem, he felt a heavy burden at the very entrance of the City Gates. But when he removed his Crown, it weight becomes miraculously light as the Gates was opened. Today is also a day of fasting and repentance. For the feast, the Cross is place on a tray surrounded by flowers or branches of Vasiliko or Basil, a flower which was believed to be found at the very spot where our Lord Jesus Christ is Crucified, and placed in the center of the Church to be venerated by the faithful

Akathist Hymn to the Elevation of the Holy Cross


Troparion (Tone 1)

O Lord, save Thy people,

And bless Thine inheritance.

Grant victory to the Emperor [or "Thy people" or "the Orthodox Christians"]

Over the barbarians, [or "their enemies"]

And by the power of Thy Cross

Preserve Thy commonwealth. [or "estate" or "habitation"]

Kontakion (Tone 4)

As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake,

Grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God;

Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power,

Granting them victories over their adversaries,

By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace.

Instead of the Trisagion

Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

And Thy holy Resurrection we glorify.

Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify.

Forefeast hymn

Troparion (Tone 4)

We offer in supplication

The Life-Creating Cross of Your Goodness, O Lord,

Which You have granted to us who are unworthy:

Save the Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of Man,

Through the Theotokos.

Afterfeast hymn

Kontakion - Tone 4

As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake,

Grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God;

Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power,

Granting them victories over their adversaries,

By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace.

On the eve of the feast, Vespers is served and contains three Old Testament readings. The first, from Exodus 15:22-16:1, tells of the "tree" which made the bitter waters sweet, the symbol of the Tree of the Cross. The second reading is from Proverbs 3:11-18, which reminds us that the Lord chastens and corrects those whom he loves and that Divine Wisdom is "a Tree of life to those who lay hold upon her and trust in her, as in the Lord." The third reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah 60:11-16; it tells of the "city of the Lord" where both Jews and Gentiles will live together and shall prostrate themselves at the place of God's feet and "shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob."

Sometimes Matins is served on the morning of the feast. The four directions of the universe are blessed with the Cross, while the faithful repeat the chant "Lord have mercy." The Matins Gospel reading is from John 12:28-36. In it Christ says that when he is elevated on the Cross he will draw all men to himself.

Divine Liturgy is served on the day on the feast. The normal antiphons are replaced by special verses from the psalms 22, 74, and 99, which have direct reference to Christ's crucifixion on the Cross. A special hymn replaces the Trisagion hymn, as it is sung, the faithful prostrate. The epistle reading is from I Corinthians 1:18-24, and says that "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The gospel reading is taken from John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, and 30-35 together. This long reading is the passion account." - Citation taken from Orthowiki site regarding this Great feast. You can also click  here on the Eastern practice on this Great Feast.