One of the Five Cardinal Feasts, commemorating the recovery of the True Cross from the Persians by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius in 628 AD and its triumphant return through Armenia to Jerusalem. A large cross decorated with basil is brought out in procession to a field, and four priests move to the four corners to bless the entire world.
The feast follows a fast (the Fast of the Exaltation) the preceding week. It usually falls on or around Third Sunday of September, National Public Holiday (the following Monday is given off).
It is especially important in Armenian Apostolic traditions. Browse Christian holidays — browse options on Eden.
At a glance
Type
feast
Date type
Semi-fixed
Regions
Armenia
Themes
Holy Cross
Liturgical colour
Red
Common questions
Exaltation of the Holy Cross is observed on Third Sunday of September, National Public Holiday (the following Monday is given off). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
One of the Five Cardinal Feasts, commemorating the recovery of the True Cross from the Persians by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius in 628 AD and its triumphant return through Armenia to Jerusalem. A large cross decorated with basil is brought out in procession to a field, and four priests move to the four corners to bless the entire world. The feast follows a fast (the Fast of the Exaltation) the
It is associated with Armenian Apostolic. It falls in the Ordinary Time season of the liturgical year.