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Ordinary Time
Exaltation of the Holy Cross / Triumph of the Cross
Also called: Holy Cross Day, Feast of the Holy Cross, Khatchverats (Armenian), Meskel (Ethiopian Connection)
September 14 (fixed)
CatholicEastern OrthodoxAnglicanLutheran
The feast commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena (mother of Emperor Constantine) in Jerusalem in 326 AD, and the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
In Eastern Orthodox tradition, this is a Great Feast during which the Cross is carried in solemn procession and venerated by the faithful. It usually falls on or around September 14 (fixed).
It is especially important in Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran traditions. Browse Christian holidays — browse options on Eden.
At a glance
- Type
- major feast
- Date type
- Fixed (same date every year)
- Regions
- Global
- Themes
- Holy Cross
- Liturgical colour
- Red
Common questions
Exaltation of the Holy Cross is observed on September 14 (fixed). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
The feast commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena (mother of Emperor Constantine) in Jerusalem in 326 AD, and the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, this is a Great Feast during which the Cross is carried in solemn procession and venerated by the faithful. In Armenia, Khatchverats (Exaltation of the Cross) is one of the Five Cardinal
It is associated with Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran. It falls in the Ordinary Time season of the liturgical year.