Roman Text taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.
Italic Text taken from The Liturgical Year, by Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B.
Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.
Volume Eight. Paschal Time. Book Two.
Illustrations and Captions taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
Double of the Second-Class.
Red Vestments.
Orthodox Cross set for special veneration on the Feast Day of
Christ the Saviour Orthodox Sobor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 2011.
Photo: 1 October 2011.
Source: Own work.
Author: ΙΣΧΣΝΙΚΑ-888.
(Wikimedia Commons)
This Feast is called, in Greek, Ὕψωσις τοῦ Τιμίου καὶ Ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ (Raising Aloft of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross), and, in Latin, Exaltatio Sanctae Crucis. In English, it is called The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in the official translation of the Roman Missal, while the 1973 translation called it The Triumph of the Cross. In some parts of the Anglican Communion, the Feast is called Holy Cross Day, a name also used by Lutherans. The Celebration is also sometimes called Feast of the Glorious Cross.
Basilica of The Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Rome, Italy.
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Rome)
One of the masterpieces of the "barochetto romano",
by Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini, from 1743.
Photo: 18 February 2006.
Source: facade, s. croce in gerusalemme.
Author: Anthony M. from Rome, Italy.
(Wikimedia Commons)
After the victory gained by Emperor Constantine, by virtue of the Cross which appeared to him in the skies, and whose sign he reproduced in the "Labarum", Saint Helena, his mother, went to Jerusalem to try and find the true Cross.
At the beginning of the 2nd-Century, Emperor Hadrian had covered Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre under a terrace of 300 feet in length, on which had been erected a statue of Jupiter and a temple of Venus. The Empress razed them to the ground, and, in digging up the soil, they discovered the nails (Alleluia) and the glorious trophy to which we owe "life, salvation and a resurrection" (Introit). The miraculous cure of a woman authenticated the Sacred Tree (Collect).
Saint Helena divided into three the precious wood, which had been "worthy to bear the King of Heaven" (Alleluia), which had merely been figured by the cross on which the brazen serpent was raised. One part was deposited in Rome, in the Church which on this account was called Holy Cross in Jerusalem. The second part in Constantinople and the third part in Jerusalem.
Heraclius returns The True Cross to Jerusalem,
anachronistically accompanied by Saint Helena. 15th-Century, Spain.
Saint Helena & Heraclius taking The Holy Cross to Jerusalem,
Museo de Zaragoza, óleo sobre tabla (195 x 115 cm.)
procedente del retablo de la Santa Cruz de Blesa, Teruel.
Date: 1481.
This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.
This applies to Australia, the European Union and those countries
with a copyright term of life of the author plus 70 years.
Author: Miguel Jiménez y Martín Bernat.
(Wikimedia Commons)
This last Relic, having been carried off by the Persians, and recovered by the Byzantine Emperor, Heraclius, was solemnly brought back to Jerusalem, by Heraclius, on 3 May, 628 A.D.
Covered with gold and precious stones, Emperor Heraclius suddenly felt himself held back by an invincible power. At this sight, Zacharias, Bishop of Jerusalem, told him to imitate the poverty and humility of Jesus bearing His Cross.
Heraclius, thereupon, covered his shoulders with a common cloak, and, without further hindrance, went his way. (Breviary, 14 September.)
Every Parish Priest celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.
The "Labarum", of Emperor Constantine I, displaying the "Chi-Rho" symbol above.
Labarum of Constantine I (Vexilloid of the Roman Empire).
Drawn after File:As-Constantine-XR RIC vII 019.jpg; the three dots shown here are presumably not meant to be actual dots (but appear as such due to the limited resolution on the coin face), but represent three heads or portraits, c.f.File:Konstantin den stores labarum, Nordisk familjebok.png
Date: 2011-04-01 23:52 (UTC).
Source: Labarum_of_Constantine_I.svg (reconstruction by Eugene Ipavec, 2006).
This 
This is a retouched picture, which means that it has been digitally altered from its original version. Modifications: Labarum of Constantine the Great. The original can be viewed here: Vexilloid_of_the_Roman_Empire.svg. Modifications made by philly boy92.
It was most just that our Divine King should show Himself to us with the Sceptre of His power, to the end that nothing might be wanting to the majesty of His empire. This Sceptre is The Cross; and Paschal Time was to be the Season for its being offered to Him in glad homage.
A few weeks back, and The Cross was shown to us as the instrument of our Emmanuel's humiliation and as the bed of suffering, whereon He died; but, has He not since then conquered Death ? And what is His Cross, now, but a trophy of His victory ?
Exaltation of the Cross from the
(Musée Condé, Chantilly, France).
This File: 14 April 2005.
User: Petrusbarbygere.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Let it, then, be brought forth to our gaze and let every knee bend before this Sacred Wood, whereby our Jesus won the honour and praise we now give Him !
On the day of His birth at Bethlehem, we sang these words of the Prophet Isaias: A Child is born unto us, and a Son is given to us, and His government is upon His shoulder. [Is. ix 6. - The Introit of The Third Mass for Christmas Day.]
We have seen Him carrying this Cross upon His shoulder; as Isaac carried the wood for his own immolation; but, now, it is no longer a heavy burthen. It is shining with a brightness that ravishes the eyes of the Angels; and, after having received the veneration of man as long as the world lasts, it will suddenly appear in the clouds of Heaven, near the Judge of the living and the dead - a consolation to them that have loved it, but a reproach to such as have treated it with contempt or forgetfulness.
Who are you? I recognized the image of the cross immediately because I go to Christ the Saviour in Ottawa. - Nancy C.
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy Chiasson.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your welcome Comment.
I am delighted that you saw my Post and that you recognised the Cross mentioned therein.
I feel certain that the Liturgy at Christ the Saviour, Ottawa, is profound, dignified and Holy.
To answer you question, I am just one person who delights in the beauty, splendour, sanctification and holiness of things Catholic.
in Domino.