The Feast Day Of The Finding Of The Holy Cross By Saint Helena, Mother Of Emperor Constantine. 3 May. Red Vestments.

Orthodox Cross set for special Veneration on the Feast Day of The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life Giving Cross.

Christ the Saviour Orthodox Sobor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Photo: 1 October 2011.

Source: Own work.

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CATHOLICISM PURE AND SIMPLE

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

This Feast is called, in Greek, “ψωσις τοῦ Τιμίου καὶ Ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ” (Raising Aloft of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross), and, in Latin, Exaltatio Sanctæ 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.

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

 One of the masterpieces of the “Barochetto Romano”, 

by Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini.

Date: 1743.

Photo: 18 February 2006.

Source: facade, s. croce in gerusalemme

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Author: Anthony M. from Rome.

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Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

The Finding Of The Holy Cross.
   3 May.

Double of The Second-Class.

Red Vestments.

After the victory gained by Emperor Constantine, by virtue of the Cross which appeared to him in the sky, 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 A.D., 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 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).

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.

Artist: Miguel Ximénez.

Date: 1483-1487.

Collection: Saragossa Museum.

Source: [2]

(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.

Mass: Nos autem.
Commemoration: At Low Mass, only. Of Saint Alexander and Companions.
Creed: Is said.
Preface: Of The Cross.

Labarum of Constantine I 

(Vexilloid of the Roman Empire).

The Vexillum was a Standard, composed of a square piece of cloth fastened to a cross bar at the top of a spear, sometimes with a fringe all round, and sometimes fringed only below, or without a fringe, but draped at the sides, 

When placed over the General’s tent, it was a sign 

for marching, or for battle. 

The Labarum of the Emperors was similar in form, and frequently bore upon it a representation of the Emperor.

Date: 1 April 2011.

Source: Labarum_of_Constantine_I.svg 

(reconstruction by Eugene Ipavec, 2006).

This file is licensed under the 

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Author: Labarum_of_Constantine_I.

(Modifications made by Philly boy92).

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The following Text is from “The Liturgical Year”.
   By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
      Volume Eight.
      Paschal Time.
      Book Two.

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

Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

(Musée Condé, Chantilly, France).

This File: 14 April 2005.

User: Petrusbarbygere.

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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. - 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.