When is The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2023
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2023
Thursday, September 14, 2023
When is The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2024
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2024
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Why we celebrate The Exaltation of the Holy Cross?
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a crucial religious holiday celebrated by Christian churches. The cross symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and resurrected. It’s a symbol of salvation directed to all cardinal points. The celebration also associates with other events, including: the Finding of the Holy Cross; the Consecration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Restitution of the Holy Relic.
The Finding of Holy Cross by Saint Helena and Bishop Macarius
Around 327 AD, Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem organized a large-scale search for Golgotha (the place where Jesus Christ was crucified), and the Holy Sepulchre. The Holy Cross was found during the excavations and recognized by the bishop. According to another version, Empress Elena – the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great – was on a pilgrimage. Then, she found 3 crosses next to the Holy Sepulchre, one of which belonged to the Savior. The cross of Jesus was distinguished from others when a dying person touched it and was healed. There is another version of how it was possible to distinguish the Holy Cross. When a deceased person was being carried to a cemetery, the cross touched the dead, and he rose. Due to this version, it is also known as the Life-Giving Cross.
The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
After the Finding of Holy Cross, Emperor Constantine I ordered to build the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The construction was dedicated to the Resurrection of the Son of God and included the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha. It took about 10 years to build it. At the same time, Empress Elena ordered to build temples in the places related to Christ’s earthly deeds. Under the order, 80 temples were founded. The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre took place on September 13, and on the next day it was ordered to celebrate the Exaltation of the Honorable and Life-giving Cross. This is the Christians’ main shrine that can accommodate a few thousand people at once.
The Restitution of the Holy Relic
During the war, the Persian king Khosrow II plundered Jerusalem and took the Holy Cross. 14 years later, Emperor Heraclius I defeated the king and returned the holy relic. When Heraclius was approaching the Golgotha gate, he suddenly stopped and couldn’t move. Then the patriarch explained that it was an Angel who didn’t allow him to pass wearing rich clothes. Since the return was like the Way of the Cross, which Christ made wearing humble clothes. After Heraclius put on a plain robe, he could enter Golgotha.
What Do People Do?
Since the IV century, the Eastern Church has raised the cross into the public realm so that people can see it and pray. It was a special worship ritual. Since the VII century, the Roman Catholic Church has set an official celebration of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Since that time, believers have celebrated the holiday, observing the prescribed rituals. The holiday traditions are similar in all Christian denominations. For example, the fasting is mandatory. On this day, people sing hymns, attend church, pray, and confess. The Eastern Orthodox clergy wear purple robes, and the Western – red ones.
How to Celebrate The Exaltation of the Holy Cross?
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated annually in September. It is celebrated by Orthodox, Catholic, and Ancient Eastern churches. The holiday dates may differ depending on the calendar that the church adheres to. It is mainly celebrated on September 14 according to the Gregorian calendar, for example, by the Roman Catholic Church. According to the Julian calendar, this holiday is celebrated on September 27. In some cities, this holiday is an official day off.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Observances
List of dates for other years
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 14 September | 2020 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Tuesday | 14 September | 2021 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Wednesday | 14 September | 2022 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Thursday | 14 September | 2023 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Saturday | 14 September | 2024 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Sunday | 14 September | 2025 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Monday | 14 September | 2026 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Tuesday | 14 September | 2027 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Thursday | 14 September | 2028 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Friday | 14 September | 2029 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Saturday | 14 September | 2030 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Sunday | 14 September | 2031 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Tuesday | 14 September | 2032 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
| Wednesday | 14 September | 2033 | The Exaltation of the Holy Cross |
Video
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Cards
List of Common Holidays in 2023
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| January 2023 | ||
| Jan 1 - Tues | New Year's Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Jan 6 - Sun | Epiphany 2023 | Christian |
| Jan 7 - Mon | Orthodox Christmas Day 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| Jan 14 - Mon | Orthodox New Year 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| Jan 15 - Tues | Makar Sankranti 2023 | Hindu |
| Jan 21 - Mon | Tu B'Shevat 2023 | Jewish |
| Jan 21 - Mon | Martin Luther King Day 2023 | National holiday |
| February 2023 | ||
| Feb 1 - Fri | National Freedom Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 1 - Fri | National Wear Red Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 2 - Sat | Groundhog Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 5 - Tues | Chinese New Year 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 12 - Tues | Lincoln's Birthday 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 14 - Thurs | Valentine's Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 18 - Mon | Presidents' Day - Washington's Birthday 2023 | National holiday |
| March 2023 | ||
| Mar 1 - Fri | Read Across America Day 2023 | Observance |
| Mar 1 - Fri | Employee Appreciation Day 2023 | Observance |
| Mar 5 - Tues | Maha Shivaratri 2023 | Hindu |
| Mar 5 - Tues | Mardi Gras 2023 | Christian |
| Mar 6 - Wed | Lent 2019 | Christian |
| Mar 6 - Wed | Ash Wednesday 2023 | Christian |
| Mar 10 - Sun | Daylight Saving Time - begins 2023 | Daylight Saving |
| Mar 17 - Sun | St. Patrick's Day 2023 | Observance |
| Mar 20 - Wed | Spring/Fall - March equinox 2023 | Season |
| Mar 21 - Thur | Purim 2023 | Jewish |
| Mar 21 - Thurs | Holi 2023 | Hindu |
| April 2023 | ||
| Apr 1 - Mon | April Fools' Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 3 - Wed | Isra and Mi'raj 2023 | Muslim |
| Apr 13 - Sat | Thomas Jefferson Birthday 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 14 - Sun | Rama Navami 2023 | Hindu |
| Apr 14 -Sun | Palm Sunday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 15 - Mon | Tax Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 16 - Tues | National Library Workers Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 18 - Thurs | Maundy Thursday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 19 - Fri | Good Friday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 20 - Sat | Holy Saturday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 20 - Sat | Passover - Starts 2023 | Jewish |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Laylat al Bara'at 2023 | Muslim |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Easter 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Earth Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 22 - Mon | Easter Monday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 24 - Wed | Administrative Professionals Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 25 - Thurs | Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 26 - Fri | Orthodox Good Friday 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| Apr 26 - Fri | Arbor Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 27 - Sat | Passover - Final Day 2023 | Jewish |
| Apr 28 - Sun | Orthodox Easter 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| May 2023 | ||
| May 1 - Wed | May Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 2 - Thur | Yom Hashoah 2023 | Jewish |
| May 2 - Thurs | National Day of Prayer 2023 | Observance |
| May 5 - Sun | Cinco de Mayo 2023 | Observance |
| May 6 - Mon | National Nurses Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 6 - Mon | Ramadan starts 2023 | Muslim |
| May 12 - Sun | Mothers' Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 15 - Wed | Peace Officers Memorial Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 18 - Sat | Armed Forces Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 22 - Wed | National Maritime Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 23 - Thurs | Lag BaOmer 2023 | Jewish |
| May 27 - Mon | Memorial Day 2023 | National holiday |
| May 30 - Thurs | Ascension Day 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 1 - Sat | Laylat al Qadr 2023 | Muslim |
| June 2023 | ||
| Jun 1 - Sat | Laylat al Qadr 2023 | Muslim |
| Jun 5 - Wed | Eid al-Fitr 2023 | Muslim |
| Jun 6 - Thurs | D-Day 2023 | Observance |
| Jun 9 - Sun | Shavuot 2023 | Jewish |
| Jun 9 - Sun | Pentecost 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 10 - Mon | Whit Monday 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 14 - Fri | Flag Day 2023 | Observance |
| Jun 16 - Sun | Fathers' Day 2023 | Observance |
| Jun 20 - Thurs | Corpus Christi 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 21 - Fri | Summer/Winter Solstice 2023 | Season |
| July 2023 | ||
| Jul 4 - Thurs | Rath Yatra 2023 | Hindu |
| Jul 4 - Thurs | 4th of July - Independence Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Jul 28 - Sun | Parents Day 2023 | Observance |
| August 2023 | ||
| Aug 4 - Sun | Friendship Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Day of Arafat 2023 | Muslim |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Tisha B'Av 2023 | Jewish |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Eid al-Adha 2023 | Muslim |
| Aug 14 - Wed | Raksha Bandhan 2023 | Hindu |
| Aug 15 - Thurs | Assumption of Mary 2023 | Christian |
| Aug 19 - Mon | National Aviation Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 21 - Wed | Senior Citizens Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 23 - Fri | Krishna Janmashtami 2023 | Hindu |
| Aug 26 - Mon | Women's Equality Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 31 - Sat | Muharram 2023 | Muslim |
| September 2023 | ||
| Sept 2 - Mon | Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 | Hindu |
| Sep 2 - Mon | Labor Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Sep 8 - Sun | National Grandparents Day 2023 | Observance |
| Sep 10 - Tues | Ashura 2023 | Muslim |
| Sep 11 - Wed | Patriot Day 2023 | Observance |
| Sep 17 - Tues | Constitution Citizenship Day 2023 | Observance |
| Sep 23 - Mon | Fall/ Spring - September equinox 2023 | Season |
| Sept 29 - Sun | Navratri 2023 | Hindu |
| Sept 30 - Mon | Rosh Hashana 2023 | Jewish |
| October 2023 | ||
| Oct 7 - Mon | Child Health Day 2023 | Observance |
| Oct 7 - Mon | Dussehra 2023 | Hindu |
| Oct 9 - Wed | Leif Erikson 2023 | Observance |
| Oct 9 - Wed | Yom Kippur 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 14 - Mon | Sukkot 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 14 - Mon | Columbus Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Oct 16 - Wed | Boss's Day 2023 | Observance |
| Oct 21 - Mon | Shemini Atzeret 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 22 - Tues | Simchat Torah 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 27 - Sun | Diwali 2023 | Hindu |
| Oct 31 - Thurs | Halloween 2023 | Observance |
| November 2023 | ||
| Nov 1 - Fri | All Saints' Day 2023 | Christian |
| Nov 2 - Fri | All Souls Day 2023 | Christian |
| Nov 3 - Sun | Daylight Saving Time - ends 2023 | Daylight Saving |
| Nov 10 - Sun | The Prophet's Birthday 2023 | Muslim |
| Nov 11 - Mon | Veterans Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Nov 28 - Thurs | Thanksgiving Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Nov 29 - Fri | Black Friday 2023 | Observance |
| December 2023 | ||
| Dec 2 - Mon | Cyber Monday 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 1 - Sun | Advent 2023 | Christian |
| Dec 6 - Fri | St Nicholas Day 2023 | Christian |
| Dec 7 - Sat | Pearl Harbor Remebrance Day 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 17 - Tues | Wright Brothers Day 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 22 - Sun | Winter/Summer Solstice 2023 | Season |
| Dec 23 - Mon | Hanukkah/Chanukah - Starts 2023 | Jewish |
| Dec 24 - Tues | Christmas Eve 2023 | Christian |
| Dec 25 - Wed | Christmas Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Dec 26 - Thurs | Kwanzaa -thru Jan 1 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 30 - Mon | Hanukkah/Chanukah - Final Day 2023 | Jewish |
| Dec 31 - Tues | New Years Eve 2023 | Observance |
