The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2024

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

When is The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2024

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2024

Saturday, September 14, 2024


When is The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2025

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 2025

Sunday, September 14, 2025

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
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
Thursday 14 September 2034 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Video

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Cards

List of Common Holidays in 2024

Date Holiday Type
January 2024    
Jan 1 - Tues New Year's Day 2024 National holiday
Jan 6 - Sun Epiphany 2024 Christian
Jan 7 - Mon Orthodox Christmas Day 2024 Orthodox Christian
Jan 14 - Mon Orthodox New Year 2024 Orthodox Christian
Jan 15 - Tues Makar Sankranti 2024 Hindu
Jan 21 - Mon Tu B'Shevat 2024 Jewish
Jan 21 - Mon Martin Luther King Day 2024 National holiday
February 2024    
Feb 1 - Fri National Freedom Day 2024 Observance
Feb 1 - Fri National Wear Red Day 2024 Observance
Feb 2 - Sat Groundhog Day 2024 Observance
Feb 5 - Tues Chinese New Year 2024 Observance
Feb 12 - Tues Lincoln's Birthday 2024 Observance
Feb 14 - Thurs Valentine's Day 2024 Observance
Feb 18 - Mon Presidents' Day - Washington's Birthday 2024 National holiday
March 2024    
Mar 1 - Fri Read Across America Day 2024 Observance
Mar 1 - Fri Employee Appreciation Day 2024 Observance
Mar 5 - Tues Maha Shivaratri 2024 Hindu
Mar 5 - Tues Mardi Gras 2024 Christian
Mar 6 - Wed Lent 2019 Christian
Mar 6 - Wed Ash Wednesday 2024 Christian
Mar 10 - Sun Daylight Saving Time - begins 2024 Daylight Saving
Mar 17 - Sun St. Patrick's Day 2024 Observance
Mar 20 - Wed Spring/Fall - March equinox 2024 Season
Mar 21 - Thur Purim 2024 Jewish
Mar 21 - Thurs Holi 2024 Hindu
April 2024    
Apr 1 - Mon April Fools' Day 2024 Observance
Apr 3 - Wed Isra and Mi'raj 2024 Muslim
Apr 13 - Sat Thomas Jefferson Birthday 2024 Observance
Apr 14 - Sun Rama Navami 2024 Hindu
Apr 14 -Sun Palm Sunday 2024 Christian
Apr 15 - Mon Tax Day 2024 Observance
Apr 16 - Tues National Library Workers Day 2024 Observance
Apr 18 - Thurs Maundy Thursday 2024 Christian
Apr 19 - Fri Good Friday 2024 Christian
Apr 20 - Sat Holy Saturday 2024 Christian
Apr 20 - Sat Passover - Starts 2024 Jewish
Apr 21 - Sun Laylat al Bara'at 2024 Muslim
Apr 21 - Sun Easter 2024 Christian
Apr 21 - Sun Earth Day 2024 Observance
Apr 22 - Mon Easter Monday 2024 Christian
Apr 24 - Wed Administrative Professionals Day 2024 Observance
Apr 25 - Thurs Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2024 Observance
Apr 26 - Fri Orthodox Good Friday 2024 Orthodox Christian
Apr 26 - Fri Arbor Day 2024 Observance
Apr 27 - Sat Passover - Final Day 2024 Jewish
Apr 28 - Sun Orthodox Easter 2024 Orthodox Christian
May 2024    
May 1 - Wed May Day 2024 Observance
May 2 - Thur Yom Hashoah 2024 Jewish
May 2 - Thurs National Day of Prayer 2024 Observance
May 5 - Sun Cinco de Mayo 2024 Observance
May 6 - Mon National Nurses Day 2024 Observance
May 6 - Mon Ramadan starts 2024 Muslim
May 12 - Sun Mothers' Day 2024 Observance
May 15 - Wed Peace Officers Memorial Day 2024 Observance
May 18 - Sat Armed Forces Day 2024 Observance
May 22 - Wed National Maritime Day 2024 Observance
May 23 - Thurs Lag BaOmer 2024 Jewish
May 27 - Mon Memorial Day 2024 National holiday
May 30 - Thurs Ascension Day 2024 Christian
Jun 1 - Sat Laylat al Qadr 2024 Muslim
June 2024    
Jun 1 - Sat Laylat al Qadr 2024 Muslim
Jun 5 - Wed Eid al-Fitr 2024 Muslim
Jun 6 - Thurs D-Day 2024 Observance
Jun 9 - Sun Shavuot 2024 Jewish
Jun 9 - Sun Pentecost 2024 Christian
Jun 10 - Mon Whit Monday 2024 Christian
Jun 14 - Fri Flag Day 2024 Observance
Jun 16 - Sun Fathers' Day 2024 Observance
Jun 20 - Thurs Corpus Christi 2024 Christian
Jun 21 - Fri Summer/Winter Solstice 2024 Season
July 2024    
Jul 4 - Thurs Rath Yatra 2024 Hindu
Jul 4 - Thurs 4th of July - Independence Day 2024 National holiday
Jul 28 - Sun Parents Day 2024 Observance
August 2024    
Aug 4 - Sun Friendship Day 2024 Observance
Aug 11 - Sun Day of Arafat 2024 Muslim
Aug 11 - Sun Tisha B'Av 2024 Jewish
Aug 11 - Sun Eid al-Adha 2024 Muslim
Aug 14 - Wed Raksha Bandhan 2024 Hindu
Aug 15 - Thurs Assumption of Mary 2024 Christian
Aug 19 - Mon National Aviation Day 2024 Observance
Aug 21 - Wed Senior Citizens Day 2024 Observance
Aug 23 - Fri Krishna Janmashtami 2024 Hindu
Aug 26 - Mon Women's Equality Day 2024 Observance
Aug 31 - Sat Muharram 2024 Muslim
September 2024    
Sept 2 - Mon Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Hindu
Sep 2 - Mon Labor Day 2024 National holiday
Sep 8 - Sun National Grandparents Day 2024 Observance
Sep 10 - Tues Ashura 2024 Muslim
Sep 11 - Wed Patriot Day 2024 Observance
Sep 17 - Tues Constitution Citizenship Day 2024 Observance
Sep 23 - Mon Fall/ Spring - September equinox 2024 Season
Sept 29 - Sun Navratri 2024 Hindu
Sept 30 - Mon Rosh Hashana 2024 Jewish
October 2024    
Oct 7 - Mon Child Health Day 2024 Observance
Oct 7 - Mon Dussehra 2024 Hindu
Oct 9 - Wed Leif Erikson 2024 Observance
Oct 9 - Wed Yom Kippur 2024 Jewish
Oct 14 - Mon Sukkot 2024 Jewish
Oct 14 - Mon Columbus Day 2024 National holiday
Oct 16 - Wed Boss's Day 2024 Observance
Oct 21 - Mon Shemini Atzeret 2024 Jewish
Oct 22 - Tues Simchat Torah 2024 Jewish
Oct 27 - Sun Diwali 2024 Hindu
Oct 31 - Thurs Halloween 2024 Observance
November 2024    
Nov 1 - Fri All Saints' Day 2024 Christian
Nov 2 - Fri All Souls Day 2024 Christian
Nov 3 - Sun Daylight Saving Time - ends 2024 Daylight Saving
Nov 10 - Sun The Prophet's Birthday 2024 Muslim
Nov 11 - Mon Veterans Day 2024 National holiday
Nov 28 - Thurs Thanksgiving Day 2024 National holiday
Nov 29 - Fri Black Friday 2024 Observance
December 2024    
Dec 2 - Mon Cyber Monday 2024 Observance
Dec 1 - Sun Advent 2024 Christian
Dec 6 - Fri St Nicholas Day 2024 Christian
Dec 7 - Sat Pearl Harbor Remebrance Day 2024 Observance
Dec 17 - Tues Wright Brothers Day 2024 Observance
Dec 22 - Sun Winter/Summer Solstice 2024 Season
Dec 23 - Mon Hanukkah/Chanukah - Starts 2024 Jewish
Dec 24 - Tues Christmas Eve 2024 Christian
Dec 25 - Wed Christmas Day 2024 National holiday
Dec 26 - Thurs Kwanzaa -thru Jan 1 2024 Observance
Dec 30 - Mon Hanukkah/Chanukah - Final Day 2024 Jewish
Dec 31 - Tues New Years Eve 2024 Observance

 


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