Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church and the most significant of the Feasts of the Holy Cross. Established in 335, the next day the consecration of the temple of St. Resurrection in Jerusalem, to the glory of finding the Holy Cross. In view of all the Lord's Cross was solemnly exalted and placed in the altar of Golgotha. Subsequently, this feast has joined the remembrance event to return to Jerusalem in 629, the Cross of the Lord, the captive and removed to 610, the king of Persia Khosrov. The feast is celebrated on the Sunday closest to September 14, and in the following Monday, Friday and Saturday. The remaining three days of this week honored as Fests of the Holy Church.
TRUE CROSS
This refers to the wooden cross on which Christ completed his dispensation of salvation.
The cross upon which the Son of God was crucified was stained with His holy blood and thereby was truly sanctified. Therefore, although it was neglected in Calvary (Golgotha) for many years due to its being viewed as an instrument of death, the cross was revealed through divine providence. This cross often demonstrated its holiness and strength, inspiring many to convert and to be redeemed.
According to the revelation made to the holy fathers, at the second coming of Christ, at the end of the world, this cross will appear in the sky amidst rays of sunshine and it will be glorified before the entire world.
Traditionally, the piece of True Cross, as a sacred relic, kept in a special ornate container. This type of relic is placed on holy altars for veneration by the faithful. On specific feast days the relic is brought out during the procession for blessing purposes and to be worshipped by the faithful.
The cross has been considered an instrument of death from ancient times. The most despicable outlaws were hung from the cross. Moreover, according to the Holy Scripture, a crucified person was considered to be cursed. The Jews considered Jesus Christ, who called himself the Son of God, a criminal worthy of death on the cross because they did not believe that He was the awaited Messiah.
The death of the Son of God on the cross accomplished the greatest mystery of mankind’s salvation. As the Apostle Paul says, He took the world’s sin on Himself and “became a curse for us” (Gal 3:13), paid for all the debts of mankind, and then through His resurrection made us rise from the death of sin. Everyone who believes that Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God and is baptized in His name is redeemed from sin and punishment. For this reason, the instrument of Christ’s death, the cross on which He accomplished our salvation, as well as the sign of cross in general, is revered by the Church.
The cross is called the Tree of life whose fruit is the body and blood of Christ; that is, the holy communion which grants us immortal life.
The cross symbolizes our salvation. The upper part of the cross indicates the kingdom of Heaven which Christ opened for us. The lower part signifies the destruction of hell by which the Son of God saved the spirits of the dead. The right side is an indication of discrimination of grace through which the Holy Spirit vivifies and enlightens us. The left side signifies the absolution of sin, which we receive through penance.
The cross also provides protection for the faithful because demons fear it.
There are numerous orations, odes, prayers, and hymns dedicated to the cross and performed during the feasts of the cross. As a symbol of salvation, the cross is present everywhere the Christian worship of God is exercised. It is pictured on church walls, vessels, ritualistic vestments, etc.
There are many different types of crosses, all of which are blessed. There is the small cross of Baptism which is hung from the neck of the baptized as a sign of adoption. There is the sanctuary or altar-cross which is permanently placed in the center of the altar in commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion. There is the hand-cross by which the clergy transmit blessings. There is the pectoral cross which is hung from the chest of the clergyman as a symbol of his faith and love towards God. There are also large crosses, such as the banner, and the flourishing crosses that cover the dome of the church.
Particular to Armenian Christianity are the old and new slabs of stone bearing cross reliefs. These are called khatchkars.
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