How a Roman instrument of torture became a divine tree of life
Every September, various Christian traditions celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast commemorates more than just a relic; it marks the historical transformation of a barbaric execution tool into a symbol of victory and salvation, rooted in the 4th-century excavations of Jerusalem.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is anchored in several historical milestones. One primary origin is the consecration of the Constantinian Basilica over the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on 13 September 335. The following day, the relic of the cross was 'exalted' or shown to the public for veneration (S1:p1, S1:p13). The feast also honors the recovery of the True Cross by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius in 628, after it had been captured by the Sassanid Persians during the conquest of Jerusalem in 614 (S1:p1, S1:p7).
Tradition attributes the discovery of the wood to Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land around 326 (S1:p12, S2:p3). According to accounts, Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem oversaw excavations around AD 327 to locate Calvary, leading to the recovery of the cross and the crosses of the two thieves (S1:p8). To distribute the significance of the relic, one-third of the wood remained in Jerusalem, one-third was sent to Rome, and one-third was taken to Constantinople (S1:p12).
Liturgical observances vary significantly across denominations. While many churches celebrate on 14 September, others using the Julian, Coptic, or Ge'ez calendars observe it on 27 September (S1:p2). The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates on 15 September, preceded by a five-day fast (S1:p27). In the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, the 'Demera' ceremony involves large bonfires in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa, to commemorate how Helena may have used smoke to signal her success in finding the cross (S1:p34).
Source: Feast of the Cross
