Orthodox Christians celebrate Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Orthodox Christians celebrate on Thursday, September 27, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It also called by the folk the Feast of the Cross and is observed through strict fasting, after which Christians receive the Eucharist. Priest Pavel Borsevschi, parson of the Saint Demetrius Church in Chisinau told Info-Prim Neo that the Holy Cross is celebrated three times a year- in the Great Lent, at the beginning of August and at the end of September. The church recommends strict fasting before and on the day of the feast, so that the believers could receive the Eucharist after the religious service. They fast for their families’ health, for success and for wellbeing. In the eve of the holiday, after the vespers, the Cross is brought out of the altar, decorated with autumn flowers and basil, for believers to worship. Christians come to the church with flowers and candles. On the Feast of the Cross, the two church men pour perfumes on it. “The Cross becomes a scepter of the Celestial King, an altar to love for our redemption, of all the believers and becomes the Christian hope, because at baptism we take it upon ourselves, after being redeemed in the font as in Christ’s grave, being immersed three times”, said the priest. This the oldest and the most important Christian Orthodox feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross. It reminds of a crucial moment in the lives of Holy Emperors Constantine and Elena. Before a fight, Emperor Constantine had a vision: in broad daylight, a cross of stars appeared on the sky with the message “Under this sign you will win!”. After the victory, the Emperor sent his mother Empress Elena to find the Cross on which the Messiah was crucified. She found it in Jerusalem, near Golgotha. Patriarch Macarius raised it above the pulpit of the Resurrection Church in Jerusalem. The folk say that on this day, the snakes, lizards and other small animals hide in the ground.