Exaltación de la Cruz, or the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is a significant religious feast celebrated in the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations on September 14th. It commemorates two key events related to the True Cross of Jesus Christ: its recovery by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, and its subsequent dedication in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The history surrounding the Exaltation dates back to the 4th century. According to tradition, St. Helena, driven by a deep devotion, journeyed to Jerusalem in search of the relics of the Passion. After extensive excavations, she discovered three crosses. To determine which was the True Cross, a miracle was sought. A woman, near death, was brought into contact with each cross. The cross that healed her was deemed to be the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. The recovered Cross was initially venerated in Jerusalem. However, in 614, the Persians, under King Khosrau II, captured Jerusalem and seized the Holy Cross. It remained in their possession for fifteen years, becoming a symbol of Christian subjugation. In 628, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, after a successful military campaign against the Persians, reclaimed the Cross. Legend states that when Heraclius attempted to carry the Cross into Jerusalem, the entrance to the city was blocked. An angel appeared to him, revealing that he could not enter in such splendor and finery, as Christ had entered in humility, bearing the Cross. Heraclius then removed his imperial robes and crown, and barefoot, carried the Cross into the city, restoring it to its rightful place in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is more than a celebration of a historical event; it is a profound theological reflection. It signifies the victory of Christ over sin and death through his sacrifice on the Cross. The Cross, once a symbol of shame and suffering, is transformed into a symbol of salvation and hope. Through the Cross, humanity finds redemption and reconciliation with God. The feast serves as a reminder of the immense love that God has for humanity, demonstrated through the suffering and death of his Son. It invites Christians to contemplate the mystery of the Cross, to embrace suffering in their own lives, and to find strength and courage in the example of Christ. The liturgical celebration of Exaltación de la Cruz often involves the veneration of a relic of the True Cross, if available. Hymns, prayers, and readings focus on the power and significance of the Cross in Christian life. The color red, symbolizing the blood of Christ shed on the Cross, is typically used in liturgical vestments. Today, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross continues to be a meaningful event for Christians worldwide. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the transformative potential of sacrifice. It calls upon believers to remember the profound love of God manifested on Calvary and to live their lives in accordance with the teachings of Christ.
