Holy Cross-Ss. Constantine and Helen

Beloved in Christ:

"Grace and peace to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".
(Romans 1:7b)

On Sunday, September 14, 2008, we, as a parish, celebrate our feast day, the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. All Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate this special day; however, for us, it is also the name day of our parish. On this day, we will commemorate the finding of the Holy Cross as we celebrate Divine Liturgy at 10:00 A.M. and then, after Divine Liturgy, we gather for our luncheon to continue our celebration socially as we remember this monumental event for whom we are named.

What is the significance of this feast?

It recalls for us the finding by Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Emperor, the Holy Cross on which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was crucified. According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Saint Helen was sent by her Son Emperor Constantine to the cross and the Holy Sepulcher. Saint Helen found the precious cross and the crosses on which the two thieves were crucified either side of Our Lord. The True Cross of Christ was identified with the healing of a dying woman who touched it. Saint Helen and all the faithful with her venerated the Precious and Life- Giving Cross after which Patriarch Macarius lifted the cross and the people said, "Lord have mercy". This is how this great feast came to be. We keep the memory of the finding of the Cross and we also celebrate that it was used as an instrument of Christ to overcome sin and death and to give us victory over the evil powers of the world.

So, let us be deeply thankful for the glory of the cross through which we gain our salvation and victory in life!

May God bless you on your journey in Christ!

With love in Christ,

+Father Felix