Mount Athos lithography (icon) of The Elevation of the Holy Cross on natural wood carved by hand.

In 326 AD Saint Helen went to the Holy Land and carried out excavations to find the Cross on which Jesus Christ martyred. According to the church tradition, in the place where the Holy Cross was found, the aromatic plant basil had grown. Τhe Patriarch of Jerusalem Makarios placed the Venerable Cross in the Holy Temple of the Resurrection on September 14, 335 AD.

The Elevation of the Holy Cross is a great despotic feast of Christianity that is honored by the Orthodox Christian Church every year on September 14.

Apolytikion of the Elevation of the Venerable Holy Cross

First Tone

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.