Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the last one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the most important feast among the feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross, as it is dedicated to the history of the return of the Holy Cross from imprisonment, its elevation and glorification. In the Armenian Apostolic Church the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on Sunday during the period between September 11-17. This year that date is September 13, and the Monday following the Feast is a Memorial Day.
In 610 A. D, the Persian King Khosrov with a large army attacks the Byzantine Empire. Enthusiastic about the initial victory, in 614 A. D. the Persian army enters Jerusalem. Many people are killed and many are imprisoned. Pontiff Zakaria, the Patriarch of Jerusalem is imprisoned, too. However, the Persians are not satisfied and enter the Church of Holy Sepulcher and take the Holy Cross kept in the Church. The Holy Cross had been found and installed in the Church for the Christians to worship by Heghineh, the mother of the King Costandianos, in the beginning of the 4th century.
In 628 A. D., the Byzantine army led by the King Herakles fight against the Persians to return the Holy Cross. The Armenian army regiment, led by Mzhezh Gnounie, supported the Persian army. With the Lord’s help the Byzantine army wins the battle.
The Holy Cross is solemnly brought to the Armenian town Karin, from where it is carried to Constantinople, and then – to Jerusalem. On the way the Holy Cross was raised for the people to see and worship.
For Christians the Cross is God’s power and strength and pride of all prides, on which Christ’s innocent blood was shed. By means of the Cross Jesus proved His love towards mankind, and the Cross became for us the symbol of hope, love and saving.
This feast has been and will be on the following dates
2030-09-15 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2029-09-16 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2028-09-17 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2027-09-12 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2026-09-13 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2025-09-14 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2024-09-15 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2023-09-17 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2022-09-11 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2021-09-12 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2020-09-13 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2019-09-15 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2018-09-16 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2017-09-17 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2016-09-11 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2015-09-13 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2014-09-14 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2013-09-15 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2012-09-16 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2011-09-11 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2010-09-12 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2009-09-13 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2008-09-14 Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
