---
title: "The Exaltation of the Cross — Church history"
description: "The finding of the Cross by St Helena and the meaning of the veneration of the Cross."
url: "https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/feast-exaltation"
language: "en"
---

Feasts

# The Exaltation of the Cross

The finding of the Cross by St Helena and the meaning of the veneration of the Cross.

## History

By tradition Empress Helena found the Cross in Jerusalem in 326; Patriarch Macarius raised it before the people. In 335 the Church of the Resurrection was consecrated. A second commemoration is the return of the Cross from Persian captivity by Emperor Heraclius (628).

## Worship and fast

At Matins the Cross is brought to the centre of the church for veneration. The day is a fast day in memory of Christ's sufferings on the Cross.

## Related

- [Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/feast-exaltation)
- [Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Resurrection), Jerusalem](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/places/holy-sepulchre)