- 13 September, 2026
Jerusalem, September 14, 2026: Why does the Catholic Church celebrate the Cross—the instrument of Christ's suffering—as a sign of victory and hope? The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross invites Christians to contemplate the mystery of Christ's Passion, death and Resurrection, and to remember the ancient history of the Cross in Jerusalem.
Feast Day: 14 September
Known As: Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Triumph of the Cross, Holy Cross Day
Historical Connection: Discovery of the Cross associated with Saint Helena and its later return to Jerusalem
Biblical Focus: John 3:13–17
Meaning: Christ's victory over sin and death through the Cross
For Christians, the Cross is far more than an instrument of Roman execution. It is the central sign of God's saving love. Through His death and Resurrection, Jesus transformed the Cross from an image of suffering into a sign of redemption, victory and eternal hope.
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The Vatican explains that the feast commemorates both the discovery of the Cross by Saint Helena in Jerusalem in the fourth century and the return of the precious relic to the Holy City by Emperor Heraclius.
According to ancient Christian tradition, Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, travelled to Jerusalem in the fourth century and became associated with the discovery of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.
The discovery was linked with the sacred sites of Christ's Passion, where the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre was later built. The celebration of the Cross became closely connected with the dedication of churches in Jerusalem in the fourth century.
Centuries later, the Cross was taken from Jerusalem by the Persians. Emperor Heraclius eventually recovered the precious relic and returned it to Jerusalem in 629.
The story of Heraclius carrying the Cross into Jerusalem became an important Christian tradition. It emphasised that the Cross cannot be approached merely with earthly glory, but with humility and reverence.
The word "exaltation" means to lift up or honour. Catholics do not worship the physical wood of the Cross. Rather, they honour the Cross because it is inseparably connected with Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.
Pope Benedict XVI explained that Christians do not exalt just any cross, but the Cross sanctified by Christ's sacrifice and made the testimony of God's immense love.
The Gospel for the feast points to Jesus being "lifted up", connecting the Cross with God's promise of salvation and eternal life.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross reminds believers that suffering does not have the final word.
Christ entered into suffering, accepted death and rose again. His Cross therefore becomes a source of courage for Christians facing illness, persecution, grief, disappointment or hardship.
The feast calls Catholics to carry their own crosses with faith, unite their sufferings with Christ, and remain confident in God's saving love.
More than sixteen centuries after the Cross became a central object of Christian devotion in Jerusalem, its message remains as powerful as ever.
The Cross reminds Christians that God's greatest victory appeared, at first, to look like defeat. Through Christ's sacrifice came forgiveness, redemption and the hope of eternal life.
As Catholics celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September, they are invited to look towards Christ and remember that the Cross is ultimately a sign not of defeat, but of love, salvation and victory.
To know about more saints and Catholic feast days please visit the spiritual section.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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