Lifted in Hope: Exalting the Cross in Troubled Times

September 14, 2025:

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated worldwide on 14 September, invites Christians to venerate and draw courage from the central symbol of salvation—the Cross of Christ. In contexts such as India, where persecution is a reality, the feast takes on deeper significance, offering believers a beacon of hope, resilience and unity. Rooted in ancient tradition yet strikingly relevant today, the Cross resonates strongly with the Jubilee 2025 theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Historic Origins

The feast traces its beginnings to the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena in 326 AD, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This event was soon commemorated with the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on 14 September 335 AD. Later, in 628 AD, Emperor Heraclius restored the Cross to Jerusalem after its theft by the Persians, symbolising triumph over adversity and God’s enduring fidelity. What began as a local observance in Jerusalem gradually grew into a universal celebration, cementing the Cross as the central sign of Christian identity.

Devotion and Spiritual Meaning

Devotion to the Cross goes beyond reverence for wood or stone; it is an act of adoring Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. St. Paul affirms in Philippians 2:8–11 that Christ’s obedience “unto death, even death on a cross” brings salvation. Early Church Fathers, including St Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom, called the Cross the “instrument of salvation”. Exalting it proclaims love’s triumph over suffering and strengthens believers’ resolve.

The Cross in India

In India, Christians often face hostility, discrimination and violence. Rising religious nationalism and restrictive conversion laws expose many to forced reconversions, attacks on churches and social exclusion. In this climate, the Cross becomes not only a symbol of suffering but also of empowerment, encouraging believers to endure and witness with courage. Its message of God’s love amid hardship unites communities in hope and strengthens their struggle for justice and peace.

Church Witness and Perspectives

St. Paul declared: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14). Church Fathers, the Catechism and Vatican documents consistently highlight the Cross as the sign of God’s reconciling love. Pope Francis reminds the faithful that Christians exalt the Cross not for its pain, but because it is the “ultimate sign of God’s love” and “our one true hope”.

Relevance Today and Jubilee 2025

The modern world challenges Christians to embody the Cross by standing with the persecuted, fostering reconciliation, and living daily discipleship through faith and hope. The feast also provides an opportunity for ecumenical dialogue and teaching younger generations the depth of its meaning.

With Jubilee 2025’s call to be “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Cross emerges as a companion on life’s journey—a sign that suffering can give birth to renewal. For Indian Christians, it calls for endurance with dignity and witness rooted in unity, faith and love.

Lifted in Hope: Exalting the Cross in Troubled Times

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