Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today's the Feast of the Holy Cross and Christians everywhere, if they think about it all, scratch their heads and ask why September 14th?

Because the Eastern Roman Emperor Heraclius returned the Cross to its rightful place in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre on September 14, 629 AD. Where had the most holy relic in Christendom been until then? With the pagan Persians who, under their King Chosroes II waged war against Constantinople, capturing Jerusalem and the Cross in 608, along with much of the rest of Asia Minor.

However, despite near total defeat, Heraclius, possibly the last classical Roman Emperor, launched a successful campaign against the Persians, defeating Chosroes in 627 at the battle of Nineveh and advancing on his capital, Ctesiphon. 

Chosroes was subsequently overthrown and killed by his bloodthirsty son Kavad, who gave the Cross to Heraclius in a gesture of goodwill. And so the Wood on which hung the Saviour of the World returned to the Holy City. Restored on the same day as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre's consecration, September 14th.

Legend has it that Heraclius attempted to carry the Cross into Jerusalem in his bejeweled regalia but was mysteriously unable to move forward. The city's Patriarch, advised by an angel, put matters right; the Emperor must proceed in sackcloth, barefoot, and he did.

So the Cross came back to the Sepulchre. Within a few short decades it faced another enemy, Islam, which arose like a storm from the East and swept both Persian and Byzantine empires before it.

O GOD, who by the passion of thy blessed Son hast made the instrument of shameful death to be unto us the sign of life and peace: Grant us so to glory in the Cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss; for the sake of the same thy Son 

our Lord. Amen.

God Bless,

LSP

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today's the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Here's the Gospel for the day, via the Anglican Missal:

St. John 12. 31. 
At that time: Jesus said unto the multitudes of the Jews: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (This he said, signifying what death he should die.) The people answered him: We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou: The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them: Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

Believe in the light, that ye may be children of light. Amen to that, in these dark and murderous times. Here's the Collect:

GOD, who as on this day dost gladden us with the yearly festival of the Exaltation of thy Holy Cross: grant, we beseech thee, that we which on earth have known the mystery of the redemption which thou hast wrought for us, may be found worthy to receive the rewards thereof in heaven. Who livest...

You may recall that the True Cross was carried into action at the disastrous battle of the Horns of Hattin, which saw the Outremer army utterly defeated by Saladin. The Cross was captured by the Moslem general, who took Jerusalem shortly after. A Golgotha? Perhaps, and I'd argue the Middle East, to say nothing of the West, is still paying the price.

Regardless, St. Francis attempted to convert Saladin. He failed, but so impressed the Mohammedan that he returned the Cross to the saint.

Pax Tibi, Per Crucem,

LSP