One of the great feasts of the Church is the Exaltation of the Live-giving Cross of the Lord. The Cross is the main symbol of our salvation. Upon it our Saviour was crucified and died for our sins.
Thanks to the efforts of Saint Helena, the Cross was found in the 4th century, and ever since, the Church celebrates this with the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. To commemorate its Elevation by the bishop of Jerusalem, Macarius, upon its discovery, in cathedrals it is customary for the bishop to perform the ceremony of the elevation of a Cross in the middle of the church with rose water being poured over the Cross. The water drips into a basin filled with flowers, which are later distributed to the faithful upon venerating the Cross.
The monastery is blessed to have a piece of the True Cross, which is richly decorated with flowers and left in the body of the church for the remainder of the afterfeast.
In the event, His Grace Bishop Luke performed the ceremony of the Elevation of the Cross at the end of the Vigil for the feast. He also presided at the Divine Liturgy the next day, accompanied by the monastery clergy.
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