Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Armenia Date in the current year: September 15, 2024

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is directly connected to the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. According to legends, she discovered the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified during her pilgrimage of Jerusalem in 326.

Nine years later, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on the site of the discovery. It was consecrated on September 13, 335. The True Cross was brought outside the church for veneration a day later, therefore many congregations celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14.

However, the Armenian Apostolic Church observes the feast on the Sunday closest to September 14. A special liturgy is held on the occasion of the holiday. The following Monday is a public holiday in the Republic of Armenia. It is regarded as one of the days of commemoration of the dead.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the five most important feasts in the Armenian Church, along with Christmas and Epiphany (in Armenia, it is a single holiday), Easter, Feast of Ascension and Feast of Transfiguration.