St. Tikhon Chapel
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Forefeast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross · Commemoration of the Founding of the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem
This Sunday stands at the threshold of one of the Church’s great feasts: the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. Saint Paul gives the week its proper focus when he writes that he will boast in nothing except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Cross is not merely a reminder of suffering; it is the sign of Christ’s victory, self-emptying love, and the life that comes through His voluntary Passion.
On Monday, September 14, the Church celebrates the Exaltation itself. The feast commemorates the finding of the Cross by Saint Helen and its later recovery and solemn elevation in Jerusalem. The Church places the Cross before us so that we may venerate the instrument through which Christ conquered death and reconciled creation to God.
The Afterfeast continues through the remainder of the week. Wednesday brings the commemoration of Great Martyr Euphemia, while Thursday remembers the Martyr Sophia and her daughters Faith, Hope, and Love. Their lives remind us that taking up the Cross is not an abstract idea, but a life of fidelity to Christ.
On September 14 the Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. The OCA recounts how the holy places associated with the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection were recovered in the time of Saint Constantine and Saint Helen. The Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem was consecrated on September 13, 335, and the following day the Cross was solemnly elevated for the faithful to venerate.
The feast also remembers the Cross’s return to Jerusalem centuries later after it had been carried away by the Persians. Emperor Heraclius is remembered as laying aside his royal garments and approaching Golgotha in humility. That detail expresses the heart of the feast: before the Cross, worldly rank and self-importance give way to repentance, worship, and gratitude for Christ’s saving work.
The Cross teaches us that Christian life is not built around self-protection or self-importance. Christ calls us to love God and neighbor with our whole life, and that love often requires sacrifice: forgiving when we would rather hold a grievance, serving when no one notices, praying when we are distracted, and remaining faithful when obedience is difficult.
Venerating the Cross therefore points beyond a single feast day. It asks us to receive Christ’s way as our own—to die to pride and self-will so that His life may become visible in us.
Great Martyr Euphemia, commemorated September 16, suffered for Christ at Chalcedon in the early fourth century. Her witness shows that fidelity to Christ is not measured by ease or outward success. The martyrs teach us that the Cross becomes personal whenever faithfulness requires courage, patience, or sacrifice.
Most Christians are not called to martyrdom, but every Christian is called to steadfastness. Saint Euphemia’s witness asks us to consider whether our faith remains visible when it costs us comfort, approval, or convenience.
- His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon.
- His Eminence Archbishop Daniel.
- Our clergy, monastics, seminarians, missionaries, and every parish and mission of the Orthodox Church in America.
- Those preparing for Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation.
- Those who are ill, homebound, or traveling.
- Those who have recently reposed in the Lord.
- The faithful, benefactors, and everyone laboring for the growth of St. Tikhon Orthodox Chapel.
- The continued growth of Orthodox Christianity throughout North America.
May the Lord remember all those who have asked for our prayers and all those known to Him who are in need of His mercy.