The feast of the Exaltation or Elevation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on September 14 NS/27 OS, when we remember the finding of the Precious Cross by St. Helen, surrounded by fragrant basil plants, as well as the recovery of the Cross from the Persians after the sack of Jerusalem. The feast is observed as a day of fasting and repentance, when we decorate the Cross with flowers and sprigs of basil. Keep reading for more ways to observe the feast with your family!

Resources

• Exaltation of the Holy Cross from GOA
• Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross from the OCA
• Exaltation of the Cross resources from St. Kosmas Orthodox Christian Education Association
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross from Orthodoxy for Kids
• "Exalting the Cross" bulletin from the OCA
• The Exaltation of the Precious Cross by St. John Maximovitch
• "The Cross" bulletin from the OCA
• "The Greatest Conqueror is Conquered" bulletin from the OCA
• "The Exaltation of the Cross and a Bed of Basil" from Charlotte Riggle
• Festal Icon (pictured) from the Catalogue of St. Elizabeth Convent
• "Exaltation of the Holy Cross" (video) from OrthodoxABC
• Fasting meal ideas (be sure to make something with basil!)

Activities

• Exaltation of the Holy Cross printables from Orthodox Pebbles
• Planting Basil for the Elevation of the Holy Cross from Illumination Learning
• Basil for the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross printable lesson from Illumination Learning
• Basil Seed Packets printable from Illumination Learning
• Summer Basil Planting Project from Orthodox Pebbles
• Elevation Study Resources from St. Kosmas
• Elevation of the Cross coloring page from the OCA
• Elevation of the Cross printable from Antiochian Archdiocese
• Cross coloring pages from the Orthodox Illustration Project
• On the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross from Orthodox Christian Sunday School Teachers
• Elevation of the Cross from Dr. Pat
• Elevation of of the Cross activities from Raising Orthodox Christians
• Festal Learning Basket from Charming the Birds from the Trees
• Exaltation of the Cross skit from Orthodox Christian Education
• Our Greatest Weapon from Orthodox Christian Education

Books

• The Queen & the Cross: The Story of St. Helen by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky
• St. Helen and the Finding of the Holy Cross from Potamitis Publishing
• The Legend of the Cross by Chrissi Hart
• Heaven Meets Earth from Ancient Faith Publishing

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