September 14th - Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Also known as the Raising Aloft of the Honored & Life-Giving Cross, the Triumph of the Cross, Holy Cross Day or Feast of the Glorious Cross.  Through the years, especially during the Crusades, pieces of the "true cross" have been found at pivotal times and used to inspire believers and soldiers.  This feast day commemorates Constantine's mother Helena's discovery of the true cross on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  The site of the discovery was commemorated by the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as ordered by Helena and Constantine.  A portion of the cross was placed here on September 14th the second day of the two day consecration ceremony for the church.