KRSTOVDEN (HOLY CROSS DAY)

On Krstovden or The Holy Cross day, the cross is celebrated as a symbol of victory over world vanity, a symbol of calmed rebellion of the inner man. Today, Krsto, Krstana, Kristo, Kristina, Kristijan celebrate this day.
Exaltation of the Cross or only Holy Cross is a great Christian feast from the autumn cycle, one of 12 major Christian holidays, which is an unchangeable holiday and according to the old calendar, it always falls on September 27 Holy Cross Day is a holiday of fasting and repentance.

The cross is called "the life-giving Cross" because of its miraculous powers. On this day, believers recall the crucified God-man, the Cross worthy of unconditional fidelity, and the inevitable salvation that comes through Christ's Crucifixion.

During the feast, the cross is laid in the center of the temple, surrounded by flowers and basil twigs .

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated to commemorate the finding of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. This event is attributed to the Empress Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, founder of Constantinople (Constantinople).

The location of the cross of Christ was not known the first three centuries. It is thought that it was buried near his grave, because according to Jewish customs, crosses were buried near the graves. Empress Helena ordered to dig around the tomb of Christ, but there they found three crosses near Christ's tomb, because there were graves of the two thieves who were crucified at the same time as Christ..

The problem was they didn't know which of the three is the cross of Christ. At that time, passed a funeral procession and Empress Helena ordered to put the corpse on the three crosses. And a miracle occurred. On one of them, the dead become alive. It was a sign that it was the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

The residents of Jerusalem heard about this miracle and ran to see the cross. There was a great crowd that had been created and they couldn't see it. Then Bishop Macarius from Jerusalem repeatedly billowed and lowered cross turning on all four sides. People in thrill sang "Lord have mercy."

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a strict fast.