On September 14, we will be celebrating the Elevation of the Cross, and by celebrating I mean fasting. For this is one of two feast days which we actually commemorate with fasting. Just what are we commemorating with this feast?
In 326 AD, St. Helen, the mother of Constantine, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While at the site of Golgotha, St. Helen found the cross on which Christ was crucified. Near the cross was also a beautiful and unknown flower, which we now call basil (from Greek, "Vasiliko") meaning "of the King," and named for the King of Glory.
When the identity of the cross was known, it was then lifted up (elevated) for all to see.
That is the first part of our commemoration, but there is more. In 614 AD, the Persians attacked Jerusalem and captured the Cross. But in 627 AD, Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians at the Battle of Nineveh and reclaimed the Cross. When the Emperor returned with the Cross to Jerusalem in 630 AD, it was placed in the Temple of the Resurrection and again lifted up for all to see and venerate.
In addition to a special Troparion and Kontakion, there is a special hymn that replaces the Trisagion on this feast day.
Show your children an icon of the Elevation of the Cross, and tell them the stories of the finding and recapturing of it.
As the feast falls on a Saturday this year, make an effort to attend Vigil (or Vespers) Friday night (what a great excuse to let them stay up late!), and the Liturgy Saturday morning. They'll be able to see the cross decorated with flowers or basil branches, and hear the hymns venerating it.
Plan a craft. Below are two ideas. The first is for preschoolers, and the second for slightly older children.
1. Use the template to print a cross on cardstock paper, and cut it out.
2. On one side, glue a small icon of the Elevation of the Cross (you can let your child choose one online and print out a thumbnail print).
3. On the other side, write one of the hymns above.
4. Decorate around the icon as desired. Laminate it to make it sturdier if desired, and cut around the edges. Although you'll need to do the writing (or print out the hymn and let your child glue it on), let your child do as much of the work as possible, even if it isn't perfect.
1. Paint the cross in any color.
2. While the cross dries, string the beads on, alternating large and small. You can choose whether to have the large beads or the smaller beads flush with the cross.
3. For symmetry's sake, add the cross and put the string through in both directions (an adult may need to do the finishing off).
4. Tie two small knots on either side. To help it stay tied and hide the knots, paint them to match the cross.
Alternately, string the cross just like the beads and tie a single knot to one side. Also, if you use large beads and yarn or a shoestring, younger children may be able to do it. In this case, use only 9 large beads plus spacers.
So, which is it? Jesus or Jeezus?