Discovery of the Holy Cross

In the early Syriac tradition, there were two separate feasts for the Holy Cross, one on May 22 for the Discovery and another on September 14 for the Exaltation.

The Discovery of the Holy Cross is an important event celebrated in Christianity on May 22nd every year. According to tradition, the Holy Cross, which is believed to be the actual cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, was discovered by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, in the early 4th century AD. The story goes that Helena traveled to Jerusalem in search of the cross and was guided by a miraculous sign to its location. After excavating the site, Helena reportedly found three crosses, one of which was identified as the Holy Cross after a sick woman was miraculously healed by touching it. The discovery of the Holy Cross is seen as a significant event in Christian history, and the day is celebrated with special prayers and services in many churches around the world. The Cross itself has become a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and redemption for Christians.