The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, symbol of Christ
The Cross symbol of Christ
The Cross of Christ is one of the most universally recognized symbols. The religious images of Christ on the Cross are recognizable by anyone in the world. Both Christians and those who do not profess the true faith recognize the Cross as a symbol of Christ, a symbol of the love of Our Father Jesus for all humanity.
Christ sacrificed himself for all of us. He endured the hatred, envy and mockery of men. He carried the Cross painfully, feeling its weight on his shoulders. He carried his heavy load to Mount Golgotá where he was crucified. Christ underwent the torment of the Crucifixion and finally died on the Cross to defeat death. After all his suffering he rose from the dead to give us eternal life. Christians commemorate the Passion of Christ during Holy Week and his Resurrection by lighting the Paschal Candle .
One of the most important dates in the Christian liturgical calendar related to the Cross is September 14 . This date we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross .
The Holy Cross, origin of veneration
The Holy Cross and its relationship with Christians began on the same day that Jesus lived his Passion. At that moment a link was created between the figure of Jesus and the Cross, since this was the tool that Our Lord used to forgive us our sins and grant us eternal life.
As history tells us, it was not until the third century that making the sign of the Cross was definitively extended to avoid the temptations of the devil. As we know this fact we owe it to San Antonio Abad, the illustrious father of Monachism . San Antonio Abad spent a large part of his life in the desert, leading a hermit life. During this stage the devil tempted him with all kinds of things. The faith of San Antonio Abad was strong, unshakable. The devil tried by all means to break his faith and did not stop tempting him. One day, when the Saint was enduring the malicious presence of the devil, Saint Anthony the Abbot thought of making the sign of the Cross . With this gesture Saint Anthony the Abbot showed the devil the presence of Jesus. At that moment the devil fled in terror. The Cross, from that moment on, was the shield of San Antonio Abad against the devil. The Saint during his many years of evangelization showed his disciples the power of the Holy Cross.
Saint Anthony the Abbot said: "The devil fears fasting, prayer, humility and good works, and is reduced to impotence before the sign of the Cross."
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, feast on September 17
On September 17 we commemorate the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross . This festival has its origin in an event of great importance in the year 628.
As history tells us, in the fourth century, the Empress Saint Helena found the Cross on which Christ had died. This Cross remained in Jerusalem until the year 614. In this year the Persians conquer the city of Jerusalem and steal the Holy Cross. This fact is a serious blow for all Christians. The Holy Cross is a symbol of Christ of great importance.
On September 17, 628, Emperor Heraclius returned to Jerusalem with the Holy Cross in his possession. He had managed to recover the Cross from the Persians to the delight and joy of all Christians.
To celebrate this fact, Emperor Heraclius decides to imitate Our Lord Jesus Christ carrying the Holy Cross in procession. For such a great event, Emperor Heraclius dresses in his best clothes. She adorned herself with royal robes and jewels, with the symbols of the emperor. 
Heraclius asked his servants to help him pick up the Holy Cross and put it on his shoulder, just as Jesus had done. Once he had it in place, he tried to walk with it doing his particular Way of the Cross . The emperor wanted to take the first step but his feet did not obey him, he was unable to move forward.
At his side was Zechariah, Bishop of Jerusalem . Zacharias was a wise and devout man and seeing that the emperor could not advance quickly he realized what was happening. The emperor had put on his regalia, this ostentation was something totally contrary to the humility that Jesus had preached throughout his life. Zechariah told the emperor that if he wanted to imitate Jesus, he should imitate him in everything, he should take off his royal clothes and adopt the clothes of a servant.
Emperor Heraclius, realizing that everything Zacharias said was true, supported the Holy Cross and stripped off all his royal clothes, keeping only a humble white alb . Again he took the Holy Cross, and on this occasion he was able to advance without problems to the joy of all those present.
After this day, it was decided to distribute the Holy Cross among various churches and monasteries around the world to prevent its theft.