Today, the Orthodox Church celebrates one of its greatest holidays – the Exaltation of the Holy Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
After the Savior’s suffering and crucifixion, the cross became a sacrificial sign of salvation and redemption from sin. He personifies sacrificial love, victory over evil and belonging to Christianity.
On Easter, a strict fast is observed
The Holy Orthodox Church worships the Lord’s Cross four times a year – on the third Sunday of Great Lent, called the Adoration of the Cross, on Good Friday, on August 1 and on September 14. According to an ancient custom, on this day, a water festival is held and the priests sprinkle a cross on the homes for blessing.
According to church tradition, St. Helena – the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, a devout Christian, went to the Holy Places in Palestine to look for the Holy Sepulcher, which two centuries earlier had been buried by the persecutors of Christians.
Her efforts were crowned with success. The cave of the grave was found, as well as three crosses. Which of the three is the cross of Christ was found out when a recently deceased person was resurrected by touching one of them. A part of this life-giving cross was sent by Elena to her son in Constantinople, and the cross itself was placed in the main Jerusalem church.
After some time, a temple was built over the cave of the Holy Sepulcher, which still exists today. It was solemnly consecrated on September 14, 335. Thousands of pilgrims gather on this day.
In order for all to see the Holy Cross, the bishop raises or “raises” it above the heads of those present. From this “upheaval” the holiday gets its name.
Traditions and beliefs of today’s holiday
It is believed that on the night before Easter, the Lord comes down to earth and fulfills every sincere desire.
The people believe that on Easter “day and night cross”, which means they become equal in duration. It is believed that on this day the autumn season begins – the weather cools down, the waters of the sea and rivers cool down.
Both on Simeonovden and on Krastovden, in some Bulgarian regions, the beginning of autumn plowing and sowing is set; with the holiday, the grape harvest begins.
In individual villages of North-Eastern Bulgaria on this day, general village gatherings are organized, at which sacrificial offerings are slaughtered, festive meals are arranged, accompanied by songs and dances.
Today is also the professional holiday of Bulgarian firefighters
The anniversary of the first firemen’s assembly in 1905 is being celebrated, when in practice the beginning of organized firefighting in our country was set.
Thousands of believers also gathered that night near the “Holy Trinity” monastery in Krastova Gora to pray for health. It is believed that there is a particle of the Cross of the Lord there and every prayer will be heard.
According to belief, God descends to Earth once a year, and that is precisely on the night of September 13-14. It is believed that the heavens open and miracles happen.
Name day is celebrated by everyone bearing the names: Krastyo, Krastina, Krastil, Krastila, Krastilena, Krasthena, Krastan, Krastana and their derivatives.
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