Exposition of the Holy Cross 774x800This holiday was established by agreement between the Greeks and Russians during the time of the Greek Emperor Manuel and the Russian Prince Andrew, as a commemoration of the simultaneous victory of the Russians over the Bulgarians and the Greeks over the Saracens. Both the Russian and Greek armies carried crosses in front of them, from which heavenly light shone. It was established that on this day the cross is carried out from the church of St. Sophia, first to the middle of the church, and then to the streets for the veneration of the people and the remembrance of the help of the cross in wars. It was not an ordinary cross that was carried out, but the Holy Cross, which was kept in the temple of the imperial palace. The day before, it was transferred to the church of Saint Sophia, from where it was carried through the streets of Constantinople, for the sanctification of the earth and air. After 14 days, it was returned to the temple of the imperial palace.

The Presentation of the Holy Cross. The nine holy martyrs: Leontius, Atius, Alexander, Kindeus, Minsiteus, Cyriacus, Mineon, Katunus and Euclid. The Great Assumption Fast.