The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was marked on Thursday, September 13, 2024 in various churches in Jordan. A Holy Mass was celebrated by Acting Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Fr. Dr. Jihad Shweihat at the  Home of the Human Care in Fuheis. The Holy Mass was attended by priests, nuns, and the Sisters of the Cross who supervise the elderly hole, and a large number of believers from various parts of Jordan.

Furthermore, Fr. Farah Hijazin celebrated a Holy Mass marking the feast in Rmaimin. The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Riad Hijazin in the presence of believers. On the other hand, a Holy Mass was also celebrated at the  Greek Orthodox Church of Our Lady and the Church of St. Joseph in Amman marking the feast by Archimandrite Nader Sawouq and concelebrated by  Fr. Firas Nasrawin and Fr. Imad Bawwab in the presence of a large number of believers. Thee Holy Mass was followed by a candlelit procession during which a fire was lit and pomegrantes were presented to the believers at the courtyard of St. Joseph Church. Another Holy Mass was also celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Husun by Fr. Wajdi Sahawneh and concelebrated by Acolyte Tareq Rizqallah. In attendance were Sister of the Holy Rosary and a large number of believers. The Holy Mass was followed by a procession during which a fire was lit.

It is worthy to note that on 13 September 335, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was dedicated. The following day, the Cross that Empress Helena had discovered on 14 September 320, was venerated in a solemn ceremony. In 614, the Persian King, Chosroes II, waged war on the Romans. After conquering Jerusalem, he confiscated many treasures, among which was the Cross of Lord Jesus. The Byzantine emperor Heraclius initiated peace negotiations, but was rejected. He then waged war and won near Nineveh, asking for the restitution of the Cross, which was then returned to Jerusalem.

Actually, the Cross is the greatest sign of God’s love as “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus Christ has died on the Cross and carried all our sins being the grain of wheat that has borne much fruit.

This feast is also called “the Triumph of the Cross”. The liturgy of the Cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people, it was a foreshadowing of the salvation through Jesus when He was lifted up on the Cross. Our Mother Church sings of the triumph of the Cross, the instrument of our redemption. To follow Lord Jesus Christ, we must take up His cross, follow Him and become obedient until death. We identify with Christ on the Cross and become co-redeemers, sharing in His Cross.

O Lord, we praise and glorify your holy resurrection, for the wood of the cross has brought joy to the world. Lord Jesus, You endured the cross to redeem us, save us through your Cross.