Holy Trinity Weekly

Today, September 14th, is Holy Cross Day or Holy Rood Day in England (“Rood” is the medieval English word for “cross of Christ”). This day is also called the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross or the Triumph of the Cross and commemorates the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which was built near the sight of Christ’s crucifixion and burial. St. Helena, the mother of Constantine (the Roman Emperor who converted to the Christian faith and gave the religion a legal standing in the empire), is remembered for the discovery of the site in 325 after its destruction around 200 years previously. This feast day is in some ways related to the events of Good Friday, but where Good Friday is traditionally a somber remembrance of our Lord’s passion and our own sins and failings, Holy Cross Day is a festival rejoicing in the victory of the cross, and in particular, Jesus’ own words declaring that when He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Himself (Jn. 12:32).

A Collect for Holy Cross Day:
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world unto himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The sermon text for this Sunday will be Mark 11. The lessons for the day will be Deut. 4:1-2, 6-8, Ephesians 6:10-20, and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.