The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. What Orthodox Christians in Latvia can and cannot do on September 27, 2026?

**What is remembered in the Church on September 27, 2026** The Exaltation is the raising of the Cross, the celebration is dedicated to the wooden crucifix on which Christ completed His earthly life. It symbolizes the lifting of the cross from the ground after its miraculous discovery. The holiday is related to events of the 4th century and resonates with the celebration of the previous day, September 26, 2026, the Feast of the Resurrection. On that day, the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord is celebrated. The two holidays share a common backstory. In the 4th century, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, he declared Christianity the state religion. During this time, he sent his mother, Queen Helena, to Jerusalem. One of the main goals of this journey was the search for the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Excavations and searches began, and finally, three crosses were unearthed in a cave near the city, along with a plaque that read: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” which had previously crowned one of the crosses. A method was devised to determine which of the crosses belonged to the death of Christ and not to the criminals. The crosses were brought one by one to a seriously ill woman. Two of the crosses had no effect on her condition, but she was healed by the third. Another tradition stated that life returned to a deceased person from the cross. However, in any case, the cross proved to be life-giving. Upon learning of this great discovery, Christians gathered at the site to venerate the relic. The Jerusalem Patriarch Macarius, who arrived with the crowd, raised the relic high above the people and thus exalted the cross. This event gave the holiday its name. Later, Queen Helena divided the relic into two parts. One was left in Jerusalem, while the other — with two nails — was sent to her son, Emperor Constantine. The relic was divided into parts several more times. In 1187, the Jerusalem part of the cross was lost when the Crusaders were defeated by the Muslims. Although there is a legend that the cross was buried in time by one of the Templars. Later, after completing the excavations in Jerusalem and laying the foundation for the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord, the queen began her journey back. Along the way, she established sites associated with the earthly life of Jesus, where more than 80 churches were founded. **The Meaning of the Holiday** This day reminds us that the Lord overcame the vanity and wickedness of the world only through love and patience. **Folk Weather Signs** - If the west wind blows, bad weather days are ahead. - Morning frosts indicate an early winter. - A sharp drop in temperature promises an early spring. - Migratory birds have left — frost is imminent. **What can be done on September 27, 2026** - It is customary to go to the church for the service and participate in the procession. - This day is a strict fast in memory of the Savior's passion on the cross. - It is good to prepare something with cabbage from the new harvest. - It is customary to plant trees and bushes. **What cannot be done on September 27, 2026** - It is not allowed to lend money. - It is not allowed to clean or make repairs. - It is not allowed to quarrel. - It is bad to leave the door wide open. **Interesting Facts** - According to tradition, the Cross was made from a part of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the fruit of which Adam and Eve tasted.