medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Exaltation of the Holy Coss, September 14th
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. This feast was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It also commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in Jerusalem, but then had fallen into the hands of Chosroes, King of the Persians. The relic was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by Emperor Heraclius in 629.
I posted some images for the feast of St Helena:
Tattershall, Holy Trinity, Lincolnshire, East window, 3d, 1482 by Robert Power of Burton upon Trent:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/9121552138
Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, album of images of the south aisle windows depicting the story of St Helen. The fullest coverage of the Helen legend in English glass, c.1497-1512:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/albums/72157652182098552
This series depicts the discovery of the Cross and also its recovery by Heraclius.
Gordon Plumb
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