Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross At St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross holds profound spiritual significance in the Armenian Apostolic Church, serving as a reminder of the ultimate victory of life over death and light over darkness through the Cross of Christ. Celebrated as one of the five major feasts of the Church, it invites the faithful to reflect on the Cross not as a symbol of suffering alone, but as the source of redemption, hope, and renewal. At St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, the faithful gathered on Sunday, September 14, 2025, to celebrate this solemn and joyous occasion. The day’s celebrant and homilist, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, eloquently conveyed the meaning of the Cross as the pathway to salvation and a guiding light in the spiritual life of every Christian. His homily reminded the faithful that the Cross is not merely to be venerated, but to be lived as a daily call to faith, love, and sacrificial service.

An integral part of the celebration was the traditional and ceremonial blessing of the basil (rehan), which is closely tied to the Feast of the Holy Cross in the Armenian Church. The fragrant basil, symbolizing life, blessing, and the flourishing of faith, was blessed during the Divine Liturgy. Following the blessing, the it was distributed among the faithful as a sign of divine grace and protection, a tradition that beautifully unites the spiritual and the communal dimensions of the feast.

This sacred rite, deeply rooted in the Armenian Apostolic tradition, reflects the Church’s emphasis on connecting heavenly grace with tangible expressions of devotion. Through the prayers, the basil, and the veneration of the Cross, the faithful were once again reminded of the eternal promise of Christ’s victory and were strengthened in their journey of faith.