Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez
(EWTN) The ‘Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross’ sprang into existence at Rome towards the end of the 7th century — Allusion is made to it during the pontificate of Pope Saint Sergius I (687-701) however as Dom Baumer observes, the very terms of the text (Lib. Pontif I, 374-378) show that the Feast already existed.
It is then inexact as has often been pointed out, to attribute the introduction of it to Pope Saint Serguis I
The Gallican Churches (Rite) which at this point referred to but do not yet know of this Feast on (14 September) have another on the 03 May of the same signification. It appears to have been introduced there in the 7th century for ancient Gallican documents such as the Lectionary of Luxeuil do not mention it. — St. Gregory of Tours also seems to ignore it. According to Mgr. Duchesne, the date seems to have been borrowed from the legend of the Finding of the Holy Cross (Lib Pontif I p.cviii) Later when the Gallican and Roman Liturgies were combined, a distinct character was given to each Feast so as to avoid sacrificing either.
The 03 May was called the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross and its commemorated in a special manner–St. Helena (Feast Day: 18 August) discovery of the Sacred Wood of the Cross.
The 14 September ‘Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross’ commemorates above all the circumstances in which Heracilus, recovered from the Persians the True Holy Cross, which they carried off in 614 according to Franciscan Media — According to the story, the Emperor intended to carry the Cross back to Jerusalem himself but was unable to move forward until he took off his imperial garb and became a barefoot pilgrim.
Related: Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Visit: -USCCB