Church holiday September 27, 2026: traditions, signs and prohibitions of the Exaltation of the Cross

History of the holiday

According to church tradition, in 326 the emperor Constantine the Great, who legalized Christianity, sent his mother, Queen Helena, to Jerusalem in search of the Cross of the Lord. For a long time the search did not yield results, until an old Jew named Judas indicated the place where the shrine could be located. The cross was found under a pagan temple built on the site of Golgotha. To determine which of the three crosses were found to be genuine, they were applied alternately to a seriously ill woman. Healing came only from one thing: the Cross of God.

So that many people gathered at the place of acquisition could see the shrine, Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem began to raise the Cross high – “erect” it. Hence the name of the holiday.

Later, in the VII century, the Persian king Khosroy II captured Jerusalem and took the Cross prisoner. Only fourteen years later did Emperor Heraclius manage to return the shrine. Both events, the reacquisition and the return, are united in one holiday.

Why is the day called moving

People called September 27 shift, because from that day nature "shifted" to winter. All the main agricultural work was completed, the cold began, and the peasants were preparing for the long winter period. They said, “Autumn is going to be winter.”.

Also on this day, the cutting of cabbage began - the hostess began to prepare for the winter. It was believed that if you have time to salt the cabbage before the Ascension, it will turn out to be especially tasty and crispy.

Traditions of Exaltation

The main tradition of the holiday is to attend church services. On this day, believers pray before the Cross of the Lord, asking for health, protection from harm and strengthening faith. In the temples, the worship of the Cross is performed, and believers try to attach themselves to the shrine.

In Russia on this day began "cabbage" - collective harvesting of cabbage. Women gathered together, chopped cabbage, salted it in barrels, added carrots, apples and cranberries. They sang songs and joked at work. It was believed that the cabbage harvested on the Elevation will be especially tasty.

Also on this day it was customary to insulate the house for the winter: close the cracks in the windows and doors, check the stoves, cook firewood.

Notes on 27 September

If the day is clear and warm, autumn will be long.

If it rains, autumn will be damp.

If in the morning fog - for warm weather.

If the cranes fly south, winter will come early.

If there is a lot of webs, by a warm autumn.

If the ash is born - for a cold winter.

If it’s freezing, winter will be early.

What not to do on September 27th

You can’t start important things – it was thought that they would not bring success.

You can not go to the forest – people believed that on this day the evil spirit is especially active.

You can’t argue and argue – conflicts can last for a long time.

You can not leave the house unattended - it was believed that on this day evil spirits can penetrate into the house.

You can not eat meat and dairy products - a strict fast is observed on the Elevation.

What to do on September 27th

To attend church services and pray before the Cross of the Lord.

Getting cabbage for the winter and salting it in barrels.

Clean the house and prepare it for the cold.

On this day, only plant foods are allowed.

Spend time with your family for work and prayer.