13 ВЕРЕСНЯ / SEP 13

The Forefeast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross is celebrated for only one day (September 13) and there are seven days of Afterfeast (September 15-21). The Leavetaking of the Feast falls on September 21.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is preceded by the Saturday and Sunday before the Exaltation, and it is followed by the Sunday after the Exaltation.

Today we also commemorate the Consecration of the church of the Resurrection at Jerusalem.

Saint Constantine the Great (May 21) built the church of the Resurrection on Golgotha. On September 13, 335, the Fathers of the Council of Tyre consecrated it and, at that time, ordained the annual commemoration of its consecration.

The Synaxarion (Lives of the Saints):

Saint Cornelius the Centurion

Saint Cornelius was a Roman centurion who lived in Caesarea. Although he was a pagan, he was known for his deep faith in God, prayer, and generosity toward those in need. Because of his sincere devotion, God led him to the knowledge of Christ.

One day, while Cornelius was praying, an angel appeared to him and told him that his prayers had been heard. He was instructed to send messengers to Joppa to find the Apostle Peter.

At the same time, Saint Peter received a vision in which God revealed that no person should be considered unclean whom God had welcomed. Through this vision, Peter understood that the Gospel was also meant for the Gentiles.

When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home, Cornelius welcomed him with great reverence. The apostle preached about the life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. Filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Cornelius and his entire household believed in Christ and were baptized. Cornelius became the first pagan to receive Holy Baptism.

Later, Saint Peter ordained Cornelius as a bishop and sent him to preach the Gospel. He was chosen to go to the city of Skepsis, where pagan worship was widespread. There, the ruler Demetrius demanded that Cornelius worship the pagan gods.

Cornelius entered the pagan temple and prayed to the true God. Suddenly, an earthquake destroyed the temple and its idols. Although Cornelius was imprisoned, God worked a great miracle: the ruler’s wife and son, who were believed to have died beneath the ruins, were found alive.

Seeing this miracle, Demetrius and many others believed in Christ and received Baptism. Saint Cornelius remained in the city, preaching the Gospel and bringing many pagans to Christ.

He died peacefully in old age and was buried near the pagan temple that had been destroyed through his prayer.

Saint Cornelius the Centurion, pray to God for us!