On the morning of Saturday, 14 September, the Friars Minor of Jerusalem walk in procession to the entrance of the Holy Sepulchre, where they will find Brother Stéphane Milovitch waiting for them. It is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, an important moment in the liturgical life of this holy place. Br STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm President of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Today we celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, which at the Holy Sepulchre is a solemnity, not just a feast. Three feasts have been linked to the cross since Byzantine times, three feasts are still linked to the Holy Cross today. Good Friday, of course, celebrated on Calvary; the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, also celebrated on Calvary; and the May feast of the Inventio Crucis. Br STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm President of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross today also commemorates the dedication of the Byzantine Basilica. The first church built here by Constantine the Greek Orthodox still celebrate this feast of the dedication of the Basilica today, while we celebrate the dedication of the Crusader Basilica. We celebrate on Calvary. The custodial vicar presides over this celebration. At the end of this mass, a procession goes to the altar of Mary of Magdala. There the blessing with the Holy Cross is given. Br STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm President of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem We have two Staurothekes, or reliquaries of the Holy Cross, which we use for liturgies. The one we use today is a beautiful 17th century Staurotheke offered by France. With this relic, therefore, the people will be blessed. In his beautiful homily, Brother Ibrahim Faltas mentioned the subject of the war in Gaza and recalled that only God has the power to transform death and destruction, i.e. the cross, into a sign of victory and eternal life. This is why the faith of Christians, even if tried, is strengthened at this time and becomes prayer and commitment, so that the logic of reconciliation and justice, in the respect due to every human being, may prevail. Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm Custodial Vicar of the Holy Land But the cross is a sign of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a sign of victory, the ultimate victory of Jesus. For Jesus, the Cross is the ultimate victory. Here is Calvary. And the throne from which he reigns. It is also the symbol of the victory of love over hatred of forgiveness, of humility over pride. Today we have all been called to rejoice with Jesus, for here is his final victory, a sign of victory, a sign of exaltation, of joy. Because Jesus conquered death, perhaps today this spirit of Jerusalem will make us act in such a way that we can rise from the rubble. To resurrection, to peace, to justice. That is what we want right now. Br STÉPHANE MILOVITCH, ofm President of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Christ died on the cross precisely for the salvation of all. We celebrate here the redemption of all mankind. Not just of Christians or Catholic Christians, but of the whole people. Here today we see all humanity, Christians, Muslims, Jews. It is through the blood that Christ will leave on this cross - let us remember this beautiful fact of the Christian faith - that truly the whole people is saved by Christ. We must be signs so that all men may become aware of this salvation that is given to them. So that they may be saved by love. Read More