Finding of the True Cross

What Is Finding of the True Cross?

The Finding of the True Cross is a Christian observance that commemorates the legendary discovery of the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. This event is attributed to Empress Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine I, who is said to have located the relic in Jerusalem during the 4th century CE. The celebration holds significant cultural and religious importance, particularly within the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches.

In these countries, the observance is often known as Meskel, and it is marked by elaborate public festivities. It functions as a prominent annual festival, deeply integrated into the cultural fabric alongside its religious meaning. While many Christian denominations acknowledge the event, its status as a public holiday and the specific celebratory customs are predominantly associated with Ethiopia and Eritrea.

History and Origins of Finding of the True Cross

The historical accounts surrounding the Finding of the True Cross trace back to the 4th century. According to tradition, Empress Helena undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land around 326 CE, driven by a desire to locate sites associated with Christian history. Upon her arrival in Jerusalem, she reportedly initiated excavations near the traditional site of Golgotha. These efforts led to the unearthing of three crosses.

To determine which of the three was the ‘True Cross’, it is said that a miraculous event occurred. One account suggests that the touch of one cross healed a gravely ill woman, while another tradition states it resurrected a dead person. Following this identification, fragments of the cross were distributed, and a significant portion was enshrined in a basilica constructed by Constantine over the site of discovery, now known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The celebration of this discovery subsequently spread throughout the Christian world, eventually becoming a major feast day. Its particular emphasis and elaborate observance in Ethiopia and Eritrea highlight a long-standing historical and ecclesiastical connection to early Christian traditions.

How Finding of the True Cross Is Celebrated

The Finding of the True Cross is celebrated with distinct traditions, most notably in Ethiopia and Eritrea where it is known as Meskel. These celebrations are vibrant public festivals that combine religious ceremonies with cultural practices.

Celebrations in Ethiopia and Eritrea

In Ethiopia and Eritrea, Meskel is one of the most important annual holidays. Preparations begin days in advance, with people gathering bundles of wood and branches to construct large bonfires known as Demera. On the eve of the main festival day, these Demera bonfires are lit, often in central squares or open fields. The largest celebration typically takes place in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Clergy, wearing ceremonial robes, lead processions and chant hymns around the bonfires. The lighting of the bonfire symbolises the smoke that, according to legend, guided Empress Helena to the site where the True Cross was buried.

The festivities also include traditional dances, feasting, and the sharing of special foods. After the bonfire has burned down, participants often collect charcoal from the ashes and use it to mark their foreheads with a cross, symbolising renewal and blessings. Homes are decorated with Meskel daisies, a yellow flower that blossoms around the time of the festival. Family gatherings and exchanges of greetings are also central to the observance, fostering community cohesion.

Observance by Other Christian Denominations

While the public holiday status and bonfire traditions are specific to Ethiopia and Eritrea, other Christian denominations also commemorate the discovery of the True Cross. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 27 September, aligning with the Ethiopian date, often with liturgical services and veneration of the cross. The Roman Catholic Church and some Western Christian traditions observe the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September, focusing on the triumph of the cross and its significance as a Christian symbol. These observances typically involve church services and prayers rather than public bonfires or large-scale community festivals.

When Is Finding of the True Cross?

The Finding of the True Cross is observed on a fixed date within the Ethiopian and Eritrean calendar systems. It falls on 17 Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar. This date typically corresponds to 27 September in the Gregorian calendar.

However, due to differences in leap year calculations between the two calendar systems, the Gregorian date shifts to 28 September every four years. This occurs during the year preceding a Gregorian leap year. For example, if a Gregorian leap year is 2024, then the Finding of the True Cross would fall on 28 September in 2023. This fixed placement within the Ethiopian calendar ensures consistency for local observances, with only a minor variation in its Gregorian equivalent.

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