Exaltation Of The Holy Cross

[Apotheoun]

Video excerpts from the celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Christ the Savior Cathedral:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSFO3_SEGE

[Apotheoun]

Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee from His face. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; and as wax melts from the presence of fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say with gladness: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Who was crucified on thee, went down to hades and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His honorable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with our holy Lady, the Virgin Theotokos, and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen.

[Selah]

I got to venerate an icon on the Exaltation ^_^

 

Question: my parish gave out mint leaves, or what smelled like mint leaves. Why is that? Is it a tradition on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross? Maybe to my jurisdiction specifically? (Greek).

Edited September 28, 2013 by Selah

[AugustineA]

This is very beautiful. I've always found the Orthodox tradition very attractive if not for certain .. things I will not mention here. Thanks for posting Apo. :)