The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

On September 14, The Lives of the Saints by Fr. Alban Butler commemorates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, recalling both the discovery of the sacred wood by St. Helena and its later recovery from Persia under Emperor Heraclius. In 614, Persian forces captured Jerusalem, devastated the city, carried off Patriarch Zacharias, and seized the portion of the True Cross preserved there. Years of war followed. Heraclius eventually carried the struggle into Persia and won a decisive victory near ancient Nineveh. Peace was restored, Christian captives were released, lost territories were returned, and the True Cross was given back after fourteen years. In 629, Heraclius brought the Cross back to Jerusalem. According to the account, he attempted to carry it in imperial splendor but could not proceed until he removed his crown and royal garments, dressed humbly, and walked barefoot—imitating Christ carrying His Cross. But Butler does not stop with history. He asks whether the spirit of the Cross truly reigns in us: humility, meekness, charity, patience, and freedom from pride, sensuality, and self-love. The Cross is not merely something to admire. It must be planted in the heart. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. 00:00 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 00:17 Constantine, St. Helena & the Festival 00:40 Recovery of the True Cross From Persia 01:01 Sources for the Historical Account 01:10 Chosroes II and the Persian War 01:47 Heraclius Comes to Power 02:17 Persian Advance Into the Empire 02:35 Jerusalem Falls in 614 02:43 Christians Killed and Enslaved 02:58 The True Cross Is Taken 03:07 Relics Saved From Jerusalem 03:46 Patriarch Zacharias Taken Captive 04:03 Churches Begin to Be Rebuilt 04:10 Persia Conquers Egypt and Carthage 04:31 Heraclius Raises an Army 05:14 The War Is Carried Into Persia 05:39 Heraclius Marches With an Image of Christ 06:04 Victories in Armenia and Persia 06:28 Mercy Toward Persian Captives 06:55 Constantinople Threatened 07:18 Miraculous Deliverance of Constantinople 07:34 Victory Near Nineveh 08:14 Persia Turns Against Chosroes 08:53 Chosroes Is Overthrown 09:46 The Death of Chosroes II 10:02 Peace With Heraclius 10:17 The True Cross Is Returned 10:34 Heraclius Brings the Cross to Jerusalem 10:50 The Emperor Cannot Move Forward 10:59 Christ Carried the Cross in Humility 11:15 Heraclius Removes Crown and Purple 11:23 Barefoot, He Carries the Cross 11:40 Pieces of the True Cross 11:55 Miraculous Healings 12:19 Veneration of the Cross in Constantinople 12:44 The Cross Taken From the Imperial Treasury 13:19 Hymns in Praise of the Cross 14:01 Processions Through Constantinople 14:19 The Cross Blesses and Protects the City 14:58 Three Great Crosses of the Imperial Palace 15:31 Christ Reigns Through His Cross 15:54 Is the Cross Planted in Our Hearts? 16:02 The Spirit of the Cross 16:17 Enemies of the Cross Within Us 16:33 Can We Look Upon a Crucifix Without Shame? 16:51 Asking Christ to Conquer Our Hearts 17:07 “I Will Draw All Things to Myself” 17:24 Humility, Meekness & Pure Love 17:33 The Hidden Manna of the Cross 17:40 Sharing in the Cross Through Patient Suffering https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #HolyCross #ExaltationOfTheCross #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicFaith #CatholicSaints #FeastDay #SaintHelena #EmperorHeraclius #TrueCross #CatholicHistory #ChristianFaith #ButlersLivesOfTheSaints 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Holiness
• Jesus Christ