Krstovdan: The feast on which the Church exalts the Cross
On September 27th, the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the Vozdviženje Časnog i Životvornog Krsta (Exaltation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross) – known popularly as Krstovdan. It is one of the twelve great feast days of the church year and is marked in the calendar with crveno slovo (red letter). According to the Julian calendar, the feast falls on September 14th, and according to the new calendar, on September 27th.
The word vozdviženje means exaltation or raising up. It refers to a very specific moment: the day when the Cross upon which Christ was crucified was lifted up before the assembled people.
The Finding of the Cross in Jerusalem
In the 4th century, Holy Empress Helena, mother of Emperor Saint Constantine, traveled to the Holy Land. She wanted to find the Cross upon which Christ had died. At that time, a pagan temple to Venus, which Emperor Hadrian had ordered to be built, stood on Golgotha. An old man named Judas was the only one who knew that the Cross was hidden beneath it.
Helena had the temple demolished. Deep down, three crosses were found – the Cross of Christ and the crosses of the two thieves. To determine which was the true Cross, they were placed one after another onto a deceased person whose funeral procession was passing by. When the third cross touched him, the dead man arose.
The news spread quickly, and so many people flocked to the scene that not everyone could see or kiss the Cross. Thereupon, Patriarch Makarios of Jerusalem climbed onto an elevation and lifted the Cross up so that everyone could see it. The people cried out: Gospode, pomiluj! (Lord, have mercy!). Thus, in the year 326, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross began. Over the site, Helena later had the Church of the Resurrection built, where the Cross was kept in a silver shrine.
The Return of the Cross from Persia
Krstovdan also commemorates a second event. In the 7th century, the Persian King Khosrow conquered Jerusalem and took the Cross as spoils of war. It was not until fourteen years later that the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius succeeded in retrieving it in the year 628.
The Emperor wanted to carry the Cross himself to Golgotha, dressed in magnificent robes. Yet, suddenly, he could not take another step. Patriarch Zacharias realized the reason: Christ had walked this path barefoot and in humiliation – not in imperial splendor. Heraclius took off his robes and carried the Cross barefoot and in simple clothing into the Church of the Resurrection.
The Cross: From a Symbol of Shame to a Symbol of Victory
In antiquity, the cross was the cruelest and most shameful form of execution, reserved for thieves and criminals. Through Christ, it became a symbol of life. Therefore, it is called in the Church Životvorni Krst – the Life-Giving Cross.
Krstovdan reminds us that there is no resurrection without the cross. Every person carries their own cross – illness, sorrows, loss. The feast says: Behind every suffering lies hope.
On this day, the Church sings the Troparion of the Cross:
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant victory to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by Thy Cross preserve Thy community.
– Troparion of the Exaltation of the Venerable Cross, Tone 1
The Service on Krstovdan
In church, the Cross is placed on a tray decorated with flowers and bosiljak (basil) in the center of the nave. In monasteries and cathedrals, the bishop or priest raises the Cross to the four cardinal directions while the choir sings Gospode, pomiluj many times – just as the people did back then in Jerusalem. The faithful bow, kiss the Cross, and take a sprig of bosiljak home with them.
Ko se Krstom krsti, za Krstovdan posti
Every Serbian family knows this proverb: Whoever crosses themselves with the Cross, fasts on Krstovdan. Krstovdan is a strict fast day – regardless of the day of the week. Traditionally, only plant-based food is eaten, in the past often just bread and water. If the feast falls on a Saturday or Sunday, as it does this year, oil is permitted according to church practice.
A beautiful old custom: Of all fruits, only grapes were allowed to be eaten on Krstovdan.
Customs Surrounding Krstovdan
The most well-known custom is the one with the bosiljak. In the Serbian tradition, basil is considered the plant of God – it is brought to church for the Cross and afterwards hung in the home by the icon, so that the house remains under the protection of the Cross throughout the year.
Unlike many other red-letter feast days, it is considered good to clean the house and prepare it for winter on Krstovdan. In the past, field guardians who had watched over the fields from St. George's Day (Đurđevdan) until Krstovdan were paid on this day. For many families, the feast thus marks the transition from summer to autumn.
Two Krstovdans a Year
The Serbian Orthodox Church observes two Krstovdans. The jesenji Krstovdan (Autumn Krstovdan) on September 27th is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The zimski Krstovdan (Winter Krstovdan) on January 18th is the eve of Bogojavljenje (Theophany) and is also a strict fast day.
The Cross in Your Home
The Cross accompanies Orthodox Christians throughout their entire life: around the neck since baptism, in prayer on the prayer rope (brojanica), on the wall next to the icon, even in the car. On Krstovdan, the Church reminds us that this symbol is not mere decoration, but a confession of faith.
Icons of Jesus Christ
https://svetazvezda.com/collections/isus-hristos
Prayer ropes (Brojanice)
https://svetazvezda.com/collections/brojanice
Cross Necklaces
https://svetazvezda.com/collections/nakit
Car Crosses
https://svetazvezda.com/collections/auto-kreuze
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Krstovdan?
Always on September 27th according to the new calendar (September 14th according to the Julian calendar). In 2026, it falls on a Sunday.
What does Vozdviženje mean?
Vozdviženje means Exaltation. It commemorates how Patriarch Makarios raised the found Cross in Jerusalem before the people.
Is there fasting on Krstovdan?
Yes, Krstovdan is a strict fast day, regardless of which day of the week it falls on. If it falls on a weekend, oil is permitted.
Why do people bring bosiljak to church on Krstovdan?
The basil decorates the Cross during the service. The faithful take a sprig home and hang it by their icon.
What is the difference between the two Krstovdans?
The Autumn Krstovdan on September 27th celebrates the Exaltation of the Cross. The Winter Krstovdan on January 18th is the eve of Theophany.
Sources:
- Spc.rs – Воздвижење Часног Крста – Крстовдан
- Manastiri.rs – Krstovdan – Vozdviženje Časnog Krsta
- SPC Opština Kotor – Kalendar za 27. septembar: Vozdviženje Časnog Krsta – Krstovdan
- SPC London, Crkva Svetog Save – Воздвижење Часног Крста – Крстовдан
- Politika.rs – СПЦ данас слави Крстовдан
- 381info.com – Krstovdan, pravoslavni verski praznik
- Srpskainfo.com – Jesenji Krstovdan: običaji
