The Feast of the Procession of the Precious Wood of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord d is celebrated on August 1/14.

 

The Greek Hour Book of 1897 explains the origin of this feast in the following way: "Because of diseases, which were very frequent in August, the custom of carrying the Honored Tree of the Cross on the roads and streets to sanctify places and to ward off diseases was established in Constantinople from ancient times. On the eve (July 31), from the royal treasury, they placed it on the holy altar of the Great Church (in honor of Hagia Sophia - the Wisdom of God). From this day and on until the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, making litia throughout the city, they then offered it to the people for worship. This is the pre-origin of the Holy Cross ".

In the Russian Church this feast was combined with the remembrance of the Baptism of Russia on August 1, 988. In the "Tale of the effective ranks of the holy cathedral and apostolic great church of the Assumption", compiled in 1627 at the command of Patriarch Philaret of Moscow and All Russia, the following explanation of the feast of August 1 is given: "And on the origin on the day of the Honorable Cross there is a procession of consecration for the sake of water and enlightenment for the sake of humanity, in all towns and villages.

The news about the day of the Baptism of Russia is preserved in the chronicles of the XVI century: "Baptized Prince Great Vladimir of Kiev and all of Russia August 1".

According to the rite now accepted in the Russian Church, the small consecration of water on August 1/14 is performed before or after the Divine Liturgy. Together with the consecration of water the consecration of honey is celebrated.