During the fourth century, Emperor Constantine ordered a church be built at Gol'gotha, the hill that Christ was crucified at. During the excavation of the hill, a beam was discovered which supposedly had healing powers, and was thus believed to be part of the Holy Cross which had been used at Christ's Crucifixion. A new Church, containing this beam, was dedicated on September 14th, 335 AD, which is why Christians have celebrated the feast of the Holy Crosson this day.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: But as for us, it behoveth us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection; by whom we were saved and obtained our freedom.
Verse: Ps. 67. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon But as for us, ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 64-66
O Blessed Saviour, who by thy cross and passion hast given life unto the world: Grant that we thy servants may be given grace to take up the cross and follow thee through life and death; whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit we worship and glorify, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 321
Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands; that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves; but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling those who are unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 148-149
Philippians 2 Christ became obedient unto death: even the death of the Cross. Where fore God also hath highly exalted him: and given him the Name which is above every name.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 62-63
Alleluia. Alleluia. Sweetest wood, sweetest iron, that bare so sweet a burden: which only was counted worthy to sustain the King of heaven, and its Lord. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 64-66
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great, exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:20-28 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 149-150
By the sign of the holy Cross, defend, O Lord, thy people from all the snares of their enemies: that the service which we render may be pleasing unto thee, and our sacrifice acceptable in thy sight, alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 64-66
Upon Passion Sunday, and until Maundy Thursday inclusive.
For the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and Man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross for us sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, etc.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 80
By the sign of the Cross, deliver us from our enemies: Lord our God.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 64-66
Using the following Collect, Epistle and Gospel
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and to the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 210-211
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another: not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12.3-17 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 211-212
Therefore said Jesus unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke 10.2-9 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 212
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in thy earthly life didst share man’s toil, and thereby hallow the labour of his hands: Prosper all those who maintain the industries of this land; and give them pride in their work, a just reward for their labour, and joy both in supplying the needs of others and in serving thee their Saviour; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 245
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man’s bread for nothing; but worked with labour and toil, night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you; not because we have not the power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command, that if any man would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. And ye, brethren, be not weary of well-doing.
2 Thessalonians 3.6-13 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 246
Jesus said to his disciples, As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use for measuring, it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6.31-38 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 246-247