On September 13 and 14^th the Orthodox Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which is one of the greatest Christian holidays, celebrated with special solemnity. In Bulgaria it is widely known as Krastovden. On this significant day for Christians, back in 335 AD Christians bowed for the first time before the Cross of God found by Queen Helena in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. For the Orthodox world, the day is one of the four Christian holidays of the year, in which pilgrimage to holy places takes place.

In Bulgaria, every year, on September 14, thousands of believers from the country and abroad gather for the vigil at Krastov Peak hoping for healing and receiving God's support. It is located in Krastova Gora (Forest of the Cross) in the central Rhodope Mountain. The "Holy Trinity" monastery complex was built in the area in 1956 and in 1995 a church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was constructed. People say that a piece of the Lord's Cross, which Queen Helena gave to her son Emperor Constantine, is buried in the place where the mountain forms the shape of a cross. The area is famous for its healing power, which is testified by dozens of stories of people who have recovered from severe and incurable illnesses.

You can read more about the great holiday and Krastova Gora in the articles of Radio Bulgaria:

• The Holy Cross and its Feast

• Feast of the Cross at the Forest of the Cross
  

English: Al. Markov