No other finder; the September feast; hail to the precious Cross

…ever been besides those written before, nor any other king of the Romans, nor indeed in any other way was the precious Cross found. For from Augustus the king, in whose time our Lord Jesus Christ was born according to the flesh, until the pious king Constantine, thirty-five kings have come about. Likewise also from James the apostle and first of the bishops until the same reign, thirty-five bishops of Jerusalem have come about.

And the Fathers, with an imperial command, appointed the revered day of the dedications of the holy places and of the elevation of the Cross that is worshiped to take place each year on the fourteenth of the month of September, which is the eighteenth day before the Kalends of October, to the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Since then by the grace of God we have come with the discourse to the well-marked day of our feast, which is the manifestation of the life-giving Cross, come, as far as is possible, having greeted it a little, let us bring this discourse to rest.

Hail, then, precious Cross; hail, because on you our Lord Jesus Christ was lifted up economically, in whom are all the treasures of joy and of grace. Hail, precious Cross; for through you everlasting joy is awarded in heaven and on earth. Hail, precious Cross, because from above and from the beginning the Creator painted your image in every creation. Hail, glorious Cross, because all the powers in heaven send up most awe-filled hymns to the Master equally for the salvation through you. Hail, glorious Cross; for through you churches of the orthodox have been founded in cities and on islands and in every nation. Hail, glorious Cross; for through you every mouth of the faithful has been opened toward theology. Hail, blessed Cross; for through you heavenly angels with humans on earth hymn Christ. Hail, blessed Cross; for through you earthly humans likewise stand before God in the heavens, glorifying the Maker with unspeakable joy. Hail, blessed Cross; for through you Adam, freed from the curse, leaping and rejoicing, has entered paradise, having received back the ancient dignity. Hail, holy Cross; for through you every diabolical power has been cast down, and every demonic working has been dissolved. Hail, holy Cross; for through you the thrice-holy and consubstantial Trinity is known and believed and glorified in every place. Hail, holy Cross; for through you the goods that cannot be taken away have been given to human beings.

And what shall we say, and what shall we leave out? How shall we hymn the power of the Master’s Cross? O name of the Cross, in which the greatnesses of the mysteries of God are hidden, revered by angels and venerable to humans! For what is more lovely than the name of the Cross, or sweeter to Christians? And what is more effective than this toward wonder-working? The Cross is the most effective sign of divine dominion. The Cross is angels’ joy and demons’ mourning. The Cross is the foundation of the Church. The Cross is the light of the whole world, ever-shining and shining everywhere. The Cross is an unshaken and unbreakable and unconquerable wall of the whole inhabited world. The Cross is priests’ glory, fitting for the sacred and unassailable. The Cross is kings’ strength and dominion, and a victorious weapon against enemies. The Cross is armies’ all-powerful full armor, and unfrightening to opponents. The Cross is cities’ guard, free from plot and from plunder. The Cross is peoples’ continual and unceasing gladness. The Cross is continual and unceasing total destruction of the devilish. The Cross is demons’ eternal and extraordinary downfall. The Cross is Christians’ hope, firm and unashamed and undiminished. The Cross is the most fitting healing of the sick, of souls and of bodies. The Cross is the unfailing health of those in good condition.