Procession of the Precious Cross

Procession of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, opening the Dormition Fast with the blessing of waters.

On the first of August the Church commemorates the bringing forth of the Precious Cross from the imperial treasury in Constantinople. Tradition relates that the relic was carried through the city during the hot summer weeks to sanctify the streets and to ward off sickness.

The feast is kept with the Lesser Blessing of Waters and marks the beginning of the two-week Dormition Fast.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Procession of the Precious Cross is commemorated on August 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on August 14 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on August 1

• 

  Beginning of the Dormition Fast

  Saint, Αρχή Νηστείας

  Beginning of the Dormition Fast — Procession of the Cross.

• Elesa of Kythira

  Martyr, Ελέσα

  Holy Virgin-Martyr Elesa, patron saint of Kythira and protector of childbirth and expectant mothers.

  Name days: Elesa, Elessa

• Seven Maccabees, Solomone and Eleazar

  Martyr, Επτά Μακκαβαίοι, Σολομονή και Ελεάζαρ

  The seven Maccabee brothers, their mother Solomone and their teacher Eleazar, martyred for the Law of God before Christ.

  Name days: Eleazar, Solomoni, Solomone

• Nine Martyrs of Perge

  Saint, Εννέα Μάρτυρες Πέργης

  Holy Nine Martyrs who suffered at Perge in Pamphylia under Diocletian.

• Timothy of Proconnesus

  Hierarch, Τιμόθεος Προκοννήσου

  Saint Timothy the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Proconnesus.

• Anthony the New of Constantinople

  Venerable, Αντώνιος ο Νέος

  Venerable Anthony the New, wonderworker and ascetic.