The Feast of Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (Commemorated on August 1)
 
"The origin of this Feast is explained in the Greek Horologion of 1897: 'Because of the illnesses which occur during the month of August, it was customary at Constantinople to carry the Precious Wood of the Cross in procession throughout the city for its sanctification, and to deliver it from sickness.'
 
"On the eve (July 31), the Cross was removed from the imperial treasury and placed it upon the Holy Table of the Great Church of Hagia Sophia (which is dedicated to Christ, the Wisdom of God). From August 1 until the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, there was a procession throughout the entire the city, and then the Cross was placed where all the people could venerate it."
 
Special Note:  Given the current pandemic, and the coincidence that August 1st falls on a Sunday this year, Saint George will have a short procession with the cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy, and serve the following prayer service in the center of the church (Prayers for the Procession of the Holy Cross), asking the Lord to bless our community, and asking for our continued good health.  

Please feel free to print out a copy of the Prayer Service and bring to church on Sunday to follow along, or feel free to follow viewing an electronic copy on your phone.

The Troparion and Kontakion for this Feast follows below: 
Troparion— Tone 1:   O Lord, save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance! / Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians / over their adversaries. / And by virtue of the Cross, / preserve Your habitation!
Kontakion— Tone 4:   As You were voluntarily crucified for our sake, / grant mercy to those who are called by Your name; / make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power, / granting them victories over their adversaries, / by bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Your weapon of peace!