'For us, it signifies salvation'

Ainkawa Christians begin preparations for the Feast of the Cross

2024-09-01 | 21:13

ERBIL – Christians in Ainkawa, a northern district of Erbil, have begun their preparations for the annual Feast of the Cross, celebrated on September 14 according to the Gregorian calendar. This event, also known as the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is marked by the crafting, decorating, and lighting of crosses, which are then displayed on the rooftops of homes throughout the community.

The Feast of the Cross commemorates the discovery of the True Cross, believed to be the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. According to Christian tradition, Saint Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, discovered the cross in 326 AD. After Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire, Saint Helena traveled to Jerusalem and, after extensive searching, is believed to have found the cross buried near the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. This discovery is considered a pivotal moment in Christian history.

Father Savio Handola, the parish priest of Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Ainkawa, explained the significance of the celebration to 964media. “The Church everywhere celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 each year, as mentioned in the liturgical prayer. This feast is associated with the wood and nails of the cross on which the Savior Jesus Christ was crucified,” he said.

Father Handola also recounted the historical context, noting that the cross was buried to protect it during the early Christian persecutions. “It was later sought and discovered after Emperor Constantine embraced Christianity. During his battle against his rival Maxentius in 312 AD, Constantine ordered his soldiers to display the cross on their garments, following an alliance with the Christian public, which led to his victory. Subsequently, the Edict of Milan was issued in 313 AD, recognizing Christianity as a legitimate religion,” he added.

“This is the story that Christians celebrate. For us, it signifies salvation,” Father Handola emphasized. “We follow in the footsteps of our ancestors by placing crosses on the rooftops of our homes in commemoration of this occasion.”

Local resident Raeed Majeed shared his personal involvement in the festivities, telling 964media, “I created a cross with a unique design, different from the others being prepared for the Feast of the Cross. I placed it on my rooftop and ensured that it remains illuminated even during power outages by connecting it to a UPS device.”

Last year, Majeed won a competition for the most beautifully decorated cross in his area.

Ainkawa, situated in the northern part of Erbil, is a predominantly Christian area and a key center for Iraq and Kurdistan’s Christian community. With a population of approximately 65,000, it is home to Chaldean Catholics, Assyrians, and Syriac Orthodox Christians. The town serves as a cultural and religious hub, featuring several churches, religious institutions, and cultural centers, and has become a haven for many Christians who fled violence in other parts of Iraq, such as Mosul and the Nineveh Plains.