The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-14
PEASANTS EXPECT "sIGN'' ToDAY, ON FESTIVAL
 OF THE HoLY CROSS

superstitious peasants of Europe will gaze anxiously at the sky today, for this is the festival of the Exalta- ton of the Holy Cross, and there is tradition that in time or war a 1um- inous cross will appear in the heav- ems to gladden. the people and armies who are favored by God. This le- gend dates from the fourth century, when Emperor Constantine the Great beheId flaming cross beneath the sun, bearing the inscription. Tn hoe signo vinees''-ssUnder this sign thou shalt conquer The Emperor, still waVering between organism and Christianity, became disciple, of the new faith, and triunphed over his en- emies, after which he published the memorable edict of toleration in fa- vor of the Christians.
 Since then there has been scarce a war between Christian nations with on the reported appearance of a bril- liant cross or a fiery sword in the heavens, although this vision always comes to the ignorant and supersti- tious, and, strangely enough, escapes the gaze of men of science.
 Tine festival of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was instituted during Con stantine's reign, to commemorate the discovery by his mothera the Empress Helena. of the cross on which Christ was supposed to have suffered. The Emperor built a magnificent church in Jerusalem. where on Sept. 14, S35, the sacred relic was exalted befor the people. The event was com memorated in a. festival held on ev- cry recurrence of that day. Thirteen centuries ago, in 614, the cross was carried away by the King of Persia, but it was replaced by the Emperor Herac1ius. Since then the feast of i9the ExaItation of the Holy Cross has been celebrated on Sept. 14ths while xT- <1s 1se4 covery-of the Cross comes on May 3rd
 According to traditional accounts, the Empress Helena, mother of Con- stantines went to Jerusalem and com pelled the Jews to give up all the crosses they had in stock. The iden- | tity of the true cross was not known to the Jews, but it was established by a miracle. Helena secured the body of a dead man, which was placed | in turn on each of the crosses, and l when the corpse touched the cross on which Jesus was crucifed. it inn mediately came to life.
 When the news of the discovery of the cross was spread abroad, thou5- ands of pious pilgrims hocked to see it. Small pieces were cut from th c cross and given to those who mac 1 liberal offerings, but the wood of the cross had the marvellous powerof re- 1 producing itself.i and its substance was not diminished. It is still pre- l served in Jerusalem. John Calvin, in his work, "A very profitable Treat ise, made by M Jhon Calyyne, de cIarynge what great profit might
 come to all Christendone. If there were Ia regester made of all Sainctes' | Bodies, and other ReHques," declared
 that at that time, 1561. there were
 enough fragments of the cross in | European churches to load a large Evessel.
 Tn Scotland the fourteenth of Sep l tember was long celebrated as Holy
 rood Day, dedicated to the holy rood
 or cross. The most famous of the
 HoIyrood shrines in Britain was al l the abbey in Box1ey, which possessed
 a cross on which was a figure o1
 Christ, which by means of springs 1 could bow down. This was called the l Rood of Grace. and it's operation was 1 considered miraculous until Crorn- wells time, when the imposture was
 discovered and the cross was bur 1 jed