Khachverats (from the Armenian “khach” – cross, and “verats” – exaltation) is one of the brightest and most venerated feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is observed in September and is dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord – the most sacred symbol of the Christian faith.
The finding of the Cross
The history of the feast begins in the fourth century. According to tradition Saint Helena – mother of the Emperor Constantine the Great – made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where she discovered the Cross upon which Christ had been crucified. This great discovery was marked by the solemn raising up of the Cross, so that the faithful might venerate it.
Dark times – the capture of the Cross
At the beginning of the seventh century the Cross of the Lord underwent a new trial. In 610 the Persian Shah Khosrov II took Jerusalem. The city was laid waste, some fifty thousand people were slain, and the most sacred relic was carried off to Persia as a spoil of war. For the Christian world this was a moment of profound tragedy.
Deliverance – the role of the Emperor Heraclius I
Several decades later there appeared upon the stage of history the Emperor Heraclius I – an Armenian by descent and founder of the Heraclian dynasty. He launched brilliant campaigns against Persia, inflicted decisive defeats upon its armies and succeeded in recovering the captive Cross.
In 628 the Holy Cross was solemnly returned to Jerusalem. In the presence of thousands of the faithful the emperor carried it into the church of the Holy Resurrection (the Church of the Holy Sepulchre). From that moment the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross took on immense significance for the whole Christian world, and in the Armenian tradition it became one of the four principal feasts of the year.
The spiritual message
For Armenians Khachverats is not merely a historical remembrance, but a spiritual experience. The Cross is a sign not only of suffering, but of victory – the victory of faith over doubt, of life over death, of light over darkness.
Traditions today
Today Armenian families greet the feast with prayer and hope. A festal liturgy is celebrated in the churches, followed by the rite of the exaltation of the cross and a blessing for peace. In the home the festal table often includes fruit and grapes – symbols of abundance, blessing and new life. In some regions it is customary to bless flowers and herbs, which are kept in the house as a protection throughout the year.
The symbolism of grapes and fruitfulness
Grapes hold a particular place in the Armenian tradition. They are a fruit bound up not only with autumn and the harvest, but also with the symbolism of the Eucharist – wine as the Blood of Christ. For this reason Armenians place grapes on the table at Khachverats and have them blessed in church. They are received as a sign of blessing and plenty, and as a wish for a fruitful year and spiritual abundance.
In conclusion
Khachverats is a feast of memory and of hope. It binds the ancient history of the Church to the present, reminding us that the Cross is not only a symbol of suffering, but of everlasting light. For Armenians it is a day of pride, prayer and faith – a day on which history comes alive and the message of the Cross of Christ continues to inspire the generations.