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A Key to the Calendar: Holy

The day is in commemoration of the Empress Helen finding the true cross. She undertook a journey to the Holy Land in the year 326 for the purpose. On arriving at Jerusalem, she commenced digging at the spot where it was supposed to be buried, and at some depth discovered three crosses. A dead body was applied to them, and it came to life the moment it touched the cross on which our Lord had been crucified, the others being the crosses of the two thieves. The empress built a church on the spot, and carried with her to Rome a large portion of the true cross. Rogation Sunday. So called from rogare, to beseech. The three rogation days are the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Holy Thursday. No special service has been provided for them, but one of the Homilies is enjoined to be read. Quarter-day in Scotland. In that country the term Whit Sunday is so fixed that it may fall on any day in the week.