Bishop Philaret conducted the evening service at St. Nicholas Cathedral on the eve of the Feast of the Cross.

      During the service, parishioners and guests of the city prayed. On the eve of the celebration of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, Bishop Philaret of Chistopol and Nizhnekamsk conducted the evening service at the Holy Nicholas Cathedral. A special feature of the festive service was the rite of the Cross being brought out for the veneration of the faithful. This tradition dates back to the ancient practice of Constantinople, where the relic was solemnly brought out from the imperial palace for prayerful veneration and the sanctification of the city. In the following centuries, the custom spread throughout the Orthodox world. During the service, parishioners of the cathedral and guests of the city prayed. The faithful approached the Lord's Cross — in times of distress and illness, this relic has always been a source of comfort and strengthening of faith for Christians. Let us remind that the feast of the Origin of the Honorable Wood of the Lord's Cross is celebrated on August 14. On this day, a minor blessing of water and honey is performed in churches, which gave the feast a second popular name — Honey Spas.

      Guzel Khairullina

      More news about the event:

      An evening service with the rite of the Cross being brought out took place at the Cathedral of the Kazan-Bogoroditsky Monastery. A service was held in Bugulma on the eve of the feast of the Origin of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 11:01 14.08.2026 Bugulminskaya Gazeta - Bugulma

      Bishop Philaret conducted the evening service at the Holy Nicholas Cathedral on the eve of the feast of the Cross. During the service, parishioners and guests of the city prayed. On the eve of the celebration of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, 09:14 14.08.2026 Chistopol-Inform - Chistopol

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Orthodox believers celebrate Honey Spas. On Thursday, August 14, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 12:15 14.08.2026 Ivanovocat.Ru - Ivanovo

      The archpastor conducted a service with the rite of the Cross being brought out. On August 13, 2026, on the eve of the feast of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, 15:07 14.08.2026 Altai Metropolis - Barnaul

      The Divine Liturgy on the Day of Remembrance of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. On the first day of the Assumption Fast, August 14, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 11:55 14.08.2026 Uvarov Diocese - Uvarovo

      In the churches of Armavir, honey and water were blessed in honor of Honey Spas. Orthodox believers in Armavir celebrated Honey Spas on August 14 — the popular name for the feast of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 11:48 14.08.2026 Municipal Herald of Armavir - Armavir

      On the first day of the Assumption Fast, Metropolitan Theodosius conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Transfiguration Cathedral in the city of Tambov. On August 14, 2026, on the feast of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 11:35 14.08.2026 Tambov Metropolis - Tambov

      Metropolitan Cornelius conducted the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Origin of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Metropolitan Cornelius of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory on August 14, on the feast of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 12:34 14.08.2026 Arkhangelsk Diocese - Arkhangelsk

      The pre-feast of the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, at the church of the Holy Prophet John the Baptist in the village of Menil. On August 13, in the pre-feast of the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, at the church of the Holy Prophet John the Baptist in the village of Menil of the Igrinsky district, the Divine Liturgy was conducted by Priest Antoniy Antonov. 11:31 14.08.2026 Glazov Diocese - Glazov

      "The Cross of Christ is great and perfect." On August 13, 2026, on the eve of the feast of the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 11:31 14.08.2026 Glazov Diocese - Glazov

      The feast of the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in Nefteyugansk. On August 14, 2026, a festive service in honor of the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord was conducted at the church of the Icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev in the city of Nefteyugansk by Priest Nikolai Matviychuk and Priest Ioann Rasudo. 13:30 14.08.2026 Khanty-Mansiysk Metropolis - Khanty-Mansiysk

      "Wash yourself in the blessed water to wash away sins: signs for August 14." Rostov region, August 13, 2026, DON24.RU. The Orthodox Church celebrates the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord on August 14. 11:22 14.08.2026 Don24.Ru - Rostov-on-Don

      Message from Metropolitan Ambrose of Tver and Kashin on the occasion of the beginning of the Assumption Fast. Dear fathers, brothers, and sisters! On the feast of the Exaltation of the Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, the blessed Assumption Fast begins. 10:58 14.08.2026 Tver Diocese - Tver

      Orthodox believers in the Ivanovo region celebrate Honey Spas. August 14 is Honey Spas. In the church calendar, this day is marked as the Exaltation of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. 10:48 14.08.2026 GTRK - Ivanovo

      The ministry of the archpastor: the day of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. On August 14, 2026, on the day of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, His Grace Agafangel, Bishop of Norilsk and Turukhansk. 14:39 14.08.2026 Norilsk Diocese - Norilsk

      At the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the rite of the Cross being brought out was performed. On August 13, on the eve of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, an All-Night Vigil was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. 10:22 14.08.2026 Holy Trinity Cathedral - Saratov

      The Divine Liturgy and water blessing service. On August 14, on the day of the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, the Divine Liturgy was conducted at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. 10:22 14.08.2026 Holy Trinity Cathedral - Saratov

      The main thing is the spiritual content of the feast. Bishop Nestor conducted a service on the eve of Honey Spas. Photo: Tolyatti Diocese. On August 13, on the eve of the celebration of the Origin of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (popularly known as Honey Spas). 10:21 14.08.2026 TK TOLYATTI 24 - Tolyatti

      Honey Spas is the first of three August Spas. On August 14, the Church celebrates the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (Honey Spas). In the name of this feast, instead of the word "Exaltation," the word "Origin" is more commonly used. 10:15 14.08.2026 Diocese - Kurgan

      On August 14, the Church holiday is the Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, Honey Spas 2026. The Origin (Exaltation) of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (Honey Spas) will be celebrated by the Orthodox Church on August 14. 10:11