Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14, 2025

On Sunday, September 14th, Fr. Aleksey celebrated the Exaltation of the Holy Cross:

As the Cross is lifted on high,

it urges all of creation

to praise the undefiled Passion of Christ,:

Who was lifted up on it.

For by the Cross He killed the one who killed us,

and brought us back to life when we were dead.

He adorned us in beauty,

and in His compassion made us worthy to live in heaven.

Therefore we rejoice and exalt His Name,

and magnify His infinite condescension.

Fr. Aleksey is facing the altar while kneeling in the archway of the Royal Doors. He's wearing a red vestment with gold ornamentation and trim. Part of the iconostasis is also visible in the top two-thirds of the photo. There are flowers visible in both bottom corners of the photo — red roses and white carnations, with associated greenery. There is also a cross on the table, between the flowers, and vigil candles on either side of the cross.

A side view of the center table with Fr. Aleksey standing in front of it, holding a prayer book while praying. His right hand is above an icon on the table, and he appears to be blessing the icon as he prays. The icon is resting on a short pedestal that is covered by a red cloth with gold trim, and there's a gold cloth on the table beneath it. There are also flowers, candles, and a cross on the table, towards the right side of the picture.

A gold cross is shown in the bottom center of the frame and is the focus of the photo. In the background, Fr. Aleksey is seen, through the Royal Doors, standing behind the altar with his head bowed.

A side view of the center table with Fr. Aleksey standing on the far side. He's holding a censor and is blessing the items on the table. Three parishoners appear behind him and to his left, as they stand in the first and second pews.

Fr. Aleksey stands a few feet in front of the open Royal Doors, and he's holding a cross in front of his head, presenting it to the congregation. The cross is on a small pedestal and is surrounded by red roses and white carnations plus a bit of greenery. Part of the iconostasis appears in the background, and the center table is partially visible in the foreground.

Fr. Aleksey stands behind a lectern, in front of the Royal Doors. He's facing the congregation and holding up a Holy Bible. An altar server holding a candle stands on either side of him; they're wearing red and gold vestments that match his. The center table is fully visible in the foreground, at the bottom of the photo.

Fr. Aleksey is standing roughly in the center of the photo, facing left, and is seen blessing himself. There's a young boy standing to his left. He's holding a stuffed animal in his left hand and is looking at the camera. Some parishioners are seen looking onward as they stand in pews in the background.

Fr. Aleksey is standing a few feet in front of the open Royal Doors holding the Royal Gifts and presenting them to the congregation. Two altar servers are standing in front of him, facing him, such that he appears between them. The center table, which holds crosses, an icon, candles, and flowers, is shown in the foreground.

View from the front of the church looking towards the congregation. The center table appears in the foreground, with Fr. Aleksey bowing his head as he stands in front of it, on the far side of the table. Parishioners are seen standing in the pews behind him.

Fr. Aleksey is standing a few feet in front of the open Royal Doors. He's looking down at a book that he's holding. The photo was taken off-center to his left. The iconostasis appears in the background and part of the altar can be seen through the open doors.

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