Saint Cornelius remembered on September 26, prayer for health and peace

On September 26 Orthodox Christians remember Cornelius the Centurion and also commemorate the consecration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The date falls one day before the feast known locally as Exaltation of the Cross (Krstovden), observed on September 27.

Although September 26 is marked in the church calendar as a regular working day, believers treat it as spiritually important, a moment to prepare for the larger holiday that follows. The day itself is not a day of fasting, while the strict fast begins on the feast day the next day.

Who was Saint Cornelius?

Cornelius lived in Caesarea of Palestine and served as a centurion in the Roman army. Despite being a pagan and a Roman, he was known for his charity and reverence toward God, regularly helping the poor and praying.

His conversion represents a turning point in early Christianity. Cornelius received a heavenly revelation during prayer when an angel told him that his deeds were accepted and instructed him to send for the apostle Peter. That encounter — together with a vision Peter experienced — made clear that the Christian message was meant for all peoples, not only Jews.

Following his baptism, Cornelius left military life and joined Peter. Peter later ordained him a bishop. As bishop — tradition places his see in Skepsia — he endured persecutions, tore down a pagan temple and converted hundreds. He lived to an advanced age, and centuries later his neglected grave was associated with numerous miracles.

Troparion (prayer)

"O Lord our God, You do not abandon those who long after You in Your image. O Christ, O Saint Cornelius, in knowledge You led him, making him first among the Gentiles; taught by Peter he became the firstfruits; by his prayers the Savior shows mercy to us and the foe is driven far away into utter solitude."

Photo: press material from the event