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Basil, Pesto, and Holy Cross Day: A Feast of Flavors and Faith

Holy Cross Day is almost here! It is the special day when Christians around the world celebrate the cross of Christ.


The cross is pivotal to the Christian faith. It is the instrument of Christ’s redemption for the whole world, “having made peace through the blood of His cross” Colossians 1:20. It is such a holy object to us and the saving acts of God through the cross of Christ are reason to celebrate!


A slice of bread with basil pesto spread on it.

Holy Cross Day is an ancient feast that celebrates the cross and all that it means for our lives. It is the day that we discover not only the cross itself but its rediscovery after it was lost in the fall of Jerusalem.


To celebrate this particular day, do something with basil. Tradition says that basil was growing all over the hill where St. Helena found the cross of Christ buried. Because of this, in Greece, priests hand out sprigs of basil to the parishioners. We cut basil from our garden but you could buy it at the grocery store. We put the basil in mason jars to decorate our dinner table and for dinner, I made homemade pesto and I am going to toss it with hot angel hair spaghetti.


Bundles of basil in glass jars.

I had never made basil before but one of my sweet friends from church gave me her special recipe AND agreed to let me share it with you! Thank you, Jane! It is absolutely incredible! The kids and I have already eaten it straight from the bowl! This is my favorite pesto so far. It is so fresh tasting because it doesn’t have garlic in it. I hope you love it as much as we have!


I hope that you have a blessed Holy Cross Day! I’d love to hear how you are celebrating the day!





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