Return of the True Cross

Date: March 21, 630 • Location: West Jerusalem, Israel

Emperor Heraclius returns the True Cross, one of the holiest Christian relics, to Jerusalem.

Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the Exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular emperor Phocas.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in Israel's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.