Matthew 16:13-18

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” ¹⁴ They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Hebrews 3:1-4

¹ Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; ² who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. ³ For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who built the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God.

Today the Church commemorates the dedication, in the year 335, of the great church built by the Emperor Constantine over the sites of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem — the Church of the Holy Resurrection, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The feast prepares for the Elevation of the Holy Cross the following day, since it was during the building's construction that the True Cross itself is said to have been rediscovered.