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Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2019-05-26
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Holy Cross Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (248) 477-1677
  • Fax:
  • (248) 477-0231
  • Street Address:

  • 25225 Middlebelt Rd.

  • Farmington Hills, MI 48336


Services Schedule

facebook: HolyCrossGreekOrthodoxChurch

DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAYS 10 A.M.

OFFICE HOURS 10 A.M.- 3 P.M.  MONDAY-WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY  (CLOSED THURSDAY)

BONNIE SITARAS: OFFICE COORDINATOR

 


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

In those days, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."


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Holy Cross 50th Anniversary News

Anniversary-logo

Save the Date!  

SEPTEMBER  15, 2019
DETROIT YACHT CLUB
(doors open at 1:00pm)
***

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Saints and Feasts

Jcsamwom
May 26

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.


Jcblind1
June 02

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.


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Holy Cross Notices

Christos Anesti!  Χριστός ἀνέστη!  Christ is Risen!

CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, BY DEATH, TRAMPLING DOWN UPON
DEATH,
AND TO THOSE IN THE TOMBS, HE HAS GRANTED LIFE !
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Memorial Day  May 27
Grandlawn 9 a.m.
others by arrangement
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Memorials:
June 2: 1 yr. Georgia Morris
June 9: 1 yr. Ioannis Christou
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JUNE 21: NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE | 6:30-10:00pm
Hosted by Holy Cross - see attached flyer for details
See Gus Spanos or John Liadis for tickets
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Links to eBulletin, Facebook, Metropolis
Facebook: HolyCrossGreekOrthodoxChurch
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 SHOP AT ACE HARDWARE? 5% minus tax = (!)
Holy Cross has been entered into our system for business rewards and discounts.  When you or any of your church members visit any our stores right around the corner or any 47 stores (list attached), simply let the cashier know your Church is in the system under Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church or #214538.  This will give you a 5% line discount off everyday pricing in the store + earn you 2% Ace Rewards as well as 6% Tax Exempt will come off automatically. 
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SHOP AT KROGER?
Register your card in a few steps. Each May the registration needs to be renewed,
so if you were part of the program last year and haven't renewed, please do so. Go to:
http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Holy Cross' ID # 83567
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Ladies Philoptochos News

Philoptochos_seal_new
JUNE 2: NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING
Last meeting before Summer
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MAY COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
26: Tamara & Paul Pesaros
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JUNE COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
02:
 Memorial - Georgia Morris (1 year)
09: Memorial - Ioannis Christou (1 year; Vaso Goula's father)
16: Father's Day - GOYA 
23: Open
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COFFEE HOUR SIGN UPS
Call Bonnie Sitaras or Debbie George
Thank you to all who sign up in offering hospitality/filoxenia
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Altar Boy List

HOLY CROSS ALTAR BOYS 2019             

Captains: Matthew Fekaris, Sam Zervos, Chris Zervos, Alex Matthews

_______________________________________

TEAM 1              TEAM 2

Nicholas Barnaby        Yianni Giannakis

Benjamin Barnaby      Dimitri Sitaras

Mateo Pesaros            Pano Stilianos

Stavros Fekaris           Dino Thanos             

                                 Niko Thanos                  

______________________________________

Team 1                          Team 2

May 5,19                         May 12,26

June 2,16,30                   June 9, 23

July- open   come any Sunday!      July- open

August- open come any Sunday!      August-open

September 1,15,29  (registration again)      September 8,22

On holy days, if you come on Time you can serve :

for robes on holy days it’s first come-first serve.

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PLEASE NOTE ALTAR BOYS & PARENTS-

This is a great commitment to the Lord and it is an important RESPONSIBILTY to be on Time for the Divine Liturgy!

Liturgy begins at 10 a.m. SO please be on time !

DO NOT come into the Holy Altar  after 10:05 a.m.

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Events, Announcements and Flyers

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Holy Cross Graduates 2019

ATTENTION 2019 GRADUATES

Graduation Sunday June 16

Please submit the following to the Church Office as soon as possible:

-High School Grads- name of graduate, child of parent(s), High School name and city, & College attending.

-College Grads & higher learning- name of graduate, child of parent(s), College and degree

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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES:

 

 

 

DESPINA ALEXANDER, daughter of John & Vassoula Alexander, graduated from Novi High School in Novi, MI. Despina will be attending Western Michigan University in the fall to study Psychology.

 

 

 

ERICA BITTINGER, daughter of Andrew & Denise Bittinger, graduated from Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Erica will be attending Boston College to study Business at the Carroll School of Management in the fall.

 

MATTHEW J. FEKARIS, son of John & Kristy Fekaris, graduated with honors from Lakeland High School in White Lake, MI.  In the Fall, Matthew will be attending the Frederick Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University where he will pursue Premedical Studies.

 

LAURA HIOTAKY, daughter of Bill & Julie Hiotaky, graduated with Honors from Berkley High School. Laura plans to attend Michigan State University-Lyman Briggs & Honors Colleges to study Biochemistry.

 

 

 

CHRISTOPHER ZERVOS, son of Limperis and Cynthia Zervos, graduated with honors from Farmington High School in Farmington, MI. Christopher will attend Oakland Community College in the fall.

 

 

 

DEMETRI ZERVOS, son of Dr. Angelo & Mary Zervos, graduated with honors from Northville High School, in Northville MI. Demetri will be attending Michigan State University in the fall.

 

 

 

COLLEGE GRADUATES:

 

 

 

DAVID BLOUGH, son of Michael & Cathy Blough, graduated this last December. David graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – Accounting.

 

NICHOLAS S. FEKARIS, son of John & Kristy Fekaris, graduated with two degrees from Michigan State University.  Nick received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a second Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology/Biotechnology. Nick has started his employment with SRG Global in Atlanta, GA.

 

CHLOE GORDON, daughter of David & Andrea Gordon, received her B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University.

 

 

 

LAUREN GORDON, daughter of David & Andrea Gordon, received her Master of Physician Assistant from the Massachusetts College.

 

 

 

EMILIE MARIE LIADIS, daughter of George N. and Callie (Madias) Liadis, received her MBA from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business.

 

 

 

ALEXANDER W. POWER, son of Edward and Maria Power, received his Doctor of Medicine from Central Michigan University School of Medicine. Alex's Residency will be at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington VT in Family Medicine.

 

 

 

KASSIANE E. POWER, daughter of Edward and Maria Power, received her Masters of Business Administration from the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University.  Kasey lives in Grand Rapids and continues to work for BDO USA LLP as a Tax Accountant.

 

 

 

JACOB ZERVOS, son of Limperis and Cynthia Zervos, graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. 

 

 

 

RENA ZERVOS, daughter of Dr. Angelo & Mary Zervos, graduated with a Masters of Management degree from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Memorial Donations to Holy Cross

OUR THANKS

To those who in lieu of flowers gave monetary

contributions to the Church in memory of :

 

ELAINE ORLOW

Holy Cross Ladies Philoptochos

 

OLGA EFSTATHIOU

Mr. & Mrs. Doug Garber

Mr. & Mrs. Van Kyriakopoulos

Mrs. Tula Georgeson

Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco

Mr. & Mrs. Gus Spanos

 

ELENI VARVERIS

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Casoglos

Mr. & Mrs. Doug Garber

 Mr. & Mrs. Van Kyriakopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. John Alexander

 

DAVID BLOUGH

Dr. & Mrs. James Stewart

 

TEENA HIOTAKY

Mr. William Hiotaky

 

MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

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