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Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2021-01-10
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Prayer Requests
Ladies Philoptochos News
Altar Boys
Memorial Donations to Holy Cross
Events, Announcements and Flyers
Allsaint
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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

Contact Information

Fr. Alex Radulescu
Parish Priest

fralex@holycrossgo.org | (248) 306-9162

Bonnie Sitaras
​Office Administrator

bonnie@holycrossgo.org

Services Schedule

facebook: HolyCrossGreekOrthodoxChurch

DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAYS 10 A.M.

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

BONNIE SITARAS: OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

 

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13.

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians Ch. 13, 2nd century

For as persons not even knowing where to put a step forward, so they sat, overtaken by the darkness.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Theophany Afterfeast in the First Mode

When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
January 10

Dometian, Bishop of Melitene

Saint Dometian lived in the years of the Emperor Justin II, who reigned from 565 to 578, and the Emperor Maurice, who reigned from 582 to 602. Born of pious parents named Theodore and Eudocia, he received a thorough education in both secular and sacred knowledge. After he had lived in lawful wedlock a short time, his wife died, and he, for his virtue was made Bishop of Melitene in Armenia at the age of thirty. As a kinsman and trusted friend of the Emperor Maurice, he received from him great largesse, which he spent on the building of churches and the help of the poor; he was entrusted with the dealings of Byzantium with Persia. While in Constantinople, he reposed in peace in the year 602.
Theodosi
January 11

Our Righteous Father Theodosius the Cenobiarch

This Saint had Cappadocia as his homeland. He lived during the years of Leo of Thrace, who reigned from 457 to 474. The Saint established in the Holy Land a great communal monastery, wherein he was the shepherd of many monks. While Saint Sabbas was the head of the hermits of Palestine, Saint Theodosius was governor of those living the cenobitic life, for which reason he is called the Cenobiarch. Together with Saint Sabbas, towards whom he cherished a deep brotherly love in Christ, he defended the whole land of Palestine from the heresy of the Monophysites, which was championed by the Emperor Anastasius and might very well have triumphed in the Holy Land without the opposition of these two great monastic fathers and their zealous defense of the Holy Council of Chalcedon. Having lived for 103 years, he reposed in peace.

Allsaint
January 12

Tatiana the Martyr of Rome

Saint Tatiana was the daughter of a most distinguished consul of Rome. She became a deaconess of the Church, and for her confession of the Faith of Christ, she endured many torments. As she was suffering, angels punished her tormentors with the same torments they inflicted on her, until they cried out that they could no longer endure the scourges invisibly brought upon them. She was beheaded during the reign of Alexander Severus (111-135).

Peter
January 16

Veneration of Apostle Peter's Precious Chains

Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great and king of the Jews, grew wroth against the Church of Christ, and slew James, the brother of John the Evangelist. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he took Peter also into custody and locked him up in prison, intending to keep him there until after the feast of the Passover, so that he could win the favour of the people by presenting him to them as a victim. But the Apostle was saved when he was miraculously set free by an Angel (Acts 12:1-19). The chains wherewith the Apostle was bound received from his most sacred body the grace of sanctification and healing, which is bestowed upon the faithful who draw nigh with faith.

That such sacred treasures work wonders and many healings is witnessed by the divine Scripture, where it speaks concerning Paul, saying that the Christians in Ephesus had such reverence for him, that his handkerchiefs and aprons, taken up with much reverence, healed the sick of their maladies: "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:12). But not only the Apostles' clothing (which certainly touched the bodies of the sick), but even their shadow alone performed healings. On beholding this, people put their sick on stretchers and beds and brought them out into the streets that, when Peter passed by, his shadow "might overshadow some of them"(Acts 5:15). From this the Orthodox Catholic Church has learned to show reverence and piety not only to the relics of their bodies, but also in the clothing of God's Saints.

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Announcements

 

STEWARDSHIP 2021 

The Stewardship 2021 packets have been mailed out. Please complete the pledge card and return to the Church Office as soon as possible. You can also complete the annual pledge card and/or make your contribution online by visiting the Stewardship webpage.

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HOUSE BLESSINGS

Please contact the Church Office to schedule your annual house blessing with Fr. Alex. 

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TODAY

 • Sunday, January 10 - Parish Council Oath of Office

                                    - Vasilopita 

Philoptochos will pass a tray for the Vasilopita in lieu of an auction. Checks can be made out to Holy Cross Philoptochos. Donations online are welcome (please select Philoptochos in the drop down menu). All proceeds will go to Saint Basil Academy. Visit www.stbasil.goarch.org for more information.

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UPCOMING

• Tuesday, January 12 - Young Adults Zoom Chat @ 7:00 pm (link will be emailed)

• Wednesday, January 13 - Joint Parish Council Meeting @ 7:30 pm 

• Friday, January 15 - Paraklesis @ 7:00 pm

• Sunday, January 17 - Drive-by blessing of cars (optional)

• Monday, January 18 - Office Closed

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WORSHIP

THE CHURCH IS OPEN. Please join us in prayer. Check our COVID-19 safety measures and policy.

LITURGY BOOKS have been removed from the pews. Please use this link to view the Divine Liturgy book.

Please download the Daily Readings App Lite (free download) for the daily Gospel & Epistle readings.

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LIVESTREAM SERVICES

www.holycrossgo.org/webcam

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STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE

Please continue to support our Chuch during this difficult time via your Stewardship pledge and donations. Please mail your checks directly to the church or donate online by clicking on the "GIVE" button on our website. Visit the Stewardship webpage to fill out your annual pledge card and/or to pay your stewardship.

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VIGIL CANDLES

If you would like us to light a vigil candle for you, please call the Church Office or email office@holycrossgo.org with your name(s) and Fr. Alex will light a vigil candle for you and say a prayer. Donations are optional.

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SHOP AT ACE HARDWARE? 5% minus tax = (!)

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church or #214538. 5% line discount off everyday pricing in the store Ace Rewards as well as 6% Tax Exempt will come off automatically. 2% Ace Rewards

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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:
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Holy Cross' ID # 83567

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Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for the health and healing of the following friends:

 

  • Terrie Stefanakis
  • Norman Demetrios Fletcher
  • Evelyn Morris
  • Dr. Pan Pesaros
  • Faye Prekeges
  • Fr. George Livanos
  • Presv. Silvana & baby Casiana
  • Dr. Maureen Kelly
  • Dr. Rick Wilsom
  • Dina Rand

Prayers and condolences to the family and friends on the passing of Christina Burke.

If you would like to add your name or a loved one's to the prayer list, please email the office. Thank you!

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Ladies Philoptochos News

Philoptochos_seal_new

NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING:
Tuesday, January 19, 2020 @ 5:30 pm

At the home of Debbie George.

  

 

FLOWERS

If you are interested in donating flowers to decorate the icons for a Paraklesis Service, a Feast Day, or Christmas, please contact Debbie George or the Church Office.

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COFFEE HOUR

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the colder weather approaching, we are discontinuing coffee hour until the spring, or until such time that the State and/or Metropolis restrictions are loosened.

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Altar Boys

NOTICE FOR ALTAR BOYS & PARENTS

Being an Altar Server is a GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT to the Lord. Please BE ON TIME (arrive at least 15 minutes prior to any Church Service).

 

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LIST OF ALTAR BOYS

 TEAM A

 TEAM B

​ Ioannis Yannakis (Captain)

​​ Dimitri Sitaras (Captain)

 Stavros Fekaris

 Alex Matthews

 Mateo Pesaros

 Dino Thanos

 Panos Stilianos

 Niko Thanos

 Christos Stilianos

 Benjamin Barnaby

 

 Nicholas Barnaby

SCHEDULE 2020-2021

 TEAM A

 TEAM B

 2020

 2020

 OCT. 18

 OCT. 25

 NOV. 1, 15, 29

 NOV. 8, 22

 DEC. 13, 27

 DEC. 6, 20

 2021

 2021

 JAN. 10, 24

 JAN. 3, 17, 31

 FEB. 7, 21

 FEB. 14, 28

 MAR. 7, 21

 MAR. 14, 28

 APR. 4, 18

 APR. 11, 25

 MAY 2, 16, 30

 MAY 9, 23

 JUNE 13, 27

 JUNE 6, 20

 



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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 :

 GEORGE CULLEY

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

ANGIE PERESKY

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

 JAMES BITTINGER SR.

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

JOHN, MARITSA & ANGELO J.  ZERVOS

Anonymous

MARGE LAZAROU

M/M Anthony Barr

M/M Andrew Bittinger

M/M George Katsias

Elaine Ioanou

HARRY JENKENS

M/M Steve Fekaris

JO MARIE AGRUSA

M/M Jim Heller & Family

PHILIP ARMSTRONG

Scott & Angel Linzell

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

JOHN IOANOU

M/M George Katsias

M/M Anthony Barr

GEORGE KARLOS

M/M Stephen Economy

JOHN & LIBBY LUCAS

Mary Ann Chapp

EUGENE GLENN STACKHOUSE

M/M George Katsias

M/M Anthony Barr

Margarita Shukla

NICHOLAS VIHOS

M/M Albert Scaglione

JIM COLLIAS

Sophie Paron

GUS SPANOS

M/M Peter Morris

GEORGIA MORRIS

M/M Peter Morris

KEVIN BURKE

Tula Georgeson

Dr. Pamela Georgeson & Dr. Mark Decco

KATHERINE LAGOS

M/M George Katsias

THOMAS THEODOROU

M/M Lanny Nuechterlein

M/M Edward Power

M/M Larry List

 David & Mary Swetich

Peggy Theodore

M/M Jerry Franchina

Nancy Phelps

Dr. Athena Demetriou

M/M Tom Casoglos

M/M Peter Zervos

Patty Spanos

M/M Todd Barnaby

Elaine Ioanou

Andreas Theodorou

M/M Andrew Bittinger

M/M Anthony Barr

Maria Ciccarelli

M/M Alan Nuechterlein

M/M Daniel Meyer

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

MARIA PONIROS

Mrs. Elaine Ioanou

M/M George Fekaris

M/M Edward Power

M/M Peter Zervos

Mrs. Margarita Shukla

Peggy Theodore

M/M Steve Fekaris

Susan Armstrong

Maritsa Loizos

M/M Tom Casoglos

Tula Georgeson

Dr. Pamela Georgeson & Dr. Mark Decco

M/M George Katsias

M/M John Fekaris

M/M Van Kyriakopoulos

Patty Spanos

M/M Peter Angelas

M/M Adam Angelas

M/M Andrew Bittinger

M/M Anthony Barr

Scott & Angel Linzell

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

DEMETRA "TULA" KRONAS

Mrs. Elaine Ioanou

M/M George Katsias

M/M Michael Rand

M/M Anthony Barr

Scott & Angel Linzell

Dr/Mrs Marcus Zervos

 

MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

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Events, Announcements and Flyers

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