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DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAYS 10 A.M.
OFFICE HOURS 10 A.M.- 3 P.M. MONDAY-TUESDAY & THURSDAY - FRIDAY (CLOSED WEDNESDAY)
BONNIE SITARAS: OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
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.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7.
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.
This Saint was one of the illustrious Orthodox Bishops called to Constantinople by the holy Patriarch Nicephorus to defend the veneration of the holy icons against Leo the Armenian (see Mar. 8). Saint Emilian was sent into exile by Leo about the year 815, and gave up his soul to the Lord amidst many afflictions and sufferings for the sake of his confession.
After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108(109):8). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.
This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.
The divine Maximus, who was from Constantinople, sprang from an illustrious family. He was a lover of wisdom and an eminent theologian. At first, he was the chief private secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. But when the Monothelite heresy became predominant in the royal court, out of hatred for this error the Saint departed for the Monastery at Chrysopolis (Scutari), of which he later became the abbot. When Constans tried to constrain him either to accept the Monothelite teaching, or to stop speaking and writing against it - neither of which the Saint accepted to do - his tongue was uprooted and his right hand was cut off, and he was sent into exile, where he reposed in 662. At the time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East. See also January 21.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Father Alex and Presvytera Silvana on the baptism of their daughter, Casiana Monica, on July 31.
God Bless!
THANK YOU
Father Alex, Presvytera Silvana and their family extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended their daughter’s baptism and a special thank you to everyone that helped with the event:
Denise Liberty, Debbie George, Mary Lucas, Pauline Yiannakis, Yianni Yiannakis, Bonnie Sitaras, Dimitri Sitaras, George and Irene Katsias.
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TODAY
Sunday, August 8 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am
- Trisagion: Niki Masouras
- Coffee Hour hosted by Philoptochos
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UPCOMING
Monday, August 9 - Bible Study @ 7:00 pm (Genesis 19-20)
Tuesday, August 10 - Young Adult Zoom Chat @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 11 - Paraklesis @ 7:00 pm
Thursday, August 12 - Parish Council Meeting @ 7:30 pm
Friday, August 13 - Paraklesis @ 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 15 - Dormition of the Theotokos
- Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am
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HOUSE BLESSINGS
Please contact the Church Office to schedule your annual house blessing with Fr. Alex.
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PROSPHORA
Interested in sponsoring prosphora? Please contact Church Office.
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WORSHIP
THE CHURCH IS OPEN. Please join us in prayer.
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
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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
Please continue to pray for the health and healing of the following friends:
If you would like to add your name or a loved one's to the prayer list, please email the office. Thank you!
NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING
Thursday, August 19 @ 5:30 pm at Church.
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2021 STEWARDSHIP
New and returning members are encouraged to complete the stewardship form. New members and new ideas are always welcome, so please consider joining and attending a meeting. Please click here.
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FLOWERS
If you are interested in donating flowers to decorate an icon for a feast day, please contact Debbie George or the Church Office.
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COFFEE HOUR
If you are interested in hosting Coffee Hour, please contact Denise Liberty or the Church Office.
Sunday, August 8 - Philoptochos
Sunday, August 15 - Lisa Sturm
Sunday, August 22 - TBD
Sunday, August 29 - TBD
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 |
OUR THANKS
To those who in lieu of flowers gave monetary
contributions to the Church in memory of :
NIKI MASOURAS
M/M Dan Dallas
JEFFREY HIOTAKY
Helen Hiotaky
M/M William Hiotaky
ATHENA HIOTAKY
Helen Hiotaky
M/M William Hiotaky
GEORGE PARON
Helen Hiotaky
M/M William Hiotaky
STEVE & GUINN HIOTAKY
Helen Hiotaky
M/M William Hiotaky
EILEEN LUDWIG
Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco
ANGELO GAGGOS
M/M Richard Fuher
M/M Gus Stavropoulos
Mr. Harry Gaggos
M/M George Mortis
M/M Tom Casoglos
M/M Evans Lucas
M/M George Fotias
Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco
Joanna Floros
M/M George Gaggos
M/M Ted Papakonstantinou
M/M Steve Fekaris
M/M Martin Gehan
M/M Anthony Barr
M/M Sam Porco
M/M Peter Zervos
ESTHER STASSINOPOULOS
M/M George Katsias
M/M Tom Casoglos
M/M Steve Fekaris
M/M Van Kyriakopoulos
M/M Peter Zervos
Margarita Shukla
Holy Cross Philoptochos
M/M Robert Zafaran
M/M Tim Keros
M/M Scott Linzell
RON FIELDS
M/M George Katsias
THEODORA KAZAKOS
Doron Yitzchaki & Mira Sussman
JAMES GLASS
M/M James Heller
CINDY SERVES
M/M James Heller
IOANNIS & ALTANI CHRISTOU
M/M Pete Goulas
Elaine Ioanou
M/M George Katsias
PETER STAVROPOULOS
M/M Peter Zervos
HELEN COSTA
M/M Howard Hill
M/M Tim Keros
CAROL DIFABIO
M/M James Heller
NICHOLAS & MARGE LAZAROU
M/M Andrew Bittinger
Dr/M James Stewart
M/M Stefan Korcek
Elaine Ioanou
M/M George Katsias
GEORGE TSAVIDIS
M/M Dan Dallas
PRESV. NIKIE ARTEMAS
M/M George Katsias
JOHN IOANOU
Elaine Ioanou
ILENE MILES
M/M James Heller
MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL
