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DIVINE LITURGY
Sundays 10 am
OFFICE HOURS
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
10 am - 3 pm
(Closed Wednesday)
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.
This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name "Deliverer from Potions." Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian's minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290.
This Martyr was the daughter of most distinguished and noble parents named Philip and Claudia. Philip, a Prefect of Rome, moved to Alexandria with his family. In Alexandria, Eugenia had the occasion to learn the Christian Faith, in particular when she encountered the Epistles of Saint Paul, the reading of which filled her with compunction and showed her clearly the vanity of the world. Secretly taking two of her servants, Protas and Hyacinth, she departed from Alexandria by night. Disguised as a man, she called herself Eugene while pretending to be a eunuch, and departed with her servants and took up the monastic life in a monastery of men. Her parents mourned for her, but could not find her. After Saint Eugenia had laboured for some time in the monastic life, a certain woman named Melanthia, thinking Eugenia to be a monk, conceived lust and constrained Eugenia to comply with her desire; when Eugenia refused, Melanthia slandered Eugenia to the Prefect as having done insult to her honour. Eugenia was brought before the Prefect, her own father Philip, and revealed to him both that she was innocent of the accusations, and that she was his own daughter. Through this, Philip became a Christian; he was afterwards beheaded at Alexandria. Eugenia was taken back to Rome with Protas and Hyacinth. All three of them ended their life in martyrdom in the years of Commodus, who reigned from 180 to 192.
The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).
Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).
But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).
PHILOPTOCHOS SPINACH PIES
Limited quantities available. Please see Mrs. Anna Zervos.
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GOYA CHRISTMAS WREATH AUCTION
Sunday, December 19th - See flyer attached.
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PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
December 19th - after services
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ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
Parish Festival Date: March 5th, 2022 - see flyer attached
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TODAY
Sunday, December 19 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am
- Memorial (5 year) Athena Lionas
- Coffee Hour hosted by Elaine Moundros & Harriet Bills
- GOYA Christmas Wreath Auction
- Parish Council Elections
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UPCOMING
Monday, December 20 - Bible Study @ 7:00 pm (Exodus 15-17)
Friday, December 24 - Vesperal Divine Liturgy @ 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 25 - Christmas Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am
Sunday, December 26 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am
- Memorials: Spiros (9 yr) & Vasiliki (8 yr) Gerou
and Barbara Papachrist (11 yr)
- Coffee Hour hosted by Mary Kitakis & Evelyn Morris
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ICONS IN THE ALTAR
If you brought icons to be blessed in the altar, please retrieve them soon.
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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
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 @ 6:30 pm
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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 to purchase Christmas poinsettias and wreaths to decorate the church, please check out donation box on pangari or 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, December 19 - Elaine Moundros & Harriet Bills
Sunday, December 26 - Mary Kitakis & Evelyn Morris
Sunday, January 2 - Helena Peponis
Sunday, January 9 - Peter & Gina Angelas
Preschool Teachers and Preschool Teacher Aides
Teachers: Qualifications required are Child Development Associate credentials (CDA), Associates in Early Childhood or ZA endorsement, 2 years’ experience at minimum and 2 letters of reference.
Teacher Aides: Qualifications required 2 years’ experience at minimum and 2 letters of reference.
We seek energetic, playful, loving, engaging nursery school teachers and nursery school assistants needed. Hours are flexible. Competitive pay. Room for growth. All applicants will need verifiable credentials, references and clear criminal history. The Farmington Hills Nursery School is a Church based non-denominational day care servicing the local community. We are licensed for 87 children ages 3 months to 4 years. We employ 13 staff members. If you are someone who loves being with children, can work well with others and wants to be apart of our family, please send resume and cover letter to Bonnie@FarmingtonNurserySchool.com. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
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 |
|
Dimitri Sitaras (Cpt) |
Ioannis Yiannakis (Cpt) |
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Stavros Fekaris |
Louis Foster |
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Alex Matthews |
Christo Stilianos |
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Mateo Pesaros |
Dino Thanos |
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|
Nikolas Thanos |
SCHEDULE 2021-2022
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TEAM A |
TEAM B |
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2021 |
2021 |
|
SEP 26 |
SEP 19 |
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OCT 10, 24 |
OCT 3, 17, 31 |
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NOV 7, 21 |
NOV 14, 28 |
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DEC 5, 19 |
DEC 12, 26 |
|
2022 |
2022 |
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JAN 2, 16, 30 |
JAN 9, 23 |
|
FEB 13, 27 |
FEB 6, 20 |
|
MAR 13, 27 |
MAR 6, 20 |
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APR 10, 24 |
APR 3, 17 |
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MAY 8, 22 |
MAY 1, 15, 29 |
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JUN 5, 19 |
JUN 12 |
OUR THANKS
To those who in lieu of flowers gave monetary
contributions to the Holy Cross Church in memory of :
JOHN IOANOU
Mrs. Elaine Ioanou
ANGELO J. ZERVOS
Susan Armstrong
JAMES J. SPANOLIOS
M/M Steve Fekaris
JOAN BITTINGER
Dr. James Stewart
Elaine Ioanou
M/M George Katsias
M/M Andrew Bittinger
M/M Tom Casoglos
M/M Edward Power
M/M Anthony Barr
Mrs. Anna Zervos
M/M Scott Linzell
PETER ARTEMAS
M/M Andrew Bittinger
THEODORA KAZAKOS
Elias & Dean Politis
THOMAS THEODOROU
Elaine Ioanou
M/M Lanny Theodorou
KATHERINE LAGOS
M/M George Katsias
Hountalas Family
IRENE PROTOPSALTIS
M/M James Heller & Family
M/M George Katsias
Mrs. Peter E. Zervos
M/M Peter Angelas
M/M Tim Keros
Mrs. Patty Spanos
M/M Edward Power
M/M Anthony Barr
M/M Scott Linzell
JIM HUBBEL
M/M Dan Dallas
KEN BRILLINGER
M/M Steve Fekaris
DEAN GULIS
Elizabeth Gulis
JIM & MARY MADIAS
M/M George N. & Callie Liadis
DEMETRA "TULA" KRONAS
M/M Michael Rand
M/M George Katsias
Elaine Ioanou
M/M Tom Casoglos
PETER E. ZERVOS
Irene Zervos
M/M John Liadis
M/M John Matheos
Ellen Woznicki
George Matheos
Anna Carroll
M/M Gus Stavropoulos
M/M James Heller & Family
M/M James Makricostas
M/M Mike Liadis
Denise Liberty
Susan Armstrong
M/M Daniel Chien
M/M John Sinanis
M/M Mike Sturm
Gryebet Family
Margarita Shukla
James Sitaras
Kaliope Christo
M/M George Fekaris
Kanella Katsikas
M/M Scott Linzell
M/M Dan Dallas
M/M George Katsias
Elaine Ioanou
M/M Evans Lucas
Peggy Theodore
M/M Spiro Morris
M/M Peter Morris
Drs. Andrew & Gina Leamon
M/M Steve Fekaris
Hountalas Family
M/M Bill Breeze
M/M John George
Joseph Evangelista
M/M Adam Angelas
Jane Mitchell
M/M Gus Mackris
Mary Alice Dooley
John Skouberdis
Maritsa Loizos
M/M Mike Blough
Multi Drywall LLC
M/M Scott Bates
Tony Cavaliere
George, Christa & Anastasia Reis
M/M John Kontos
Dr/Mrs Angelo Zervos & Family
Sophie Paron
M/M Andy Moundros
M/M George & Kay Liadis
Patricia Krygier
M/M Nicholas Madias
M/M Edward Power
Jammie Pelton
Ray Lofgren
M/M George M. Zervos
M/M Lawrence Reed
M/M Todd Barnaby
M/M George Malis
M/M Lou Chalogianis
Maritsa Flaherty
M/M James Kukunas
M/M Anthony Barr
Gary D’Allessandro
M/M George L. Liadis
M/M Brian Pencak
M/M Dennis Patoczak
M/M John Zannis
Pete Moundros & Martha Enzmann
M/M Tom Thomas
Lula Abbo
Mary Sitaras
M/M Andrew Bittinger
Judy Majoros
Dr/M Pan Pesaros
M/M Tom Casoglos
M/M Stelios Sinanis
Orthodox Youth Athletic Association
M/M Bill Williams
Gregory Demopoulos
M/M Doug Garber
M/M Cosmos Charnas
M/M Bill Madias
Dr/M Marcus Zervos
Rose Pencak
Mary Kargilis
M/M Stephen Economy
M/M Albert Scaglione
M/M George N. & Callie Liadis
M/M Francis Tatu
M/M Peter Angelas
M/M Tim Keros
Katherine Zervos & Family
M/M John Fekaris
M/M Tad Krear
M/M Neeraj Shah
M/M Kenneth MacLaren
M/M Jerry Beale
Mrs. Eileen Power
M/M Limperis Zervos
M/M Van Kyriakopoulos
Mrs. Maria Faskianos
Mrs. Patty Spanos
Anastasia Spanos
M/M Robert DiNicola
Barb Lidtke
M/M George Stefanakis
M/M Martin Gehan
M/M Gus Zervos
Angelo P. Zervos & Family
Dr. James Stewart
M/M Timothy Somero
ALEXANDER KARGILIS
M/M Tom Casoglos
M/M Scott Linzell
M/M Andrew Bittinger
M/M Doug Garber
M/M Cosmos Charnas
Gregory Demopoulos
George Polymeneas
Maritsa Loizos
M/M John Liadis
M/M Edward Power
M/M John George
M/M Michael Sturm
M/M Steve Fekaris
Margarita Shukla
Pat Snider
Andy Paulson
M/M George Gaggos
M/M Tony Manolias
Elaine Ioanou
Dolores Rajala
M/M George Katsias
Shirley Magder
Tula Georgeson
Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco
Dana Kouris
Denise Liberty
M/M Evans Lucas
Peggy Theodore
M/ Adam Angelas
M/M Mike Blough
James Sitaras
M/M Stelios Sinanis
Fran Kouris
M/M Gus Mackris
M/M Limperis Zervos
Dian Schuler
Gloria Trothen
Sophie Paron
Dr/Mrs.Theodore Pantos
Anita Kargilis
Caroline Kargilis
M/M Anthony Barr
Patti Poppe
Jennifer Curry & Family
Mrs. Peter E. Zervos
M/M Bill Bowers
M/M Peter Angelas
M/M Bill Franca
M/M Van Kyriakopoulos
Pat Bassett
Mrs. Patty Spanos
M/M George Stefanakis
VIRGINIA MADIAS
Kaliope Christo
MENAS GEORGESON
Tula Georgeson
Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco
MARY PETERSON
M/M Steve Fekaris
M/M Basile Catsikopoulos & Family
M/M Peter Zervos
Margarita Shukla
M/M Mike Blough
MADELINE VINTZEL
M/M James Vintzel
HARRIET HOUNTALAS
Anastasia Spanos
M/M George Stefanakis
JANET STEWART
M/M George Stefanakis
MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL
Spinach Pies
Christmas Wreath Auction
Holy Unction Schedule of Services
2022 Oratorical Festival - Parish Level
New date
Greece Fires Donate