Publish-header☰
Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2022-04-03
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Prayer Requests
Ladies Philoptochos News
Employment Opportunity
Altar Boys
Memorial Donations to Holy Cross
Events, Announcements and Flyers
Climicus
Organization Icon
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

DIVINE LITURGY

Sundays 10 am

OFFICE HOURS

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

10 am - 3 pm

(Closed Wednesday) 

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fasting? ... See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought, and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O John, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Climicus
April 03

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

Allsaint
April 03

Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

Saint Nicetas lived in the eighth century and became the Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium, which was near the city of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara. For his Orthodox confession of the veneration of the holy icons, he was persecuted and exiled twice by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian, but recalled by Michael the Stutterer, and reposed, adorned with the twofold crown of holiness and of confession of the Orthodox Faith, about the year 824.

Allsaint
April 03

Joseph the Hymnographer

Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.

BACK TO TOP

Announcements

UKRAINE RELIEF FUND

Click here to help. 

+++

COCC INTER-ORTHODOX LENTEN VESPERS

Click here for more information. Note: April 3rd @ 6:00 pm is at Holy Cross!

+++

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

Sunday, April 10th @ 3:00 pm. Click here for details or see flyer attached. 

 +++

CHURCH SCHOOL HOLY WEEK RETREAT

 April 16th after Liturgy. 

 +++

PHILOPTOCHOS PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON

Sunday, April 17th. Click here for details or see flyer attached.

 +++

HOLY WEEK READER SIGN UP FORM

Sign up here. 

+++ 

GREAT LENT SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Click here for more information.

+++ 

DISTRICT ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

Save the Date: April 30th, 2022 at Holy Cross.

 +++

METROPOLIS OF DETROIT SUMMER CAMP 2022

Register now.

+++

MDSC 70th Anniversary

Saturday, May 21st. See flyer attached. Click here for ticket information.

+++ 

HOUSE BLESSINGS

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

+++

 

TODAY

Sunday, April 3 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am 

             - Memorial (6 month) Peter E. Zervos      

             - Coffee Hour hosted by Anna Zervos

             - Church School & Catechesis 

             - COCC Lenten Vespers @ 6:00 pm at Holy Cross

                (Refreshments to follow)

 +++  

UPCOMING

Monday, April 4 - Great Compline Service @ 7:00 pm

               - Bible Study "Gospel Hidden Treasures" @ 8:00 pm

Tuesday, April 5 - Church Cleaning @ 10:00 am 

Wednesday, April 6 - Presanctified Liturgy @ 6:00 pm

Friday, April 8 - Akathist Hymn (GOYA Readers) @ 7:00 pm

Sunday, April 10 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am    

              - Coffee Hour hosted by Eleni Sinanis

              - Church School & Catechesis

              - Greek Independence Day Parade @ 3:00 pm 

 +++

ICONS IN THE ALTAR

If you brought icons to be blessed in the altar, please retrieve them soon. 

+++  

HOUSE BLESSINGS

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

 +++  

 PROSPHORA

 Interested in sponsoring prosphora? Please contact Church Office. 

 +++

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.

+++

LIVESTREAM SERVICES

www.holycrossgo.org/webcam

+++

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.

+++

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.

+++

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

+++

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

BACK TO TOP

Prayer Requests

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

  • Fr. John Stavropoulos
  • Baby George
  • Ted Andris
  • Bettie Fekaris
  • Nancy Temple
  • Zoe Jaimee
  • Kalliope Christo
  • Mary Christo Alexiades
  • Heather
  • Irene Katsias
  • Mr. Adam Angelas
  • Elise Gorman
  • Paraskevi Theodorou
  • Niki Brogger
  • Dr. Nicholas Varveris
  • Irene Zervos
  • Tina Johnson
  • Tula Georgeson
  • Marilyn Georgeson
  • George Benardos
  • Gina Weiler
  • Terrie Stefanakis
  • Evelyn Morris
  • Dr. Pan Pesaros
  • Faye Prekeges
  • Dr. Maureen Kelly
  • Dr. Rick Wilson
  • Dina Rand

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

 

BACK TO TOP

Ladies Philoptochos News

Philoptochos_seal_new

NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 @ 6:30 pm

 

 

 

 

 

METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS NO SHOW EVENT

In honor or in memory of men in your life. See flyer attached. 

+++

FLORENCE G. STEFANOU MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate college students. Click here for more details and application.

 +++

2022 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. Click here for the stewardship form.

+++ 

FLOWERS

If you are interested in donating to purchase flowers or decorate an icon for a feast day or Pascha, please contact Debbie George or the Church Office, or check out the donation box by the Pangari.

+++

COFFEE HOUR

If you are interested in hosting Coffee Hour, please contact Denise Liberty or the Church Office.  

Sunday,  April 3 - Anna Zervos

Sunday, April 10 - Eleni Sinanis

Sunday, April 17 - Palm Sunday Luncheon

 

BACK TO TOP

Employment Opportunity

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

BACK TO TOP

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).

 

+++

 

LIST OF ALTAR BOYS 

 TEAM A

 TEAM B

​ Dimitri Sitaras (Cpt)

 Ioannis Yiannakis (Cpt)​​ 

 Stavros Fekaris

 Louis Foster

 Alex Matthews

 Christo Stilianos

 Mateo Pesaros

 Dino Thanos

 

  Nikolas Thanos

SCHEDULE 2021-2022 

TEAM A

TEAM B

2021

2021

SEP 26

​SEP 19

OCT 10, 24

OCT 3, 17, 31

NOV 7, 21

NOV 14, 28

DEC 5, 19

DEC 12, 26

2022

2022

JAN 2, 16, 30

JAN 9, 23

FEB 13, 27

FEB 6, 20

MAR 13, 27

MAR 6, 20

APR 10, 24

A​PR 3, 17

MAY 8, 22

MAY 1, 15, 29

JUN 5, 19

JUN 12

 

BACK TO TOP

Memorial Donations to Holy Cross

OUR THANKS

To those who in lieu of flowers gave monetary

contributions to the Holy Cross Church in memory of :

ANGERO SPETHOGIANIS

M/M Adam Angelas

MATTHEW MORRIS

Diane Morris

LULA PAPPAS

M/M Steve Fekaris

HELEN VARVERIS

M/M Doug Garber

KRISTIN SEAMAN

M/M James Heller

KYRIAKI (KOULLA) IOANOU

Elaine Ioanou

M/M George Katsias

Dr/M Marcus Zervos

M/M Doug Garber

Mrs. Anna Zervos

Michael & Evdokia Philippou

M/M David West

CHRIS RAFAILL

M/M Tom Casoglos

M/M John George

Mr. Harry Gaggos

Mrs. Anna Zervos

M/M Steve Economy

M/M Bill Williams

M/M Evans Lucas

M/M George Gaggos

M/M James Bournias

M/M Angelo Metas

Dr/M Marcus Zervos

M/M Bob Czech

M/M Tom Rafaill

Dennis Rafaill

M/M Edward Power

M/M George Katsias

M/M Steve Fekaris

M/M Lou Chalogianis

M/M James Heller

M/M Michael Blough

M/M John Liadis

Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco

M/M Van Kyriakopoulos

M/M Albert Scaglione

M/M Dean Demos

M/M Peter Angelas

M/M Tino Boudouris

M/M Gus Stavropoulos

Margarita Shukla

M/M Anthony Barr

M/M George Stefanakis

Denise Liberty

Tula Georgeson

WILLIAM (BILL) HIOTAKY

Ellen Ernst

Mrs. Anna Zervos

M/M George Katsias

M/M Tad Krear

M/M Edward Power

Dr/M Marcus Zervos

M/M Kirk Dunlap

M/M Kostas Voutsinas

M/M Evans Lucas

M/M Tom Casoglos

M/M John George

M/M James Terry

M/M Limperis Zervos

Matthew Herbster

M/M Paul Wywrot

Elizabeth Exner

Kelly Gilling-Coburn

M/M Mike Sturm

M/M Andrew Bittinger

Denise McKewan

Catherine Pikulas

Margarita Shukla

M/M Bill Williams

Hountalas Family

Sophie Paron

Angelo P. Zervos & Family

M/M Steve Fekaris

Helen Hiotaky

M/M Jim Grove

Charlotte Van Neck

Todd Van Neck

Cynthia Porter

Rochelle McCrone

M/M James Heller

M/M Michael Blough

M/M John Liadis

Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco

M/MTim Keros

M/M Van Kyriakopoulos

M/M Raymond Rowe

M/M Mark & Stacey Rogers

M/M Peter Angelas

M/M Tino Boudouris

Angela "Kixie" Cosma

M/M Patrick Murray

M/M Anthony Barr

M/M George Stefanakis

M/M Stelios Sinanis

Dr/M Angelo Zervos

M/MDoug Garber

The Jabbori-Ryan Family

Mr. James Vandenberg

M/M William Kroppe Sr.

Theresa Banka

Lucy Macres

Elaine Ioanou

M/M Peter Morris

Ellen Ernst

M/M Nick Ilitch & Family

M/M Kevin Barrett

M/M Michael Holland

M/M Martin Gehan

Forest Hills Swim Club Inc.

 MARITSA LOIZOS

M/M Nicholas & Victoria Madias

M/M Steve Fekaris

Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco

M/M Edward Power

Elaine Ioanou

Maria Madias & Thomas Barkulis

Dr/M Marcus Zervos

Mrs. Anna Zervos

M/M Tim Keros

Susan Armstrong

Tula Georgeson

M/M George Katsias

VENA MARIE THANOS

Holy Cross Philoptochos

M/M Tad Krear & Family

M/M George Katsias

M/M James Heller & Family

M/M Evans Lucas

Dr/M Marcus Zervos

M/M Edward Power

M/M Michael Blough

M/M Tom Casoglos

M/M Lou Chalogianis

Elaine Ioanou

M/M Martin Gehan

M/M Doug Garber

Holy Cross GOYA

M/M John George

M/M John Liadis

Mrs. Mary Kargilis

James Sitaras

M/M Bill Williams

M/M Mike Sturm & Family

Denise Liberty

M/M Limperis Zervos

M/M Steve Fekaris

M/M Dan Dallas

Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco

M/M Anthony Barr

M/M George Stefanakis

M/M Stelios Sinanis

M/M Peter Angelas

Mrs. Anna Zervos

 

 MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

BACK TO TOP

Events, Announcements and Flyers

BACK TO TOP