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Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2022-05-22
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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






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

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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Wisdom of the Fathers

THE persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as "to them that love God all things work together for good." (Rom. viii. 28.) If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this--they dispersed the teachers.[*] Mark in what quarters the preaching was extended. "They travelled," it says, "as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch; to none however did they preach the word but to Jews only." Dost thou mark with what wise purposes of Providence so much was done in the case of Cornelius? This serves both to justify Christ, and to impeach the Jews. When Stephen was slain, when Paul was twice in danger, when the Apostles were scourged, then the Gentiles received the word, then the Samaritans. Which Paul also declares: "To you it was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken; but since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy, lo, we turn unto the Gentiles." (ch. xiii. 46.)..."And the hand of the Lord," it says, "was with them," that is, they wrought miracles; "and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." (v. 21.) Do you mark why now also there was heed of miracles (namely) that they might believe? "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." (v. 22.) What may be the reason that, when such a city received the word, they did not come themselves? Because of the Jews. But they send Barnabas. However, it is no small part of the providential management even so that Paul comes to be there. It is both natural, and it is wisely ordered, that they are averse to him, and (so) that Voice of the Gospel, that Trumpet of heaven, is not shut up in Jerusalem..."And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch." (v. 26.) Verily this is the reason why it was there they were appointed to be called Christians, because Paul there spent so long time!
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 25 on Acts 11, 4th Century

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and bestowing life on those in the graves.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Mid-way in the feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the flowing waters of piety. For You cried out to all, O Savior, "Let him who thirsts come to me and drink." You, O Christ our God, are the Fountain of Life, glory to You.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
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Saints and Feasts

Jcsamwom
May 22

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.


Allsaint
May 22

Basiliscus the Martyr, Bishop of Comana

This Martyr was from the city of Amasia on the Black Sea, and a nephew of Saint Theodore the Tyro (Feb. 17). When his fellow Martyrs Eutropius and Cleonicus had been crucified (see Mar.8), Basiliscus was shut up in prison. As he was praying the Lord to count him also worthy to finish his course as a martyr, the Lord appeared to him, telling him first to go to his kinsmen and bid them farewell, which he did. When it was learned that he had left the prison, soldiers came after him, and brought him to Comana of Cappadocia, compelling him to walk in iron shoes set with nails. He was beheaded at Comana, and his body was cast into the river, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305).


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Announcements

CHRIST IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! HRISTOS A INVIAT!

ΤRULY HE IS RISEN! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ADEVARAT A INVIAT!

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OFFICE CLOSED

May 27 & May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.

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MEMORIAL DAY CEMETERY PRAYERS

By appointment only. Please call the Church Office or book your appointmet online here .

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CLASS OF 2022

Please submit your name here ASAP. We will be honoring all our graduates on June 19th.

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 

Faith Endowment Scholarship opportunity

Florence G. Stefanou Memorial Scholarship opportunity.

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GUS' NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE

Friday, June 17th. See flyer attached.

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METROPOLIS OF DETROIT SUMMER CAMP 2022

Register now.

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 UKRAINE RELIEF FUND

 Click here to help.

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TODAY

Sunday, May 22 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

              - Coffee Hour hosted by Mary & Evans Lucas

              - Church School & Catechesis     

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UPCOMING

Monday, May 23 - Bible Study @ 7:00 pm (Leviticus 18-20)

Sunday, May 29 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

            - Coffee Hour hosted by Presv. Silvana

            - Church School & Catechesis 

Thursday, June 2 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am for Holy Ascension

Sunday, June 5 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

            - Memorials: Katherine Culley (40 days) and Esther Stassinopoulos (1 year)

            - Coffee hour hosted by families of Katherine Culley and Esther Stassinopoulos

            - Church School & Catechesis

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FLOWERS

If you are interested in donating to purchase flowers or decorate an icon for a feast day, please contact Debbie George or the Church Office.

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PROSPHORA

Interested in sponsoring prosphora? Please contact Church Office.

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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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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

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:

  • Dina Gikas
  • Fr. John Stavropoulos
  • Baby George
  • Ted Andris
  • 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!

 

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Ladies Philoptochos News

Philoptochos_seal_new

NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 @ 6:00 pm at The Pines.

Located at the Farmington Hills Golf Course. Please RSVP to Bonnie.

 

 

 

 

 

METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS NO SHOW EVENT

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

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FLORENCE G. STEFANOU MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

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

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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.

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COFFEE HOUR

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

Sunday, May 22 - Evans & Mary Lucas

Sunday, May 29 - Presv. Silvana

Sunday, June 5 - families of Esther Stassinopoulos & Katherine Culley

Sunday, June 12 - TBD

Sunday, June 19 - GOYA

 

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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

​ Dimitri Sitaras (Cpt)

 Ioannis Yiannakis (Cpt)​​ 

 Stavros Fekaris

 Louis Foster

 Alex Matthews

 Christo Stilianos

Stephen Mihos

 Dino Thanos

 Mateo Pesaros

 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

 

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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 :

 

KATHERINE CULLEY

Holy Cross Philoptochos

M/M Tom Casoglos

Dr/Mrs. Marcus Zervos

M/M Michael Blough

M/M John George

M/M Evans Lucas

M/M James Heller

M/M Steve Fekaris

M/M Limperis Zervos

M/M Tim Keros

M/M George Katsias

M/M Edward Power

Mrs. Anna Zervos

Margarita Shukla

M/M John Liadis

Holy Cross Choir

Paolo & Nina Vitale

M/M Todd Barnaby

M/M Stylianos Sinanis

M/M Bill Williams

M/M Andrew Bittinger

Sofia Vlahakis

Davis-Eberts-Garber Families

M/M Anthony Barr

Hountalas Family

Paraskevi Theodorou

M/M Van Kyriakopoulos

RUTH DOW

Mary Kargilis

MUNIM KAJY

M/M John Liadis

GUS SPANOS

The Hountalas Family

Dr/Mrs. Marcus Zervos

CELIA GONZALES

The Heller Family

MATTHEW MORRIS

Diane Morris

THOMAS & GEORGIA MORRIS

M/M Peter Morris

ANGERO SPETHOGIANIS

M/M Adam Angelas

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

M/M Anthony Barr

 

 MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

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Events, Announcements and Flyers

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