Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 31.11,1.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Wisdom of the Fathers

"But whosoever shall do and teach," said He, "shall be called great." For not to ourselves alone, should we be profitable, but to others also; since neither is the reward as great for him who guides himself aright, as for one who with himself adds also another.

St. John Chrysostom

Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

Since he who cannot teach himself, yet attempts to set others right, will have many to ridicule him. Or rather such a one will have no power to teach at all, his actions uttering their voice against him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

Hymns of the Day

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 Sun. of the Holy Fathers in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Marina in the Fourth Mode

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, please reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.

Saints and Feasts

July 17

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches.

In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.

July 17

The Holy Great Martyr Marina (Margaret)

This Martyr lived during the reign of Claudius II (268-270). She was from Pisidia of Cilicia and was the only daughter of a certain priest of the idols. On being orphaned by her mother, she was handed over to a certain woman who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. When she was fifteen years old, she was apprehended by the ruler of Olmbrius, and when asked her name, homeland, and faith, she answered: "My name is Marina; I am the offspring of the Pisidia; I call upon the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ." Because of this she endured bonds, imprisonment, and many whippings, and was finally beheaded in the year 270. Saint Marina is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession.

July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).

Announcements

METROPOLIS OF DETROIT SUMMER CAMP 2022

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UKRAINE RELIEF FUND

Click here to help.

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TODAY

Sunday, July 17 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

- Liturgy Explained (Hymns of the Day and Trisagion)

- Coffee hour hosted by Sophia Barr

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UPCOMING

Monday, July 18 - Bible Study (Read Numbers 23-35) @ 7:00 pm

Wednesday, July 20 - Divine Liturgy for the Feast day of the Prophet Elias

Sunday, July 24 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

- Memorial (19 years) Ron Fields

- Liturgy Explained (Readings and Sermon)

- Coffee Hour hosted by George & Irene Katsias

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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

Prayer Requests

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

Jeff Rogers
Stephanie Conrad
Preston Dimitries
Maria George
Beth Tudehope Moore
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
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!

Ladies Philoptochos News

NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING

Tuesday, August 16 @ 6:30 pm

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

Sunday, July 17 - Sophia Barr

Sunday, July 24 - George & Irene Katsias

Sunday, July 31 - Lisa Sturm

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).

SUMMER SCHEDULE IS OPEN.

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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 2022-2023

TEAM A	TEAM B
2022	2022
SEP	SEP
OCT	OCT
NOV	NOV
DEC	DEC
2023	2023
JAN	JAN
FEB	FEB
MAR	MAR
APR	APR
MAY	MAY
JUN	JUN

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 :

GEORGE BLETSAS

Elaine Ioanou

ALEXANDER TZOURAS

Elaine Ioanou

RON FIELDS

M/M George Katsias

MARITSA MADIAS MAGANAS

M/M Steve Fekaris

PETER E. ZERVOS

M/M/ Tino Boudouris

MICHAEL ZERVOS

M/M/ Tino Boudouris

KATHERINE ANGELAS FOTOS

M/M Adam Angelas

CONSTANDINA GIKAS

M/M Evans Lucas

Mrs. Anna Zervos

M/M Tom Casoglos

M/M Steve Fekaris

M/M James Heller

Margarita Shukla

M/M Michael Blough

M/M Lou Chalogianis

M/M Edward Power

M/M Peter Morris

M/M Albert Scaglione

M/M Marin Gehan

M/M George Katsias

Hountalas Family

M/M Andrew Bittinger

M/M Neeraj Shah

M/M Peter Angelas

M/M/ Tino Boudouris

M/M Dan Dallas

M/M Timothy Keros

M/M Paul Pesaros & family

Peggy Theodore

Patty Morris-Weaver

Elaine Ioanou

CHRIS DEMOU

Theodora & Eugenia Kanellos

Gerry & Dora Fermani

Tom & Lori Warden

BEATRICE SIMON

Mrs. Anna Zervos

NICHOLAS G. MADIAS

M/M Steve Fekaris

Mrs. Anna Zervos

GEORGIA MORRIS

M/M George Katsias

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

M/M Peter Angelas

Scotch Special Ed Team

Drs. Pamela Georgeson & Mark Decco

Elaine Ioanou

M/M Peter Morris

M/M Marin Gehan

M/M Neeraj Shah

Katie Stivers

Greg & Mikayla Kepreos

Bianka Daly

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

Events, Announcements and Flyers

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Fathers in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Marina in the Fourth Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

The Holy Great Martyr Marina (Margaret)

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Announcements

Prayer Requests

Ladies Philoptochos News

Altar Boys

Memorial Donations to Holy Cross

Events, Announcements and Flyers

Ukraine Relief Fund