Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11.

Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Rise from love of the world and love of pleasure. Put care aside, strip your mind, refuse your body. Prayer, after all, is a turning away from the world, visible and invisible. What have I in heaven? Nothing except simply to cling always to You in undistracted prayer. Wealth pleases some, glory others, possessions others, but what I want is to cling to God and to put the hopes of my dispassion in Him (cf. Ps. 72:25, 28).

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 28: On Prayer; Paulist Press pg. 277, 6th century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.

St. Isaac of Syria

Unknown, 7th century

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Babylas in the Fourth Mode

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Babylas. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."

Saints and Feasts

September 04

Babylas the Holy Martyr

Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch, being the successor of Zebinus (or Zebinas); he was beheaded during the reign of Decius, in the year 250, and at his own request was buried in the chains with which he was bound. The Emperor Gallus (reigned 351-354) built a church in his honour at Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, to put an end to the demonic oracles at the nearby temple of Apollo. When Julian the Apostate came in 362 to consult the oracle about his campaign against the Persians, the oracle (that is, the demon within it) remained dumb until at last, answering Julian's many sacrifices and supplications, it told him, "The dead prevent me from speaking." It told Julian to dig up the bones and move them. Julian, then, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, "leaving all the other dead, moved only that Martyr." He commanded the Christians to take away Saint Babylas' bones, which they did with great solemnity and triumph. When this had been done, a thunderbolt fell from heaven destroying with fire the shrine of Apollo, which Julian did not dare rebuild. Saint John Chrysostom preached a sermon on this within a generation after.

September 04

Moses the Prophet & Godseer

The Prophet Moses-whose name means "one who draws forth," or "is drawn from," that is, from the water-was the pinnacle of the lovers of wisdom, the supremely wise lawgiver, the most ancient historian of all. He was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram and Jochabed (Num. 26:59). He was born in Egypt in the seventeenth century before Christ. While yet a babe of three months, he was placed in a basket made of papyrus and covered with pitch, and cast into the streams of the Nile for fear of Pharaoh's decree to the mid-wives of the Hebrews, that all the male children of the Hebrews be put to death. He was taken up from the river by Pharaoh's daughter, became her adopted son, and was reared and dwelt in the King's palace for forty years. Afterward, when he was some sixty years old, he fled to Madian, where, on Mount Horeb, he saw the vision of the burning bush. Thus he was ordained by God to lead Israel and bring it out of the land of Egypt. He led Israel through the Red Sea as it were dry land and governed the people for forty years. He wrought many signs and wonders, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which are called the Pentateuch. When he reached the land of Moab, he ascended Mount Nabau, on the peak called Phasga, and there, by divine command, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ, having lived for some 120 years. The first two Odes of the Old Testament, "Let us sing to the Lord" and "Attend, O heaven, and I will speak," were written by him. Of these hymns, the first was chanted by the shore of the Red Sea as soon as the Israelites had crossed it; the second, in the land of Moab, a few days before his repose. The Holy High Priest Aaron was the elder brother of the Holy Prophet Moses. He was appointed by God to serve as the spokesman of Moses before the people, and also before Pharaoh, in Egypt. Afterwards, in the wilderness, he was called to the ministry of the high priesthood, as narrated in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in the Old Testament. The name Aaron means "enlightened."

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.

Announcements

FEAST DAY OF HOLY CROSS

VESPERS - September 13 @ 7:00 pm | LITURGY - September 14 @ 10:00 am

See flyer attached. Please bring basil.

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REGISTER FOR YOUTH MINISTRIES

It is that time of the year to register for our youth ministries. Please register by September 1st by clicking below:

Altar boys GOYA Church School

The Church School and Catechesis classes will begin on Sunday, September 11th, following the Divine Liturgy. Thank you!

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ST. PHOTIOS NATIONAL SHRINE 2022 ESSAY CONTEST

Click here for details.

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UKRAINE RELIEF FUND

Click here to help.

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TODAY

Sunday, September 4 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

- Memorial Georgia Morris (4 years)

- Memorial Andrew Pappas (11 years)

- Coffee Hour hosted by Morris family

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UPCOMING

Monday, September 5 - Church Office closed in observance of Labor Day

- NO Bible Study

Thursday, September 8 - Parish Council Meeting @ 7:00 pm

Friday, September 9 - Paraklesis @ 7:00 pm

Sunday, September 11 - Divine Liturgy @ 10:00 am

- Church School & Catechesis

- Coffee Hour hosted by Philoptochos

- Altar Boy Orientation @ 12:00 pm

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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

Dr. Byron Georgeson
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

Thursday, September 22 @ 6:30 pm

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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

Sunday, September 4 - Morris family (memorial)

Sunday, September 11 - Philoptochos

Sunday, September 18 - TBD

Sunday, September 25 - TBD

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 :

GEORGIA MORRIS

M/M Tom Casoglos

M/M Edward Power

ANDREW PSERES

M/M Albert Scaglione

GEORGE, ALIA & TASIA DEMOPOULOS

M/M Patrick Quinn

KALYPSO SPANOS

M/M Patrick Quinn

TONCHO, IVANKA, GERGINA, PETAR

Mrs. Galina Mihaylova

MARIKA GAGAS

M/M James Heller

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MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

Events, Announcements and Flyers

Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Feast Day

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins