DIVINE LITURGY
Sundays 10am
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday, 10am - 3pm
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35
At that time, [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. That very day] 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 not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this 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.
Prokeimenon. 5th Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
Calendar updates: holycrossgo.org/calendar
TODAY
Sunday, February 25
THIS WEEK
Monday, February 26
Thursday, February 29
UPCOMING
Sunday, March 3
UKRAINE RELIEF FUND
Click here to help.
FLOWERS
If you are interested in donating to purchase flowers to decorate an icon for a feast day, or to decorate the church for Pascha, please contact Debbie George or the Church Office or look for donation box on the pangari.
PROSPHORA
Interested in sponsoring prosphora? Please contact the Church Office.
ICONS IN THE ALTAR
If you brought icons to be blessed in the altar, please retrieve them after 40 days.
WORSHIP
Please download the Daily Readings App Lite (free download) for the daily Gospel & Epistle readings.
LIVESTREAM SERVICES
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE
Please continue to support our Chuch 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.
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
Join us Sunday, March 10 for a Makaronatha Meal.
Save the date for the Philoptochos Salad Luncheon on May 11th.
Support our next philanthropy project.
Join us today.
Ukraine Relief Fund
Please continue to pray for the health and healing of the following friends
Metropolitan Nicholas
Fr. John Koen
If you would like to add your name or a loved one's to the prayer list, please email the office. Thank you!
INVITATION TO JOIN HOLY CROSS PHILOPTOCHOS
All women 18 years old and over are encouraged to join our Holy Cross Philoptochos. New and returning members are welcome! The 2024 Philoptochos Stewardship Form is attached.
COFFEE HOUR
NEXT MEETING
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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Registration was due September 1. Please register if you have not done so.
Teams |
|
Team A |
Team B |
Mateo Pesaros (Cpt) | Stavros Fekaris (Cpt) |
James Drake | Louis Foster |
Cristo Stilianos | Nikolas Greulich |
Stelios Stilianos | Stephen Mihos |
Panagiotis Stilianos | Nikolas Thanos |
Schedule |
|
Team A |
Team B |
2023 |
|
SEP 17 | SEP 24 |
OCT 1, 15, 29 | OCT 8, 22 |
NOV 12, 26 | NOV 5, 19 |
DEC 10, 24* | DEC 3, 17, 31* |
2024 |
|
JAN 7, 21 | JAN 14, 28 |
FEB 4, 18 | FEB 11, 25 |
MAR 3, 17, 31 | MAR 10, 24 |
APR 14, 28 | APR 7, 21 |
MAY 12, 26 | MAY 5*, 19 |
JUN 9, 23 | JUN 2, 16 |
* all teams can serve
OUR THANKS
To those who in lieu of flowers gave monetary
contributions to Holy Cross Church in memory of :
MARION GINOPOLIS
James Heos
M/M George Liadis
M/M Ed Power
Anastasia Spanos
M/M Evans Lucas
M/M Peter Angelas
JOHN IOANOU
M/M Anthony Barr
GEORGE L. LIADIS
Susan Armstrong
M/M James Heller
M/M Ed Power
The Kukunas Family
The Makricostas Family
M/M George Liadis
M/M Andrew Bittinger
M/M Gus Zervos
M/M Tom Casoglos
Elaine Ioanou
James Portman
M/M Doug Garber
M/M Steve Fekaris
Anna Zervos
M/M George Katsias
Patty Spanos
George Matheos
M/M Todd Barnaby
Anastasia Spanos
Bonnie Sitaras
Maria Faskianos
M/M Van Kyriakopoulos
Dr./M Marcus Zervos
Margarita Shukla
M/M Anthony Barr
DR. PANAYOTIS PESAROS
M/M Andrew Bittinger
M/M Tom Casoglos
M/M Steve Fekaris
M/M Gonzales
M/M James Heller
Julie Hiotaky
Elaine Ioanou
M/M George Katsias
Denise Liberty
M/M Evans Lucas
The Voutsinas Family
Dr./M Marcus Zervos
M/M Todd Barnaby
M/M Michael Blough
Hountalas Family
M/M Ed Power
Anastasia Spanos
Aspacia Spanos
Bonnie Sitaras
M/M McDonald
The Theodore Family
M/M Dr. Angelo Zervos
M/M Peter Angelas
M/M Lou Chalogianis
M/M Bill Williams
M/M Doug Garber
The Holy Cross Philoptochos
Margarita Shukla
M/M Van Kyriakopoulos
Penny Gehan
M/M Anthony Barr
IRENE ZERVOS
Dr/M Marcus Zervos
M/M George Katsias
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* Donations received after January 1st *
MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL
If you would like to offer a donation in support of our Church ministries, please follow this link on our website: