Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-06-30
Bulletin Contents
Sunday June 30, 2024
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Parish Calendar

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Holy Cross Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 724-346-9937
  • Street Address:

  • 950 Maple Dr

  • Hermitage, PA 16148-2333

Contact Information

The Most Rev. NATHANIEL
Archbishop


Father Spyridon Ickes
Parish Priest

[email protected] | 216-372-6217

Services Schedule

Saturdays: Great Vespers 6 pm; Confessions heard after

Sundays: Matins 9 am, Divine Liturgy 10 am

 

Past Bulletins


Sunday June 30, 2024

     

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the 12 Apostles in the Third Mode

O holy Apostles, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses.

Apolytikion for All Saints in the Fourth Mode

Your Church is arrayed in the holy blood of Your Martyrs who witnessed throughout the world, as though in purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to You, Christ our God, “Send down to Your people Your tender love, grant peace from above to Your commonwealth, and to our souls Your great mercy.”

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
  • Apolytikion for Synaxis of the 12 Apostles in the Third Tone © Fr. Seraphim Dedes
  • Apolytikion for All Saints in the Fourth Tone © Fr. Seraphim Dedes
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    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

    The Sunday of All Saints
    The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2

    Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

    Gospel Reading

    Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles
    The Reading is from Matthew 9:36, 10:1-8

    At that time, when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaios, and Thaddaios; Simon the Cananaean. and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay."

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    For in a contest there is much labor needed--and after the contest victory falls to some, to others disgrace. Is the palm ever given or the crown granted before the course is finished? ... Therefore no one can receive a reward, unless he has striven lawfully; nor is the victory a glorious one, unless the contest also has been toilsome.
    St. Ambrose of Milan
    Chapter 15, Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy, 4th century

    Moses... was himself saved by means of wood and water before the Law was given, when he was exposed to the Nile's currents, hidden away in an Ark (Exod. 2:3-10). And by means of wood and water he saved the people of Israel, revealing the Cross by the wood, Holy Baptism by water (Exod. 14:15-31). Paul, who had looked upon the mysteries, says openly, 'They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud' (I Cor. 10:2). He also bears witness that, even before the events concerning the sea and his staff, Moses willingly endured Christ's Cross, 'Esteeming', he says, 'the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt' (Heb. 11:26). For the Cross is the reproach of Christ from the standpoint of foolish men. As Paul himself says of Christ, 'He endured the cross, despising the shame' (Heb. 12:2).
    St. Gregory Palamas
    Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Eleven para. 14; Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press pg. 123, 14th century

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    Saints and Feasts

    June 30

    Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles

    The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, the First-called; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who was also the Evangelist and Theologian; Philip, and Bartholomew (see also June 11); Thomas, and Matthew the publican, who was also called Levi and was an Evangelist; James the son of Alphaeus, and Jude (also called Lebbaeus, and surnamed Thaddaeus), the brother of James, the Brother of God; Simon the Cananite ("the Zealot"), and Matthias, who was elected to fill the place of Judas the traitor (see Aug. 9).

    June 30

    Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles

    The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, the First-called; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who was also the Evangelist and Theologian; Philip, and Bartholomew (see also June 11); Thomas, and Matthew the publican, who was also called Levi and was an Evangelist; James the son of Alphaeus, and Jude (also called Lebbaeus, and surnamed Thaddaeus), the brother of James, the Brother of God; Simon the Cananite ("the Zealot"), and Matthias, who was elected to fill the place of Judas the traitor (see Aug. 9).

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    Announcements

    Thank You Father George

    We thank Father George Treff for visiting us and serving the liturgy today while Father Spyridon is at Camp Vatra.


    Father Out of Town for Summer Camp

    At the request of His Grace Bishop Andrei, Fr. Spyridon will be assisting with our diocese's two summer camps at the Vatra in Grass Lake, MI  from June 24th - July 6th & July 15th - July 27th.   Though Father will be "out of the office" these days, please do not hesitate to reach out with any pastoral concerns. Sunday, June 30th & Sunday, July 21st there will not be Matins but we will have Divine Liturgy celebrated by a visiting priest. 


    Parish Website Under Construction

    Over the next few weeks, you may notice updates coming to the parish website. Be sure to visit the website over the next few weeks to see the changes. 


    Digital Bulletins

    Please note that you can now find our parish bulletin online. We will continue to publish the print bulletins available on Sunday mornings at the candle stand. For your convenience, you can also receive the bulletin via email, view the bulletin on the parish website, or at www.bulletinbuilder.org/HolyCross. The digital bulletin will be published on Friday mornings. 


    Office Hours to Begin

    Fr. Spyridon will begin regularly scheduled Office Hours following the end of the Vatra's Summer Camp in July. Until that time, please contact Father by email or phone to set up an appointment. 


    Holy Cross Bookstore

    Holy Cross Bookstore is located downstairs off of the St. Nicholas Room. There are a variety of Orthodox books, Bibles, and a section specifically for children. Also available are Orthodox gift items, icons, occasion cards, and more. Contact Patty Barbat if there is an item you want to order or wish to peruse catalogs from vendors.


    Commemoration Slips

    You will now find commemoration slips at the candle stand. These slips are for people to be added to our parish prayer list. Names should be added of people who have recently fallen ill, pregnancies, newborns, or recently departed. If the person is not an Orthodox Christian, their name should be added only under the non-Orthodox spot. If there is someone you wish to have commemorated who departed this life more than 40 days ago, please give the name directly to Father and he will pray for them during Proskomedia. After filling out the commemoration slip, please place it in the small basket on the candle stand. The altar boys will collect them during Liturgy so that they can be added to our prayers.


    Sign Up For Emails!

    If you would like to receive emails from Holy Cross including the weekly bulletin and other important announcements, please sign up on the Email List Sign-Up sheet, located on the candle stand. If you have already signed up for emails and have not yet recived them, please let Father know so that he can make sure we keep you updated!


    Prayer List

    Please keep the following in your prayers:

    Living:

    • Psa. Sarah and the child to be born of her
    • Newborn Infant Susanna
    • Mary Ann
    • Virginia 
    • Betty
    • Helen
    • Janet

    Many Years!!!

    Today we rejoice with Christ and all His saints in the newly illuminated servant of God Aeneas Paul. Today the Church of Christ has grown. Today our parish has grown. We as a parish are a family. As our family grows, so does our responsibility. Today God has entrusted to us as a family this child. The newly illuminated servant of God has his parents and his Godparents to guide him and raise him in the faith. But it does not end there. Beloved we are not saved alone. God has given us each other to grow together towards him. As we celebrate the new joy in this baptism, let us remember to be good models of the Christian faith to those God has entrusted us with. 


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    Parish Calendar

    • Calendar

      June 30 to July 14, 2024

      Sunday, June 30

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy - Fr. George Treff

      Sunday, July 7

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Wednesday, July 10

      7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

      Saturday, July 13

      6:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, July 14

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

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