Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-07-28
Bulletin Contents

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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








Services Schedule

Wednesdays: Daily Vespers 6 pm; Bible Study after

Saturdays: Great Vespers 6 pm; Confessions heard after

Sundays: Matins 9 am, Divine Liturgy 10 am

 


Past Bulletins


Sunday July 28, 2024

     

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!”
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

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.


Epistle Reading

5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.


Gospel Reading

5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1

At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Now, should any one say, "And wherefore did Christ fulfill the devils' request, suffering them to depart into the herd of swine?" this would be our reply, that He did so, not as yielding to them, but as providing for many objects thereby.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 28 on Matthew 8, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

July 28

5th Sunday of Matthew


July 28

Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, & Parmenas the Apostles of the 70

These Apostles of the Seventy are mentioned in Acts 6:5. Saint Prochoros became Bishop of Nicomedia and reposed in peace. Saint Nicanor was stoned to death in Jerusalem. Saint Timon became Bishop of Bostra in Arabia and ended his life in martyrdom by fire at the hands of the pagans. Saint Parmenas died in peace in Jerusalem.


July 28

Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou

Saint Irene, who was from Cappadocia, flourished in the ninth century. Because of her great beauty and virtue, she was brought to Constantinople as a prospective bride for the young Emperor Michael (842-867); however, as Saint Joannicius the Great foretold, it was God's will that she assume the monastic habit instead. She shone forth in great ascetical labours, and suffered many attacks from the demons; while yet a novice, she attained to the practice of Saint Arsenius the Great, of praying the whole night long with arms stretched out towards Heaven (see May 8). God showed forth great signs and wonders in her, and she became the Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou. She was granted the gift of clairvoyance and knew the thoughts of all that came to her. She appeared in a vision to the king and rebuked him for unjustly imprisoning a nobleman who had been falsely accused. Through a sailor from Patmos to whom he had appeared, Saint John the Evangelist sent her fragrant and wondrous apples from Paradise. She reposed at the age of 103, still retaining the youthful beauty of her countenance. After her repose, marvelous healings beyond number have been wrought by her to the present day.


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Announcements

For Prisoners and Their Salvation, Let Us Pray to the Lord

Today has been set by the Assembly of Bishops as "Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday." In nearly every Church service we pray a litany for prisoners and their salvation. The Church understands that no one is beyond repentance, that no one is beyond the Love and Grace of God. We ask that you continue to keep in your prayers all of those in prison. After all, our Lord himself was a prisoner. On this Sunday, July 28th and next Sunday, August 4th, our parish will be doing a special collection to support Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM, a ministry of the Assembly of Bishops). Please consider giving your financial support to help the Church bring the light of Christ into the darkness of prison. 

"I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."

- Matthew 25:36


Dormition of the Theotokos

On August 15th, the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the falling asleep of the Mother of God. This Great Feast is preceded by two weeks of fasting and prayer. Please take a look at our parish calendar to see the services our parish will be offering on an almost daily basis throughout the Dormition Fast.  


Transfiguration of Our Lord - August 6th

We encourage all faithful of our parish to make a pilgrimage to the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City to celebrate their patronal feast day. Holy Cross will not be offering the Divine Liturgy on the day of this Great Feast. Fr. Spyridon will be at the Monastery celebrating with the monastic community. We will be offering Great Vespers for the Transfiguration in our parish the night before (August 5th). Please see the end of the bulletin for the schedule of services at the monastery for their feast day.


Bible Study

Starting on September 11th, our parish will be offering a weekly bible study. Our bible study will start at 6 pm in the Church with prayer. Invite your friends!


Pastoral Meetings by Appointment

Father Spyridon is available by appointment to serve your pastoral needs. Please do not hesitate to contact him via email or phone to set up appointments.  


OCF - Orthodox Christian Fellowship

OCF, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, is the college ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops. OCF is a student-led ministry that helps college students find a local parish, meet other Orthodox Christians, and stay involved in the life of the Church. If you are headed to college or are a high school senior planning to attend college after graduation, please get in touch with Fr. Spyridon so he can forward your contact information to OCF. OCF is a tremendous ministry that the Church offers--please take advantage!


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. 


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

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Parish Calendar

  • Calendar

    July 28 to August 12, 2024

    Sunday, July 28

    9:00AM Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Thursday, August 1

    Dormition Fast

    6:00PM Little Paraklesis

    Saturday, August 3

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, August 4

    9:00AM Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Little Paraklesis

    Monday, August 5

    6:00PM Great Vespers of Transfiguration

    Tuesday, August 6

    Pilgrimage🐟

    Wednesday, August 7

    6:00PM Little Paraklesis

    Thursday, August 8

    6:00PM Great Paraklesis

    Sunday, August 11

    9:00AM Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Little Paraklesis

    Monday, August 12

    Leavetaking of Transfiguration

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Romanian Festival

    Holy Transfiguartion

    Holy Transfiguartion

    Please join us in making a pilgrimage to the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration for their patronal feast day August 6th.


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