Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-11-10
Bulletin Contents
Sunday November 10, 2024 - Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia & Saint Nektarios of Aegina (November 9th)
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Parish Calendar
Thanksgiving Collection

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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


Right. Rev. ANDREI
Vicar Bishop


Rev. Father Spyridon Ickes
Parish Priest

[email protected] | 216-372-6217

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 November 10, 2024 - Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia & Saint Nektarios of Aegina (November 9th)

     

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.

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 Third Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Matins Gospel Reading

    Ninth Orthros Gospel
    The Reading is from John 20:19-31

    On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

    Epistle Reading

    20th Sunday after Pentecost
    The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19

    Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

    Gospel Reading

    8th Sunday of Luke
    The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37

    At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

    But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    When a man reveres God with all his heart and with faith, he receives through God's providence the power to control anger and desire; for it is desire and anger which are the cause of all evils.
    St. Antony the Great
    On the Character of Men no. 12, Philokalia Vol. 1 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 331, 4th century

    'The Lord your God is one Lord' (cf. Deut. 6:4), revealed in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: in the unbegotten Father; in the Son, who is begotten eternally, timelessly and impassibly as the Logos, and who through Himself anointed that which He assumed from us and so is called Christ; and in the Holy Spirit, who also comes forth from the Father, not begotten, but proceeding. This alone is God and alone is true God, the one Lord in a Trinity of Hypostases, undivided in nature, will, glory, power, energy, and all the characteristics of divinity. Him alone shall you love and Him alone shall you worship with all your mind and with all your heart and with all your strength.
    St. Gregory Palamas
    A New Testament Decalogue no. 1, Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 323, 14th century

    “Do not think that you have a right to complain when your prayers are not answered. God fulfills your desires in a manner that you do not know.”
    St. Nektarios of Aegina
    20th Century

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    Saints and Feasts

    November 10

    8th Sunday of Luke

    November 09

    Nektarios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentapolis

    Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.

    On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt.

    Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.

    November 10

    Holy Father Arsenius of Cappadocia

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    Announcements

    Why Do We Celebrate the Saints?

    We celebrate saints because the saints are the evidence of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If the Gospel is true, and we know it is, then we should see the Gospels' real and tangible effects on real human beings. Our Lord never commanded that we should be nice as God is nice, He commanded that we be HOLY as God is HOLY (Saint means holy one)! In the saints, we see the holiness of Christ that shines through sinful and broken people. Sinful and broken people who have recognized and admitted their broken state and have given everything for the call of the Gospel. The Gospel is true, and it is transforming broken people. Renewing them to the unutterable image of the God who created them and blessed them with His own image. The Gospel is true, and we have the saints as evidence. Just as Christ has transformed saints, He can also transform us. 


    Nativity Fast

    The Nativity Fast begins this week on November 15th. The Nativity Fast is a time of fasting prescribed by the Holy Orthodox Church from November 15th to December 24th. This fast is not as strict as the Great Lent. In the Byzantine tradtion, followed by our diocese, the fast allows fish, wine, and oil on every day except Wednesdays and Fridays from November 15th to December 11th. From December 12th till Christmas Eve, it is a strict fast (that is, no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil). As always, with every fast, we are not fasting for the sake of fasting itself. True fasting is done in the absence of pride and along with prayer and almsgiving. As American Thanksgiving falls within the Nativity Fast, Father Spyridon would like to offer a blessing to all parishioners to break the fast on Thanksgiving. Let us be Thankful for all the Lord has given us!

    People who should not fast:

    • Pregnant and breastfeeding women
    • Those suffering from illness or other medical issues
    • Those who are fasting in the absence of prayer
    • Young children
    • Anyone who has not yet developed a practice of fasting. If this is you, fast to the extent you can. Do not try too hard and bring yourself to failure. Fast as you can and always with prayer!

    A final reminder from the Liturgical hymns of the Church

    If you have abstained from meat and dairy for the whole of the fast, but have failed to love your brother. You have not fasted at all!


    Akathist of Thanksgiving

    On the eve of American Thanksgiving, our parish will offer the Akathist Hymn "Glory to God for All Things," also known as the Akathist of Thanksgiving. This Akathist gets its name from the final words of Saint John Chrysostom as he died in exile. The service was written by Metropolitan Tryphon of Dimitrov while being persecuted by the Soviet Communists. It has become a local tradtion in American parishes of all ethnic backgrounds to pray this Akathist on the Eve of Thanksgiving as we remember our own thankfulness and remember to give "Glory to God for all Things". As this is a Wednesday, this will replace daily vespers and be followed with our weekly bible study. 


    New "Orthodox" Parishes in Hermitage

    You may have noticed signs for Hermitage's new "Orthodox" parishes (Saint Gregory the Great & Holy Trinity Chapel). Please be aware that these parishes are NOT Orthodox. Both parishes are headed by a man who calls himself Metropolitan Joseph. He is, in fact, not an Orthodox bishop. Orthodox Christians may not receive any of the Holy Sacraments from him or so-called priests with him. When traveling and visiting other parishes, it is very important that you make sure the parish you are visiting is part of a canonical (actually Orthodox) diocese. If you are unsure, please ask Father Spyridon to check for you. 


    Bible Study

    Every Wednesday, our parish has Bible study! We meet at 6 pm in the church for daily vespers, and then start our bible study right after. Please come, and bring your friends! We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark.

    No Bible study on November 13th!


    Pumpkin Rolls

    Ladies Aid is selling Pumpkin Rolls!

    Pumpkin Rolls cost $17 each and are available with or without nuts.

    Baking: every Tuesday till November 19th

    Selling: every Wednesday till November 27th


    Prayer List

    Please keep the following in your prayers:

    Living:

    • Psa. Sarah and the child to be born of her
    • Mary Ann 
    • Helen
    • Janet

    Departed: 

    • Virginia 

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    Parish Calendar

    • Calendar

      November 10 to November 24, 2024

      Sunday, November 10

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Wednesday, November 13

      NO BIBLE STUDY

      NO DAILY VESPERS

      Saturday, November 16

      6:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, November 17

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Wednesday, November 20

      6:00PM Bible Study

      Saturday, November 23

      6:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, November 24

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      12:00PM Parish Council Meeting

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    Thanksgiving Collection

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