Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-11-24
Bulletin Contents
Sunday November 24, 2024 - Saint Clement Pope of Rome
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Parish Calendar
Online Donations

Organization Icon
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 24, 2024 - Saint Clement Pope of Rome

     

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fifth Tone

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone

Today is the prelude of God's good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfilment of the Creator's dispensation.

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 Plagal of the First Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Matins Gospel Reading

    Eleventh Orthros Gospel
    The Reading is from John 21:14-25

    At that time, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

    Epistle Reading

    22nd Sunday after Pentecost
    The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18

    Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

    Gospel Reading

    13th Sunday of Luke
    The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

    At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
    St. Isaac of Syria
    Unknown, 7th century

    Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.
    St. John Climacus
    The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

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    Saints and Feasts

    November 24

    13th Sunday of Luke

    November 24

    Our Holy Father Clement, Pope of Rome

    Saint Clement was instructed in the Faith of Christ by the Apostle Peter. He became Bishop of Rome in the year 91, the third after the death of the Apostles. He died as a martyr about the year 100 during the reign of Trajan.

    November 24

    Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

    Saint Peter illustriously occupied the throne of Alexandria for twelve years, and, as Eusebius says, "was a divine example of a bishop on account of the excellence of his life and his study of the sacred Scriptures" (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 3 2; Book VIII 11, 13; and Book IX, 6). He excommunicated Arius for his sympathy with the Meletian schism. When Arius learned that Saint Peter had been imprisoned, he sent many priests and deacons to him, asking that he receive him back into the communion of the Church before his martyrdom. When the ambassadors of Arius, who had not, like Saint Peter, perceived the ruin he would engender, were astonished at the vehemence with which Saint Peter refused to receive Arius again, he revealed to them a dread vision he had seen, in which the Master Christ had appeared to him as a child wearing a garment torn from head to foot. When Saint Peter asked the Lord who rent His garment, the Lord answered that it was Arius, and that he must not be received back into communion. The holy hieromartyr Peter was beheaded during the reign of Maximinus in the year 312; he is called the "Seal of the Martyrs," because he was the last Bishop of Alexandria to suffer martyrdom under the pagan Emperors. His successors to the throne of Alexandria, Saints Alexander and Athanasius the Great, brought to final victory the battle against Arius' heresy which Saint Peter had begun.

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    Announcements

    Falling Asleep of Janet Tolci

    With sadness but with faith in the resurrection, we announce the falling asleep of Janet Tolci. Janet fell asleep peacefully in the loving presence of family on Wednesday afternoon, November 20th, 2024. 

    Funeral services will be held in our parish on Wednesday, November 27th, at 11 am. Internment will take place directly following the funeral service at Saint John Orthodox Cemetery in Hermitage. Please keep Janet and her family in your prayers during this time. 


    Online Donations

    You can now donate to Holy Cross online; no account is needed! You will find a QR code at the candle stand and at the back of the bulletin. Simply scan this QR code with your phone's camera and you will be directed to our parish's secure and easy-to-use online giving page. You will also find the link for our online giving located on our parish website and parish Facebook page. 

    Online donations will be processed by "Tithely", an online giving platform designed specifically to help parishes with online giving. Tithely provides a super secure and easy platform for our parish at no cost. When you make a donation through our online platform, you will immediately receive an email confirming your donation with a receipt. 

    By using this online giving platform, you may pay using any credit or debit card, through your bank account, and even by using Apple Pay. You are able to give a one-time donation, or you can even schedule a recurring donation to cover your pledge. 

    We thank you wholeheartedly for your continuing support of our parish!


    Help Support our Liturgical Worship

    By the Grace of God, our parish continues to grow, and we continue to be able to come and experience Christ through the liturgical services and the sacraments. Our parish is in need of support in purchasing items that we use in worship. If you are able, we would greatly appreciate donations to cover the cost of certain items:

    Adult Baptismal Gown: $72

    Chrismation Brush: $25

    Wine: $165 a case

    Incense: $55 in bulk

    Altar Server Robes: $105 (4 needed)

    Altar Covers: Price to be determined. We could use red and blue

    If you are interested in providing the funds to cover these items, please leave a memo with your donation stating what item you would like to donate. Thank you!


    Thank You From The Sunday School Children

    Many thanks to our church family for donating to the food drive that the children held for the City Rescue Mission Thanksgiving baskets. The children sorted it all and boxed it, and it has been delivered to the Mission. 

    Thank you for helping us teach our children that we are all the hands of Christ and that we need to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

    May we all be the hands that God will use to serve others!


    IOCC Sunday

    The Assembly of Bishops has designated today as "IOCC Sunday". (International Orthodox Christian Charites)

    This is your chance to share IOCC’s work—a ministry that represents every Orthodox priest and every Orthodox Christian in the United States today.

    Help support the mission of the International Orthodox Christian Charities as they provide life-saving and life-changing medical care, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for people all around the world. From victims of the hurricanes in the Southeast United States to the hungry children in Lebanon and Syria, to the sick and suffering of countries like Uganda and Ethiopia, IOCC is representing YOU as they do Christ's work in this world. Your support through prayers and financial contributions can save lives and show Christ to the suffering of this world. 

    Today and next Sunday, we will be collecting a special offering to be given to IOCC to support their work. If making your donation online, please give to the "Hurricane relief" fund.


    Saint Nicholas Day Party

    Our parish will be hosting a Saint Nicholas Day party on Saturday, December 7th at 11 am. This party will include a brunch and plenty of activities for children and families. You might even expect a visit from Saint Nicholas himself. Be sure to bring your shoes and your appetite and your friends. 


    New Birth

    Glory to God for the new child in our parish. Nektaria Maria Ickes was born November 11th to Fr. Spyridon and Psa. Sarah Ickes. Father and Preoteasā thank everyone for their prayers and support. Nektaria will be baptized in our parish on January 4th at 3 pm, with a reception to follow. All parishioners are invited to attend.


    Nativity Fast

    The Nativity Fast has begun. 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, this Wednesday, November 27th, at 6 pm, 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. 


    Virgina Shank Parastas

    On December 1st, directly following the Divine Liturgy, we will celebrate a Parastas (memorial service) for Virginia Shank in memory of Virginia Shank following the 40th day after her falling asleep. Please continue to keep Virginia and her family in your prayers. 


    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.


    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 December 4th


    Prayer List

    Please keep the following in your prayers:

    Living:

    • Psa. Sarah
    • Infant Nektaria
    • Mary Ann 
    • Helen

    Departed: 

    • Virginia 
    • Janet

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    Parish Calendar

    • Calendar

      November 24 to December 9, 2024

      Sunday, November 24

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      12:00PM Parish Council Meeting

      Wednesday, November 27

      11:00AM Funeral Janet Tolci

      6:00PM Akathist of Thanksgiving/Parastas - Bible Study to Follow

      Thursday, November 28

      9:00AM +Virgina Shank 40th Day+

      Saturday, November 30

      6:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, December 1

      9:00AM Matins

      9:00AM Parastas - Virginia

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Wednesday, December 4

      6:00PM Bible Study

      Friday, December 6

      Saint Nicholas

      Saturday, December 7

      11:00AM Saint Nicholas Day Party

      6:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, December 8

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Monday, December 9

      Conception of the Theotokos

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    Online Donations

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