Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-01-19
Bulletin Contents
Sunday January 12, 2024 - Makarios the Great of Egypt
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Parish Calendar
Online Donations

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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 January 12, 2024 - Makarios the Great of Egypt

     

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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 Macarius the Great of Egypt in the First Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Macarius, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

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 Macarius the Great of Egypt in the First Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Matins Gospel Reading

    Eighth Orthros Gospel
    The Reading is from John 20:11-18

    At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

    Epistle Reading

    12th Sunday of Luke
    The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

    Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

    Gospel Reading

    12th Sunday of Luke
    The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19

    At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    Having met the Savior, therefore, the lepers earnestly besought Him to free them from their misery, and called Him Master, that is. Teacher. No one pitied them when suffering this malady, but He Who had appeared on earth for this very reason, and had become man that He might show pity to all, He was moved with compassion for them, and had mercy on them.... And why did He not rather say, I will, be you cleansed; as He did in the case of another leper, but commanded them rather to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Lev. 14-2); for it commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing.
    St. Cyril of Alexandria
    Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

    ...trials and afflictions are laid upon a man in the way that is best for him, so as to make his soul stronger and more mature; and if the soul endures them to the end with hope in the Lord it cannot fail to attain the promised reward of the Spirit and deliverance from the evil passions.
    St. Makarios the Great
    Homilies, VI: The Freedom of the Intellect no. 130, The Philokalia Vol. 3 ed. Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 343, 4th Century

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    Saints and Feasts

    January 19

    12th Sunday of Luke

    January 19

    Macarius the Great of Egypt

    Saint Macarius the Great was from the Thebaid of Egypt, a disciple, as some say, of Saint Anthony the Great. He was born about 331 and struggled in asceticism in the desert at Scete. Although young, he was called "the child elder" because of his great wisdom and austere manner of life. He was ordained presbyter and reposed in 391, at the age of sixty. There are fifty homilies ascribed to him.

    It is said of Saint Macarius that he became as a God upon earth, for even as God protects the whole world, so did he cover the faults he saw as if he did not see them. Once he came back to his cell to find a thief taking his things and loading them on a camel. Macarius' non-possessiveness was so great that he helped the thief load the camel. When the camel refused to rise, Macarius returned to his cell and brought a small hoe, said that the camel wanted the hoe also, loaded it on, and kicked the camel telling it to get up. The camel obeyed Macarius' command, but soon lay down again, and would not move until everything had been returned to Macarius. His contemporary, Saint Macarius of Alexandria, was so called because he came from Alexandria and was therefore of that Greek-speaking colony; while Saint Macarius the Great is also called "of Egypt," that is, he belonged to the ancient race native to Egypt, the Copts.

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    Announcements

    Kevin Cramer Baptism

    Glory to God for all things! By the Grace of God, Kevin Cramer will be baptized into Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church this upcoming Saturday, January 25th. Kevin has been a catechumen at Holy Cross, studying and embracing the Holy Orthodox Faith. After around six months of preparation and prayer, he will now be baptized and illuminated! May we keep Kevin in our prayers as he prepares for his reception in the Church.


    Saint Emmelia Women’s Group

    Our parish is starting a new ministry for the women of our community. This ministry provides a time and place for the fostering of relationships of women with each other and ultimately with Christ to our God. Saint Emmelia will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 7pm in the home of Fr. Spyridon and Psa. Sarah. 

    Why Saint Emmelia? Saint Emmelia is know as "the mother of the saints". Saint Emmelia raised five children recognized today by the Eastern Orthodox Church as saints! Mothers, God Mothers, and all Christians can learn from the Godly example Christ has given us in this His Saint. Saint Emmelia, pray to God for us!

    The Saint Emmelia Women's group will meet for the first time on January 28th. This ministry is open to all women of the parish and friends you may bring along. 


    March For Life

    Father Spyridon will be away on Friday, January 24th to represent our parish and the Orthodox Church at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Every year many of the bishops, priests, deacons, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in North America join in prayer and sing hymns as they join in witness to the sanctity of life and the love of the God who Himself dwelled in His mother's womb for our salvation. 


    Paraklesis for the Unborn

    On this Wednesday, January 22nd at 6 pm our parish will replace our Wednesday Daily Vespers with a Paraklesis for the unborn, pregnant mothers, and all who have wrestled with the issue of abortion. We pray for life, peace, health, forgiveness, and salvation for all who have been affected by this issue. 

    Christ, our God, has sanctified life by being born as a man. He has sanctified motherhood and birth-giving. Christ has lived a human life for our salvation, starting with his conception. Please keep in your prayers all who have been affected by and struggled with abortion. 


    House Blessings

    Instead of a signup sheet for house blessings this year, Father will contact everyone individually to set up a time for the house blessings. By setting up individual appointments, we hope to be able to accommodate everyone in the parish better. 


    Parish Synod

    Our annual parish synod will be held at the parish on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2nd, 2025, following the Divine Liturgy. Please be in attendance if you can make it. 


    Parish Growth!

    By the grace of God, we continue to see our parish grow! Next week, we will have the second baptism this month in our parish. Our parish has four catechumens right now and will soon be blessed to witness more baptisms! Continue to pray with us for the catechumens that the Lord our God will teach them the Word of His truth and unite them to His holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. 

    We look forward to, God willing, many more baptisms and chrismations in the future. 


    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.

     


    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 (3 more needed)

    Altar Covers: Price to be determined. We could use red and blue (speak with Fr. Spyridon)

    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!


    Prayer List

    Please keep the following in your prayers:

    Living:

    • Mary Ann 
    • Helen
    • Charles

    Departed: 


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    Parish Calendar

    • Calendar

      January 19 to February 2, 2025

      Sunday, January 19

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Wednesday, January 22

      6:00PM Paraklesis

      6:00PM Bible Study

      Saturday, January 25

      2:00PM Baptism Kevin Cramer

      6:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, January 26

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Tuesday, January 28

      7:00PM Saint Emmelia

      Wednesday, January 29

      6:00PM Bible Study

      Sunday, February 2

      Presentation of the Lord

      9:00AM Matins

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      11:30AM Parish Synod

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    Online Donations

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