Holy Cross Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2026-02-01
Bulletin Contents
Sunday February 1st - Publican and Pharisee
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Announcements
Parish Calendar
Online Donations
Diakonia Newsletter

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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 4 pm; Confessions heard after

Sundays: Matins 9 am, Divine Liturgy 10 am

 

Past Bulletins


Sunday February 1st - Publican and Pharisee

     



Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Tone

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord in the First Tone

The Heavens' choir looked down from the vaults of the Heavens, and gazing on the earth, they beheld with amazement the First-born of all creation brought forth as a suckling babe to the Temple by a pure and virginal mother; and with us, they now do sing a hymn for the Forefeast, astonished and full of awe.

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 First Tone © Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
  • Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord in the First Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery


    • 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

    Trypho the Martyr
    The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 8:28-39

    Brethren, we know that everything works for good with those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

    What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Gospel Reading

    Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
    The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

    The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."



    Wisdom of the Fathers

    If there is a moral quality almost completely disregarded and even denied today, it is indeed humility. The culture in which we live constantly instills in us the sense of pride, of self-glorification, and of self-righteousness ... Even our churches - are they not imbued with that same spirit of the Pharisee? Do we not want our every contribution, every 'good deed,' all the we do 'for the Church' to be acknowledged, praised, publicized? ... How does one become humble? The answer, for a Christian, is simple: by contemplating Christ..."
    Fr. Alexander Schmemann
    Great Lent, pp. 19-20., 20th Century

    It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
    St. John Chrysostom
    AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century



    Saints and Feasts

    February 01

    Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

    The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

    Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

    All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.



    Announcements

    Choir Rehersals

    We will have weekly choir rehearsals every Thursday at 6 pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come to the rehearsals 


    Triodion Begins

    The Triodion is a special liturgical book that covers the services of Great Lent, Holy Week, & the preparatory weeks before Great Lent. We have now entered into the preparation for Great Lent. Now is the time to start to prepare both our hearts and our fridges for the Great Fast. 


    Presentation of our Lord

    There will be no Divine Liturgy at our parish on Monday, February. 2nd for the Presentation of our Lord. Fr. Spyridon will be serving at St. John's in Hermitage with Fr. David all of our parishioners are invited to come and celebrate with St. John's


    Parish Synod

    Parish Synod is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th, following the Divine Liturgy. We ask all parish members to be present and involved. 


    Sanctity of Life Sunday

    Sunday, January 25th, is designated by the Orthodox Church in America as "Sanctity of Life Sunday". The Orthodox Church is dedicated to the preservation of all life from conception to natural death. We ask all our parishioners to say some special prayers for all who have suffered due to the grievous evils of abortion, physician-assisted suicide, violence, and all issues that destroy the great gift of life. 

    As Orthodox Christians, we know how Christ Himself became incarnate in the Virgin's womb. He has sanctified every part of human life. He became a fetus, a baby, a child, and lived a holy and perfect life, sanctifying every part of human life. 

    We will have a special collection the next monthfor Willow Women's Center, a local pregnancy center that helps take care of expecting and new mothers. 


    Bible Study and St. Emmeliea

    Bible Study and St. Emmeliea are back!

    Bible Study every Wednesday at 6 pm. We are starting the book of Jonah. 

    St. Emmeliea 7 pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Please see Psa. Sarah, for additional information. 

    Next St. Emmeliea is this Tuesday, Feb. 10th, at 7 pm.

    No Bible Study on February 11th.


    Orthodoxy 101

    Third Sunday Every Month after Liturgy

    Ever wanted to learn more about your faith?

    On the third Sunday of every month, our parish will be offering an "Orthodoxy 101" class. These classes are designed to help us deepen our understanding of the Orthodox faith. 

    How is this different from Bible Study?

    Great question. In our Bible Study, we work our way through different books of the Holy Scriptures. We discuss in detail the particular passages and how they help us understand how God reveals Himself to us. In Orthodoxy 101, we will discuss more broadly the Orthodox Church, her traditions, and how developing a better understanding of the Church helps us draw nearer to Christ.

    Who is this for?

    If you are reading this, then Orthodoxy 101 is for you. Though Orthodoxy 101 is especially helpful for inquirers and catechumens, all of us have so much more to learn. 

    Next Orthodoxy 101 is today, Sunday, February 15th!




    Parish Calendar

    • Calendar

      February 1 to February 15, 2026

      Sunday, February 1

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      Monday, February 2

      Presentation of the Lord

      Wednesday, February 4

      6:00PM Bible Study

      Thursday, February 5

      6:00PM Choir Rehearsal

      Saturday, February 7

      4:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, February 8

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      11:30AM Parish Synod

      Thursday, February 12

      6:00PM Choir Rehearsal

      Saturday, February 14

      9:00AM Monastery Divine Liturgy

      4:00PM Great Vespers

      Sunday, February 15

      10:00AM Divine Liturgy

      12:00PM Orthodoxy 101



    Online Donations



    Diakonia Newsletter

    Diakonia Newsletter

    Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday

    https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-02-01?source=bulletin_web

    February 1, 2026

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