PRAYER REQUEST:

"I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people….  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners.

Prayers for the family and friends of: Ellen Sarris Allen, Geraldine Sarris, Philip Sarris, Maryann Bolt, Leonardos Daniels, Athena Duddy, Ingrid Fotianos, Mikae Gaetanos, Susana G. Kugeares, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, George Lemieux, Jr., James Mahourtis, Mary Mastoridis, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Adeline Susan Rahaneotis, Mary Santas, Tommy Stewart,  Tracey Billeter Stott, Gary Spanos, Gwen H, Trey Wilkinson, Michael Fotianos ,Mike Theodosion and Rita Latgis.

May their memory be eternal!

Prayers for:

 Taki Andriotis, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael , Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu , James Day, James Kyriake, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Athena Mechikoff, Lewis Hayberg,Jayden Billeter, Vanessa Oliver,  Kugeares Family (Zoe and Marika ), Bobby James, Michaela, and Patricia Tortorella,  Martha Tzemopoulos,  Kaliroi Parris, Gary Peterson,Thomas Lekas and Cliff Demeritt.

A WORD FROM:

V. Rev Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest

(347) 500-8176 [email protected]

Από τον Σταυρό στην Ανάσταση.

 Η εορτή της Υψώσεως του Τιμίου Σταυρού είναι αφορμή να θυμηθούμε την Σταυρική θυσία του Κυρίου. Ο Κύριος, από την πρώτη στιγμή της ενανθρωπήσεώς Του γνωρίζει την πορεία που πρόκειται να ακολουθήσει. Κατά την Υπαπαντή Του, δηλαδή μόλις σαράντα ημέρες μετά τη γέννηση, γίνεται δεκτός από τον Συμεών τον Θεοδόχο. Αυτός προαναγγέλλει στην Παναγία, όσο επρόκειτο να ακολουθήσουν. «Ένα σπαθί θα διαπεράσει και τη δική σου ψυχή, ώστε να αποκαλυφθούν οι σκέψεις πολλών καρδιών.» Αυτή η προφητεία του αγίου Συμεών, πρός την Παναγία,  αναφέρεται στον πόνο και την θλίψη της Θεοτόκου, όταν θα έβλεπε τον Υιό της πάνω στον Σταυρό, που είναι ταυτόχρονα Υιός του Θεού, να υποφέρει και να πεθαίνει.

Ο Κύριος εκούσια προσέρχεται στον Σταυρό για τη σωτηρία του κόσμου. Ακούγονται πολλές φορές, εν τη ρύμη του λόγου ότι “το χρήμα σταύρωσε τον Χριστό, ή ότι οι κακοί άνθρωποι τον σταύρωσαν.” Αυτά όμως δεν είναι σωστά. Ο Κύριος σταυρώνεται για τη σωτηρία του κόσμου. Προσφέρει το αίμα Του ως λυτήριο αμαρτημάτων. Και πού το προσφέρει; Στον Θεό Πατέρα; Σε κάποιον κακό, ας πούμε πειρατή, πιο δυνατό από Εκείνον για να του επιτρέψει να πάρει πίσω τον άνθρωπο; Ασφαλώς και όχι. Ο Κύριος δίνει το σώμα και το αίμα Του στον άνθρωπο. Λάβετε φάγετε, πίετε εξ αυτού πάντες. Ο Κύριος το προσφέρει σε όλο τον κόσμο. Το προσφέρει ως κλειδιά και εργαλεία που θα λύσουν τα δεσμά του Άδου. Η αποδοχή αυτής της προσφοράς δεν γίνεται απλώς με την Θεία Κοινωνία. Γίνεται με την μίμηση του Κυρίου. Γίνεται με την υιοθέτηση του Σταυρικού πνεύματος. Εκείνος δηλαδή που θα δεχθεί ότι όλα όσα αντιλαμβάνεται με τις σωματικές του αισθήσεις, δηλαδή το σώμα του, η κατοικία, τα βουνά, όλη η γη είναι φθαρτά και προσωρινά και ότι τον περιμένουν τα αιώνια θα πιεί όπως ο Κύριος όλο το πικρό ποτήρι των δοκιμασιών. Και θα το πιεί όχι επειδή δεν έχει άλλη επιλογή αλλά επειδή το επιτρέπει ο Κύριος. Με αυτή τη συνείδηση της Σταυρικής πορείας, ο άνθρωπος βαδίζει τον Γολγοθά του βλέποντας με τα μάτια της πίστης ότι τον περιμένει η Ανάσταση.

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From the Cross to the Resurrection

The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is an occasion to remember the Cross sacrifice of the Lord. The Lord, from the first moment of His incarnation, knew the path he was going to follow. During His Presentation at the Temple, that is, just forty days after the birth, He is received by Symeon the Theodoch who announces to the Virgin Mary, all they were to follow. "A sword will pierce your own soul, too, to reveal the thoughts of many hearts." This prophecy of Saint Symeon, to the Virgin Mary, refers to the pain and sorrow of the Virgin Mary, when she would see her Son on the Cross, who is at the same time the Son of God, suffering and dying.

 The Lord voluntarily comes to the Cross for the salvation of the world.  Ιn the flow of speech sometimes it is said that "money crucified Christ, or that evil people crucified him." But these are not right. The Lord is crucified for the salvation of the world. He offers His blood as a ransom for sins. And where does He offer it? To God the Father? To someone evil, say a pirate, stronger than Him to allow Him to take the man back? Certainly not. The Lord gives His body and blood to man. Take, eat, drink from it all of you. The Lord offers it to the whole world. It offers it as keys and tools that will loosen the shackles of Hell. The acceptance of this offer is not done simply through Holy Communion. It is done by imitating the Lord. It is done by adopting the spirit of the Cross. That is, he who accepts that everything he perceives with his bodily senses, that is, his body, his dwelling, the mountains, the whole earth, is perishable and temporary, and that the eternals await him, will drink like the Lord all the bitter glass of the tribulations. And he will drink it not because he has no other choice but because the Lord allows it. With this consciousness of the Crucifixion, man walks on his Golgotha, seeing with the eyes of faith that the Resurrection awaits him.

 . Events:

• First Day of Sunday School- 9/13/2026

• Kelbert-Baptism 9/19/2026
• 6-Month Memorial for Gerry Sarris 9/27/2026
•  Cooking dates for Greek Festival are below, many hands are needed to prepare for the festival

   ·      Fri, Sep 11, 1pm - 7pm – Mousaka

  ·      Sat, Sep 12, 10am - finish – Mousaka

  ·      Fri, Sep 25, 1pm - 7pm – Pastitsio

  ·      Sat, Sep 26, 10am - finish – Pastitsio

  ·      Sat, Oct 3, 10am - finish – Chicken skewering

  ·      Thu, Oct 8, 10am - 5pm – Tzatziki; Onion, tomato chopping

  ·      Fri, Oct 9, 10am - finish – Set-up; Beans, Dressing

 Notices:

• ASTERAKIA DANCE GROUP

  We are excited to invite all our children, boys and girls, 5 – 14 years old to join the Asterakia Dance group, which means “Little Stars” in English!

  Come learn and enjoy the beautiful traditions of Greek dancing in a fun and welcoming environment. No experience is necessary for this free of charge event!

  When: Sundays, after Divine Liturgy at noon for about 30 minutes (Sunday school classroom) 

  Each Sunday’s social hour is chaired by Philoptochos

  A volunteer coordinates a given week’s plan. That means that regardless of experience, anyone can volunteer to provide a snack and be a host.  This is not limited to Philoptchos members or   even just to women!

  Sign up is  available on our website, under the Calendar tab.

  We understand that many parishioners are unable to host, however they want to connect, get involved and enjoy time together after worship. If you’re able, you can always bring something to share with our parish family and Sunday school children. Items picked up during grocery store sales (buy one, get one free) are always appreciated. Also, this is a great way to get non-perishable items to donate to the local food pantry!

  We welcome:

  Ø Baked goods or simple snacks (ready to serve)

  Ø Fruits (cleaned and ready to serve)

  Ø Homemade items (list ingredients to prevent allergy concerns)

       If you have any questions on what to bring or when, reach out to Kaliroi Parris at [email protected] or contact any of the Philoptochos ladies and they will be glad to help you!

   

   **If you have an article for The Sunday Messenger or Holy Trinity Herald  please email by Wednesday each week to Carey at the Church office to [email protected].