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Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2025-09-14
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Holy Cross Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (248) 477-1677
  • Street Address:

  • 25225 Middlebelt Rd.

  • Farmington Hills, MI 48336


Contact Information






Services Schedule

holycrossgo.org/calendar

DIVINE LITURGY

Sundays 10am

OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday, 10am - 3pm


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from John 12:28-36

The Lord said, "Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out: and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 7th Mode. Psalm 98.9,1.
Exalt the Lord our God.
Verse: The Lord reigns; let the people tremble.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:18-24.

Brethren, the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.


Gospel Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30

At that time, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."

When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Then when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

A MARVELOUS thing is longsuffering; it places the soul as in a quiet harbor, fleeing it from tossings and evil spirits. And this everywhere Christ hath taught us, but especially now, when He is judged, and dragged, and led about ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 84 on John 18 and Homily 85 on John 19, 4th Century

But why was it that Pilate made the enquiry not in their presence, but apart, having gone into the judgment hall? He suspected something great respecting Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 84 on John 18 and Homily 85 on John 19, 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for the Church in the 1st Mode

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
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Saints and Feasts

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


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Schedule

Calendar updates: holycrossgo.org/calendar

Schedule

TODAY

Sunday, September 14

  • 10:00 am | Divine Liturgy - Exaltation of Holy Cross
  • 11:20 am | Coffee Hour - Philoptochos

 

THIS WEEK

Monday, September 15

  • 01:30 pm | Funeral of George Vlachos

  • 07:00 pm | Bible Study (Wisdom of Sirach 38-39)

Wednesday, September 17

  • 07:00 pm | Holy Unction (Sts. Constantine & Helen Church)

Thursday, September 18

 

UPCOMING

Sunday, September 21

  • 10:00 am | Divine Liturgy 
  • 11:10 am | Memorials - Calliope Lucas, Peter Lucas & Theodore Lucas, Andrew Pappas
  • 11:20 am | Church School Agiasmos & Catechesis
  • 11:30 am | Coffee Hour - Mary Lucas
  • 12:00 am | Altar Boys Orientation

 

Announcements & Reminders

FLOWERS

If you are interested in donating to purchase flowers to decorate an icon for a feast day, or to decorate the church for Pascha, please contact the Church Office or look for donation box on the pangari.

PROSPHORA

Interested in sponsoring prosphora? Please contact the Church Office.

ICONS IN THE ALTAR

If you brought icons to be blessed in the altar, please retrieve them after 40 days. 

WORSHIP

Please download the Daily Readings App Lite (free download) for the daily Gospel & Epistle readings.

LIVESTREAM SERVICES

www.holycrossgo.org/live

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE

Please continue to support our Chuch via your Stewardship pledge and donations. Please mail your checks directly to the church or donate online by clicking on the "GIVE" button on our website. Visit the Stewardship webpage to fill out your annual pledge card and/or to pay your stewardship.

VIGIL CANDLES

If you would like us to light a vigil candle for you, please call the Church Office or email [email protected] with your name(s) and Fr. Alex will light a vigil candle for you and say a prayer.

SHOP AT ACE HARDWARE? 5% minus tax = (!)

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church or #214538. 5% line discount off everyday pricing in the store Ace Rewards as well as 6% Tax Exempt will come off automatically. 2% Ace Rewards

SHOP AT KROGER?

Register your card in a few steps. Each May the registration needs to be renewed,
so if you were part of the program last year and haven't renewed, please do so. Go to:
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Holy Cross' ID # 83567

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Flyers

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Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for the health and healing of:

  • Metropolitan Nicholas
  • Metropolitan Isaiah
  • Psa. Gabriela Pantea
  • Ted Andris
  • Adam Angelas
  • Andy Athens
  • George Benardos
  • Polydora Bourdouvalis
  • Tom & Mary Casoglos
  • Antonia Comer
  • Helene Cuscutis
  • Dan Dallas
  • Grace Decco
  • George
  • Marilyn Georgeson
  • Elise Gorman
  • Brian Heikkuri
  • Bill Hiotaky
  • Julie Hiotaky
  • Irene Katsias
  • Maureen Kelly
  • Zachary King
  • Niki Klimatianos
  • Eva Kocoves
  • Elaine Kourtakis
  • Audrey Kourtakis
  • Tom Lagos
  • Nayiri Misirliyan
  • Evelyn Morris
  • Baby Myles
  • Faye Prekeges
  • Dina Rand
  • Terrie Stefanakis
  • Paraskevi Theodorou
  • Pete Varvaresos
  • Nicholas Varveris
  • Rafael Vasu
  • Dennis Watkins
  • Gina Weiler
  • Rick Wilson
  • Bentley
  • Heather
  • Perris
  • Baby Joseph
  • Lexi
  • Kanella Katsikas
  • Erica Bittinger
  • Michael Diamond
  • Anna Zervos
  • David, Anastasia & baby Blough
  • Archie
  • Jason
  • Ellene
  • Sophie Paron
  • Gheorghia Cherpes
  • Baby Elias
  • Allison Ricardi
  • Alex Matthews
  • Virginia, John & Olivia Koutsouros
  • Alexandra Anton
  • Christine & Vasili Zoyes
  • Sheliah

 

Please email the office if you want to add your name or loved ones to the prayer list. Thank you!

 

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Philoptochos

INVITATION TO JOIN HOLY CROSS PHILOPTOCHOS

All women 18 years old and over are encouraged to join our Holy Cross Philoptochos. New and returning members are welcome! The 2025 Philoptochos Stewardship Form is attached.

 

NEXT MEETING 

  •  September 23, 2025 @ 6:00pm General Philoptochos Meeting

 

COFFEE HOUR

  • 09/14 - Philoptochos
  • 09/21 - Evans & Mary Lucas
  • 09/28 - Stewardship Committee (Pancake Breakfast) 

 

NOTE ABOUT THE COFFEE HOUR:  Philoptochos would like to thank our parishioners who support us throughout the year by sponsoring our Sunday Coffee Hour and bringing delicious treats to share. Your sponsorship and sharing promote fellowship and we are so grateful.

Please consider hosting a Sunday Coffee Hour by signing up on the sheet in the church lobby or contacting Bonnie Sitaras at 248-259-0986.

When scheduling a memorial through the Church Office and you would like to host coffee hour that day, please let Michelle in the office know so we can plan accordingly. 

Thank you.

 

 

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Memorial Donations

~ In Loving Memory of ~     

 

COSTAS KOUTOURAS

Mr. & Mrs. Adam Angelas

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Fekaris

Mr. & Mrs. Andy Moundros

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Power

Mrs. Anna Zervos

Mr. & Mrs. Gus Zervos

 

EVANGELIA MIHOS

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Casoglos

Mr. & Mrs. George Katsias

Mr. & Mrs. Evans Lucas

Mr. & Mrs. Andy Moundros

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pesaros

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Williams

Ms. Bonnie Sitaras

 

THOMAS THEODOROU

Mr. & Mrs. Todd Barnaby

Mr. & Mrs. Lanny Nuechterlein

Ms. Paraskevi Theodorou

The Theodorou Family

 

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