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Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2025-04-13
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Schedule
Flyers
Prayer Requests
Philoptochos
Memorial Donations

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Holy Cross Church

General Information

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

  • 25225 Middlebelt Rd.

  • Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Contact Information

Fr. Alex Radulescu
Parish Priest

[email protected] | (248) 306-9162

Michelle Thomas
Office Administrator

[email protected] | (248) 477-1677

Services Schedule

holycrossgo.org/calendar

DIVINE LITURGY

Sundays 10am

OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday, 10am - 3pm

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 21:1-11; 15-17

At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant; and they said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read,

'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings,
you have brought perfect praise'?"

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the 1st Mode

O Christ our God, before Your Passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead to confirm the common Resurrection for all. Therefore, we carry the symbols of victory as did the youths, and we cry out to You, the victor over death, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. "

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the 4th Mode

O Christ, Our God, we have been Buried with You through Baptism, and by Your Resurrection made worthy of Life immortal. Praising You, we cry out, "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

Seasonal Kontakion in the 6th Mode

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."
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Saints and Feasts

April 13

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 13

Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

Saint Martin was born in Tuscany. He had been the papal delegate at Constantinople; upon the death of Pope Theodore, Saint Martin was elected his successor. At this time the Emperor Constans II, also known as Constantine Pogonatus (reigned 641-668), was seeking support of his confession of faith called the Typos, which espoused the Monothelite heresy, that is, that there is only one will and energy in the Incarnate Son of God. But the newly-consecrated Pope not only did not accept the Typos, but convened the Lateran Council of 649 (attended by 105 of his bishops, and Saint Maximus the Confessor, who was then in Rome), which anathematized the Typos and the Monothelite heresy. Because of this Saint Martin was seized by an imperial force in 653 and brought to Constantinople, where he was charged with sending money to the Saracens and conspiring with them, and blaspheming against the most holy Mother of God. Though innocent of these accusations, he was exiled to Cherson on the Black Sea, where, after many sufferings and privations, he received the crown of his courageous confession in the year 655.

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Schedule

Calendar updates: holycrossgo.org/calendar

Schedule

 

TODAY

Palm Sunday, April 13

  • 10:00 am | Divine Liturgy
  • 12:00 pm | Luncheon sponsored by Philoptochos
  • 07:00 pm | Bridegroom Service (1/3)

 

Holy Week Reader Volunteer Signup

 

THIS WEEK

Monday, April 14

  • 10:00 am | Easter Egg Dyeing 
  • 07:00 pm | Bridegroom Service (2/3)

Tuesday, April 15

  • 07:00 pm | Bridegroom Service (3/3)

Wednesday, April 16

  • 06:00 pm | Holy Unction

Thursday, April 17

  • 10:00 am | Liturgy of the Mystical Supper
  • 07:00 pm | Holy Passion Service (12 Gospels)

Friday, April 18

  • 10:00 am | Royal Hours
  • 11:30 am | Decorate Koumvouklio
  • 03:00 pm | Apokathelosis
  • 07:00 pm | Lamentations Service

Saturday, April 19

  • 10:00 am | Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
  • 11:00 pm | The Canon

UPCOMING

Sunday, April 20

  • 12:00 am | Great and Holy Pascha - Resurrection Service
  • 12:00 pm | Agape Service

 

Announcements & Reminders

 

RENEW YOUR STEWARDSHIP TODAY. To do so, please visit our website at: www.holycrossgo.org/renew-pledge. Thank you.

CALI FIRES

Give to the Archdiocese's Emergency Relief Fund for the Los Angeles Fires. Click here to donate.

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 Debbie George or 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 the following friends

    • Metropolitan Nicholas

    • Metropolitan Isaiah

    • Fr. John Koen

    • Fr. Demetri Tonias
    • Fr. John Stavropoulos
    • Psa. Gabriela Pantea
    • Ted Andris
    • Adam Angelas
    • Andy Athens
    • George Benardos
    • Polydora Bourdouvalis
    • Tom 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 Alexander 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
    • Lexi
    • Kanella Katsikas
    • Ilie Roman
    • Erica Bittinger
    • Michael Diamond
    • Anna Zervos
    • David, Anastasia & baby Blough

 

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 

  • 04/29  - Philoptochos Meeting @ 6:00 pm

 

COFFEE HOUR

  • 04/13 - Palm Sunday Luncheon sponsored by Philoptochos
  • 04/20 - Great and Holy Pascha
  • 04/27 - TBD

  

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 ~     

 

FRED & VIRGINIA CHEKAWAY

Ms. Nicole Chekaway

 

ZOE JAIMEE

Family of Zoe Jaimee

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Barr

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Casoglos

Dr. Pamela Georgeson & Dr. Mark Decco

Mr. & Mrs. Evans Lucas

Mr. & Mrs. Jim Heller

Ms. Elanie Ioanou

Mr. & Mrs. George Katsias

Mr. & Mrs. John Keros & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Van Kyriakopoulos

Holy Cross Philoptochos

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Smallwood

Ms. Peggy Theodore

Dr. & Mrs. Marcus Zervos

 

DEMETRIUS KOURTAKIS

The Kourtakis Family

 

PETER STASSINOPOULOS

Ms. Elaine Ioanou

Ms. Margarita Shukla

Mr. & Mrs. Stylianos Sinanis

 

DINO THANOS

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Angelas

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Barr

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Blough

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Casoglos

Mr. & Mrs. Lou Chalogianis

Mr. & Mrs. Dan Dallas

Dr. Pamela Georgeson & Dr. Mark Decco

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Demopoulos

Dn. George & Dsa. Cleo Fekaris

Mr. & Mrs. John Furkioti

Mr. & Mrs. Doug Garber

Mr. & Mrs. John George

Mr. & Mrs. Dave Gordon

Holy Cross GOYA

Mr. & Mrs. Jim Heller

Mr. & Mrs. Tad Krear

Mr. & Mrs. Van Kyriakopoulos

Ms. Denise Liberty

Mr. & Mrs. Evans Lucas

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pesaros

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Power

Ms. Margarita Shukla

Ms. Bonnie Sitaras

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Somero

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Williams

Ms. Aynna Zervos

 

 

 

 

 

 

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