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Holy Cross Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-31
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

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

Prokeimenon. 3rd Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Rise from love of the world and love of pleasure. Put care aside, strip your mind, refuse your body. Prayer, after all, is a turning away from the world, visible and invisible. What have I in heaven? Nothing except simply to cling always to You in undistracted prayer. Wealth pleases some, glory others, possessions others, but what I want is to cling to God and to put the hopes of my dispassion in Him (cf. Ps. 72:25, 28).
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 28: On Prayer; Paulist Press pg. 277, 6th century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Venerable Sash of the Theotokos in the 8th Mode

Thou best bestowed upon thy city, O ever virgin Theotokos and shelter of mankind, the robe and the belt of thy pure body, at a secure mantle, which by thy seedless birthgiving have remained without corruption for by thee are nature and time regenerated Wherefore, we implore thee to grant thy city safety, and our souls the Great Mercy

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 2nd Mode

Thy precious sash, O Theotokos, which encompassed thy God-receiving womb, is an invincible force for thy flock, and an unfailing treasury of every good, O only Ever-virgin Mother.
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Saints and Feasts

August 31

12th Sunday of Matthew

August 31

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

Although the historical accounts differ somewhat, the Deposition that is celebrated today took place most likely during the reign of Emperor Arcadius (395-408), when the precious Cincture of the Mother of God was brought from Zela of Cappadocia to Constantinople, and placed in the Church of the Theotokos in the section of Chalcopratia.

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Schedule

Calendar updates: holycrossgo.org/calendar

Schedule

TODAY

Sunday, August 31

  • 10:00 am | Divine Liturgy
  • 11:15 am | Coffee Hour - Philoptochos

 

THIS WEEK

Monday, September 1

  • Labor Day (Office Closed)

 

UPCOMING

Sunday, September 7

  • 10:00 am | Divine Liturgy
  • 11:15 am | Coffee Hour - Limperis & Cindy Zervos

 

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

 

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 03, 2025 @ 6:00pm Board Meeting (Via Zoom)
  •  September 23, 2025 @ 6:00pm General Philoptochos Meeting

 

COFFEE HOUR

  • 08/31 - Philoptochos
  • 09/07 - Limperis & Cindy Zervos
  • 09/14 -  Philoptochos
  • 09/21 - TBD
  • 09/28 - Michael & Cathy Blough

 

PHILOPTOCHOS ANNOUCEMENTS

  • We need basil to ornate the cross for our Feast Day. Please drop it off on September 12-13.
  • Spinach Pies—we have 3x 4 roll trays ($40) and 3x 1/2sheet pans ($25). Please see Cathy Blough or Sophia Barr.
  • Operation Backpack Final Reminder—please drop off your backpack to church by this Sunday, August 24. After that date, all remaining backpacks should be delivered directly to Beechview Elementary School,26850 Westmeath Ct, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.

 

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. Andy Moundros

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Power

Mrs. Anna Zervos

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