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.

Sunday September 13/ Sunday School Begins

Dear Sunday School Families, We are so excited to welcome you all back to Sunday School starting next Sunday, September 13! Our team has been preparing for a wonderful year ahead, and we are thrilled to introduce a new curriculum, welcome new teachers, and see both returning and new student faces in our classrooms. To help ensure this year is the best possible for our youth, please review the following reminders and details: Attached Resources: Please find attached our tentative Sunday School calendar for the year, as well as our class rosters at a glance. If you notice anyone who was left off or has not registered yet, please pass the word along! Attendance: Regular attendance matters! Bringing your child to church every Sunday ensures they won't miss out on important teaching, learning, and building friendships with their church community. Class Schedule & Safety: Class Time: Sunday School typically runs from 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM. To avoid distractions and maximize learning time, please do not interrupt classes while they are in session. Restroom Reminder (Pre-K/Kindergarten): Please have younger students use the restroom prior to drop-off so we can make the most of our lesson time together. Dismissal Safety: For our younger classes, students will not be dismissed until a parent or guardian comes to pick them up directly. Snack Donations & Coordinator: We have approximately 24 to 27 Sunday School sessions throughout the year with snacks served every Sunday- and our students often love seconds! All snacks must be peanut-free. We are also looking for donations of water and juice boxes. We are excited to have Ms. Anna Uldrick serving as our Snack Coordinator this year. She is copied on this email, but prefers text messages. Please text her at (803) 671-2330 if you are able to sign up or contribute. Classroom Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies: Our classrooms are currently fully stocked with paper towels, bleach wipes, Lysol spray, and other essentials, but we tend to run low as the year unfolds. If you would like to donate cleaning supplies to keep our classrooms clean and healthy, please text Florina Rogers at (803) 474-3182. Communication & Staying Connected: TeamReach App: This year, we are moving away from Remind and will be using the TeamReach app for quick communications and announcements. Please download the app and join our group using code: SS@953HTGOC. Facebook: Be sure to follow our church Facebook page for highlights and snippets of our time together in Sunday School! Thank you for your ongoing support, dedication, and partnership. We look forward to seeing everyone next Sunday, September 13! With Love in Christ, Florina Rogers Sunday School Director Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Augusta 953 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901

September Calendar

We buy today’s child almost anything, and then we wonder why they no longer appreciate the value of things. Phones, clothes, toys, trips, pocket money—the only thing we fail to give them is our time. We pacify them with a screen because we are busy, yet a few years later, we complain that they no longer talk to us. But who taught them that a phone is more readily available than Mom and Dad? It is not technology that comes between parents and children on its own; often, we are the ones who open the door to it. A child needs more than just to be provided for; they need to be raised. They need to hear "no" and to learn about patience, hard work, prayer, respect, and boundaries. Granting every wish without shaping their character does them no favors. You are preparing them for a world where they will believe everyone owes them something. And when life delivers its first "no," they may well fall apart, having never learned at home how to cope with doing without.

2026 Pledge Card/Stewardship

Biblical stewardship means recognizing that everything belongs to God (the ultimate owner), and humans are managers (stewards) of His resources, including time, talents, money, people, and the Earth, to use for His glory and the betterment of creation

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Exaltation in the Second Mode

We offer Thee in mediation the life-giving Cross which, of Thy goodness, Thou hast given unto us, the unworthy, O Lord. Save Thy hierarchs and Thy flock, and grant Thou peace through the Theotokos, O only friend of man.

Apolytikion for Temple of the Resurrection in the Fourth Mode

Thou hast shown the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Thy glory to be like unto the splendour of the heavenly firmament, O Lord. Strengthen it for ever and ever, and accept our prayers which we unceasingly offer therein unto Thee, through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the Life and Resurrection of all.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

The Church is shown to be a many-lighted heaven that doth shine a guiding light upon all them that do believe; wherein while standing we cry aloud: Do Thou Thyself now establish this house, O Lord.

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 Plagal of the Second Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Exaltation in the Second Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Temple of the Resurrection in the Fourth Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Our Redeemer and Maker, Who was Son of God before the ages, became Son of Man at the end of ages. Thus the One Who, through the power of His divinity, had created us to enjoy the happiness of everlasting life, might Himself restore us, through the weakness of our humanity, to recover the life we had lost.

St. Bede the Venerable

Homilies on the Gospels, 2.18. 7th Century. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 126.

For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

September 13

Sunday before Holy Cross

September 13

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.

September 13

Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Diakonia Newsletter

Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-09-13?source=bulletin_web

September 13, 2026

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