GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS

Sunday of the Holy Cross - March 7, 2010

 

 

The Reverend Peter G. Salmas - e-mail : frpeter@goholycross.org

The Reverend Panagioti Sotiras - e-mail : frsotiras@goholycross.org

 

900 Alameda  /  Belmont, CA   94002-1604

(650) 591-4447  /  fax (650) 508-9846

www.goholycross.org  /  office@goholycross.org

 

 

 

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS

If you are visiting us for the first time, we invite you to sign our guest book in the Narthex. Only those who have been baptized and/or confirmed in the Greek Orthodox Church are in good standing in the Eastern Orthodox faith and have recently been to confession may participate in the Holy Sacraments of the Church, including the Holy Eucharist.  May God bless and keep you well.

 

HOLY CROSS THREE HIERARCHS BOOKSTORE

Our Holy Cross Three Hierarchs Bookstore is happily filled with Orthodox browsers and buyers.  Now is the time to purchase your service books for the Great Lent...Lenten Liturgies, The Akathist Hymn and CD, and the Services for Holy Week and Pascha.  Each of these books is in Greek and in English and is an essential companion for participation in the Holy Services of Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. The treasury of hymnology which our Orthodox Church offers to the faithful is a great gift to us as we pursue our lives as Orthodox Christians. Our shelves are also well-stocked with books which are carefully selected to make available the best of what is published in Orthodox literature.  Of special interest and available now are Lenten Covenant by Father Leon Contos and Great Lent by Father Alexander Schmemann.  Also, be sure to become familiar with the CD's which are available for this Holy Season.

 

 

SERVICES

Sunday, March 7 – 8:30 AM, Orthros; 10 AM, Divine Liturgy - Sunday of the Holy Cross

Monday, March 8 - 7 PM, Great Compline

Tuesday, March 9 – 8:30 AM, Ninth Hour; 9 AM, Presanctified Liturgy - 40 Martyrs

Wednesday, March 10 - 6:00 PM, Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 12 – 8:30 AM, Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 12 - 7 PM, Salutations

Saturday, March 13 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers

Sunday, March 14 – 8:30 AM, Orthros; 10 AM, Divine Liturgy - Sunday of John Climacus

Monday, March 15 - 7 PM, Great Compline

Wednesday, March 17 - 6:00 PM, Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 19 – 8:30 AM, Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 19 - 7 PM, Akathist Hymn

Saturday, March 20 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers

 

Holy Confession for Lent

Monday, March 8 from 3-5 PM   /   Tuesday, March 9 from 3-5 and 7-9 PM

and Saturday evenings immediately following Great Vespers

 

MEETINGS & EVENTS

Today           SPIRITUAL ODYSSEY - Our guest speaker is Dr. George Parsenios, professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University. 

For Lent       2010 LENTEN MISSION PROJECT - Please join our parish in collecting coins for the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orthodox Orphanage in Guatemala and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC).  The funds will be used to help the nuns in Guatemala build a new orphanage in the mountains (with fresh air!) for 70 beautiful children.  Adoptions are no longer taking place, so the nuns really need our help!  All students in our Religious Education program have received mission coin boxes to fill, and additional coin boxes will be available during coffee hour for those parishioners who wish to help.  Filled coin boxes will be collected on Palm Sunday.  Thank you for your love and generosity, especially during this time of Great Lent.  For more information, please contact Claire Gagas.  Also, please check the orphanage's website at www.hogarafaelayau.org for the latest updates!

Monday / (Monday)    COLLEGE NIGHT – The Oaks, 8-9 PM.  This ministry is for all those who commute to college and who fall in the 18-early 20’s age range.  If you do not attend community college but fall in this age range, you are still welcome to attend.  Our goal is to develop authentic friendships and to learn how the Orthodox faith impacts our lives.  RSVP to Fr. Pete by Monday at noon.

Tuesday       BIBLE STUDY will continue Tuesday at 10 AM in The Oaks.  Join us for scriptural study and great discussions on a myriad of topics and issues.

Tuesdays                     BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL - Practices continue on Tuesdays at 5:30-7 PM in the Gym.  If you want to play, email Konstantine Salmas at konstantines@goholycross.org, call the church office, or email the coach, Ilya Frangos at ifrangosesq@gmail.com.

Tuesday / (Monday)   OCF AT STANFORD - 7:30-9 PM, Rm. 207, the Nitery.  This group is for all those who attend Stanford or who attend another university or college that does not have an OCF.    Our goal is to develop authentic friendships and to learn how the Orthodox faith impacts our lives.  RSVP to Fr. Pete Monday.

Wednesdays CERTIFICATE OF ATTAINMENT IN GREEK – Classes offered by Greek School  Greek School is offering a class that prepares students for the Examination to achieve the Certificate of Attainment in Greek. Class continues on Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 PM. The classes are free of charge for Holy Cross Greek School current students and graduates. For details, contact Theodora Kounalakis at .  For info on our School, visit our website: http://belmontgreekschool.com/

Wednesday  STUDIES IN THE FAITH – continues following Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 7:45 PM.  We are studying the development of the Church in Athens.  

Thursday / (Tuesday) BLAST– The Oaks, 7-8:30 PM – RSVP to Fr. Pete by this Tuesday.  This ministry is for those in middle school and high school.

Friday-Mar 14            TEEN LENTEN RETREAT!  $60 for the entire weekend!  This is the annual Lenten Retreat for Holy Cross’ middle school and high school students.  Great group activities and discussions will be offered.  We will be attending a different Retreat Center this year, called Redwood Glen in Loma Mar, less than an hour south of us.  Spots are still available but you must RSVP asap.

March 14     SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY – Members in good standing are invited to join us for this important meeting, immediately following Liturgy. Agenda is posted on-line.

March 20     LOVE TO KNIT OR CROCHET? - The ladies of Philoptochos would like to restart regular gatherings to knit and crochet hats, scarves and blankets for those in need.  Completed items will be distributed to the homeless, nursing facilities, cancer care and visitation to the elderly.  The first gathering will take place on Saturday, March 20, at 1 PM at the home of Ella Stamates.  Please join us in this endeavor by calling to express your interest in joining us at 369-9825.

March 20 / (Tuesday) YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NIGHT AND POTLUCK - 6:15 PM, The Oaks.  We will be continuing our discussion of Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s Great Lent: Journey to Pascha and how it practically applies to the lives of young professionals.  RSVP by this Tuesday to Fr. Pete.    If you would like to bring a Lenten dish for the potluck, please contact Fr. Pete.  This ministry is geared to those who have completed their undergraduate program and /or are over 21, married or single. 

Mar 20 / May 11-12   CERTIFICATE OF ATTAINMENT IN GREEK – Important Dates  The test for the certificate of attainment in Greek will be conducted in May at Holy Cross. Those interested in taking the test should submit an application. Application forms are available at Holy Cross Greek School. For additional information please contact Theodora Kounalakis at   Test application due date: March 20 / Test date - levels A and B:  May 11  /  Test date - levels C and D:  May 12.  For info on our School, visit our website: http://belmontgreekschool.com/

March 21     GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION - Join the Greek School in celebrating Greek Independence Day and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary on Sunday, March 21, with a delicious Lenten luncheon and presentations by the students. For information and reservations please see the flyer.

Apr 24 / (Apr 10)        ANNUAL FASHION SHOW - The Holy Cross Philoptochos presents Romancing the Greek Isles, its annual spring fashion show, on Saturday, April 24 at 11:30 AM. Get ready for a romantic island escapade. Imagine the feeling of the warm Greek island waters as you jump in and experience life . . . and love. Many surprises await you and your friends. A delicious luncheon prepared by the ladies will feature the healthy, Mediterranean and Cretan diet. Escape with us to an island where anything is possible! Make your reservations early. Tickets are $40 prior to April 10 and $50 after the early deadline.

June 12-19   METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP - The Hellenic Greek Education and Culture committee invites you to join the first Annual Greek Immersion summer camp (at St. Nicholas Ranch) for a week full of memories of a lifetime.  For additional information please visit: www.belmontgreekschool.com or call Theodora Kounalakis at 594-9585.

June 21-25   GREEK SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP - Greek School invites you to join our third annual summer camp. Previous summer camps have been a great success and we anticipate this year’s camp to be equally memorable!  For more information please visit: www.belmontgreekschool.com or call Theodora Kounalakis at 594-9585.

 

NEWS

FESTIVAL MARKETING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - NOW! Graphic designers, layout artists, web developers, advertising and PR specialists are all needed. We are starting early and spreading the work around to minimize stress and maximize the success of this year’s 40th Holy Cross Greek Festival! For more info, email me at daveiuppa@comcast.net

STEWARDSHIP 2010 – PLEDEGES DUE NOW! Please return your 2010 Stewardship Cards to help your church meet her financial responsibilities for 2010.  So far, 289 families have made their pledges for an average of $1024 per family.  A list has been posted in the Narthex of Stewards of Holy Cross.

ORA MEMBERSHIP FOR HOLY CROSS – Now accepting members ages 55-110.  Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesdays at 11 AM.  Join us for fun, fellowship, and lunch at Noon, and the occasional day-trips.  Dues are $12 for the year.  For details, call Peter Economos at 327-1429.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR - Philoptochos invites you to sponsor a Coffee Hour in honor of a special event or celebration---birthdays, anniversaries, etc. All church organizations are encouraged to host a coffee hour in the coming year. Sponsorship of Coffee Hour doesn't need to be limited to memorial services. If you would like to schedule a Coffee Hour, please call Theodora Kounalakis at 594-9585.