The Platytera ton ouranon. Master Mosaic Iconographer Sirio Tonelli (below-left, working on some new mosaics) traveled again from his studio in Pietrasanta, Italy to install these mosaics on the ceiling and walls above the Sanctuary. The photo below-center is of the Platytera and angels on the afternoon of Holy Friday. Below-right is a detail of the Platytera (the semicircle in front is from the frame of the Iconostasion).

In an attempt to minister to those who, for good reason, are unable to attend services and to share the good news of Christ with the world, Holy Cross now broadcasts all its services over the Internet. Join us for our live broadcast of Orthros and the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom each Sunday (Orthros: 8:30 AM, Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM - PDT) and to other services as scheduled.

Sunday's Bulletin

• STEWARDSHIP 2010

Please complete your pledge card and send it in, or bring it by the church office - we would love to see you! Help the church plan for its 2010 expenses.

• SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY - MARCH 14

Members in good standing are invited to join us for this important meeting, immediately following Liturgy. The proposed agenda is available here.

• BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT

The Building & Grounds Committee of the Parish Council has developed and is proposing a beautification plan to enhance the appearance of the Church front along Alameda as well improve security. Click here to see what the proposed plan consists of, the estimated cost of the project, and how we need YOUR support to make the project a reality.

• ROMANCING THE GREEK ISLES

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! Watch for your invitation in the mail soon or click here for the flyer.

• THE THREE HIERARCHS BOOKSTORE

Our Holy Cross Three Hierarchs Bookstore is well-stocked with Orthodox books and gift items. Stop by, visit cvcand peruse the collection of books, icons, music CD’s, cassettes, and special gift items.

• HOLY CROSS PARISHIONERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO

. . . donate such church necessities as incense, olive oil (for kandilia), flowers or monetary donations toward the same. Your kindness may also be given in remembrance or in honor of a friend or family member -- the appropriate acknowledgments will be sent.

• DID YOU KNOW?

that one of the most beautiful retreat centers in California belongs to the San Francisco Metropolis? It's the Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap. The ranch hosts many retreats and of course youth camps and is the home of the Monastery of the Theotokos. If you would like to learn more about the Ranch, click here or bookmark http://www.stnicholasranch.org.

• INTERESTED IN READING

the speeches or seeing video clips from the Ecumenical Patriarchate's historic visit to the United States, including his visit to our Metropolis? Visit the patriarchal site or see the following news link.

• INTERESTED IN VISITING SHUT-INS?

Please see Father Peter following services to find out how you can assist parishioners who are unable to attend Church due to poor health, transportation problems, or distance.

DON'T FORGET!

As a youthful member of our community you are encouraged to be here on time to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with your Orthodox family because you are an important member of our Church! Put your Faith into action! And if you have any questions about happenings in the service ask your teacher or Fr. Peter.

DON'T FORGET

Holy Cross Youth who wish to participate in our Youth Ministries MUST maintain an 80% Church/Sunday School attendance in order to be eligible. If you have any concerns about your attendance, please contact Fr. Peter.

TUTORING AVAILABLE

for 1st through high school. All subjects. Please call the church office for information.

YOUTH CURRENTS

Interested in contributing an article for next months' Holy Cross YOUTH Currents? Contact Fr. Peter at 591-4447.

READ THIS! What you're reading now is a new section of our website directed specifically to "Kids and Older Kids." How will this be different than our "Special News for Youth" section? WE don't even know. What we hope to do is to add new items frequently to keep you coming back -- specifically, items about our youth ministry : youth groups, athletics, dance, etc.; and websites that we've come across that you might find interesting. The first such website is listed below (along with a teaser picture from the site) -- we'll keep adding to this list as we go along. Enjoy! Let us know how else we can serve your interests with this section of the Church website.

Youth Calendar!

Download the calendar for our 2009-2010 Youth events by clicking here.

B.L.A.S.T.!

Our Teen Night Youth Group is called B.L.A.S.T.! - Building Lives Around Spiritual Truth. It is both our motto and our goal. Join us on Thursday nights in The Oaks from 7 to 8:30 PM. An unforgettable and enlightening experience each week. Click on this link, and then bookmark it, for all the latest B.L.A.S.T. news including meeting times, special events, etc. Questions? Contact Father Pete!

Dance!

Click on this link, and then bookmark it, for all the latest dance news including practice times, performance dates, etc.

eScrip

For many years, eScrip was a major part of the fundraising efforts for the dance, athletic, and youth programs at Holy Cross. We want that to happen again. eScrip costs nothing but brings in to our Youth Council a portion of the money you all spend shopping. Signing up is really easy. Here's how and please do:
Click this link, enter "Youth Council of the Holy Cross Church" or our Group ID # "6079703" when prompted, then complete the remaining steps. That's it!
Thanks for supporting the Youth Programs at Church of the Holy Cross!

Friday, March 5 – 8:30 AM, Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 5 - 7 PM, Salutations

Saturday, March 6 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers

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 – no services today

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

Sunday, March 21 – 8:30 AM, Orthros; 10 AM, Divine Liturgy - Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt

Monday, March 22 - 7 PM, Great Compline

Tuesday, March 23 – 7 PM, Salutations to the Holy Cross

Wednesday, March 24 – no services here

Thursday, March 25 – 9 AM, Divine Liturgy – The Annunciation

Friday, March 26 – no services

Saturday, March 27 - 9:00 AM, Divine Liturgy - The Raising of Lazarus

Saturday, March 27 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers

Photo Albums On-Line

Click on this link.

The Church has put together a website to share photos from Church and community events. Be sure to bookmark it as one of your “Internet Favorites” as we are adding new photos all the time!

Acolytes

If you wish to serve in the Altar, please contact Konstantine Salmas. All groups are called to be there for: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Saturday of Lazarus and Holy Week.

Please serve whenever you are in church. A new schedule will be out shortly.

NDeFerrari, ClThodos,NVavuris, DHarris, CKotsovolos, AVavuris, NFrangos, PKoros, NStathos, AChecopoulos, ASimon, ChThodos, NBountouvas, GGiotinis, CGlafkides

Attention All Acolytes. Acolytes are to be in the Altar 15 minutes before Divine Services in order to prepare for Divine Services. You may serve on Sundays when your group is not assigned, but on non-assigned days you must go to Religious Education after communion. If you are assigned, then all remain in the altar through the end of the Liturgy.

Ushers

- - -

GROUP I - TMavrakakis, PFlocas, SCharonis, NSarles, STonas, JSogas, NPeros, CDroutsas, DIuppa

Feb 28,Mar 1 Mon,Mar 3 Wed,Mar 5 Fri

GROUP II - CDaskalakis, SRisting, JFetsco, PMetropoulos, EEconomos, SLightfoot, ACheatham, DClary, BDanigelis, JFitzpatrick

- - -

GROUP III - PBibbes, JBogios, JCladis, TPappas, AKeriotis, CGagas, GBibbes, JHarris, MSimon

- - -

GROUP IV - BNemchik, CFrangos, KDedo, HBreeze, KKalaitzidis, JStephanos, ATonas, PMakrias, MScott

- - -

GROUP V - JSmith, VHytopoulos, KRisting, TSpirtos, TManeatis, PEconomus, ASmith, DKalamaras, EGiotinis

- - -

GROUP VI - GMilanos, GBrenner, AMaridakis, LMaheras, SMonolakis, TMonolakis, LMarkou, AMonolakis, KScolari

BOYS HIGH SCHOOL OYAA 2010

SATURDAY, MARCH 6 at ST. GREGORY

12 PM, vs ST. GREGORY

SUNDAY, MARCH 7 at ASCENSION

2:30 PM, vs ST. NICHOLAS - SF

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 at ST. NICHOLAS

7 PM, vs ST. NICHOLAS - SJ

SUNDAY, APRIL 11 at ANNUNCIATION

2:30 PM, vs ANNUNCIATION 2

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 at Home

3 PM, vs ST. VARTANS

THURSDAY, APRIL 22 at ANNUNCIATION

8 PM, vs ANNUNCIATION 1

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 at ANNUNCIATION

4:30 PM, vs ANNUNCIATION 1

SATURDAY, MAY 1 at HOLY TRINITY

12 PM, vs ANNUNCIATION- SAC

SATURDAY, MAY 1 at Home

10 AM, vs HOLY TRINITY

SATURDAY, MAY 8 at Home

11 AM, vs ST. JAMES

SATURDAY, MAY 15 at Home

1 PM, vs NATIVITY