Holy Cros~ ChurchAddress: 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Phone: (412) 833-3355. Fax: (412) 833-3357 Web:

http://www.holycrosspgh.org/WEEKLY BUUETIN 12/20/2015

I

I......,

'I1. ,. !

Hymns of the Day

Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop ofAntiochSaint Ignatius was a disciple of Saint Johnthe Theologian, and a successor of theApostles, and he became the secondBishop of Antioch, after Evodus. He wrotemany epistles to the faithful,strengthening them in their confession,and preserving for us the teachings of theholy Apostles. Brought to Rome underTrajan, he was surrendered to lions to beeaten, and so finished the course ofmartyrdom about the year 107. Theremnants of his bones were carefullygathered by the faithful and brought toAntioch. He is called God-bearer, as onewho bare God within himself and wasaflame in heart with love for Him.Therefore, in his Epistle to the Romans(ch. 4), imploring their love not toattempt to deliver him from his longed­for martyrdom, he said, "I am the wheatof God, and am ground by the teeth of thewild beasts, that I may be found to be thepure bread of God.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth ModeHaving learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having castoff the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostlesexultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Forefeast oftbe Nativity in the First Modeo Bethlehem, rejoice; Ephratha, make thou ready; * for in her womb the Ewe-lamb dothbear the Great Shepherd, * and 10, she now urgently maketh haste to give birth to Him. * Onbeholding Him, the righteous God- bearing Fathers *all rejoice, and with the shepherdssing hymns in praise of * the Virgin that nursed a child.

Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second ModeGreat are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, theThree Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd oflions as ofsheep. By their prayers, 0 Christ our God, save our souls.

Apolytikion for Ignatius the God-Bearer in the Fourth ModeAs a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, 0 inspired of God,thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightlydivided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, 0Hieromartyr Ignatius. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

ApoIytikion for the Church in the First ModeSave, 0 Lord, Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Grant victory to the faithful againstthe adversaries of the faith. And, protect Your people by the power of Your Cross.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third ModeOn this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Whowas before all the ages. * Dance for joy, 0 earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; *withthe Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a youngChild Who * before the ages is God.

EpisJ:le.Readi.ngProkeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.Blessed are you, 0 Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done.The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, livingin tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward tothe city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson,Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms,enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths oflions, quenched ragingfire,escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, putforeign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured,refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others sufferedmocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they weresawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skinsof sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy ­wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, sinceGod had foreseen something better for uS,that apart from us they should not be madeperfect.

Gospel ReadingSunday before NativityThe Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son ofAbraham.Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judahand his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father ofHezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father ofAmminadab, and Amminadabthe father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz byRahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse thefather of David the king.And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father ofRehoboam, and Rehoboam the father ofAbijah, and Abijah the father ofAsa, and Asa thefather of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah,and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father ofAhaz, and Ahaz the father ofHezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, andAmos the father ofJosiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time ofthe deportation to Babylon.And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtielthe father ofZerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father ofAbiud, and Abiud the father ofEliakim, and Eliakim the father ofAzor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the fatherofAchim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar thefather of Matthan, and Matthanthe father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph thehusband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from Davidto the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon tothe Christ fourteen generations.Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had beenbetrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the HolySpirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame,resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lordappeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary yourwife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and youshall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place tofulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear ason, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Josephwoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, butknew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Welcome

We warmly welcome all visitors and seekers in our midst today, trusting that yourexperience here will be an uplifting and enriching one. The Greek Orthodox Churches arethe ancient and native Christian communities ofthe biblical world, with centers in the HolyLands, Syria, Egypt and Asia Minor, and by extension in Greece, Cyprus and throughout theworld. Like the ancient Christians, we engage the whole person, heart, mind and all sensesin Divine Worship. This experience has been so powerful to seekers in the past that it was

often said "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. We knew only that thereGod dwelt among human beings." (Russian Primary Chronicle) That communionexperience of heaven on earth and God in our midst forms the heart of all Orthodoxworship. It culminates in the sharing of Holy Communion, which not only unites us with theDivine, but also expresses the deep unity in faith and life between all Orthodox believers.Since Holy Communion expresses that deep unity in belief and practice alike, it is reservedfor observant Orthodox Christians. This does not mean, however, that non-Orthodox are'excluded' - rather, the Orthodox choose not to make an external display of unity whenactual unity does not exist. While working to restore the full communion that did exist inantiquity, today we offer the sign of the blessed bread at the service's conclusion as asymbolic gift of hospitality and growing unity that is offered to all present. Ifyou would liketo learn more about the Orthodox way of life, or have any questions about worship or HolyCommunion, please approach Fr. Michael or one of the clergy following services.Thank you for joining us, and again, we welcome you all.

ASacred...Space

The interior church is most importantly, both the background and the setting for Orthodoxworship. The art and architecture are designed to contribute to the total experience ofworship, which involves one's intellect, feelings, and senses. The Eucharist and the othersacramental mysteries take place in God's midst, and they bear witness to His presence andactions. Therefore, in the Orthodox tradition there is a very strong feeling that the church isthe House of God and the place where His glory dwells. For this reason, all Orthodoxchurches are blessed, consecrated and set aside as sacred space. The whole church bearswitness to God's indwelling among His people. As one old admonition says:

"Let the Christian consider well when he enters the church that he is entering anotherheaven. That same majesty ofGod which is in heaven is also in his church, and on thisaccount the Christian must enter with reverence and awe. "

-Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald

Ibis Week at HolLCross

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

6:30 pm ParaklesisfBible Study

Feast of S1. Anastasia the Great Martyr8:30am Matins9:30am Divine Liturgy

Cnristmas 'Eve!4: 30 pm Royal Hours6 pm Vesperal Liturgy of S1. Basil

:M!ERRY C:J-fRIST:M.JtSI

C:Jf1USTIS 'BO'R:N!(jL01U:fY:J{J:M.!8:30 am Orthros9:30 am Divine Liturgy

Stewardship at a Glance  As of publication, we have received 196 pledge cards, for a total pledge amount of $236,153.00, making the avarage 2016 pledge thus far $1,205.00.  Please submit your 2016 Pledge Card. Remember a signed pledge card is required to maintain your membership in good standing at Holy Cross each year.   You can submit your pledge card on‐line at the church website at www.holycrosspgh.org or pick up a pledge card at the candle stands in the church narthex. We need the support of all our parishioners.   A Note from Philoptochos  Thank you to the Sunday School students, teachers and parents for the making of the St. Nicholas ceramic ornaments, puppets and candy canes. All of the proceeds( $901.05) will be donated to the St. Nicholas National Shrine building campaign Philoptochos contribution.   Thank you to Jonathan McClish and GOYANS for purchasing and assembling the college care packages. The college students appreciate your thoughtfulness!   Elaine Sofis Philoptochos President   Holy Cross Today  Buy Food for Christmas Today!  Philoptochos is selling frozen tiropita, pastitsio, and galatobouriko as well as fresh baked sweet bread, save yourselves some time this season! See Popi at coffee hour.   GOYA's Annual Auberle Center Visit  Today, the GOYAns will be visiting the Aurberle Center, giving gifts and throwing a party for the children there. We will be leaving after the Christmas Pageant and a quick lunch.   New Year's Eve Gala  IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING, YOU MUST MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!  Tickets will be on sale at coffee hour for our New Year's Eve Gala held December 31, 2015 8pm‐2am at the Holy Cross Community Center. There will be Dinner, Live Music, Cashbar, and Champagne Toast at Midnight. * See flier for ticket information* Questions? Call: Voula Contis 412.445.5298 / Jen Liokareas 412.580.9272 / Sophia Tambouratzis 412.341.3205 / Georgia Yamalis 412.728.2259 / Laura Zervos 412.287.5679  Coffee Hour Sponsorship  Please sign up for coffee hour! Check the calendar online: www.holycrosspgh.org, click "Events", then "Coffee Hour", then scroll down to calendar, click on date to see if someone has taken it.  Then email holycrosspit@mail.goarch.org or call the church office to request date   

Memorials

Sophia Spanos – 40 Days