Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

05/23/2026

Holy Cross Weekly Newsletter - May 24, 2026 - Join us for Reader's Service on Sunday

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ has Ascended!

Join us Sunday for our Reader's Service at 10:00 am. Thank you to Jesse (Euphrosynos) for coordinating so that all who are able can gather for prayer and fellowship.

This week is the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, and you can learn more about this commemoration at https://www.goarch.org/fathers-first-ecumenical-council The Typika (Reader's Service) for use at home and with your families has been sent by email if you are not able to join us. Services will also be available livestream from the Assumption Church in San Angelo on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com//streams

Catechism Session - May 28 - 7:00 pm - Zoom and Livestream

We will continue our series on Early Christianity and our Life in Christ. For this week's session we will be focused on the Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching by St. Irenaeus of Lyons, a second century Bishop and Martyr of the early Church.
You can read about his life at https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2000/08/23/102379-hieromartyr-irenaeus-bishop-of-lyons
You can access the text at
https://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/0130-0202,_Iraeneus,_Demonstration_Of_The_Apostolic_Preaching,_EN.pdf
The text of the Apostolic Preaching is found on pages 36-71.

Previous sessions of this series are available on YouTube at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlXWb4VBuVDw2riyQ7_AcOwuFKeeB5f3m&si=RVHZo0c4YX9w2T8e

Byzantine Chanting Class - May 28 - 6:00 pm - Zoom

Our next session of our chanting class will be on Thursday, May 28 at 6:00 pm. Please email me if you have not done so already if you wish to be added to the email list for this class. We have had two sessions, and I can send the Zoom recordings as well as the lessons for any who would like to catch up.

Vacation Church School - August 3 - 6

Our annual Vacation Church School is scheduled for August 3 - 6. VCS will be each morning from Monday through Thursday. If you can assist as a volunteer to help on one or more of the days, or you can assist with supplies for snacks and lunches, please let me know. Our theme this year will be the Church in the Home, and our focus will be on our practices as Orthodox Christians and how we connect our home and church through worship, prayer, fasting, and more in our family life.

Schedule of Upcoming Services - https://www.holycross.tx.goarch.org/schedule-2026

Sunday, May 24 - Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
10:00 am Reader's Service
________________________________________
Saturday, May 30
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 31 - Holy Pentecost
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Saturday, June 13
6:00 pm Great Vespers and Holy Confessions
________________________________________
Sunday, June 14 - Second Sunday of Matthew
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

With love in Christ,

Fr. Nektarios

Icon of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

05/21/2026

Many years Your Eminence!

On this blessed Feast of the Holy Ascension of our Lord, we also wish many years on his name day to the Archbishop and Chief Shepherd of the Holy Metropolis of Denver, His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine! May God grant you many years of blessed service to Him and His Church!

https://www.denver.goarch.org/his-eminence-metropolitan-constantine

05/20/2026

Livestream of Vesperal Divine Liturgy - Feast of the Holy Ascension of our Lord

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

I greet you on this day of the Leavetaking of Holy Pascha. My hope is that this Paschal season has renewed the light and joy of our Lord's glorious Resurrection in your hearts, and that in the assurance of the power of our resurrection to life with Him, you continue to live in the power of faith and His great love for us.

This evening, a Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Ascension of our Lord will be held at St. Stephen Orthodox Mission in Stephenville. You can watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/.stephenorthodoxmission8116/streams

Please join us in prayer as we live in the anticipation of the glorious return of Christ!

You can learn more about the Feast of the Holy Ascension at https://www.goarch.org/ascension

Sermon on the Holy Ascension by Fr. George Florovsky - https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/05/29/42-the-ascension-of-our-lord

With love in the Risen Christ,

Fr. Nektarios

05/19/2026

05/16/2026

Holy Cross Weekly Newsletter - May 17, 2026 - Join us for Services This Weekend

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! I greet you in the joy and light of our Lord's glorious Resurrection.

Join us for services this weekend beginning this evening for Great Vespers at 6:00 pm. Following the service we will have the blessing to receive Sheldon into the Holy Orthodox Church through Holy Chrismation! On Sunday, Orthros will begin at 9:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy. Our fellowship/coffee hour will follow in the parish hall.

This week is the Sunday of the Blind Man, and you can learn more about this commemoration at https://www.goarch.org/sunday-of-the-blind-man The Typika (Reader's Service) for use at home and with your families has been sent by email if you are not able to join us. Services will also be available livestream on our YouTube channelat https://www.youtube.com//streams

Catechism Session - May 21 - 7:00 pm - Zoom and Livestream

We will continue our series on Early Christianity and our Life in Christ. This week's session will be part two on St. Theophilus of Antioch. The links will be sent out on Thursday. Previous sessions are available on YouTube at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlXWb4VBuVDw2riyQ7_AcOwuFKeeB5f3m&si=RVHZo0c4YX9w2T8e

Byzantine Chanting Class - May 21 - 6:00 pm - Zoom

Our next session of our chanting class will be on Thursday, May 21 at 6:00 pm. Please email me if you have not done so already if you wish to be added to the email list for this class. For those who attended or who want the link to the class session, I will send this out to our group by this Saturday evening. By this
evening (Saturday), I will also send the lesson with the link for the History of Byzantine Music and the lesson so that those who are able can read and practice for this next week.

Vacation Church School - August 3 - 6

Our annual Vacation Church School is scheduled for August 3 -
6. Please send me feedback on these dates and if these will work with your family's summer schedule. VCS will be each morning from Monday through Thursday. If you can assist as a volunteer to help on one or more of the days, or you can assist with supplies for snacks and lunches, please let me know. Our theme this year will be the Church in the Home, and our focus will be on our practices as Orthodox Christians and how we connect our home and church through worship, prayer, fasting, and more in our family life.

Schedule of Upcoming Services - https://www.holycross.tx.goarch.org/schedule-2026

Saturday, May 16
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 17 - Sunday of the Blind Man
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Sunday, May 24 - Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
10:00 am Reader's Service
________________________________________
Saturday, May 30
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 31 - Holy Pentecost
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Saturday, June 13
6:00 pm Great Vespers and Holy Confessions
________________________________________
Sunday, June 14 - Second Sunday of Matthew
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

With love in the Risen Christ,

Fr. Nektarios

Icon of the Sunday of the Blind Man (John 9:1-38)

05/09/2026

Holy Cross Weekly Newsletter - May 10, 2026 - Next Services May 16-17

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! I greet you in the joy and light of our Lord's glorious Resurrection.

Our next services at Holy Cross will be next weekend, May 16-17 with Great Vespers on Saturday at 6:00 pm. Orthros on Sunday will begin at 9:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy.

This week is the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, and you can learn more about this commemoration at https://www.goarch.org/samaritan-woman The Typika (Reader's Service) has been sent by email for use at home and with your families. Services will also be available livestream from the St. Stephen Mission in Stephenville at https://www.youtube.com/.stephenorthodoxmission8116/streams if the Wifi is working.

Email for Sharing Prayer Requests

A new email for sharing prayer requests in the parish. If you would like to sign up to receive prayer requests or you have a request that needs to be shared, please reach out to her at [email protected] A special thank you to Barbara for suggesting and coordinating this prayer ministry for our community.

Catechism Sessions/Chanting Classes - Next Sessions May 14

On May 14 we will return to our weekly Thursday evening catechism sessions, so more details will be available soon. Also, we will be starting a weekly Zoom chanting class to help those interested in learning Byzantine Chant to assist with the services of the Church. If you have not done so already please let me know if you would like to participate in the chanting classes. For the summer, the classes will be on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm prior to Catechism.

I will send out an email early in the week with readings for the
Catechism Session. Also, I will send out an email to all on the first chanting class, but following this week, the weekly chanting class emails will only go to those who have signed up for the class. Join us this coming Thursday at 6:00 pm for the first chanting class!

Vacation Church School - August 3 - 6

Our annual Vacation Church School is tentatively scheduled for August 3 - 6. Please send me feedback on these dates and if these will work with your family's summer schedule. VCS will be each morning from Monday through Thursday. If you can assist as a volunteer to help on one or more of the days, or you can assist with supplies for snacks and lunches, please let me know. Our theme this year will be the Church in the Home, and our focus will be on our practices as Orthodox Christians and how we connect our home and church through worship, prayer, fasting, and more in our family life.

Schedule of Upcoming Services - https://www.holycross.tx.goarch.org/schedule-2026

Saturday, May 16
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 17 - Sunday of the Blind Man
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Sunday, May 24 - Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
10:00 am Reader's Service
________________________________________
Saturday, May 30
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 31 - Holy Pentecost
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Saturday, June 13
6:00 pm Great Vespers and Holy Confessions
________________________________________
Sunday, June 14 - Second Sunday of Matthew
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

With love in the Risen Christ,

Fr. Nektarios

Icon of the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

05/01/2026

Holy Cross Weekly Newsletter - May 3, 2026 - Join us for Services this Weekend

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! I greet you in the joy and light of our Lord's glorious Resurrection.

Please join us this weekend for services. Fr. Dan will be leading services, Great Vespers on Saturday at 6:00 pm. On Sunday, Orthros will begin at 8:30 am followed by the Divine Liturgy.

This week is the Sunday of the Paralytic, and you can learn more about this commemoration at https://www.goarch.org/myrrhbearers The Typika (Reader's Service) has been sent by email for use at home and with your families if you are not able to join us. Services will also be available livestream from the Assumption parish in San Angelo at https://www.youtube.com//streams

Photos from Holy Week and Pascha

Please send along any photos you have from Holy Week and Pascha so that I can share with the other communities. All of our parishes had a blessed week, and we give glory to God for His abundant blessings. May we continue to seek Him through our worship and fellowship together, and may He continue to strengthen us in our witness of our Orthodox Christian faith.

Catechism Sessions/Chanting Classes - Next Sessions May 14

On May 14 we will return to our weekly Thursday evening catechism sessions, so more details will be available soon. Also, we will be starting a weekly Zoom chanting class to help those interested in learning Byzantine Chant to assist with the services of the Church. Please let me know if you would like to participate in the chanting classes. For the summer, the classes will most likely be on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm prior to Catechism.

Vacation Church School - August 3 - 6

Our annual Vacation Church School is tentatively scheduled for August 3 - 6. Please send me feedback on these dates and if these will work with your family's summer schedule. VCS will be each morning from Monday through Thursday. More to come on the theme for the week as well as a request for volunteers and assistance with snacks and lunch.

Schedule of Upcoming Services - https://www.holycross.tx.goarch.org/schedule-2026

Saturday, May 2
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 3 - Sunday of the Paralytic
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Saturday, May 16
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 17 - Sunday of the Blind Man
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Sunday, May 24 - Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
10:00 am Reader's Service
________________________________________
Saturday, May 30
6:00 pm Great Vespers
________________________________________
Sunday, May 31 - Holy Pentecost
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
________________________________________
Saturday, June 13
6:00 pm Great Vespers and Holy Confessions
________________________________________
Sunday, June 14 - Second Sunday of Matthew
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

With love in the Risen Christ,

Fr. Nektarios

Icon of the Sunday of the Paralytic (John 5:1-15)

04/25/2026

Holy Cross Weekly Newsletter - April 26, 2026 - Next Services May 2-3 - No Services this Weekend

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! I greet you in the joy and light of our Lord's glorious Resurrection.

Our next services have been moved to May 2-3 due to the availability of flights for Fr. Dan to travel to Wichita Falls. Please see the schedule below. A summer schedule will be sent by next week.

This week is the Sunday of Holy Myrrh-bearers, and you can learn more about this commemoration at https://www.goarch.org/myrrhbearers Also, attached is the Typika (Reader's Service) for use at home and with your families. We have had some issues with the Wifi at the Mission in Stephenville, so we hope to livestream services Sunday if it is working. If so, you can watch the service online at https://www.youtube.com/.stephenorthodoxmission8116/streams

Photos from Holy Week and Pascha

Please send along any photos you have from Holy Week and Pascha so that I can share with the other communities. All of our parishes had a blessed week, and we give glory to God for His abundant blessings. May we continue to seek Him through our worship and fellowship together, and may He continue to strengthen us in our witness of our Orthodox Christian faith.

Catechism Sessions/Chanting Classes

In May we will return to our weekly Thursday evening catechism sessions, so more details will be available soon. Also, we will be starting a weekly Zoom chanting class to help those interested in learning Byzantine Chant to assist with the services of the Church. Please let me know if you would like to participate in the chanting classes. For the summer, the classes will most likely be on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm prior to Catechism.

Vacation Church School - August 3 - 6

Our annual Vacation Church School is tentatively scheduled for August 3 - 6. Please send me feedback on these dates and if these will work with your family's summer schedule. VCS will be each morning from Monday through Thursday. More to come on the theme for the week as well as a request for volunteers and assistance with snacks and lunch.

Schedule of Upcoming Services

Saturday, May 2
6:00 pm Great Vespers

Sunday, May 3 - Sunday of the Paralytic
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy

Saturday, May 16
6:00 pm Great Vespers

Sunday, May 17 - Sunday of the Blind Man
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Sunday, May 24 - Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
10:00 am Reader's Service

Saturday, May 30
6:00 pm Great Vespers

Sunday, May 31 - Holy Pentecost
8:30 am Orthros - 9:30 am Divine Liturgy

Saturday, June 13
6:00 pm Great Vespers and Holy Confessions

Sunday, June 14 - Second Sunday of Matthew
9:00 am Orthros - 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

With love in the Risen Christ,

Fr. Nektarios

Icon of the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh Bearers

04/17/2026