Holy Cross Orthodox Church

Coming to Coffee Hour, Sunday August 22, "A Lebanese Love Feast." Please join us for several courses of savory Lebanese food and a slideshow presentation on two monasteries of our Antiochian Church in Lebanon — Hamatoura and Kaftoun Monasteries. These are two of the most ancient and active monasteries in the Middle East today. They are true spiritual mothers and fathers and they need our help. The Lebanese Love Feast is a fundraiser for their efforts to expand their ministries. Please join us and spread the word!

• IOCC Summer Fun Potluck Picnic, Sunday, August 29, 2010, 2:00pm at Rock Creek Park. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Rock Creek Park and help raise money for IOCC. Optional 15 mile bike ride/5 mile family ride at 1pm if you’re up for a challenge! Register at www.iocc.org/dc for the bike ride.
• Wine Tasting. Wine Tasting at the Serbian Embassy, October 1 · 5:30pm - 10:00pm. Did you know IOCC has been supporting the country of Serbia since 1992? Enjoy international wines and appetizers. $25 admission/21+ only.
• Annual Banquet, Sunday, November 7, 2010, 6:30pm at Sts. Peter and Paul Antiochian Church in Potomac, MD. IOCC’s biggest fundraiser of the year!

Visit them on FaceBook for more information.

On 9 to 12 August (Monday through Thursday), 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. iconographer Colette M. Kalvesmaki will host a children's iconography camp. (Overflow sessions: 23-26 August.)

This class will teach children ages 7 to 12 the basic technical and spiritual principles of iconography. They will draw a bust of St. George in acrylic. All supplies will be provided. Pack a lunch. Schedule includes a play break after lunch.

Cost: $175 for first child, then $75 per sibling. $10/hr./child for after-care. Non-refundable deposit of $50 (counts toward total cost) due at registration. All classes held in Gaithersburg, Maryland, in the iconographer's studio. To learn more or to sign up, visit sacredpresence.com or call 301 977 7297.

A complete flyer with detailed information is available, and further information please visit http://www.sacredpresence.com/ or call 301 977 7297.

Calling all Moms with Babies/Toddlers ages birth to 2 years old! Would you like to meet other moms with children of the same age? Please join us for our first Orthodox Mommy-Baby Group on Saturday, July 24th at 10:30 a.m. at the Annunciation Cathedral in the Youth Room. We will meet for fellowship and fun. Please contact Vickie Diamond at vickiediamond@gmail.com or Dimitri Lee at 410-727-1831 with any questions.

St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary will be holding their annual Orthodox Education Day on October 2, 2010. 

Join us for a festive day that will feed your heart, mind, and spirit. This year, our annual open house, Orthodox Education Day, will feature Archpriest Michael Oleksa as the keynote speaker, who will set the tone for our theme “Many Cultures, One Faith.” 

Please join us for a weekend of food, music and dancing at the Hunt Valley Mediterranean Festival hosted by St. Mary's Orthodox Church, located at 909 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (take 83 N to exit 20B). Current schedule is:

• Friday, June 18- 4pm to midnight
• Saturday, June 19-11am to midnight
• Sunday, June 20- 11am to 6pm

See the flyer for more information.

From the IOCC: The Metropolitan DC Committee of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is dedicated to raising awareness of and funds for IOCC programs worldwide. The attached flyer is for our event next Saturday, June 12 to watch a World Cup match between USA and England.

From Fr. Gregory:

"The consensus of scriptural witness and of the broader tradition agree that by the fact of our humanity, we are all of us already dwelling in 'the image of God'; the trick lies in our proceeding into His likeness, wedding our own will to His."
– Scott Cairnes, The End of Suffering

Having emerged from the Great Fast of Lent/Holy Week a bit over eight weeks ago, some are no doubt wondering why we've now entered another fasting period. Great Lent's requirements are pretty intense. Why another period following on so closely? ...

For the next few weeks, the State of Maryland will be replacing the sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals at our intersection (Maple Road and Camp Meade Road.) For at least a few days, we will not be able to use our parking pad, while that portion of the sidewalk is being replaced. All work is scheduled for the daytime hours, Monday through Friday. Parking on the weekends should be available with perhaps a few less spaces while work is underway, but the work should be complete in less than a month. After this work is complete, Anne Arundel County intends to repave the street.

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Adult Medical Day Care will be opening in early June offering service Monday through Friday in Hunt Valley. Transportation will be provided to and from day care as well as to medical appointments. The catchment area includes Baltimore County and City as well as Anne Arundel and Howard Counties. Our Program Director (RN) will monitor the medical needs of each participant and the Activity Coordinator will run a full program of therapeutic activities as well as offer many field trips. Religious Services will be held weekly. Our chef will be preparing meals in the brand new commercial kitchen on site. For more information, contact Pat Bartsocas at bartsocaspat@hotmail.com or call (410) 298-9800 ext. 0.