Holy Cross Orthodox Church

Here is a list of the various outside contractors who had a part in completing the parish hall and associated renovations to our building. Each did outstanding work, and all of them were honest and good communicators. Please thank them in any way you feel is appropriate –it would be nice if some of them whose work you particularly appreciate would receive a card or letter of thanks. Also, of course, please keep them in mind when you have a need for similar services.

You may offer assistance to those experiencing the devastating effects of hurricane Ike through IOCC at the following web address: https://www.iocc.org/giving/giving_donate1.aspx.

Beloved in Christ,

As we look forward to our weekend Patronal Feast Anniversary events and services with His Grace Bishop THOMAS, we pause today to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We pray especially for those who lost their lives or were injured, either by the bombings or through rescue efforts, and for their families. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy!

Bishop THOMAS arrived last evening from Houston and will be going with me to Annapolis this afternoon to visit the Naval Academy and St John's College, both of which are OCF sites of Annapolis College Ministry. We'll be meeting with Subdeacon Robert and students and hearing about the campus ministries. This evening Sayedna will be present at Vespers at Holy Cross (630pm), after which would be an especially good time to meet and receive a blessing from His Grace in a less crowded situation. [...]

A MESSAGE FROM METROPOLITAN PHILIP

Beloved Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, Members of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, The Antiochian Women, Members of St. John the Divine and SOYO, and all faithful of our God-protected Archdiocese:

I am delighted to inform you that we have received news that our Father in Christ, His Beatitude, IGANTIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, will be visiting our Archdiocese this autumn. ...

Catechism classes will be begin after Vespers on October 2, 2008 at 7:15pm and will run for eight weeks. Syllabus is available online.

The IOCC's 3rd Annual Orthodox Taste of Baltimore will be held October 11th at the Annunciation Cathedral. They are now accepting registrations! Details listed in Special Events.

Church School will begin this weekend with a bang! Saturday, after vespers, we will have dinner for any and all, followed by a rehearsal of our puppet show, A Balalaika on the Onion Dome. Weather permitting, the rehearsal will be followed by a showing of Fiddler on the Roof outdoors with our big screen; all are invited. Bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and your appetites. We even have a popcorn machine. The movie can be shown indoors if need be. ...

In a last push to get the parish hall renovations completed before the weekend of our patronal feast, we will be painting, sanding, caulking, scraping and cleaning up the Parish Hall for a couple of hours every evening this week. Painters and cleaners with all levels of experience (including no experience) are needed. Tuesday and Thursday we will start after Vespers (around 7:15 pm) and Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 pm. If you are available at other times and want to help, or if you need more information, please contact Cal O. Otherwise, feel free to show up with a paintbrush if you have one.

Please begin thinking of how you might be able to help at the Linthicum Fair on Saturday, September 27. A notice will be forthcoming later this week to request volunteers for baking, set up and clean up, and working at our booth. This is a particularly busy weekend, so note the date now. If you already know how you can help, please contact Kim.

On Sunday, September 14th, we will celebrate our Patronal Feast following Divine Liturgy (this is in addition to our banquet Saturday evening). Please plan to bring a festive fasting finger food to share at coffee hour.