OUR SERVICES
Saturday 5:00PM Vespers
Bible Study and Potluck: Following Vespers every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
Sunday 9:00AM: Orthros
Sunday 10:00AM: Divine Liturgy
Address:375 Fleming Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174All services in English
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 8, 11:30AM: Ladies Guild Tea Party
December 22, 6:00PM: Children's Christmas Program
December 25, 9:00AM: Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Feast of the Nativity of Christ
January 6: Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord
February 2: Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
March 11: Great and Holy Lent begins
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When we argue and fight over liturgical music, God is no longer present in our thoughts: we have become servants of the idol of ‘religiosity’ rather than Jesus Christ. We cannot improve our Church music if we are convinced we are doing it the ‘right way.’ When we are open to change, then God will lead us to what is better. -- His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH
BELOVED SAINT NICHOLAS
The Church knows Nicholas as a Saint, a Wonderworker, the Archbishop of Myra and a true shepherd to his flock. As the patron of children, he is perhaps the most beloved and popular saint in all of Christendom.
He was born in Patara, a town in Asia Minor, now in southern Turkey. Nicholas is said to have begun to fast from his cradle, refusing nourishment on Wednesdays and Fridays, except after sundown. He lost his parents, Theofanes and Nonna, when young but distributed their wealth to the poor.
He felt called to the Priesthood, and was ordained by his uncle, the Bishop of Myra. Nicholas later succeeded him and became the Archbishop of that busy seaport community. He was a beloved hierarch, serving God and faithful with complete devotion and dedication.
Stories abound about the wonders wrought by this saint. The most popular seems to be the incident of the father with three daughters. He was unable to provide them with funds for a marriage dowry and was about to send them into the streets. Nicholas came to their home at night and threw a bag of gold through the window. The saint repeated the act a second, then a third time. The father watched and found about who his generous benefactor was.
A Greek historian wrote about this famous saint over 1,000 years ago:“Wherever there are people, in the country and in the town, in the villages and isles, in the farthest parts of the earth, his name is revered, and churches are built in his honor…” We could write the same of him today.
The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin - Cliffwood, NJ
Community Christmas Card
December 16th is the deadline to get your name on the Holy Cross community Christmas card. This card goes out to our entire church mailing list. The cost is $15. Please see Marge Homa to get on the card.
Bible Study Discussion Board is now active
The Saturday Bible studies we have after Vespers are now going to have study notes posted on our discussion board and you can participate by registering on the website. Follow the links below to become part of the Bible Study Discussion forum.
Bible Study Discussion Forum Register new user account
Antiochian Women Announce 2019 Project: "Building A New Cathedral"
When Metropolitan JOSEPH told us of his inspiration to build a new and beautiful cathedral on the grounds of the Village, we all immediately understood why this is such a wonderful vision. Not only does the building of a new cathedral give form to Metropolitan PHILIP's metaphor of a beating heart in the center of our Archdiocese, but a new and inspiring cathedral will also satisfy several practical and pressing needs. This vision of Metropolitan JOSEPH is one that I'm sure the Antiochian Women will be eager to help bring into reality.
Donate to Holy Cross
Make ready, O Bethlehem, for Eden hath been opened for all. Prepare, O Ephratha, for the tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Virgin; for her womb did appear as a spiritual paradise in which is planted the divine Plant, whereof eating we shall live and not die as Adam. Christ shall be born, raising the image that fell of old.
Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the Name of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
We begin again our spiritual preparation for the Nativity of Our Lord. Over the next forty days, we will increase our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We will strive to reconcile ourselves to God and neighbor. We will work to make ourselves ready to behold the great mystery of the Word of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, born in the flesh from a humble Virgin, surrounded by dumb beasts in a cave, wondered at by shepherds, adored by Magi, and glorified by the Heavenly Hosts.
At the closing of our spiritual labors, we will come to the celebration of the Forefeast of the Nativity and chant the above-quoted troparion, which gives us a beautiful image of our preparation during the fast. Bethlehem is called to make herself ready for “Eden hath been opened for all.” Ephratha is called to prepare herself for “the tree of life hath blossomed forth.” The hymn continues to describe Christ, the Incarnate Word, as a “Divine Plant” planted in the womb of the Virgin to be offered as food to the faithful. When we partake of the Divine Plant, we are promised that “we shall live and not die as Adam.”
This rich and beautiful imagery shows that while our first parents fell by eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, we are now able to partake of the Fruit – the Body and Blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ – of the Tree of Life – the Wood of the Precious and Life-giving Cross – because the Virgin has now given birth to the Word of God, the Divine Plant.
When we think of these poetic images offered by the Church, we must remember for a plant to grow, it needs soil that has been prepared, it needs water, and it needs light.
For us to receive the Divine Plant, let us spend these days tilling the soil of our hearts through fasting and repentance, watering our souls with works of mercy and reconciliation, and placing ourselves in the Light through prayer and attendance at divine services. By these, we shall partake of the Holy Mysteries unto life everlasting.
Fervently beseeching the Lord to grant us a pure and holy time of the Advent Fast and a glorious celebration of the Nativity, I remain,
Your Father in Christ,
+Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
"Seeing Thy strange and all-glorious nativity which took place in the cave, let us all the more spurn the vanities of the world, for the divine Mind appeared on earth as a humble man, that He might lead up to the heavens those who cry out to Him: Alleluia! "
