Hello and Welcome!
Thank you for visiting Holy Cross Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church's Web Site. Our mission is to be faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ, who commanded, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19. Our parish is a young one, founded in 2006 to minister to the Orthodox community of Greenville and surrounding areas.
The Eucharist, the partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, is the focus of Orthodox practice and worship. Holy Communion is offered at every Divine Liturgy. In addition to the holy services, Holy Apostles offers many other opportunities to worship and honor God. These include special services as well as participation in Christian Education programs that we offer throughout the year.
Are you new to the community? We invite you and your family to attend and hope that you will find a home here. We look forward to your presence as we gather to pray and worship as a community of faith. It is our hope that you will hear your own call to witness and serve Christ with us. Our ministries and organizations have places for many different talents and gifts - yours are needed. Whatever great or small the time you can devote to our parish, you do in His name, and we are grateful for your participation.
January 1st, 2024
Dearest followers of Jesus,
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
For Orthodox Christians, today we are commemorating that on the 8th day after the birth of Christ the Savior, the Lord was circumcised according to the Jewish Tradition and given the name Jesus. The circumcision of our Lord shows that “He received upon Himself the true body of man and not just seemingly, as was later taught of Him by heretics. Our Lord was also circumcised because He wanted to fulfill the entire Law which He Himself gave through the prophets and forefathers.”
In addition, today we are celebrating the life of St. Basil the Great who was “a great defender of Orthodoxy, a great light of moral purity, a great theological mind, a great builder and pillar of the Church of God. … he is referred to as the “bee of the Church of Christ which brings honey to the faithful and with its stinger pricks the heretics.” We still have many of his theological, ascetical and canonical writings as well as the Holy and Divine Liturgy named after him, which we celebrate 10 times each year. Truly he deserves the title ‘Great’!
Also today, we celebrate the beginning of our secular new year. So, I pray that the Lord will guide each of you into his good and perfect and pleasing will for your lives. Especially, I ask that Holy Cross Holy Apostles Mission will be guided, protected and empowered to fulfil a glorious path forward for the glory of God and the welfare of all … together praying earnestly, that “we will commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.” To God be the glory!
Several articles follow below which were selected for your benefit:
- "Archepiscopal Encyclical by ELPIDOPHOROS"
- "Homily on the Circumcision of Christ"
- "A Contemplation and a Prayer"
- “A Prayer for the People of Gaza”
May you be blessed to read and reflect on these articles.
Praying for a Blessed New Year for you all,
+Father Paul
10 Oct 2024 at 12:30am
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house;4 and there came a messenger to Job, and said, “The oxen were plowing and the asses feeding beside them;5 and the Sabe′ans fell upon the...
9 Oct 2024 at 9:00am
Welcome to “The Children’s Word,” a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network. Each week, Presvytera Alexandra Houck writes this little newsletter for young parishioners! You will find age-appropriate articles, stories, and activities in...
9 Oct 2024 at 12:30am
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 I’m writing all of this week’s messages a few days early and in anticipation of losing power and not being able to write, so I won’t be writing in real time after Monday. My m...
8 Oct 2024 at 12:30am
Special Prayer Team Message Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. Psalm 4:5 For anyone who has ever wondered, I write the Prayer Team messages anywhere from a few days to a few weeks in advance of when they are scheduled. However...
