Thursday, August 30, 2018

METROPOLITAN HILARION'S VISIT TO HOLY CROSS PARISH — A Report with Photos

Last weekend Metropolitan Hilarion made an Episcopal Visit to our parish. This was the fourth Episcopal Visit from three different bishops to our parish in the past five years, and it was Metropolitan Hilarion’s second. Metropolitan Hilarion is the First Hierarch (Primate) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and the Ordinary of the ROCOR Western Rite Communities. 

Metropolitan Hilarion’s visit to our parish could not have gone better. We had fifty-one in attendance at Solemn Vespers, including five visiting Orthodox priests. It was a joy and blessing to serve with these men — “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalm 133:1-3).

All of the Services during the Episcopal Visit were celebrated with a Greater Prelate at the Throne. Metropolitan Hilarion fully participated from the Throne and preached. He knew the Western Rite so well that no one would have known that his primary rite is Eastern. 

After Vespers there was a Reception in our parish hall in honour of Metropolitan Hilarion’s visit. There was a wide variety of delicious refreshments served and everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. Anyone who wanted to speak with his Eminence had full access and many took  advantage of the opportunity to introduce themselves and to speak with him.

On Sunday morning we formally received the Metropolitan at the door of the church with bread and salt, followed immediately by a procession to the sanctuary while singing the Te Deum laudamus as the Metropolitan sprinkled the congregation with holy water. Upon arriving in the sanctuary we began Solemn Matins.

During Solemn Matins our acolyte, Fred Courey, was tonsured a cleric and ordained a Reader. The Order of Reader is the first step in the priesthood and is an important and very responsible ministry. 

Solemn Matins was followed by a Solemn Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, commonly called a Solemn High Mass or the Divine Liturgy. We had fifty-six in attendance, including one visiting Orthodox priest.

After the Liturgy we enjoyed a delicious catered Luncheon in our parish hall. As at the Reception the evening before, anyone who wanted to speak with his Eminence had full access and many took advantage of the opportunity to speak with him. The entire weekend was a blessing and a joy, and we look forward to Metropolitan Hilarion’s next Episcopal Visit.

You can view photographs of Metropolitan Hilarion’s visit here:


















OUR FAITH — Music Video

This is a Must See music video of the song OUR FAITH. It was written by St. Nikolai Velimirovich (d. 1965) who was canonized in 2003. St. John Maximovitch, who had been a young instructor at a seminary in Bishop Nikolai's diocese of Ohrid, called him "a great saint and Chrysostom of our day [whose] significance for Orthodoxy in our time can be compared only with that of Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky). ... They were both universal teachers of the Orthodox Church."

Throughout this beautiful and inspiring music video you will hear the refrain: “Nasha vera Pravoslavna!” (Our faith is Orthodox!).  Enjoy the video!


The Orthodox Church is the oldest Church in the world, the original Church. Why settle for a schism, splinter or a wholly man-made substitute? We love being Orthodox and you will too. Come and see why. Everyone is invited and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful, friendly and vibrant parish, and we have a place for you. I hope to see you on Sunday!




Thursday, August 23, 2018

YOU ARE INVITED: METROPOLITAN HILARION TO VISIT HOLY CROSS PARISH — SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 and SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch (Primate) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and Bishop of the Orthodox Western Rite Communities will be making an Episcopal visit to Holy Cross Orthodox Church this Saturday and Sunday, and all of the scheduled events are open to the public. Holy Cross is a Western Rite parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. 

Everyone is invited to attend and Visitors are always welcome!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25

5:00 PM  — Solemn Vespers with Metropolitan Hilarion preaching.

Solemn Vespers will be followed by a Reception with refreshments for the Metropolitan.

There is no charge for the Reception, but a free will offering will be taken.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

9:15 AM — Formal reception of the Metropolitan at the door of the church with bread and salt, followed immediately by Solemn Matins and the Ordination of a Reader.

10:00 AM — Solemn Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist with Metropolitan Hilarion preaching.

The Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist will be followed by a catered Luncheon. Metropolitan Hilarion will speak at the Luncheon.

There is no charge for the Luncheon, but a free will offering will be taken.

Need some personal spiritual renewal? Interested in or curious about Western Orthodoxy? Been thinking about visiting Holy Cross parish, or haven’t visited in a while and thinking about taking another look? Long been drawn to the Orthodox Church, but do not feel at home in the Eastern Rite? Always wanted to meet and speak with an Orthodox bishop? This weekend is your opportunity. We love being Orthodox. Come and see why. We are a faithful, friendly and vibrant parish, and visitors are always welcome!

HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH
7545 Main Street
Ralston, Nebraska 68127
(402) 573-6558

Sunday, August 12, 2018

METROPOLITAN HILARION TO VISIT HOLY CROSS PARISH — Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26

Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch (Primate) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and Ordinary of the ROCOR Western Rite Communities will make an Episcopal Visit to Holy Cross parish in the Ralston suburb of Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday and Sunday, August 25 & 26.

This will be Metropolitan Hilarion’s second Episcopal Visit to Holy Cross Orthodox Church. His first Episcopal Visit was in August of 2015.

The Episcopal Visit begins with Solemn Vespers sung at 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 25. A Reception for Metropolitan Hilarion in the parish hall will follow Solemn Vespers. Light refreshments will be served.

On Sunday morning, August 26, Metropolitan Hilarion will be formally received at the door of the church at 9:15 AM, and welcomed with the traditional bread and salt. Solemn Matins will immediately follow. 

A Solemn Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, commonly called the Divine Liturgy or Holy Mass, with the Metropolitan at the throne will be celebrated at 10:00 AM. A catered Luncheon in the parish hall will follow the Liturgy.

Metropolitan Hilarion will be preaching at Solemn Vespers on Saturday and the Solemn Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday. In addition, he will be the Luncheon speaker. Local Orthodox clergy will be joining us for Metropolitan Hilarion’s Episcopal Visit.

This will be an opportunity to worship God in the beauty of holiness, to meet and speak with the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and to experience and learn more about Western Rite Orthodoxy. The public is warmly invited and everyone is welcome to attend. There is no charge for the Saturday evening Reception or the Sunday catered Luncheon, but a free will offering will be taken.

For more information call the church office at (402) 573-6558, or email Fr. Victor at:  venovak@hughes.net

We will be looking forward to seeing you there!

HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH
7545 Main Street
Ralston, Nebraska 68127