Holy Cross Orthodox Church

You're Invited…

Missions Festival:
Sharing the Gospel and Christ's Love with the World

You are invited to celebrate Orthodox Christian service at the upcoming Missions Festival at Holy Cross Orthodox Church on Saturday, September 11. This festival is a labor of love, joy and charity to honor Father Deacon Mark and Ina O'Dell who will be leaving Holy Cross and the Baltimore/DC area. Come and join in supporting Orthodox Christian service, enjoy tasty ethnic foods, learn about Orthodox Christian mission service opportunities, and hear great music! RSVP's are needed so we know how much food to prepare. RSVP by September 7th to info@holycrossonline.org.

• 3:00 p.m. – Ceremony honoring Father Deacon Mark and Ina.
  Includes Remarks by His Grace Bishop THOMAS
• 3:45 p.m. – Activities across the Holy Cross grounds, including food, music and more!
• 6:00 p.m. – Great Vespers

Contact John Mykyta at 410-451-0112, mykyta1@comcast.net for more details.

Among the several events during the time His Grace Bishop THOMAS is with us (September 6-14) will be an evening with Dr. Tristam Engelhardt. Dr. Engelhardt will address the topic: "After Christendom: Living in an Aggressively Post-Christian World" on Wednesday, September 8 at 7pm in the Holy Cross Parish Hall.

Dr. Engelhardt is one the pre-eminent ethicists in the world. He is a professor of philosophy at Rice University and professor emeritus at Baylor University School of Medicine, the author of numerous books and articles, and the spiritual son of Bishop THOMAS. In addition, he is an unusually entertaining speaker who is always engaging and challenging. Given the timeliness of his topic, you won't want to miss this!

St. Mary's Orthodox Church will be hosting their Third Annual Pan-Orthodox Women's Retreat Saturday, November 20, 2010 9am—5pm. This year's theme: Prayer: the Last Hope for the World. Fr. John Oliver will be the retreat leader. For more information and registration, please see their flyer.

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.