Learn about the ministries and outreach programs of Holy Cross.
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church supports many various ministries that are critical to our brothers and sisters in need. Our parishioners participate in a wide variety of these ministries from local programs that feed the homeless to international programs that build and operate medical clinics in remote parts of the globe.
You can help to enable your friends at Holy Cross to continue with our vast local, national and international philanthropic efforts. Your support will ensure that Holy Cross will be able to continue to fulfill its mission. Here are just a few of the ministries we support.
Missions
Click here to learn about various missions, community organizations and charitable endeavors of the church outside of Holy Cross.
Garden of Love
The beauty of the garden is a living symbol of the beauty within the Philoptochos organization. Donations are received in memory of our departed loved ones and are used for the care and upkeep of this special planted area at the entrance to our Church.
If interested contact Didra Kirschner: rak401@verizon.net
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a recent Holy Cross ministry program which brings attention to three Orthodox stewardship focus areas: the giving of time, the giving of treasure, and the giving of talent. Holy Cross is always in need of all three, and the Giving Tree offers parishioners an opportunity to fulfill their stewardship obligations by responding to specific community requests. Examples include: volunteering at church functions and fundraisers, gifting of altar supplies and flowers, becoming a Sunday School teacher, replacing small items in the church that don’t fit under any established budget – kitchen supplies and equipment, etc. – joining the choir, just to name a few. The intent of the Giving Tree is to raise awareness of Holy Cross’s many ongoing needs befitting a large and flourishing parish. The Giving Tree strives to provide specific opportunities to fulfill those needs.
If interested, contact Ponny Jahn: poncon@yahoo.com
Golden Club Senior Group
The Golden Club of Holy Cross was organized for the 50+ parishioners and generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month. New members – ladies AND gents – are invited to join; information for upcoming events is always included in the weekly church bulletins and the CrossRoads monthly newsletter. Annual dues of $10 are collected in January of each year.
The aim of our organization is to provide spiritual, social, and “lunch, live and learn” programs from September through May. Planned outings have taken us to church tours, monasteries, concerts and plays, a movie (the local movie house provided our group with our own theater!), Pittsburgh museums and more distant tours of famous, historic landmarks. Our day trips usually include a restaurant stop for lunch. Golden Club is also fortunate to have three volunteer van drivers! Under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Michael the Golden Club’s mission is to bring seniors together for spiritual, informative, and fun activities. The coordinators are Rene Koett and Cynthia Kostelnik.
If interested contact Rene: 412.559.1721 rjkoett@yahoo.com or Cynthia: 412.722.9513 cakostelnik@yahoo.com
Philoptochos
The aim and purpose of the Philoptochos at all levels is philanthropy, which literally means “friend of mankind”. The Philoptochos formulates plans and methods to voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, victims of disasters as well as to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through special funds or solicitations on the National, Metropolis, and local levels.
Prosphoro Baking
Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh” John 6:51.
A very meaningful project for the Orthodox Christian family is to bake a loaf of altar bread (“Prosphoro”), and bring it to church for the Divine Liturgy. The prosphoro represents Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. The prosphoro is baked by someone in the congregation and brought to the priest for each Liturgy. Bread is used not only to represent Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, of which if any man eats he shall never hunger, but also to express the offering of our life to God. The Greek word “prosphoro” means an “offering” to God. Bread is used as an offering because it represents life. It is the staff of life. Once consumed it becomes part of us, our flesh and bones. Thus in bringing the loaf of bread to God, we are, in effect, offering our whole life to Him. It is the gift of our love.
If interested, contact Nicholas Diamant: frspa@comcast.net
Stewardship Committee
Stewardship is the love offering that we voluntarily give to our church. It is what makes it possible to serve the needs of our Holy Cross community. We have no minimum pledge because whatever our parishioners can give is valued. Stewardship can involve many things, the time we have to give to others, the abilities and talents that we use to serve the community, and the financial support that sustains us as a Parish. Our stewardship enables us to support the ministries that are so dear to us. Our outreach, youth organizations, Church school, and the liturgical life of the church, are dependent on this support. The day to day operation and maintenance of the church, community center, and our grounds requires funding. We welcome and encourage everyone’s involvement.
If interested, contact Konrad Mayr: mayr.konrad@me.com
Vacation Church School
Vacation Church School (VCS) is a one-week summer program that gives children from the ages of 3-12 an in-depth look at particular aspects of our Orthodox faith. The children make arts and crafts, learn songs and hymns, assemble health kits for IOCC, play games, eat theme-related snacks, and learn lessons about the theme for the week, which varies from year to year.
This program is effective in teaching our young ones about Christ and His Church, and would not happen without its many dedicated volunteers from GOYA age on up.
Please see the adjacent form for more information.
For more information about the VCS program or to volunteer, contact the parish office (412-833-3355) or holycrosspittburgh@gmail.com.
Form-2023-1Young Adults
Young Adults is designed to keep 21-35-year-olds involved with the Church life. Young Adults interact closely with area groups such as OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) and POYA (Pittsburgh Orthodox Young Adults) for fellowship and worship gatherings. Any and all who fall within this age group, married or single, with or without children, college or professional, are welcome to participate.
If interested please contact Elias Diamond at ediamondhcpgh@gmail.com.
Walk for Missions
A yearly walk in coordination with the Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh is designed to raise funds for various missions around the world. Funds have gone to support the OCMC (Orthodox Christian Missions Center), orphans in Guatemala, a health center in Guatemala, and most recently the seminarians of Guatemala. The 7k walk takes place in South Park and is followed by a cookout and fellowship, with games for the kids.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the parish office (412-833-3355) or holycrosspittburgh@gmail.com.
