WHITESTONE, NY – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone celebrated its feast day, the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, beginning with the Great Vespers and Artoklasia on September 13 in the presence of many clergy from various parishes and the Divine Liturgy on September 14 officiated by His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia and the community’s presiding priest Fr. Nicolaos Paros.

Following the Vespers, Fr. Anargyros Stavropoulos, the Dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, spoke about the significance of the Feast, St. Helen’s role in the effort to find the True Cross, and how the True Cross was ultimately found. He noted how the body of a faithful woman who had recently passed away was brought to the site and while the other crosses had no effect on her, the True Cross brought the woman back to life.

Along with Fr. Stavropoulos, Fr. Paul Palesty, Fr. Chrysostom Panos, Fr. Gedeon Varytimos, Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos, Fr. Peter Daratsos, Fr. Vasilios Louros, Fr. Aristidis Garinis, Fr. Elias Pappas, Fr. George Hazlaris, Fr. Alexander Douvres and Fr. Nicholas Soteropoulos participated in the services on September 13. Fr. Paros thanked all those present for attending, noting that it was his first time celebrating the Feast as the presiding priest of the community.

The church was crowded with the faithful for the evening services as well as on the morning of the Feast, many of whom had only recently returned from their vacations in Greece and Cyprus, and were impressed with the progress of the iconography project which commenced during the summer. The iconography of the dome has already been completed and as Fr. Paros mentioned, the project is set to continue with the ongoing support of the faithful, thanking everyone for their support and love. All those interested in supporting the next phase of the project may contact the community for more information.

During his homily on the Feast Day of the Holy Cross, His Grace Bishop Nektarios also spoke about the significance of the celebration and about the symbol of the Cross and its importance in the lives of the faithful. He pointed out that the Gospel reading is the same as Holy Friday. He noted that the faithful should “make Christ the center of our lives.”

Among those in attendance at the services on September 14 was the new Consul of Greece in New York Petros Dorizas who was welcomed by the community which wished him all the best in his endeavors.

Fr. Paros also thanked everyone for attending the celebration following the services on September 14 and invited all to the mini-festival which is planned for next weekend.

A reception followed the services on both days with attendees enjoying meals featuring shrimp since strict fasting is observed on the Feast Day of the Holy Cross.