Our History
MARCH 1969
Seven individuals - Nick Marcos Madias, Dr Peter E. Georgeson, John E. Zervos, Peter E. Zervos, Gus Kryiakopoulous, Basil Foussianes and Fr. Peter Remoundos meet at the Botsford Inn, Farmington Hills, to discuss the establishment of a suburban chapel.
MAY 1969
A dinner was held at the Pagoda Restaurant, Troy, where future parishioners signed "Articles of Incorporation."
JULY 1969
During the same time period that Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, our first liturgy was celebrated at John F. vory Farms, Commerce Township, by Fr. Garmatis, who became His Eminence Metropolitan lakovos of Chicago.
AUGUST 15, 1969
On this day, Holy Cross incorporated with the State of Michigan as a non-profit Corporation with an Interim Board of Directors.
SEPTEMBER 1969
We were fortunate to be able to lease of century old historic church from the Southfield Presbyterian Church at 10 Mile and Lahser Roads. Because it was a white structure, for us it became "The Little White Chapel." The Archdiocese named our small community of thirty-five families the "Greek Orthodox Southfield Mission." Priests who served us during this interim period were: Father Efstathios Metallinos; Father Konan; Bishop lakovos of Apameia who celebrated a Divine Liturgy at our first picnic on the grounds of the John F. vory Farm; Father Maximos (now Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh) who conducted our first Christmas service; Father Demetrios Constantelos presided over our first Lenten and Easter services; and Father Germanos Stravropoulos, was our first full time priest, assigned by the Archdiocese.
SEPTEMBER 13, 1969
Our first Annual Dinner Dance was held at the Raleigh House, Southfield.
JANUARY 1970
During the General Assembly Meeting and by unanimous acclamation, we purchased our present land, with an existing frame home and red barn on its grounds. This home was used as our office and meeting place until the completion of our present building. The parish's first interim president was Nick Marcos Madias and the first elected officers were: President George Pranis, Vice President Nick Marcos Madias, Secretary Peter E. Zervos and Treasurer Dr. Peter E. Georgeson. The church received a charter from the Archdiocese and became officially known as Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, as voted by a majority of our parishioners.
JANUARY 21, 1971
Parish By-Laws are approved by the Council and the General Assembly.
AUGUST 1, 1971
Fr. Stephen J. Anthony from Oakland, California, is assigned to Holy Cross. After Fr. Anthony's arrival extensive work was completed for the architectural design of our total project; church, school building and auditorium.
MAY 4, 1975
On Easter Sunday, groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church were held. Officiating was His Grace, Bishop Demetrios, assisted by our Parish Priest, Fr. Stephen J. Anthony.
FEBRUARY 1977
Construction of the school building (where services were conducted until the Church Edifice is built) is completed. We officially occupied our new facility on Sunday, February 27, 1977.
SEPTEMBER 1983
The first Divine Liturgy in our permanent church is officiated by His Grace, Bishop Timothy of Detroit and Fr. Stephen J. Anthony. The next few years were spent instaling the permanent fixtures of the church.
MAY 1989
The Annual Dinner Dance celebrating our 20th Anniversary is held at Laurel Manor, Livonia.
1990
The installation of the iconostasis was completed.
JULY 1992
Fr. Stephen J. Anthony retires and Fr. Dean C. Hountalas is assigned as our new priest.
APRIL 1993
Holy Week readers are established.
SEPTEMBER 1995
The parish celebrates its 25th Anniversary at the Italian American Club in Livonia. The Platytera, Anastasis, Baptism, Prophet David and St. John Damascus iconography is installed.
SEPTEMBER 1999
The Holy Cross Women's Auxiliary adopts the Philoptochos charter and becomes the Holy Cross Philoptochos.
NOVEMBER 1999
The 30th Anniversary Commemoration Dinner Dance is held at Laurel Manor, Livonia.
IN THE YEAR 2000
The marble solea is installed and Holy Cross hosts the St. John Chrysostom Diocese Oratorical Festival.
IN THE YEAR 2001
The entrance artisan cross is acquired. New church "furnishings" includes the icon stand, Gospel stand and psalti chair.
IN THE YEAR 2002
Trophy and athletic cases are installed in the foyer lobby of the church and are filled with pictures celebrating the boys and girls basketball teams participating in the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association. The The Holy Cross OYAA basketball teams and Friday Family Gym Nights across the street at East Middle School are reinstated.
IN THE YEAR 2003
The Royal Gates are installed on the Altar, while the Philoptochos begins renovation to the Fellowship Hall and foyer. These improvements included new carpeting, a kitchen island and countertops.
IN THE YEAR 2004
The installation of new church windows begins.
NOVEMBER 2004
The parish celebrates its 35th Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Detroit Athletic Club.
IN THE YEAR 2005
Father Dean celebrates 25 years in the priesthood with an October dinner at the Sheraton Detroit in
Novi.
IN THE YEAR 2006
A new Koumvouklion and Epitafios are purchased for the church. A redesign of the parking lot and church grounds begins, as does a new roof project.
DECEMBER 2006
A fire in the Nursery School wing causes a need for renovation and creation of new restroom facilities and fresh painting of the church interior.
IN THE YEAR 2007
The Endearment Walkway is created. Parishioners purchase memorial bricks and it is installed leading up to the front of the church.
IN THE YEAR 2008
Holy Cross hosts the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival District Finals.
DECEMBER 2008
Reverend Father Stephen J. Anthony falls asleep in the Lord, preceded by Presvytera Helen in January 2008.
OCTOBER 2009
The Holy Cross 40th Anniversary Commemoration Annual Dinner Dance is held at the Sheraton Detroit, Novi.
NOVEMBER 2012
The parish celebrates a Glendi Night at Park West Gallery in Southfield.
NOVEMBER 2014
Oakland Hills Country Club is the location for the 45th Anniversary Luncheon honoring all current and past presidents of the Holy Cross Women's Auxiliary and Philoptochos. The Choir and Altar Boys are outfitted with new robes.
IN THE YEAR 2017
Church Secretary, Eileen Ludwig, retires after 33 years of service at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.
IN THE YEAR 2018
A Committee led by Co-Chairs Maria Z. Power and Dr. Angelo M. Zervos is created to begin plans for the Holy Cross 50th Anniversary Celebration. The parish will commemorate 50 years at an Annual Luncheon on September 15, 2019 at the Detroit Yacht Club.
50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
The 50th Anniversary Committee hosts "Wines of Greece" led by 'Detroit's First Lady of Wine', Madeline Triffon.
OCTOBER 14, 2018
A Memorial Sunday and Pancake Breakfast is held on October 14. A Trisagion for all parishioners' loved ones who have passed away is followed by a Pancake breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. Fr. Dean remembers and reads the names of family members who are no longer with us. Parish members are asked to gather for group photographs for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Directory, including past and present members of the Parish Council, Philoptochos, Choir, Altar Boys, Holy Week Readers, Sunday School classes, GOYA, Basketball Team and Youth of the Year.
NOVEMBER4, 2018
The Holy Cross 49th Annual Luncheon is held at the Inn at St. John in Plymouth.
DECEMBER 23, 2018
The 50th Anniversary Committee hosted Altar Boy Sunday, a celebration of all past and present boys and men who have served Holy Cross for the last 50 years. Photos were taken by decades and the former Altar Boys were treated to Greene's hamburgers.
FEBRUARY 1, 2019
A group of former members of the old bowling teams were joined with Our new younger members at the old Drakeshire Lanes to bowl a few games 20 years later.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
The 50th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon is held at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan.
FEBRUARY 2, 2020
Fr. Dean Hountalas retires.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Fr. Alex Radulescu is assigned as our new priest.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
Church mortgage was paid off. A formal celebration took place on Sunday, January 21, 2024.