What a Sponsor needs:

A complete change of clothing for the baby, including an undershirt

One Gold Cross

One small bottle of olive oil

One bar of soap

One white bath towel

Two white hand towels

Three white candles

One white sheet

The sponsor must be Orthodox in good standing with the Church (requires proof of Orthodox Baptism & letter from own parish priest)

Days when Baptisms are NOT performed:

September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 14, the Elevation of the Holy Cross

November 21, the Presentation of the Theotokos

December 25, the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)​

January 5, Eve of Theophany

January 6, Theophany, the Baptism of Christ

February 2, the Presentation of Christ

March 25, the Annunciation

Palm Sunday (The Sunday before Pascha)​

Holy Week (the week prior to Pascha)

Ascension of Christ (forty days after Pascha)

Pentecost (fifty days after Pascha)

August 6, the Transfiguration

August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos​

The gift of God's forgiveness is received through private prayer, corporate worship, the disciplines of prayer and fasting, penitential services and above all through the sacrament of Holy Confession.

The value of Holy Confession is twofold. First, through this sacramental act of the ordained priest and the Christian believer we have the assurance of divine forgiveness, according to the words of Christ (Jn. 20:23). Secondly, Holy Confession provides the opportunity to talk about one's deep concerns, to receive counsel and to be encouraged toward spiritual growth, all of which are universally recognized as extremely beneficial to personal life.

Holy Confession is appropriate whenever an Orthodox Christian feels the need for it. It is also a part of our total spiritual preparation during the fast periods leading up to the great feasts of Easter, Christmas, the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos, and the Feast of Twelve Apostles. Confessions are heard by appointment. Please contact the Church office at 248-477-1677 or office@holycrossgo.org. You may also contact Fr. Alex directly at 248-306-9162.

How to prepare for Confession >>>

We need from the couple:

Full Name

Mother’s maiden name

Date of Baptism

In what religion you were baptized

Have you ever been married? In a Greek Orthodox Church, in any other Church or just civilly?

Schedule three premarital sessions with the priest

What a Koumbaro/Koumbara (Best Man/Maid of Honor) needs to bring:

A set of crowns

A silver tray

Three candles (two decorated)

The koumbaro/koumbara must be Orthodox, and in good standing with the Church (requires proof of Baptism & letter from Parish Priest)

Marriages are NOT performed on fast days (or seasons) and major feast days as follows:

Great Lent (starts on a Monday, 7 weeks prior to Pascha)

Fast of the Apostles (varying in length from 1 to 6 weeks; it begins on a Monday, 8 days after Pentecost, and ends on June 28, the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul)

Fast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (August 1-14)

Christmas Fast (December 12 - December 24)

Individual fast days:

Beheading of St. John the Baptist (August 29)

Eve of Epiphany (January 5)

All Wednesdays and Fridays

Any Feast Day of the Lord or the Theotokos as follows:

September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 14, the Elevation of the Holy Cross

November 21, the Presentation of the Theotokos

December 13 through 25

December 25, the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)​

January 5, Eve of Theophany

January 6, Theophany, the Baptism of Christ

February 2, the Presentation of Christ

March 25, the Annunciation

Palm Sunday (The Sunday before Pascha)​

Holy Week (the week prior to Pascha)

Ascension of Christ (forty days after Pascha)

Pentecost (fifty days after Pascha)

August 6, the Transfiguration

August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos

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​Check the church calendar here.​​

Funeral services are permitted on any day of the year, except for Sundays and Great and Holy Friday.

Days when Memorials are NOT performed:

From the Saturday of Lazarus, to St. Thomas Sunday

Any Feast Day of the Lord or the Theotokos as follows:

September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 14, the Elevation of the Holy Cross

November 21, the Presentation of the Theotokos

December 25, the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)​

From December 25 through January 6

January 6, Theophany, the Baptism of Christ

February 2, the Presentation of Christ

March 25, the Annunciation

Palm Sunday (The Sunday before Pascha)​

Holy Week (the week prior to Pascha)

Ascension of Christ (forty days after Pascha)

Pentecost (fifty days after Pascha)

August 6, the Transfiguration

August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos