Who we are

Exaltation Of The Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Phoenix Arizona USA is a mission parish of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, a diocese of The Orthodox Church in America. Our Archbishop is His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, our Auxiliary Bishop is His Grace Bishop Irineu, and our Pastor is V. Reverend Father Alin Munteanu

We are a community largely comprised of converts to the Orthodox Church, and are very comfortable with newcomers, inquirers and visitors! We come from all racial, age, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Every sincere lover or seeker of Christ, or inquirer is welcome!

We are located at 20830 N. 25th Place, Suite 106 Phoenix AZ 85050.
Click HERE for directions.
Our parish is Pan-Orthodox with all services in English.
We have coffee and something to eat after Sunday Divine Liturgy, all are invited

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Troparion

O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by the virtue of thy Cross preserve thy habitation.

Kontakion

O THOU Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy mercies upon the new community named after Thee, O Christ God; gladden with Thy power the Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over enemies; may they have as Thy help the weapon of peace, the invincible trophy.

On September 14 Orthodox Christians celebrate three events related to different periods of time. The first of these events was discovering in 326 AD of the Cross on which Jesus Christ had been crucified. The miraculous discovery was made by Empress Helen (mother of Constantine, the Emperor of Byzantine) and by Macarius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The second event was the erection of the Church of Lord’s Resurrection and installing the Holy Cross of our Lord in it (the date of this holiday was established then). The third event was the return of the Holy Cross from Persia where it had been moved after conquering Jerusalem, and where it had been in imprisonment for 14 years.

St. Paraskeva the New (Petka)

Troparion – Tone 4

You chose a silent and solitary life; you followed Christ your Bridegroom. You took his easy yoke in your youth, arming yourself with the sign of the Cross. You contended against spiritual enemies through fasting, tears and labors, O glorious Paraskeva. Now you stand before Christ with the Wise Virgins: Intercede for us who honor your precious memory.

Kontakion – Tone 6

Let us all piously praise all-honorable Paraskeva,the intercessor for the afflicted.She gave up her earthly life,and received eternal incorruption.Therefore, she has been granted the grace to work wondersby the command of God.

This glorious saint was of Serbian descent, and was born in the town of Epivat between Selymbria and Constantinople. St. Parasceva’s parents were wealthy, devout Christians. They also had a son, Euthymius, who was tonsured a monk during his parents’ lifetime, and later became the famous Bishop of Madytos. The virgin Parasceva always yearned for the ascetic life for the sake of Christ. After her parents’ repose, she left her home and went first to Constantinople, then to the wilderness of Jordan, where she lived the ascetic life until old age. Who can express all the labors, sufferings and demonic temptations that St. Parasceva endured in the course of her many years? In her old age, an angel of God once appeared to her and said: “Leave the wilderness and return to your homeland; it is necessary that you render your body to the earth there, and your soul to the habitation of the Lord.” St. Parasceva obeyed, and returned to Epivat. There she lived for two years in ceaseless fasting and prayer, then gave up her soul to God and took up her abode in Paradise. St. Parasceva entered into rest in the eleventh century. Over the course of time her relics were translated to Constantinople, to Trnovo, again to Constantinople, and then to Belgrade. Her relics now repose in Romania, in the town of Iasi. In Belgrade, the well of St. Petka miraculously heals the sick who draw near with faith in God and love for this saint^.

See Church Member Blogs for More information

WHAT WE BELIEVE

God loves all mankind and desires that all human beings should believe in Him, know Him, abide in Him, and receive eternal life from Him. To accomplish this, God Himself came into the world as a man, Jesus Christ, becoming man that we might become like God. For a fuller statement of the fundamental beliefs of the Orthodox Church, read our statement of faith: The Nicene Creed.

The best way to learn more about the Orthodox Faith is to experience its worship. Join us for Friday evening Vespers, or Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings. It may well be the start of a spiritual journey from which you will never look back!

Service Schedule: