Welcome!
Holy Cross Romanian Orthodox Church is a growing Christian community of people from various ethnic and social backgrounds sharing a common commitment to the Lord, each other, and the Apostolic Faith. We warmly welcome all families, couples, and individuals who are looking for a deeper experience of the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Come join us during our inspiring services and engage in an authentic dialogue with God while experiencing our vibrant community!
Our Address: 1401 S White Rd San Jose, CA 95127
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: the foundation of our long-awaited Community Center is being poured. Our dream is becoming a reality right before our eyes. However, we are at a critical juncture. Our savings, painstakingly accumulated over the years, are dwindling rapidly. Why should you help?
This center will be the beating heart of our congregation. This isn't just a building: it's the culmination of a 15-year dream. For too long, our congregation lacked a proper indoor space for gatherings, celebrations, and learning. Our priest's humble residence sheltered countless pilgrims, monks, nuns and even people who lost their homes. It is high time for our community to have a place to call our own—for weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, cathechism, carrols, guests and so much more.
Moreoever, this Community Center will allow us to expand our impressive charitable projects. From a tiny church building, for the past nine years, we helped countless underpriviledged people from the Bay Area, Romania, Ukraine and - more recently - Africa. Wars and pandemics only made the needs bigger. Thus, we plan to offer more vital services to the nearby and far away destitutes. Specifically, we need to have a space for food distribution programs that address the pressing issue of hunger in East San Jose. In addition, using the many professional skills of our parishioners, we want this center to nurture even more young hearts. From health, science, English reading, parents' education, constitutional rights and outdoor education for our young learners and those of East San Jose, we are committed to educating and strengthening our community's knowledge base.
Finally, our center will serve as a vibrant hub for celebrating the Romanian heritage, welcoming all to immerse in the diverse tapestry of Romanian and Eastern European traditions. Here, these cultural legacies will flourish, providing a platform for future generations to learn through joyful picnics, beautiful concerts, captivating exhibits, tantalising culinary events, engaging Romanian language classes and array of other enriching activities. We are weaving the threads of tradition into a vibrant and inclusive community experience!
To make this dream a reality, we need your support. Together, we can pave the way for this space where hope, learning, culture, and community flourish - only together. You can find more about the center here. Donate TODAY to be considered an official founder of our community center! You can easiely donate online, by check or your company's matching program. Thank you, from the depths of our hearts!
This week's schedule:
Monday (March 25) 9:00 - Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation Feast Day
Wednesday (March 27) 18:30 - Hours 3, 6, and 9 Services; 19:30 - PreSanctified Gifts Liturgy
Friday (March 29) 18:30 - Hours 3, 6, and 9 Services; 19:30 - PreSanctified Gifts Liturgy
Saturday (March 30) (oil & wine) 8:30 - Akathist for the Departed Reposed; 9:00 - Divine Liturgy and remembrance service for the departed (panihida). 17:30 - Vespers
Sunday (March 31) (oil & wine): 8:30 - Akathist to our Lord Jesus Christ. 9:00 - Divine Liturgy (2nd Sunday of the Great Lent - Commemoration of the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas and the Healing of the Paralytic at Capernaum)
We would like to remind you that from March 18 to May 4, we are in the Great Lent (Easter Lent). Every Christian is encouraged to abstain from sweet foods (meat and dairy products), as well as from actions and thoughts related to this material and fallen world in sin. By fasting in this way, the Christian can deepen in the works related to the salvation of their soul: repentance, prayer, and almsgiving.
Alongside the physical and spiritual fasting dedicated to the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord, we urge you to come to the seat of Holy Confession. Only through confessing sins and fulfilling the appropriate Canon can the Christian free themselves from the chains of sins and passions, thus coming forth pure and shining before Holy Communion.
During this entire lent, Holy Liturgy with a memorial service will be celebrated on Saturdays, right after the Divine Liturgy.
Vespers take place on Saturday evenings and before feast days.
Confessions: are heard before or after the divine services or at the request of the faithful.
The services are celebrated in both Romanian and English. Our parish follows the New Calendar. All are welcome to attend!
Special Services
Memorial services (parastase), baptisms, weddings, funerals and other special services should be arranged with Rev. Fr. Constantin Lapustea,
(408) 229-0365 home, (408) 888-6793 cell, email: lapusteaconstantin@yahoo.com
Please see also our calendar section.
SUMMER PICNIC: SUNDAY, JUNE 2, BAYLANDS PARK.