The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Homewood will commemorate its patronal feast, Holy Cross Day, on Sunday, September 14, 2008 with special liturgies.

A solemn sung Mass and sermon and the sacrament of Confirmation, the latter administered by the Rt. Rev. Henry Scriven, assistant bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, will begin the celebration at 10:30 a.m.

Music will be offered by the parish choir, including service music by notable African-American composers David Hurd and Lena McLin; Gilbert M. Martin’s arrangement of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and Eugene Englert’s anthem "O Faithful Cross." Music for trumpet, saxophone and organ will also be featured. Holy Cross, Pittsburgh’s only predominately African-American Episcopal parish, has a long-standing tradition of rich liturgical practice and fully utilizes incense, processions, and other pageantry common in Anglo-Catholic worship.

A solemn choral Evensong will close the parish’s Holy Cross Day celebration, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Preces and Responses are by British composer Alan Smith, with a faux bordon setting of the Magnificat (in the style of the Flemish Renaissance composer Nicolas Gombert) by Eric Osborne. The settings for the psalm and Nunc Dimittis are taken from a historic 1930s service music book from the Holy Cross archives. This year marks the 133rd anniversary of Holy Cross Church.

"As a parish, Holy Cross Day—our patronal feast—provides a wonderful opportunity, annually, for us to celebrate our membership in and our unique contribution to the Church Universal. Holy Cross Day brings us together in celebration—liturgy, music, and fellowship—to ‘glory in the cross,’ as St. Paul reminds us," said Holy Cross Rector Dr. Moni McIntyre. "We invite everyone to join us for this special day in the life of our parish."

Following the service, a brief recital will be offered, featuring talent from the parish. A reception follows. For more information, contact the church office at 412-242-3209.

-posted August 6, 2008-