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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2014-11-02
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (412)366-8700
  • Fax:
  • (412)366-8710
  • Street Address:

  • 985 Providence Blvd.

  • Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5951


Contact Information





Services Schedule

Worship Schedule

8:15 a.m. Orthros

9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Worship Locations:

Sunday worship location: Holy Trinity Church, 985 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Weekday/Feast Day worship location: St. George Chapel, 8941 Ringeisen Rd., Allison Park, PA


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

The joyful news of Your Resurrection was told to the women disciples of the Lord by the angel. Having thrown off the ancestral curse, and boasting, they told the Apostles: death has been vanquished. Christ our God is risen, granting to the world great mercy. (Page 53)

Apolytikion for The Holy Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, and Anempodistus in the Second Tone

Blessed is the earth that drank your blood, O prizewinners of the Lord, and holy are the tabernacles that received your spirit; for in the stadium you triumphed over the enemy, and you proclaimed Christ with boldness. Beseech Him, we pray, since He is good, to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

A protection of Christians unshameable, Intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering; reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us for you are good; your loving help bring unto us who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you. (Page 54)
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Saints and Feasts

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November 02

5th Sunday of Luke


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November 02

The Holy Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, and Anempodistus

These Martyrs contested in Persia about the year 330, in the reign of Sapor (Shapur) II, King of Persia (325-379). Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus, Persian Christians, confessed Christ before the King, and were put to many torments. Aphthonius and Elpidephorus, drawn to the Faith of Christ through the Martyrs, were beheaded with another 7,000. Saints Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus were at last burned to death. Two churches were dedicated in their honour in Constantinople. As is often the case in church hymns, there is a play on the meanings of the Saints' names here. Acindynus means "unimperilled"; Pegasius is derived from pegazo--"to gush forth"; Aphthonius is derived from aphthonos-"abundant"; Elpidephorus means "hope-bearing"; Anempodistus means "unhindered." These are all Greek translations of their Persian names.


Domna
November 02

Domnina, Domna, & Kyriaki, the Martyrs


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Gospel Reading

5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"


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Wisdom of the Fathers

By these words it is surely shown that in his [the rich man] daily feasting he had frequently sinned by his tongue, seeing that, while burning all over, he demanded to be cooled especially in his tongue. Again, that levity of conduct follows closely upon gluttony sacred authority testifies ... For the most part also edacity leads us even to lechery, because, when the belly is distended by repletion, the stings of lust are excited.
St. Gregory the Dialogist
The Book of Pastoral Rule, Chapter XIX, 6th century

The man who has once chosen pleasure in this life, and has not cured his inconsiderateness by repentance, places the land of the good beyond his own reach; for he has dug against himself the yawning impassable abyss of a necessity that nothing can break through.
St. Gregory of Nyssa

For if any one becomes wholly and thoroughly carnal in thought, such as one with every motion and energy of the soul absorbed in fleshly desires, is not parted from such attachments, even in the disembodied state; just as those who have lingered long in noisome places do not part with the unpleasantness contracted by that lengthened stay, even when they pass into a sweet atmosphere.
St. Gregory of Nyssa

A modern monk heard it said, and taught his brothers, that money is like manure. Unless it is quickly spread around, it does no good, but scorches and defiles what it covers.
Evergetinos

Seest thou how by the place, by the things that waste there, He draws men off from this desire that is here, and rivets them to Heaven, where all things are impregnable? For if ye transfer your wealth there where neither rust nor moth corrupts, nor thieves break through and steal, ye will both expel this disease, and establish your soul in the greatest abundance.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century

And together with what we have said, He brings forward an example also to teach thee moderation. And like as the physician, to alarm the sick man ... He also bring in the rich man, laboring indeed, and longing for life and health, but not able to attain thereto, because of having set his heart on covetousness, but going away empty ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century

How then is it possible for the rich man to be saved. By possessing his goods in common with them that are in need, being such as Job was, and exterminating out of his soul the desire of more, and in no points going beyond real need ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century

But what now do we learn from hence? That no man can protect us there, if we are betrayed by our works, not because he will not, but because he cannot. For these too take refuge in the impossibility. This the blessed Abraham also indicated, saying, "Between us and you there is a great gulf," so that not even when willing is it permitted them to pass it ... the end of each one is at the doors, whether he be old or young; and it is not possible for men after they have gone hence, either to buy oil any more, or to obtain pardon by prayers, though he that entreats be Abraham, or Noah, or Job, or Daniel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century

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Bulletin Inserts

    Faith and Family Wednesdays - November 2014

    Faith and Family Wednesdays - November 2014

    Faith and Family Wednesdays - November 2014


    FOCUS Pittsburgh "Tackle Poverty with the Polamalus" Dinner - November 20

    FOCUS Pittsburgh "Tackle Poverty with the Polamalus" Dinner - November 20

    Join FOCUS Advisory Board member Theodora Polamalu and her husband Troy at an exclusive event to Tackle Poverty as we help working poor families and the homeless here in Pittsburgh! The “Tackle Poverty with the Polamalu’s” Dinner for FOCUS Pittsburgh will be held here at Holy Trinity Church on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00pm. The donation for this fund-raising event are $100. Only 350 tickets will be sold on a ¬first-come-¬first-served basis. Tickets will sell out quickly, so don’t delay! Purchase your tickets TODAY at Coffee Hour today or online at www.focusnorthamerica.org.


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Parish News and Events

SPECIAL NOTICE:
HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS TO MAKE FIRST PASTORAL VISIT
TO THE NEW HOLY TRINITY CHURCH NEXT SUDAY, NOVEMBER 9!
DIVINE LITURGY TO START AT 9:00AM!

Holy Trinity Church will receive the special blessing of the first pastoral visit of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios to our new church next Sunday, November 9, accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas. Because the Archbishop must depart to return to New York by 11:00, WE WILL START DIVINE LITURGY ON THAT DAY AT 9:00AM. Please plan on being there – and on time – for this historic event.

 

Philoptochos Sunday Today

Holy Trinity Philoptochos invites the parish to join the entire Archdiocese in celebrating today - the first Sunday in November - as Philoptochos Sunday. Here at Holy Trinity Church we are celebrating many years of Philoptochos service to our church, our community, our friends and our families. In honor of that event, the Philoptochos will offer an enhanced coffee hour today, and donations collected during a special tray and during coffee hour will be for the benefit of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. There will also be an Artoclasia (Blessing of the Loaves) offered for the feast and a Memorial offered for the departed Philoptochos members. Thank you for supporting the Philoptochos, "The Friends of the Poor!"

 

SABIKA Jewelry Philoptochos Fundraiser Today

Our Holy Trinity Ladies Philoptochos invites you to a special afternoon Fundraiser featuring SABIKA Austrian Crystal Jewelry today following Divine Liturgy through 1:00pm. The Fundraiser will showcase the New Fall/Winter 2014 Collection and the Classics Collection. Please come and enjoy refreshments while you shop the Beautiful Collections.  Create your own style! Begin your Christmas Shopping Early!! Our own Alexandra Mayr-Gracik, Vice President of Design at Sabika, will be there to help you select a timeless design. All proceeds benefit the Philanthropic work of our Philoptochos. Stop by the Fireside Room today and enjoy!

 

Faith and Family Wednesdays Continues This Week

After a tremendously successful start last season, the “Faith & Family Wednesdays” ministry has resumed its weekly gatherings this month on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Feel like you don’t know enough about your Faith? Want to understand the Bible better? Like to learn more about living an Orthodox life? Want to simply dedicate a portion of your week to worship and growing in Christ? The “Faith and Family Wednesdays” ministry offers guides, teachers and practical experience in all these areas and more. It also provides a great opportunity to spend time around your Holy Trinity family and enjoy worship, fellowship, growth and sometimes just fun! It’s a great way to live and learn your faith between Sundays! Here is a schedule of this week’s “Faith and Family Wednesdays” events. Taking into account feedback from last season, some changes have been made, including narrowing the list of educational offerings to three tracks instead of five. The Worship service for everyone goes from 6:30 to 7:15pm, then sessions go from 7:15 to 8:30pm and you are free to choose any session to attend. If you have not yet participated, this is a great week to start!

 

 

Track

Topic

- Worship (6:30-7:15)

Blessing of the Waters and Blessing of the Loaves (Artoclasia)

- Studies (7:15-8:30)

Orthodox Book Club: “The Illustrated Jesus Through the Centuries” - Father Radu

- Growth (7:15-8:30)

“Understanding Orthodoxy” - Ted Chirpas

- Orthodox Family Life (7:15-8:30)

“Making Marriage Better” (Marriage Enrichment for Married Couples) - Father John

 

Regular Fall General Assembly - November 16

Please plan to attend the regular Fall General Assembly on Sunday, November 16. An agenda is being mailed in the November Herald. This Assembly is to review parish life, nominate candidates for the Parish Council and other important committees and hear reports on important parish matters. It is vital to the life of a healthy community that all members attend, as these meetings are quite important in the day-to-day life of the parish. Please remember, to vote at an assembly or in elections, you must be a member in good standing as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations. Also, the requirements to run for Parish Council according to the UPR and the Holy Trinity By-Laws are indicated in the nomination form mailed in the Herald. These include, but are not limited to, being an enrolled member in good standing for three years prior to the date of nomination, having a signed 2014 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge card submitted and attending the Metropolis Regional Parish Council Nominees Seminar on November 25, 2014. Whether it is attending assemblies, being voted on council, taking in a leadership role in a ministry or just getting involved more, the Lord has a calling and a role for every one of us at Holy Trinity Church because you are a part of the Body of Christ and have an important contribution to offer. God has already equipped you with it and is waiting for you to step up and use it. Consider it. Pray about it. What's yours?

 

FOCUS Pittsburgh’s “Tackle Poverty” Dinner to be Held at Holy Trinity – November 20 – Get Your Tickets Today!

Join FOCUS Advisory Board member Theodora Polamalu and her husband Troy at an exclusive event to Tackle Poverty as we help working poor families and the homeless here in Pittsburgh! The “Tackle Poverty with the Polamalu’s” Dinner for FOCUS Pittsburgh will be held here at Holy Trinity Church on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00pm. The donation for this fund-raising event are $100. Only 350 tickets will be sold on a ­first-come-­first-served basis. Tickets will sell out quickly, so don’t delay! Purchase your tickets TODAY at Coffee Hour today or online at www.focusnorthamerica.org.

FOCUS is recognized as one of the most e­fficient charities in America, with 93% of all donations to FOCUS go directly to helping those in need! What has FOCUS been doing? In Pittsburgh: FOCUS recently opened a free health center, the fi­rst comprehensive Orthodox health care facility in America that provides the uninsured with quality physical and mental health care! The backpack feeding program provides nutritious food each week to 300 underprivileged children enrolled in Pittsburgh public schools. The Job Development Academy has graduated and placed 41 people into careers this year! And across the country, FOCUS provides jobs, housing and other services and activities in 50 cities in the USA and Canada! “Operation Lace Up” has helped 252,000 homeless children go back to school with medical/dental checkups, backpacks, supplies and shoes! And much, much more! Thank you for your support of this vital ministry.

 

New Year’s Eve Gala – Save the Date!

Plan on spending New Year’s Eve with your Holy Trinity family and friends! Tickets will go on sale on November 9 following Liturgy for the Holy Trinity New Year’s Eve Gala. Contact Harry Athanasiou at 412-292-4205 with any questions.

 

In the Hospital? Home-Bound? Please let the Church Office know!

In today’s age of information privacy, churches are not notified when parishioners are admitted to hospitals, nursing homes or other care facilities. Both those facilities and your church depend on having the church notified by a friends or family member so pastoral care and outreach can be offered. The same goes for those homebound. If you or any of your loved ones are in any of these situations, please contact the Church Office at 412-366-8700 to request a visit from our priests or visitation ministry. Interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact the Church Office and offer your time as a visitation volunteer.

 

Want the Weekly Bulletin sent to your email box? Sign Up Today! 

Want to receive the Sunday Bulletin directly via email? Want announcements on Holy Trinity events? Go to www.HolyTrinityPgh.org and sign up today using the sign-up box on the left side of any page!

 

All Sunday Services Live on Internet

Please be aware that all Sunday services at Holy Trinity Church are now live on the Internet. Unable to attend Sunday services because of travels, illness or otherwise home-bound? You can still participate via Internet via live streaming video. To follow the services online go to: http://www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. PLEASE NOTE: "Holy Trinity Church now broadcasts its Sunday services live on the Internet. Your presence in the Church is subject to audio and video recording."

 

Welcome, Holy Trinity Guests!

We welcome all our guests to Holy Trinity Church today, whether as visitors from out of town, family members joining others here for worship today or even soon-to-be members here for the first time. No matter what the reason the Holy Spirit brought you here today, we welcome you with open arms and hearts filled with the love of Christ. Please help us welcome you by signing in at the hospitality table in the Narthex, where you will be presented with a yellow lapel Cross to help our Holy Trinity family know you're here. Please fill out an information card so we can contact you with any information you may need concerning life here at Holy Trinity Church.

 

About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church

As an extension of our hospitality and outreach ministries, we welcome all who have come to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, an inquirer to the faith or a first-time guest in an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us and thankful for the opportunity to share and bear witness to this ancient and timeless Faith. In accordance with the holy canons and traditions of the Church, please note that Holy Communion and the other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are received only by those who are baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared through prayer, fasting and confession. All others are invited receive the antidoron (blessed bread) and a blessing from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not a sacramental offering, but is blessing and a reflection of the agape (love) feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. Please join our parish family for hospitality after the holy services and allow us to meet and welcome you. Interested in joining or learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith? Please see one of our priests or complete a visitor’s card today!

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America News

The 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Convenes in Philadelphia July 6-10

06/20/2014

The 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will convene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 6- 10, 2014, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel and it will focus on the theme of this Congress “The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel.”

New Survey to Assess Resources of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

06/12/2014

The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM), of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, designed an online survey to assess its existing resources and channels of communication with young people with the goal of creating more effective means of ministering to youth and young adults.

Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek Scheduled for June 23

06/12/2014

The 2014 Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek will be administered on Monday, June 23, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., according to an announcement from the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Joins Pope Francis at a Vatican Invocation for Peace

06/09/2014

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Joins Pope Francis at a Vatican Invocation for Peace

Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for October 10-28, 2014

10/10/2014

Rebuilding of Saint Nicholas at WTC to Commence with Ground Blessing Oct. 18

10/10/2014

A Ground Blessing ceremony for the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center is set for Saturday October 18, 2014 at 12:00 noon. The ceremony will include a combined prayer service of blessing of the site (agiasmos), and a doxology (a service of thanksgiving). Contact: Press Office/Stavros Papagermanos (212) 570-3530

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for National Leadership 100 Sunday - October 26, 2014

10/09/2014

On this Sunday, October 26, the Feast of Saint Demetrios and following the Feast of Saint Iakovos on October 23, we give thanks to God for the steadfast and abounding labor of the members of Leadership 100 and celebrate the great accomplishments of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, as its celebration of its 30th Anniversary comes to a close.

Archbishop Demetrios to Make Official Visit to Cyprus

10/06/2014

On the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nikos Anastasiades and with the unanimous agreement of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America will embark on an official visit to Cyprus, October 20-27, 2014.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Join Pope Francis for Vatican Prayer Summit

06/06/2014

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox Christian faithful worldwide, will join Pope Francis at the Vatican for a prayer summit on the evening of June 8, 2014 in an intensive spiritually-focused initiative for Middle East peace process. Together with the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will participate in an interfaith prayer service of Muslims, Jews and Christians for peace in the region.

Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation Urges Church To Lift Ban on Ordination of Married Priests in Eastern Catholic Churches in North America

06/06/2014

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation voted in early June to encourage the "lifting of the restrictions regarding the ordination of married men to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic Churches of North America."

Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for June 3-15, 2014

06/03/2014

Saint Basil Academy to Celebrate 70th Anniversary

06/03/2014

Saint Basil Academy will celebrate its 70th Anniversary, June 21, 2014, in its magnificent campus by the Hudson River, in Garrison, NY.

Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for May 20-June 6, 2014

05/21/2014

EWTN Network to Broadcast Live Ecumenical Celebration of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis in Jerusalem

05/20/2014

On Sunday, May 25, 2014, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis will meet at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to commemorate a meeting in the Holy Land fifty years ago by their revered predecessors, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI.

Ecumenical Patriarchate Announces Official Delegation for Meeting with Pope Francis in Jerusalem May 25, 2014

05/16/2014

The Ecumenical Patriarchate today released a list of persons accompanying Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox faithful worldwide, on his pilgrimage to meet Pope Francis in Jerusalem. The trip commemorates the 1964 meeting of their predecessors; Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I.

Archbishop Demetrios, Catholic Archbishop Kurtz Celebrate Growing Closeness Between Orthodox and Catholics Ahead of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis Meeting in Jerusalem

05/15/2014

Fifty years ago, in January 1964, two great Christian leaders met in Jerusalem. Pope Paul VI of Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople swept aside centuries of hostility and embraced one another in the city where Christ was crucified and rose from the dead.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for AHEPA Sunday - May 18, 2014

05/15/2014

In this blessed Paschal season filled with the light and joy of our Lord’s Holy Resurrection, we observe a special day among our parishes and our Greek American community, AHEPA Sunday. On this day we recognize the history, accomplishments, and ongoing service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and the members of the AHEPA family.

The Meeting of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis in the City of Jerusalem

05/10/2014

On Sunday, May 25, 2014, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis will meet at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to commemorate a meeting in the Holy Land fifty years ago by their revered predecessors, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI.

Archimandrite Cleopas Strongylis Elected Metropolitan of Sweden

05/05/2014

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople elected unanimously today the Very Reverend Archimandrite Cleopas Strongylis Metropolitan of Sweden and All Scandinavia. His Grace Metropolitan elect Cleopas Strongylis has been serving as the Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston, Massachusetts.
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