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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-05-07
Bulletin Contents
Jcparal1
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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

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

English: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Greek: Χριστός ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας και τοις εν τοις μνήμασιν, ζωήν χαρισάμενος. Phoenetics: Christós anésti ek nékron, thanáto thánaton patísas, ke tis en tis mnímasi zoín harisámenos. (Page 74)

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of His reign; He has conquered death by death, and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades; and has granted to the world great mercy. (Page 52)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Though You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women "Rejoice," and giving peace to Your Apostles, O You Who grants resurrection to the fallen. (Page 74)
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Saints and Feasts

Jcparal1
May 07

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.


Constantinegreat
May 07

Commemoration of the Precious Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in 351 A.D.

On this day in the year 351, not long after Cyril had succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem, during the reign of Constantius, the son of Saint Constantine the Great, on the day of Pentecost, the sign of the Cross appeared over Jerusalem. Saint Cyril, in his letter to the Emperor Constantius, says, "At about the third hour of the day, an enormous Cross, formed of light, appeared in the heaven above holy Golgotha and reaching to the holy Mount of Olives, being seen not by one or two only, but manifest with perfect clarity to the whole multitude of the city; not, as one might suppose, rushing swiftly past in fancy, but seen openly above the earth many hours in plain sight, and overcoming the beams of the sun with its dazzling rays" (PG 33:1 16q).


St_akakios
May 07

Akakios the Centurion of Byzantium

Saint Akakios lived in the third century, and was an officer in the Roman army during the time of Maximian. At his interrogation he declared that he had received a devout faith from his parents, and that he would remain steadfast in it, for he had seen many miracles of healing which took place at the relics of the saints. After enduring many tortures in the city of Pyrrinthus, Thrace, he was taken to Byzantium. There he suffered further torments and was beheaded with a sword in the year 303.


Cyril-of-jerusalem
May 07

Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem

Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric.


St_pachomios
May 07

Pachomios the New Martyr of Patmos

The Holy and glorious Righteous Martyr Pachomios, struggled on the Holy Mountain in the New Skete and the Skete of Kavsokalyvia. He was martyred in the year 1730, the day of the Ascension of the Lord.


St_nilus_of_sora
May 07

Nilus, abbot of Sora

Saint Nilus of Sora, a great ascetic of the Russian Church, was descended from the Maikov nobility. He accepted monasticism at the monastery of Saint Cyril of White Lake. Here he made use of the counsels of the pious Elder Paisius Yaroslavov, who was afterwards igumen of the Trinity-Sergiev Lavra. The saint struggled constantly with his own thoughts and passions. Then peace would be born in his soul, clarity in his mind, contrition and love in his heart. In his written works, “A Tradition for my Disciple, Wishing to Live in the Wilderness,” and the “Rule,” Saint Nilus describes the steps of this salvific mental activity in detail. The first step is renunciation of the world, particularly, from every worldly distraction. The second is unceasing prayer, accompanied by the remembrance of death. The saint died in his seventy-sixth year of life, on May 7, 1508. His relics, buried in the monastery he founded, were glorified by many miracles.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Tone. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.


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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

In that case [Matt 9:2] there was remission of sins, (for He said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee,") but in this, warning and threats to strengthen the man for the future; "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 37 on John 1, 4th Century

Great is the profit of the divine Scriptures, and all-sufficient is the aid which comes from them ... For the divine oracles are a treasury of all manner of medicines, so that whether it be needful to quench pride, to lull desire to sleep, to tread under foot the love of money, ... from them one may find abundant resource.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 37 on John 5, 4th Century

For where tears are-- or rather, where miracles are, there tears ought not to be; not where such a mystery is celebrating. Hear, I beseech you: although somewhat of the like kind does not take place now, yet in the case of our dead likewise, a great mystery is celebrating. Say, if as we sit together, the Emperor were to send and invite some one of us to the palace, would it be right, I ask, to weep and mourn? Angels are present, commissioned from heaven and come from thence, sent from the King Himself to call their fellow servant, and say, dost thou weep? Knowest thou not what a mystery it is that is taking place, how awful, how dread, and worthy indeed of hymns and lauds? Wouldest thou learn, that thou mayest know, that this is no time for tears? For it is a very great mystery of the Wisdom of God. As if leaving her dwelling, the soul goes forth, speeding on her way to her own Lord, and dost thou mourn? Why then, thou shouldst do this on the birth of a child: for this in fact is also a birth, and a better than that.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on Acts 9, 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Greek Dance Practice Begins Today

Greek dancing practice begins today. The Hope dance group (kindergarten through second grade) will be taught by Eleni Dedousis (412-953-3699) and the Joy and Goya dance group will be taught by Victoria Andromalos Dale (412-496-9128). There will be a brief meeting for parents today and then a short practice during coffee hour. Please feel free to contact Eleni or Victoria with any questions.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Festival Cooking Schedule: May and June

It’s time! Festival cooking is here. Please mark these dates on your calendar, put them in your phone, hand them on your refrigerator, or do whatever you need to be sure to be there…and remember to invite some friends! Watch for more dates all the way through July in the May-June edition of the Holy Trinity Herald!

 

Date

Day

Times

Food Item Being Prepared

May 9

Tuesday

9am-9pm

Finikia, Koulourakia and Kourambiethes

May 16

Tuesday

9am-9pm

Galaktoboureko

May 23

Tuesday

9am-9pm

Souzoukakia

June 6

Tuesday

9am-9pm

Karithopita and Finikia Dipping

June 23

Friday

9am-5pm

Moussaka

June 24

Saturday

9am-5pm

Moussaka

June 25

Sunday

After Liturgy

Moussaka

 

[May 9] Festival Cooking This Week – Finikia, Koulourakia and Kourambiethes

Attention Holy Trinity Volunteers, Stewards and Festival Fans: Please be there this Tuesday for the weekly Festival Cooking Session as we prepare Finikia, Koulourakia and Kourambiethes. Hours are from 9:00am to 9:00pm or as much of it as you can make. Everyone is welcomed and everyone’s help is needed. On the job training is free! Questions? Contact Joyce Athanasiou at 412-292-4206.

 

 [Feb. 15, 16] “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week

Holy Trinity Church’s new, expanded “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry continues this week. Building on the fruits of our last three years of Wednesday evening, we are now including more days and more opportunities for everyone to participate in and grow from worship, spiritual life and educational ministries beyond Sunday morning and to make the church the "crossroad of daily life." To submit ideas or feedback, please see Spiritual Life Ministry Chairperson Joyce Athanasiou (412-292-4205).

 

THIS WEEK AT “FAITH AND FAMILY WEEKDAYS”

What and When

Ministry and Session Details

Daily: Prayer Partners

Have you remembered your prayer partner every day?

“Journey of Marriage”

Marriage Prep Ministry
Tue. May 9

7:00pm Session

Marriage preparation for couples using the excellent and interactive “Journey of Marriage” materials developed by Dr. Philip Mamalakis and Fr. Charles Johannides. From “Hello!” to honeymoon, this series educates and equips couples for fruitful Orthodox Christian marriage. It’s lots of fun, too!

“Prayer and Panera”

Men’s Ministry

Thu. May 11

7:00am Worship/Session

The Saint Nikodemos Men’s Fellowship hosts this morning session of prayers and Christian fellowship (with coffee and bagels, too!). The group meets at church promptly at 7:00 a.m. for a 15-20 minute morning prayer and scripture, then moves up the hill to Panera for 30-45 minutes of coffee, breakfast and Christian men’s conversation on living as a Christian man in today’s world. Change up your morning. Give it a try!

“Orthodox Movie Night”

Entertainment & Fellowship Thu. May 11

7:00pm Movie

A monthly offering of inspirational and cultural entertaining movies with snacks and good company in the Fireside Room. Free to all, it’s a relaxing and uplifting alternative to the “same old stuff” on cable TV. Why sit around alone and watch that when you can enjoy a night of Holy Trinity fellowship and entertainment?

This Week’s Title: “Risen.” This powerful new movie tells the epic story of the Resurrection and the weeks that followed. Admission is Free! Popcorn and soft drinks are provided. Come and share in the fellowship!

 

[May 18] Senior Fellowship Ministry Meeting

The next monthly meeting of the Senior Fellowship Ministry will take place on Thursday, May 18 as a lunch outing to a local restaurant. Please give your suggestions to Georgiann Bounos or Kay Balouris today. The establishment with the most interest will be chosen. See you after church!

 

[May 20] Joy / Hope Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh

The JOY / HOPE will be taking a Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh on Saturday May 20.  We will meet at 3:30pm for the 4:00pm tour at Just Ducky Tours, 125 W Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.  The cost is $25 / Adult (13+), $15 / child (3-12) and $5 / (infants 2 and under).  Pre-paid reservations must be made by next Sunday, May 14.  Contact Penny Balouris at 724-813-5726 / pennybt66@gmail.com to make your reservations or for more information.

 

[May 21] Church School Graduation Date

Attention Church School Staff, Parents and Students: Please note that the last day of Church School for this semester will be Sunday, May 21. Church School Graduation will be held on that day, and all students are asked to attend and sit with their class during Liturgy. Following the service, the Church School will have a graduation celebration and picnic lunch. Help is needed with the picnic. Please contact Presvytera Becky at presbecky@HolyTrinityPgh.org to volunteer.

 

College Graduates Information Requested by May 14

Have a young adult graduating from college or post-grad studies? Please send a note to the Church Office (office@HolyTrinityPgh.org) with the graduate’s name, school, degree and area of study so they can be announced with the High School graduates on May 21 and listed in the Herald graduate article.

 

[May 29] Memorial Service for Veterans at Holy Trinity Cemetery

The tradition of Memorial Day started in 1866 as local observance of honoring those who died in the Civil War. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May to honor our heroes who gave their lives in battle. Please join together in front of the Holy Trinity Cemetery War Memorial at 9:30 am on Memorial Day (May 29) as we hold a special ceremony to honor those who have defended our country and given their lives in defense of the United States, the Constitution and the cause of freedom they so cherished. Please note: this service is to commemorate veterans; it is not a general memorial service for all the departed — that will be held according to Orthodox tradition on the Pentecost weekend Saturday of Souls (June 3 this year) with a Divine Liturgy & Memorial at the Saint George Chapel at Holy Trinity Cemetery. May their memories be eternal!

 

[Jun 26] Holy Trinity Golf Classic

It’s time once again for the annual Holy Trinity Golf Classic, to be held this year on Monday, June 26, at Diamond Run Golf Club. The event features a “Million Dollar Shootout” and a Silent Auction. Proceeds benefit the Holy Trinity Capital Campaign. Contact Anthony Loomis for information at anthonytloomis@gmail.com.  See the registration form included in the May/June Holy Trinity Herald or additional copies can be found at the Church Office information window.

 

Festival Ad Book Volunteers Needed

The Festival season is quickly coming upon us. Last year's Festival was a banner event for our Holy Trinity community. With your help, we made tremendous strides last year. We are seeking volunteers to join the 2017 Festival Ad Book committee. Please contact Al Backeris or Connee Bistolas to join the Ad Book campaign or email inquiries and interest to festivalads@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

 

Holy Trinity’s Taste of Greece - Labor Day Weekend – August 30-September 3

Please mark Wednesday, August 30, through Sunday, September 3 on your calendar for the next “Taste of Greece” festival. The Festival Committee is asking everyone, new members and old hands, young and young at heart, to pledge a donation of their time and talents so that we can continue to grow both the success of the festival and the fellowship with all our Holy Trinity church family members!

 

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 friend or family member so that 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 our new and wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

 

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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Calendar of Events

  • Upcoming Holy Trinity Church Events

    May 7 to May 21, 2017

    Sunday, May 7

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School Class Session

    Tuesday, May 9

    7:00PM "Journey of Marriage" - Marriage Prep Ministry

    Thursday, May 11

    7:00AM Prayer and Panera - St. Nikodemos Men's Fellowship

    7:00PM "Orthodox Movie Night"

    Saturday, May 13

    11:00AM Metropolis Oratorical Festival - Hosted by Holy Trinity Church

    Sunday, May 14

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School Class Session

    Monday, May 15

    6:30PM Parish Council

    Sunday, May 21

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School Last Class Session and Graduation

    6:30PM POYA "Orthodoxy on Tap" - Young Adult Ministry Social

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