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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-05-14
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Bulletin Inserts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Parish News and Events
Calendar of Events
Jcsamwom
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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

Rev. Fr. John Touloumes, Protopresbyter
Proistamenos

fjt@HolyTrinityPgh.org | 412-366-8700
Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu
Assistant Priest

FrRadu@HolyTrinityPgh.org
Mary Portellos
Office Administrator

office@HolyTrinityPgh.org | 412-366-8700

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 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 Mid-Pentecost in the Eighth Tone

At the middle of the feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the flowing waters of piety. For You cried out to all, O Savior, "Let him who thirsts come to me and drink." You, O Christ our God, are the Fountain of Life, glory to You.

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

Jcsamwom
May 14

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.

St_isidore_of_chios1
May 14

Isidore the Martyr of Chios

A devout Christian from his early youth, he was kidnapped from his native Chios and impressed into the army. When he openly confessed himself a Christian, his commander ordered him to make sacrifice to the gods. When he resolutely refused, the commander ordered him to be beaten with iron flails, then had his tongue cut out. But even without a tongue, Isidore was miraculously enabled to speak, and clearly proclaimed the name of Christ. At the same moment, the commander was struck mute. The commander then ordered by signs that Isidore be beheaded. Isidore went to his death rejoicing and praising God. This occurred during the persecutions of the Emperor Decius in 251.

14_may_leontius_patriarch_of_jerusalem_small
May 14

Leontius, Patriarch of Jerusalem

May 14

Holy New Martyrs Mark and John

New Martyr Mark of Crete, at Smyrna (1643) and the New Martyr John of Bulgaria, the goldsmith (1802).

Serapion
May 14

Serapion the Holy Martyr

Saint Serapion lived during the fifth century in Egypt. He was called the linen cloth-wearer (Sindonite) since he wore only a coarse linen garb called a “sindon.” From his youth the monk lived like the birds of the air, without shelter, moving from one place to another and giving all that he had to the poor.

Therapon
May 14

Holy Hieromartyr Therapontus

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

IN THOSE DAYS, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

THE persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as "to them that love God all things work together for good." (Rom. viii. 28.) If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this--they dispersed the teachers.[*] Mark in what quarters the preaching was extended. "They travelled," it says, "as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch; to none however did they preach the word but to Jews only." Dost thou mark with what wise purposes of Providence so much was done in the case of Cornelius? This serves both to justify Christ, and to impeach the Jews. When Stephen was slain, when Paul was twice in danger, when the Apostles were scourged, then the Gentiles received the word, then the Samaritans. Which Paul also declares: "To you it was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken; but since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy, lo, we turn unto the Gentiles." (ch. xiii. 46.)..."And the hand of the Lord," it says, "was with them," that is, they wrought miracles; "and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." (v. 21.) Do you mark why now also there was heed of miracles (namely) that they might believe? "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." (v. 22.) What may be the reason that, when such a city received the word, they did not come themselves? Because of the Jews. But they send Barnabas. However, it is no small part of the providential management even so that Paul comes to be there. It is both natural, and it is wisely ordered, that they are averse to him, and (so) that Voice of the Gospel, that Trumpet of heaven, is not shut up in Jerusalem..."And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch." (v. 26.) Verily this is the reason why it was there they were appointed to be called Christians, because Paul there spent so long time!
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 25 on Acts 11, 4th Century

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

Here is love! Here is teaching! Here is acquiescence! Here is a model! ... Those who love they also serve. If you want to find out how great your love is towards God, then measure your obedience to the will of God, and you will immediately learn.
Bishop Nicolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 7 Sept., B #80, 706.

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Ten Minutes of HOPE and JOY:  Our children in HOPE (grades K-2) and JOY (grades 3-6) will meet with Father Radu for ten minutes after their Church School lesson. To have more personal interaction and a meaningful dialogue, please help your children formulate questions about our faith, and we will address those topics during our “Ten Minutes of HOPE and JOY.”

 

Greek Dance: There will be no Greek Dance practice today due to Mother’s Day. Practice will resume Sunday, May 21.

 

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 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 16] Festival Cooking This Week – Galaktoboureko

THANK YOU to the wonderful volunteers who helped prepare 10,000 koulourakia and finikia last Tuesday! (That’s right – 10,000!) We couldn’t do it without you all! Now, onward: attention Holy Trinity Volunteers, Stewards and Festival Fans: Please be there this Tuesday for the weekly Festival Cooking Session as we prepare Galaktoboureko. 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.

 

[May 18] Senior Fellowship Ministry Meeting

The next monthly meeting of the Senior Fellowship Ministry will take place this 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.

 

[May 21] POYA “Orthodoxy on Tap”

The Pittsburgh Orthodox Young Adults (POYA) will host their next "Orthodoxy on Tap" on Sunday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium in Shadyside.   Guest speaker will be Father Stephen Loposky, the director of Camp Nazareth in Mercer, Pa.  All young adults ages 21-39 are welcome!

 

[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!

 

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!

 

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.

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Calendar of Events

  • Upcoming Holy Trinity Church Events

    May 14 to May 28, 2017

    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

    Thursday, May 25

    OFFICE CLOSED

    8:30AM Orthros/9:30a Liturgy - The Ascension of the Lord (SG)

    Sunday, May 28

    FOCUS North America Leadership Conference

    AHEPA Sunday & Memorial

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM + Dean Metropulos - 40 day Memorial + Coffee Hour

    10:45AM + Connor Patsilevas - 1 yeat Memorial + Coffee Hour

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