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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-07-16
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
Hlyfthrs
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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

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fifth Tone

To the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, let us, the faithful, give praise and worship. Of His own will He mounted the Cross in the flesh, He suffered death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection. (Page 53)

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Fathers in the Eighth Tone

Most glorified are You, O Christ our God, Who has established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth and through them did guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory to You.

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

Hlyfthrs
July 16

Sunday of the Holy Fathers

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together in the Seven Ecumenical Councils, that is: the First Council, of the 318 Fathers who assembled in Nicaea in 325 to condemn Arius, who denied that the Son of God is consubstantial with the Father; the Fathers of the First Council also ordained that the whole Church should celebrate Pascha according to the same reckoning; the Second Council, of the 150 Fathers who assembled in Constantinople in 381 to condemn Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit; the Third Council, of the 200 Fathers who assembled in Ephesus in 431, to condemn Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who called Christ a mere man and not God incarnate; the Fourth Council, of the 630 who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches; the Fifth Council in 553, of the 165 who assembled in Constantinople for the second time to condemn Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, the teacher of Nestorius; the Sixth Council in 680, of the 170 who assembled in Constantinople for the third time, to condemn the Monothelite heresy, which taught that there is in Christ but one will, the divine; and the Seventh Council in 787, of the 350 who assembled in Nicaea for the second time to condemn Iconoclasm.

July 16

Athenogenes the Holy Martyr of Heracleopolis

This Saint was from Sebastia of Cappadocia and , according to the Synaxaristes, became Bishop of Pidachthoa. He and ten of his disciples were tortured and beheaded by the Governor of Philomarchus in the times of Diocletian. There is a second Martyr Athenogenes commemorated today, mentioned by Saint Basil in Chapter 29 of his treatise "On the Holy Spirit"; it is said that as this Athenogenes approached the fire, wherein he was to die a martyric death, he chanted the hymn O Joyous Light in praise of the Holy Trinity (see also Mar. 11).

July 16

Helier the Hermit, Martyr of Jersey

Julia_the_virgin-martyr_of_carthage
July 16

Julia the Virgin-martyr of Carthage

The Virgin Martyr Julia was born in Carthage into a Christian family. While still a girl she was captured by the Persians. They carried her off to Syria and sold her into slavery. Fulfilling the Christian commandments, Saint Julia faithfully served her master. She preserved herself in purity, kept the fasts and prayed much to God. No amount of urging by her pagan master could turn her to idolatry. Once the master set off with merchandise for Gaul and took Saint Julia with him. Along the way the ship stopped over at the island of Corsica, and the master decided to take part in a pagan festival, but Julia remained on the ship. The Corsicans plied the merchant and his companions with wine, and when they had fallen into a drunken sleep, they took Julia from the ship. Saint Julia was not afraid to acknowledge that she was a Christian, and the savage pagans crucified her. An angel of the Lord reported the death of the holy martyr to the monks of a monastery, located on a nearby island. The monks took the body of the saint and buried it in a church in their monastery. In about the year 763 the relics of the holy Martyr Julia were transferred to a women’s monastery in the city of Breschia.

July 16

1,015 Martyrs in Pisidia

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Sixth Tone. Psalm 31.11,1.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Fathers
The Reading is from Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord says to His disciples, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven' (Matt. 5:16). He does not say this to urge them to show off, but to urge them to organize their lives as is pleasing to God. Just as light effortlessly attracts people's gaze, so a way of life pleasing to God draws their minds along with their eyes. We do not praise the air which shares in the brilliance of the sunlight, but the sun which is the source of this brilliance and bestows it on us. Even if we do praise the air for its brightness, we praise the sun much more. So it is when someone makes the brilliance of the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2) visible through his virtuous deeds. As soon as anyone looks at him, they are immediately led towards the glory of the Father in heaven of Christ, the Sun of righteousness.
St. Gregory Palamas
Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Ten para. 14; Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press pgs. 110-111, 14th century

"But whosoever shall do and teach," said He, "shall be called great." For not to ourselves alone, should we be profitable, but to others also; since neither is the reward as great for him who guides himself aright, as for one who with himself adds also another.
St. John Chrysostom
Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

Since he who cannot teach himself, yet attempts to set others right, will have many to ridicule him. Or rather such a one will have no power to teach at all, his actions uttering their voice against him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Special General Assembly

A Special General Assembly will be held today following the Divine Liturgy. The meeting will focus on only one item; the proposal to purchase and install an additional walk-in freezer unit that has been requested by the Festival Committee. Please plan to attend.

 

Welcome Metropolis Summer Camp Staff!

Today we have the honor of welcoming our Metropolis of Pittsburgh Summer Camp ministry staff to Holy Trinity Church, along with the Camping Ministries Coordinator, Ted Cherpas, and Youth and Young Adult Ministries Coordinator, Rhea Ballas. These fine Orthodox Christians have prepared for and cared for the youth of our community and parishes throughout the Metropolis as part of another summer of vibrant camp ministry for the young people of the Church. We offer them our thanks for all dedication and faithful service in this and all they do for Christ and His Holy Church. Please be sure to greet them and thank them during Coffee Hour today.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Upcoming Memorials

July 30: Anna Kosanovich (3 years), Herbert Kosanovich (15 years), George Pantelas (10 years)

 

Festival Volunteers Needed – Sign Up Online!
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! Please consider donating your day (or days!) as your offering of stewardship to Holy Trinity Church. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/volunteer today to sign up for your preferred areas and times! Thank you!

 

[Jul 20-23] Festival Prep This Week – Moussaka– YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

Attention Holy Trinity Volunteers, Stewards and Festival Fans: Please be there this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and next Sunday for the weekly Festival Prep Session as we prepare Moussaka. Everyone is welcomed and everyone’s help is needed. On-the-job-training is free! Questions? Please call Paula Valliant at 412-445-4119.

 

Festival Cooking Schedule: July – LAST REMAINING DATES!

It’s time! Festival cooking is here. Please mark these dates on your calendar, put them in your phone, hang them on your refrigerator, or do whatever you need to be sure to be there…and remember to invite some friends! Please note that these are REVISED DATES that are different from previously published dates and times and your LAST CHANCE to get in on the fun of Festival food preparation.

Date

Day

Times

Food Item Being Prepared

July 20

Thursday

9am-9pm

Moussaka

July 21

Friday

9am-9pm

Moussaka

July 22

Saturday

9am-5pm

Moussaka

July 23

Sunday

After Liturgy-until done

Moussaka

 

Greek Dance Practices – Getting Ready for the Festival

One of the public’s favorite features of our “Taste of Greece” Festival is our live Greek dance performances. To prepare for this year’s event, please note the following practice schedules. Parents, please be sure your children attend.

HOPE (Kindergarten – Second Grade) Contact Eleni Dedousis (412-953-3699 or eadedousis@gmail.com).

  • Every Sunday following Liturgy: July 16 & 23
  • Weekdays:
    • Tuesday, July 18: 6:00pm
    • Tuesday, July 25: 6:00pm

JOY (Third – Sixth Grades) and GOYA (Seventh – Twelfth Grades)

  • Every Thursday from 6:30-8:00pm: July 20 & 27
  • Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00pm: July 18 & 25
    We will be adding new dances to the show this year and ask that dancers come to as many practices as possible. The GOYA/JOY dancers will be dancing every night of the festival!!!  Victoria Andromalos-Dale (412-496-9128 or v.andromalosdale@gmail.com)

 

 

FOCUS Summer Feeding Program – VOLUNTEER TODAY!

Holy Trinity Church has been designated as a FOCUS Summer Feeding Program host site and this wonderful ministry opportunity is now underway! Each Monday through Friday until August 11th a team of local volunteers from Holy Trinity and other area churches and organizations will gather here to prepare lunches for delivery to food-insecure children at the Carnegie Library Extension on Pittsburgh’s Northside. Volunteers are needed to prepare and distribute the meals. You can sign up to volunteer at www.focusnorthamerica.org/summerfeeding or by calling the church office at 412-366-8700.

 

Festival Ads Available: Space is Waiting for You!

The Festival Ad Book is back and is looking for your support. Please consider placing a business ad or personal listing. Ads start at $175 for a quarter page and go to $550 for a full page, with center and cover spots available at higher prices as well. A personal family/personal line is only $50. Application Forms can be found at the church office window. Please be sure to share them with your favorite business establishments! For more information, contact Al Backeris at 724-263-3622 or Connee Bistolas at 412-999-0111.

 

[Jul 25] Greek Day at Kennywood Park

Join the fun on Tuesday, July 25 for Greek Day at Kennywood Park. Ride all day and be sure to visit Pavilions #4 and #5 for Gyros, Pastries and Greek Dancing provided by Ypapanti Greek Orthodox Church. For discounted Kennywood tickets, please contact the Presentation of Christ Church (Ypapanti) at 412-824-9188 or by email at lkoutsavlis@ypapanti.net

 

[Aug 17] Faith Night at PNC Park

The 5th Annual Faith Night will be held on Thursday, August 17 following the Pirates-Cardinals game at 7:05 p.m.  Enjoy discounted tickets ($25 each) for the Pirates-Cardinals game at 7:05 and stay after the game to hear from Manager Clint Hurdle and many more Pirates Players and Coaches as they discuss how faith has impacted their lives, both on and off the field. To reserve your seat please call or email Joyce Athanasiou at 412-322-6002 or  jcbathanasiou@aim.com  

 

[Sep 9] Monastery Fund-Raising Dinner at St. Nicholas Cathedral

On Saturday, September 9, the fourth annual fund-raising banquet for the Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Monastery in Saxonburg will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Oakland. The event is once again being held in memory of Gherontissa Taxiarchia, the founder of the Monastery and the theme is, “All Generations Will Call Me Blessed.” Vespers is open to all at 3:00 pm and tickets for the 4:00 pm Dinner Banquet are $100. Please call 724-352-3999 for more information or RSVP online by September 1 at www.2017dinnerbanquet.eventbrite.com  

 

[Sep 19, 26 & 28] AARP Smart Driver Courses

Please join the Holy Trinity Senior Fellowship Ministry Group as they host two different “AARP Smart Driver” Courses.  On Tuesday, September 19, the Smart Driver Refresher Course will be held for those who have previously taken the course within the last 3 years. The 4-hour Refresher Course will be a one-day only class, to be held here at Holy Trinity from 10:00 am until 2:30 pm. Then on Tuesday September 26 and Thursday September 28, the full course will be offered. This two-day classroom course will take place here at Holy Trinity from 10:00 am until 2:30 pm each day (both sessions are necessary). Refresh your driving skills and learn strategies to help you stay safe behind the wheel. There are no tests to pass. Each session will be informative and casual. There will be a 20-minute break with refreshments each day. Upon completion of the course, you may be eligible to receive an auto insurance discount. Consult your insurance agent for details. You can register for these programs by calling the church office at 412-366-8700 or by email to Office@HolyTrinityPgh.org or online at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. The cost is $15 for AARP members or $20 for non-members. Be sure to register early, as these classes are open to the public and seats may fill up quickly.

 

Note for Summer Travel - Don’t Forget Church! 

Where we travel, whenever we go, we take our faith with us, for as it says in the Psalms, "God is with us!" Keeping that in mind, please remember to plan ahead and check for the location of the nearest Orthodox Christian Church if you will be staying over a Sunday. There are two great web sites to check: our own Archdiocese (www.goarch.org) and Orthodoxy in America (www.OrthodoxyInAmerica.org), a multi-jurisdictional listing of all Orthodox parishes. Also, for major trips such as overseas travels, please feel free to stay following antidoron and ask Father John to offer a special blessing to your family for your travels. Remember, "God is with us" always. Let’s not forget to invite Him!

 

Summer Sermons Reminder - Be Here on Time! 

Please remember that during the summer months, when there is no Church School, the sermon is offered at its proper liturgical place following the Gospel. Much as we are all reminded how important it is to arrive for the start of Divine Liturgy, perhaps there are times of genuine, urgent need that prohibit our personal on-time arrival. If you arrive during the sermon, please remember to enter quietly and wait until the end of the homily to find a seat. Thank you.

 

Summer Attire Reminder
Please remember that even during the summer months when many people like to keep things "casual," entering the Holy Church is still a sacred experience, which our preparation and attire should reflect. Everyone should refrain from wearing shorts and t-shirts and women are reminded that Orthodox tradition prefers dresses or skirts instead of pants if possible. Clothing issues should never inhibit our attendance at services or become a topic of attention or discussion, but rather they can be an opportunity for us to honor the Lord with our modesty, piety and respect. As the scriptures say, "Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for evermore" (Psalm 93.5).

 

Vacationing or Travelling with No Church Nearby? Watch and Listen Online!

As noted above, we should all try to find a nearby Orthodox Church when we’re travelling or vacationing, but sometimes that’s just not possible. So, for the next best thing, join your church family back here at Holy Trinity by watching or listening online! Find us at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. Hint: It’s best to watch by clicking the online video broadcast, but it you’re in the car or not on wifi and don’t want to exhaust your data plan, try listening to the audio only version instead! There’s a link just below the video screen on our Live Broadcast page. The audio stream uses minimal data compared to the video stream, so it’s perfect for travelling!

 

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.

 

Online Giving Program

Giving to Holy Trinity Church in support of its many ministries is now easier than ever with online giving! Many of us pay our bills online - we even automate those payments to ensure our bills are not paid late! Our secure system allows you to conveniently make donations online. You can choose to make a one-time contribution or establish a recurring weekly or monthly contribution. Best of all, you don't need to remember to write a check or bring your offering to church - it's already taken care of! Payments can be made via checking account, savings account, credit card or debit card. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/give to get started!

 

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

    July 16 to July 30, 2017

    Sunday, July 16

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Special General Assembly - New Freezer Approval

    Sunday, July 23

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, July 30

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM + Anna Kosanovich Memorial (3 years) + Coffee Hour

    10:45AM + Herbert Kosanovich Memorial (15 years) + Coffee Hour

    10:45AM + George Pantelas Memorial (10 years) + Coffee Hour

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