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Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2024-04-07
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Holy Trinity Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (978) 458-8092
  • Fax:
  • (978) 970-0935
  • Street Address:

  • 62 Lewis Street

  • Lowell, MA 01854


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Orthros: 9:00am 
Divine Liturgy: 10:00am
Sunday Fellowship: following Divine Liturgy


Past Bulletins


Today's Calendar

Parish Council Members on Duty Gregory Curtis, Betty Themeles, Tom Themeles and Angelo Kokkinos
Fellowship Hour: No Fellowship hour due to Greek Independence Day parade in Boston.
 
 
 
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Weekly Calendar

 April 12, Friday at 6:00pm: Salutations to the Theotokos

 

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life,
Take from me the will to be lazy and sad;
The desire to get ahead of other people
and to boast and brag.
Give me instead a pure and humble spirit
the will to be patient with other people
And to love them.
Lord, let me realize my own mistakes
And keep me from judging what other people do
For You are blessed now and forevermore.  Amen
The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian is called the “Lenten Prayer” because it is a verbal icon and summation of the spirit of Great Lent — repentance, conversion, love of neighbor, and preparation for Pascha (Easter). The prayer is a petition to God asking to be purified of the sins of sloth (laziness), despair (hopelessness), lust of power (selfish ambition), and idle talk (inappropriate speech). In their place, we ask for the virtues of chastity (right-mindedness), humility, patience, and love. We end by asking God to help us to see our own sins instead of judging others. Though the prayer can be offered at all times of the year privately, it is recited liturgically during Lenten weekday services — namely in the services commonly celebrated in our parishes (such as Vespers and Great Compline).  After each petition of the prayer, we make a full prostration* — which is the making of the Sign of the Cross, falling to our knees, and bowing our heads to the floor (all in one continuous motion). Prostrations enable us to pray with our body as well as our heart and mind, all of which make up the image of Christ in man. *Prostrations optional
 
  https://www.goarch.org/news
The Orthodox Observer places the Church in the context of the current world we live in through a diverse and informative experience — offering participants meaningful exchange with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, her ministries, and affiliates. The experience provides the faithful significant content to listen to, watch, and read; in order to lead, grow, and inspire.
 

 

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Announcements

 Holy Trinity News

April 28, 2024 PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER, sponsored by the Holy Trinity Church Parish Council, will take place at the Hellenic Cultural Center following Divine Liturgy. Tickets are available from Parish Council Members. Tables of 8 or more may be reserved.

  • Adults $25.00 (Baked haddock, rice, vegetable, salad & roll)  
  • Children $10.00 (Ziti with sauce, salad, roll)

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at this event for a chance to win great prizes and Easter Pastries will be sold by the Ladies Philoptochos Society.

Agape Service Gospel Readers needed:  We are looking for volunteers to read the Resurrection Gospel during the Agape Service on Great and Holy Pascha - Sunday, May 5th. If you can read another language and are able to attend the service, please call the church office or email your information to: holytrinity.lowell@gmail.com
Upcoming Church Services (Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am unless otherwise noted):      
April 17, Wednesday at 3:00pm: Presanctified Liturgy
April 19, Friday at 6:00pm: Akathist Hymn 
April 27: Saturday of Lazaros Orthros 8:00 am, Divine Liturgy 9:00am
April 28: Palm Sunday - Divine Liturgy and 7:00pm Nymphios Service
  • April 29 Holy Monday:      7:00pm Nymphios Service 
  • April 30 Holy Tuesday:     7:00pm Nymphios Service
  • May 01 Holy Wednesday: 3:00pm Holy Unction and 7:00pm Holy Unction 
  • May 02 Holy Thursday:    8:00am Divine Liturgy and 6:00pm Holy Passion of Christ 
  • May 3 Holy Friday:          3:00pm Apokathelosis (Taking Jesus down from the Cross) and 7:00pm Epitaphios Threnos (Lamentations Service) 
  • May 4 Holy Saturday:      8:00am Divine Liturgy and 11:00pm The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ  
  • May 5 Easter Sunday:    11:00am Agape Service 
May 2024
May 10, Friday: Theotokos of the Lifegiving Font - Ζωοδόχου Πηγής
May 21, Tuesday: Sts. Constantine and Helen - Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης Πηγής
 Philoptochos News: www.facebook.com/Holy-Trinity-Ladies-Philoptochos-Lowell
2024 Philoptochos and Kiafas Scholarships: Scholarship application forms for graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue a post-secondary education are available in the Church Narthex.  Submission deadline: May 20, 2024
Reminder: Philoptochos Easter Pastry Sale during the Palm Sunday Fish Dinner on April 28 at the Cultural Center. Pre-Orders are also available. Order forms are located in the Narthex. Pre-Order deadline: April 14th.
2024 Philoptochos meetings will be held in our church hall. [May 7 and June 4]
 Hellenic American Academy and HAA PTA News (hellenicaa.org) 
The following events are on the School Calendar:
April 30-May 02: Terra Nova testing
May 13: PTA Golf Tournament
Mother/Son Bowling Night & Father/Daughter Dance
June 01: 6th Grade Graduation 
2024 Metropolis of Boston Scholarship Program
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston is pleased to offer 2024-2025 academic year scholarship opportunities for students of Greek descent entering their second, third, or fourth year of undergraduate studies. The annual scholarships are provided by endowments generously gifted by the Charles C. Condes Trust of Illinois and the St. George’s Hellenic Benefit Society of Tsamantas of Worcester, MA.  All college/university students of Greek descent are encouraged to apply.  The Boston Metropolis will recognize the scholarship recipients at the annual Metropolis Ministry Awards Banquet on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate two or four-year degree program at an accredited college or university.  Applications will be accepted beginning March 1, 2024. The deadline for applications is April 12, 2024. Awards will be announced beginning on Monday, May 20, 2024.
For further information and to apply for the scholarship, please click on this link: https://boston.goarch.org/ministries/scholarships
Church Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00am - 1:00pm and Friday 8:00am-11am.  Please use the side entrance and ring the doorbell. If you prefer to use the elevator entrance, call the office upon arrival to be let in.
 Pastoral Visits
Please call the Church Office at 978 458-8092 to arrange a hospital, nursing home or shut-in visit by Fr. Nick.  Health care facilities are unable to contact us because of HIPAA regulations.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News & On-Line Ministries www.goarch.org:
Communications Department:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/communications
Family Care:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/family
New Charter for the Second Centennial: https://charter.goarch.org/ 
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) announces the launch of a dedicated website (charter.goarch.org) aimed at providing comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate information concerning the proposed revision of the Archdiocese’s Charter.
 
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Upcoming Events - Save the Date

April 27
April 28

May 13

June 21-22-23

 

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.


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Saints and Feasts

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April 07

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.


Allsaint
April 07

Calliopus and Akylina the Martyrs

The holy Martyr Calliopius was from Perga in Pamphylia, brought up in piety by his godly mother Theocleia. When the persecution of Maximian broke out, Saint Calliopius presented himself of his own accord before the Governor Maximus in Pompeiopolis of Galatia. After he had suffered many torments, his mother visited him in prison and encouraged him in his martyrdom. After this, his thrice-blessed mother, upon learning that he was to be crucified on Holy and Great Thursday, bribed the tyrants to defer it one day, that he might imitate the Lord's Crucifixion on the same day that He suffered it. The holy Martyr Calliopius received the crown of martyrdom on Holy and Great Friday in the year 304, being crucified upside down.


Allsaint
April 07

Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America

Born in 1865 in the region of Pskov, our Father among the Saints Tikhon was tonsured a monk in 1891 and ordained to the priesthood in the same year. In 1897 he was consecrated Bishop of Lublin, and a year later appointed Bishop of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, with his see extending to all of North America from 1900 onwards. He did much to unite the Orthodox Christians of a great many ethnic backgrounds in North America, so that there was indeed one flock under one shepherd. In 1907 he was made Archbishop of Yaroslavl and Rostov, and in 1913, Archbishop of Lithuania.

In 1917, when he was Metropolitan of Moscow, he was elected to be the first Patriarch of Russia in over 200 years, in times that could not have been more difficult. After the Revolution of 1917, the persecution of the Russian Church by the atheist government grew more bold and more fierce with every year. By nature a meek and peace-loving man, Tikhon sought to determine, while giving only to God that which is God's, what could be given to Caesar to preserve peace and avoid the shedding of blood. At his departure on the feast of the Annunciation in 1925, Saint Tikhon made the sign of the Cross thrice, pronouncing the words, "Glory to Thee, O God!" Because of the many unspeakable sufferings he endures as Patriarch, he is honoured as a Confessor.

Note: St. Tikhon's repose was on the Feast of the Annunciation according to the Old Calendar (March 25), but on the New Calendar his repose falls on April 7.


Allsaint
April 07

George, Bishop of Mytilene

The righteous George struggled in behalf of the holy icons, and reposed in peace about the year 821.


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