September 20
Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2026-09-20
Bulletin Contents
Worship
Parish Life
Bulletin Inserts
Our Calendar
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Diakonia Newsletter
Holy Trinity Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (724) 266-5336
- Fax:
- (724) 266-2220
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Web:
- http://www.htgoc.org
- Street Address:
- 2930 Beaver Road
- Ambridge, PA 15003
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sundays: 8:30am Orthros, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Weekdays: 9am Orthros & Liturgy
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2026-09-13
- Publish Date:
- 2026-09-06
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-30
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-23
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-16
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-09
Worship
About our Worship & Liturgical Life:
Each Sunday is the Lord's Day, the first day of the week, in which Jesus rose from the dead.
We commemorate Christ's Resurrection specifically once each year on Pascha (aka Easter).
Each Sunday we gather in worship in celebration of His Resurrection, having a mini-Pascha each week.
The Orthodox Church celebrates Twelve Great Feasts throughout the year, in addition to
Pascha, the Feast of Feasts. These 12 feasts commemorate the most important events in the life of our
Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother the Theotokos, as well as the finding of Christ's Cross. These days
are especially important opportunities to set aside our ordinary routines, keep the day holy,
and participate in the worship of the Church.
Whenever possible, we encourage everyone to make an extra effort to attend the services of these
Great Feasts and to celebrate them as a community of faith.
The Church also honors saints and other feasts throughout the year that go beyond the twelve great feasts.
Please consider joining us in prayer as a community as we worship our Lord, Who is wondrous in His saints,
throughout the year.
Sundays:
8:30 AM Orthros
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Upcoming Services & Feastdays:
Sept. 23 - Conception of St. John the Baptist
9:00 AM Orthros followed by Liturgy
Sept. 29 - St. Kyriakos the Anchorite
9:00 AM Orthros followed by Liturgy
Upcoming Memorials:
Sunday, September 20th
11yr Trisagion - Kondelia Boudros
47yr Trisagion - Irene Kakias
Sunday, September 27th
1yr Memorial - Louis Peronis
12yr Memorial - Pandora (Peronis) Dinello
Sunday, October 4th
66yr Trisagion - George Diamantis
Parish Life
This Sunday
Sun, Sept 20 - Yiayia-Pappou Sunday
Sun, Sept 20 - Ministry Fair
Sun, Sept 20 - 1pm GOYA Kickoff Go Karting w/ Aliquippa
This Week
Tues, Sept. 22 - Greek School Begins
Wed, Sept. 23 - Orthros & Liturgy
Sat, Sept 26 - Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly
Sat, Sept 26 - Ambridge Fall Festival of Churches
Support our Ministries
Sept. 13 - Greek School Fall Mum Pickup 9/27
Oct. 21 - Philoptochos Fundraiser: Boscov's Friends Helping Friends
Get your shopping pass today for up to 25% off various items, on top of the sale price!
All proceeds will benefit the Women's Shelter in Beaver. Shopping Day Oct. 21
Coming Up
Sept. 27 - Philoptochos Meeting
Oct. 4 - National Church Music Sunday is a day in which we recognize those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, our parish chanters and choir singers. As church musicians, these people lead the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. In glory to God, the Holy Trinity, they commit themselves to learning the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song to enhance the beauty of our worship. We ask each of them, and our congregation as well, to be mindful of the special ministry they fulfill in singing the hymns of our faith and leading us to worship. Join us as we honor them all, and in particular honor those who have hit anniversaries of service.
Oct. 4 - Acolytes: Help and our Acolyte "Altar Boy" Meeting: All 2nd-12th grade boys are invited to take a role in assisting the clergy as acolytes in the sactuary, which surrounds the Holy Altar. Following Sunday School on October 4th, we will onboard those who will be joining for the first time at any age, as well as offer training for these new and our veteran acolytes.
Oct 11 - Dance Practice: 11:40am Little Angels , Noon Middle & Older
Oct 25 - Dance Practice: 11:40am Older Group Only
Ongoing
YAL - Meets 1st Thursdays & 3rd Sundays
Join us monthly for
1st Thursdays at 6:30pm Fellowship/Social Gathering
3rd Sundays: Following Divine Liturgy with rotating themes of Worship/Fellowship/Witness/Service
Benevolence Opportunities
Please speak with Fr. Anastasios if you are able to help people in need financially. Any amount
would be helpful.
Parish Pledge to the New Metropolis Center
We have committed $20,000 as a parish. If you would like to add your own personal donation
or pledge to the completion of the New Metropolis Center, please go to
pittsburgh.goarch.org/pledge .
Youth Safety Worker Registration
Please register at https://ncsrisk.org/goarch/. This includes all individuals who volunteer with
our Youth (teachers, advisors, coaches, drivers, etc) and for Parish Council background checks.
Prayer Chain
Dedicated members of Holy Trinity that are praying for your prayer requests. Please contact
Joanie Ondrako or Fr. Anastasios to make a prayer request or to join the group.
Online Giving & Stewardship
Online giving can be found by clicking here! Please consider your continued support of our
church through becoming one of our online giving families. You can make general contri-
butions and stewardship contributions.
Bulletin Inserts
2026 Stewardship Card
Please prayerfully read and consider what an appropriate financial commitment is for the 2026 year. A Pledge Card must be on file to be considered for membership in Good Standing. Please submit these by November 30th.
Our Calendar
-
Holy Trinity Ambridge
September 18 to October 4, 2026
Friday, September 18GOMoP Family Camp Weekend at Camp Nazareth
Sunday, September 20YAL: 3rd Sundays
11yr Trisagion - Kondelia Boudros
Yiayia-Pappou Sunday
Voice Deadline
Coffee Hour: Ministry Fair
47yr Trisagion - Irene Kakias
Ministry Fair Coffee Hour
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Liturgy
1:00PM GOYA Go Karting
Tuesday, September 225:30PM Greek School
Wednesday, September 239:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - Conception of the Baptist
Saturday, September 26Ambridge Festival of Churches
Metropolis Clergy-Laity relocated to All Saints, Canonsburg
Sunday, September 2712yr Memorial - Pandora (Peronis) Dinello
1yr Memorial - Lou Peronis
GOYA Gyro Sale
Philoptochos Meeting
Coffee Hour: LOVE+HOPE+JOY
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Liturgy
Tuesday, September 299:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - St. Kyriakos
5:30PM Greek School
Thursday, October 16:30PM YAL 1st Thursday
Saturday, October 3Wedding
Sunday, October 4Acolyte Orientation & Mandatory Meeting
66yr Trisagion - George Diamantis
Coffee Hour: YAL
National Church Music Sunday
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Liturgy
-
Regional Orthodox Events
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Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode
You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy.
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the 1st Mode
Save, O Lord, your people and bless your inheritance, grant victory to the faithful against the adversaries of the faith, and protect your people by the power of your Cross.
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.
Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the 4th Mode
Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls.
Οι Μάρτυρές σου, Κύριε, εν τή αθλήσει αυτών, στεφάνους εκομίσαντο τής αφθαρσίας, εκ σού τού Θεού ημών, σχόντες γάρ τήν ισχύν σου, τούς τυράννους καθείλον, έθραυσαν καί δαιμόνων, τά ανίσχυρα θράση. Αυτών ταίς ικεσίαις, Χριστέ ο Θεός, σώσον τάς ψυχάς ημών.
Apolytikion for the Church in the Plagal 4th Mode
O Blessed are You, O Christ our God; Who has shone forth the fishermen to be most wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them, You drew the world into Your net, O Lover of Mankind, glory to You.
Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι᾽ αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι.
Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode
You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.
Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον τρόπαιον.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing 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.
Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1.
Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει.
Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20.
Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.
Gospel Reading
Sunday after 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 after 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.
Saints and Feasts
September 20
Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children
The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.
Wisdom of the Fathers
The key to knowledge is the humility of Christ. The door of the Kingdom of Heaven is open, not to those who only know in their learned minds the mysteries of faith and the commandments of their Creator, but to those who have progressed far enough to live by them.
Unknown, 8th century
To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century
A Christian's . . . duty is to "take up his cross." The word cross means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To take up one's cross means to bear without grumblings everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that ay happen to us in life. . .without expecting any earthly reward in return, but bear it all with love, with joy and with courageous strength.
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century
Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything.
All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century
When, on this day, we look at the precious Cross of Christ, in faith let us adore it, let us rejoice, and embrace it ardently, beseeching our Lord, who of His own choice gave Himself to be crucified on it, to make us worthy of adoring His most precious Cross so that, free from all defilement, we may attain the day of Resurrection.
Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near, but is given only to those who seek and work, and only to those seekers who, after putting all their powers to the test, then cry out with their whole heart: "Lord, help us."
19th Century
If you would be victorious, taste the suffering of Christ in your person, that you may be chosen to taste His glory. For if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him.
Blessed are you if you suffer for righteousness' sake. Behold, for years and generations the way of God has been made smooth through the Cross and by death. The way of God is a daily Cross.
The Cross is the gate of mysteries.
The Orthodox Way: Revised Edition, SVS Press, p. 129
And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
Nay, the nature of the thing is alone sufficient to attract you." ... For thou oughtest not, O Peter, because thou hast confessed me Son of God, therefore only to expect crowns, and to suppose this enough for thy salvation, and for the future to enjoy security, as having done all. ..."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
Diakonia Newsletter
Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday
https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-09-20?source=bulletin_web
September 20, 2026