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Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2021-05-09
Bulletin Contents
Thomsund
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Holy Trinity Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (724) 266-5336
  • Fax:
  • (724) 266-0703
  • Street Address:

  • 2930 Beaver Road

  • Ambridge, PA 15003
  • Mailing Address:

  • 2930 Beaver Road

  • Ambridge, PA 15003


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Orthros 9:00 am

Divine Liturgy 10:00 am


Past Bulletins


Worship

Worship in Green Phase

Join us for in-person Church.

We are happy to continue to have our doors open to all of our beloved parishioners and we invite you to join us, safely, in-person to worship! Details below.

 

Coming to Church is as easy as 1-2-3:

1) Wear a mask

2) Sanitize your hands

3) Check-in & Sit in between the blue w/ your family

Our Sunday attendance has ranged from 41-179 without the need for overflow seating in the hall.  In the situation that we can't maintain the crowd with proper distancing in the main church, the hall will continue to be available for overflow, following the same safety precautions downstairs, to worship via the live stream, and have an opportunity to receive Holy Communion.  Please join us in person! We will be continuing to live-stream our regularly scheduled services via our public facebook page at www.facebook.com/HTAmbridge at the times listed below.  

WE HAVE BEEN LIFTED TO 75% Capacity, while maintaining 6ft distances between families and the continuation of masks.

Our high touch surfaces--seating pews, pangari, check-in table, bathrooms, and entrance door handles are sanitized weekly.

 

Upcoming Services:

Every Sunday - 9am Orthros, 10am Divine Liturgy

  • Friday, May 21st - Sts. Constantine & Helen - 9am Orthros & Liturgy

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Church News

 UPCOMING MEMORIALS:

  • May 16th - Next Sunday: Memorial - Departed Mothers, Trisagion - Pete Skarpentzos

 

 

ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY CARD & PRAYERS - HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY! Thank you to those who submitted names for the Mother's Day Card.  We will be having the Artoclasia this Sunday, on Mother's Day.  Due to this Sunday being Thomas Sunday, we are unable to hold the Mother's Day memorial this week, so we will do it the following Sunday - May 16th.  Thank you!

 

GOYA thanks Anderson's Candy for donating chocolate bars for the mothers in attendance this Sunday.

 

SUMMER CAMP IS BACK! On-site Camp will be offered for our GOYAns and Online camp will be offered again for our JOY campers.  Due to current space limitations, all GOYAns may not have an opportunity to register for camp and older GOYAns will have the first opportunities to register.  Keep up to date at https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/campandcovid and see the updated mask protocols.  Here are some upcoming dates to consider:

  • Register here: https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/summercamp
  • Bright Friday, May 8th @7pm - 7th* & 8th Grade Registration Opens
  • Sunday, May 16th @7pm - Online JOY Camp Registration Opens
  • GOYA Week 1: Sunday, June 20th - Friday, June 25th
  • GOYA Week 2: Sunday, June 27th - Friday, July 2nd
  • GOYA Week 3: Sunday, July 4th - Friday, July 9th
  • JOY Week (Online): Sunday, August 1st - Friday, August 6th

 

FR. ANASTASIOS WILL BE AWAY FROM MAY 13th-20th.  Fr. John Chakos will be substituting on Sunday the 16th and if you are in need of a priest for a pastoral emergency, please contact Fr. Michael Kochis at 412-992-0320.

 

Thank you to Leonard & Lois Kayafas for supporting our liturgical ministry by providing a new microphone for the altar.  It has already been of great use during Holy Week and Pascha.

 

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS THROUGH GMAIL: The Archdiocese has also been moving parish emails away from imail and we now have our email at HolyTrinityAmb@gmail.com.  We ask that you save this email address in your contacts so that you recognize our parish easily and not be sent into spam folders. 

 

2021 Stewardship Drive: Join us in supporting our Church.  Stewardship Cards are available on the back of the two most recent newsletters and on the Pangari at church.  Stewardship is our greatest fundraiser and also lets us know that you stand with your church.  We thank you for your dedication over the years and especially during 2020 and look forward to many years of serving you and your family through your generous donations.

 

CHECK-IN VOLUNTEERSIn the current policies of the metropolis we are required to have a check-in person or team for every service.  We are looking for additional volunteers who are willing to come a little early to check people in and, if able, to help sanitize after the services.  Please contact Fr. Anastasios if you are interested in helping a necessary function during these times.

 

ONLINE GIVING & STEWARDSHIPIs OPEN! 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 contributions and stewardship contributions.

 

REGULAR GIVING: The church is still accepting donations in normal ways through the mail and drop off.  Thank you to all of those who have continued to contribute in these challenging times.

 

Live-Stream: If you don't have a Facebook account, don't worry! You can still access our services right on our website (HTGOC.ORG) or a larger video directly on Facebook, learn more by watching the following video: https://youtu.be/QJPpkshi2d4

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Bulletin Inserts

    2021 Pledge Card

    2021 Pledge Card

    It's never too late: if you haven't filled out your pledge card yet for 2021, just download this PDF. Once you fill it out (digitally or printed) you have 3 ways to get it back to us: print & mail, email as a PDF, or email as a picture to the office email: holytrinityamb@gmail.com


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Our Calendar

  • Next Two Weeks

    May 9 to May 23, 2021

    Sunday, May 9

    Thomas Sunday

    Mother's Day Artoclasia

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    3:00PM Baptism

    Tuesday, May 11

    7:00PM Parish Council

    Thursday, May 13

    Fr. Anastasios Away

    Saturday, May 15

    GOMoP GOYA Volleyball Tournament

    10:00AM Foundation Blessing at the Nativity of Theotokos Monastery (RSVP required)

    Sunday, May 16

    Mother's Day Memorial

    Fr John Chakos Substituting

    6mo Trisagion - Metropolitan Maximos

    Trisagion - Pete Skarpentzos

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Friday, May 21

    Fr. Anastasios back

    9:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - Sts. Constantine & Helen

    Sunday, May 23

    Philoptochos meeting following Liturgy

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    1:00PM Baptism

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 5:12-20.

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."

Προκείμενον. 4th Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3.
Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 5:12-20.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, διὰ δὲ τῶν χειρῶν τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐγίνετοB σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα ἐν τῷ λαῷ πολλά· καὶ ἦσαν ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἅπαντες ἐν τῇ στοᾷ Σολομῶντος. Τῶν δὲ λοιπῶν οὐδεὶς ἐτόλμα κολλᾶσθαι αὐτοῖς, ἀλλʼ ἐμεγάλυνεν αὐτοὺς ὁ λαός· μᾶλλον δὲ προσετίθεντο πιστεύοντες τῷ κυρίῳ, πλήθη ἀνδρῶν τε καὶ γυναικῶν· ὥστε κατὰ τὰς πλατείας ἐκφέρειν τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς, καὶ τιθέναι ἐπὶ κλινῶν καὶ κραββάτων, ἵνα ἐρχομένου Πέτρου κἂν ἡ σκιὰ ἐπισκιάσῃ τινὶ αὐτῶν. Συνήρχετο δὲ καὶ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν πέριξ πόλεων εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, φέροντες ἀσθενεῖς καὶ ὀχλουμένους ὑπὸ πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων, οἵτινες ἐθεραπεύοντο ἅπαντες. Ἀναστὰς δὲ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ πάντες οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ - ἡ οὖσα αἵρεσις τῶν Σαδδουκαίων - ἐπλήσθησαν ζήλου, καὶ ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀποστόλους, καὶ ἔθεντο αὐτοὺς ἐν τηρήσει δημοσίᾳ. Ἄγγελος δὲ κυρίου διὰ τῆς νυκτὸς ἤνοιξεν τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς, ἐξαγαγών τε αὐτοὺς εἶπεν, Πορεύεσθε, καὶ σταθέντες λαλεῖτε ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τῷ λαῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τῆς ζωῆς ταύτης.


Gospel Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas Sunday
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. Ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον· ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.

Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ᾽ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἐωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ᾽ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ᾽ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ· Φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας· μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Grave Mode

O Life, You rose from the sepulcher, even though the tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God. Then, although the doors were shut, You came to Your Disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit in us, according to Your great mercy.
Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος ἡ ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης ἡ πάντων ἀνάστασις, πνεῦμα εὐθὲς δι' αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων ἡμῖν, κατὰ τὸ μέγα σου ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out "Rejoice" to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.
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Saints and Feasts

Thomsund
May 09

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.


Isaiah
May 09

The Holy Prophet Esaias (Isaiah)

The Prophet Esaias, the son of Amos, was descended from a royal tribe. He prophesied in the days of Ozias (who is also called Azarias), Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekias, Kings of Judah. About 681 B.C, in the reign of Manasses, the son and successor of the most pious Hezekias, when this Prophet was censuring Manasses' impiety and lawlessness, he was sawn asunder with a wooden saw, and thus received a martyr's end.

Of all the Prophets, he is called the most eloquent because of the beauty and loftiness of his words. His book of prophecy, divided into sixty-six chapters, is ranked first among the greater Prophets. The Fifth Ode of the Psalter, "Out of the night my spirit waketh at dawn unto Thee, O God . . ." is taken from his book. It was this holy Prophet who foretold that a Virgin would conceive in the womb (7:14); that not an ambassador, nor an angel, but the Lord Himself would save fallen man (63:9); that the Messiah would suffer, bearing our sins (ch. 53). His name means "Yah is helper."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

For great is the dignity of the priests. ... And hold them very exceedingly in honor; for you indeed care about your own affairs, and if you order them well, you give no account for others; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 86, 4th Century

... but the priest even if he rightly order his own life, if he have not an anxious care for yours and that of all those around him, will depart with the wicked into hell; and often when not betrayed by his own conduct, he perishes by yours, if he have not rightly performed all his part.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 86, 4th Century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Faith in Freedom - Episode 2: Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Sikh Council for Interfaith Relations

04/26/2021

In honor of the 200th year anniversary of Greek independence, the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, will release a video the 25th of each month as part of the “Faith in Freedom” series. This series features the voices of various religious leaders speaking about the meaning of freedom in their faith tradition.

The American School Virtual Gala

05/04/2021

Join us as we celebrate Greece's rich heritage with the American School at their Virtual Gala on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Experience an extraordinary evening of culture, education, and inspiration—from the comfort of your own home! This year, the American School will honor Professor Curtis Runnels for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge of post-antique Greece. Watch inspiring stories about the incredible people and work of the American School and help support their essential mission.

Eulogy for Anastasios (“Tasso”) Tsakos, NYPD Officer

05/04/2021

In the face of the overwhelming grief and sorrow of this moment, the Church speaks to us with the name of the man we are here to remember and honor today, for Anastasios means “Resurrection.”

Faith Matters Newsletter: April/May

05/04/2021

As we concluded our spiritual journey through Great Lent, inspired by the uplifting days of Holy Week, we are now reinvigorated by a special joy having witnessed Christ’s resurrection. It is with this spirit of renewal that I am glad to share with you the many achievements of the Department during the last few weeks.

Job Posting in The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations

05/04/2021

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is seeking someone to fill the full-time position of Programs Coordinator & Special Assistant to the Director. The position will not only handle administrative tasks but also manage ongoing communication, creative projects, as well as ecumenical, interfaith, and United Nations portfolios.

Family Matters Podcast: William Christy

05/04/2021

Presvytera Melanie speaks with William Christy about being a young adult with Cerebral Palsy, a PK (priest's kid), his love for English Literature, Wheelchair Basketball, and how the teachings of the Fathers of the Church encourage him and inform his worldview.

Officer Anastasios Tsakos Funeral

05/04/2021

Today, May 4th, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the the funeral of Officer Anastasios Tsakos of the NYPD, who was killed in the line of duty during Holy Week. Tonight His Eminence will travel to Washington, D.C. upon the invitation of Ambassador of Turkey Hasan Murat Mercan, to attend a scheduled Iftar dinner. Tomorrow, May 5, 2021, the Archbishop will attend an official luncheon hosted by the Ambassador of Greece Alexandra Papadopoulou with the other Orthodox Christian Ambassadors.

Be the Bee #175 | Our New Life in Christ (Pascha)

04/28/2021

Pascha is the start of a new liturgical year in the Church, with new readings from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel according to John. It also shows us what it means to be made new in Christ: to find new (and true) life in connection with our Lord.
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Ecumenical Patriarchate News

Message of Ecumenical Patriarchate on Saint George Feastday 2021

05/03/2021

We congratulate Your much beloved Eminence and the clergy and laity who surround you, and we greet you with a brotherly kiss and bless you from the depths of our Patriarchal heart, beseeching our God Who is worshipped in Trinity, through the intercessions of His Holy Trophy-Bearer and the prayers of the most sacred Ecumenical Throne, that He might watch over, protect, and sanctify you all, preserving you in His love.

Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha

04/28/2021

Having completed the soul-profiting Lent and venerated the Lord’s Passion and Cross, behold today we are rendered participants of His glorious Resurrection, radiant through the feast and crying out with ineffable joy the world-saving announcement: “Christ is Risen!”
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