Publish-header
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-04-21
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
Palmsunday
Organization Icon
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 for Palm Sunday in the First Tone

Giving us before Your passion an assurance of the general resurrection, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Therefore, like the children, we also carry tokens of victory, and cry out to You the Conqueror of death: Hosannah in the highest; blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. (Page 73)

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone

Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God, we have been granted immortal life by Your Resurrection, and we sing Your praises, saying, Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. (Page 74)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Sixth Tone

In Heaven upon the throne, on earth upon the colt, * You were carried, O Christ our God; * and the praise of the Angels, and the hymns of the children, You received as they cried to You, * “Blessed are You, the One, who is coming to call Adam back again.”
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Saints and Feasts

Palmsunday
April 21

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 21

Alexandra the Martyr

Martyr Alexandra, the Empress and wife of Emperor Diocletion, was so impressed by the courage and martyrdom of St George that she became a Christian and fell under the same persecution. She also was condemned to be beheaded but when she arrived at the place of execution she asked to be allowed to sit down. Her request was granted. She sat down and died quietly before the executioners could carry out their task. Her feast day is April 21.

April 21

Anastasios the Monk of Sinai

April 21

Beuno, Abbot of Clynnog

April 21

The Holy Hieromartyr Januarius and Those With Him

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Campania of Italy, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Timothy was Proconsul. Saint Januarius was the Bishop of Benevento in Campania; he was arrested and taken to Nola, where he was cast into a burning furnace, from which he came forth unharmed; at Puteoli, together with Proculus, Sosius, and Faustus the deacons, Desiderius, reader of the Church of Benevento, and Eurychius and Acutius, nobles from Puteoli, he was cast to wild beasts, which as they came near the Saints, fell affectionately at their feet. Finally they were all beheaded, about the year 305.

April 21

Our Holy Father Maximian, Patriarch of Constantinople

April 21

Theodore the Holy Martyr & his mother Philippa of Perge

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Because all their kings had mostly been unjust and covetous and subjected them to wars ... he said to them, 'Trust me, I am not like them. I am gentle and mild.' He demonstrated this by the manner of his entrance, not entering at the head of an army but simply riding on a donkey.
St. John Chrysostom
Homilies on the Gospel of John, 66.1. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John. Intervarsity Press, 2007, p. 55.

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES  

 

No Church School Class Today

It has been a Holy Trinity tradition for many years that we do not have class on Palm Sunday to allow families to be in Liturgy from the beginning to the end and then proceed to the Palm Sunday lunch as a family. It is also a nice break for our Church School staff as we all prepare for the great spiritual adventure of Holy Week. Classes will resume on the Sunday of St. Thomas (May 5).

 

About Receiving Holy Communion Today

Please see the note at the end of bottom of these announcements for information on receiving Holy Communion. This is a sacred act not to be taken lightly or out of habit, but received with “Fear of God, Faith and Love” by those Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared, especially during this Lenten season. If you have not prepared or are uncertain about receiving, it is better to not receive today and to see one of our priests after the service for spiritual assistance and guidance. For those who do receive, please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery: 1) Please remain at your place until you are dismissed by the Parish Council; 2) We respectfully ask women to remove their lipstick before approaching the Holy Chalice; 3) Please wait in the Holy Communion line reverently, prayerfully and quietly without talking; 4) It is traditional as we approach with awe that we make the sign of the Cross and bow down with a “metanoia” as an act of humility before the Lord; 5) Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving; 6) Please take great care to place the red cloth under your chin and to fully open your mouth so that none of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled, and to dab your lips on the cloth afterwards so none of the Holy Gifts are left on other objects. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!

 

GOYA Community Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon Today  

The GOYA is sponsoring its annual Community Palm Sunday Luncheon today following the Divine Liturgy. Traditional fish meals will be served, as today's great celebration of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem is celebrated by the Church with a lightening of the fast for a day prior to Holy Week. Those who pre-purchased their tickets in the past few weeks have guaranteed seating. All others will be admitted on a space-available basis. Thanks for supporting for this community event and our teens!

 

“Grounded in Faith” Coffee House – OPEN TODAY

Support our HT Young Adults and enjoy some delicious freshly-ground espresso beverages during coffee hour at the “Grounded in Faith” Coffee House in the Kafenio at the end of the Gallery today! All products use tasty non-dairy substitutes this Lenten season. Today's Bean: Kenya Yadini, roasted by Burning Bush Coffee Roasters at St. Tikhon's Monastery. Palm Sunday Special: Don't miss out on our new flavored Caramel and Vanilla Lattes!

 

Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale Pickup Today

The Philoptochos is pleased to fulfill the Pascha Bread orders today in the Gallery after Liturgy. Additional loaves may be available as well for those who did not order ahead. Pick up some to add to your Paschal meal! Thanks for supporting the ministries of our Philoptochos. Please see Nicole Steiner with any questions.

 

GOYA Lenten Soups: Last Week!

The GOYA is today offering the last of their popular, delicious and affordable selection of Lenten Soups! These freezer-to-microwave/pot-to-table offerings are still only $7 each. They are all cooked in accordance with Orthodox strict-fasting tradition, so in addition to helping support our youth ministries; they give you a helping hand in planning your Lenten menu! Thanks for stopping by each week!

 

Visitation Ministry PASCHA BASKETS PICK-UP TODAY!

The Visitation Ministry Pascha Baskets for our home/facility-bound parishioners are available for pick-up TODAY!  If you signed up to make a visit/delivery, please pick up your gift in the Gallery after liturgy today. We kindly request that all deliveries be made during Holy Week — today, Palm Sunday 4/21 through Bright Monday, 4/29.

 

Chapel Consecration Reservations and Banquet Tickets – Available Today

Reservations for the Saint George Chapel Consecration on May 4 and tickets for the Consecration Banquet on May 5 are now available online, but you can also find them at the Consecration table in the Gallery during Coffee Hour today. Please make your reservations and get your tickets today for this historic event in the life of our community.

 

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP 2019 MOTIVATION:

One of the historical practices of a Consecration is to place a list of the names of the community members in the Holy Altar table along with the relics. THIS LIST WILL BE COMPRISED OF ALL HOLY TRINITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR SIGNED 2019 STEWARDSHIP CARD. SO DON’T WAIT THIS YEAR!! PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR SIGNED 2019 STEWARDSHIP CARD NOW. THE DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, APRIL 30. No matter how long you have been at Holy Trinity Church, the only way to have your name placed in this sacred place is to be on the active, signed Stewardship Roster for 2019 by April 30. You don’t have to make all your contributions up front, but you need to have a signed card submitted. Please don’t miss out on this – why wait?

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Services This Week

A complete schedule of services for Holy Week can be found in today’s bulletin, in the April edition of The Herald and online at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org.

 

Holy Week Schedule and Live Services Online

The complete schedule of Holy Week services at Holy Trinity Church is online in two places. As always, check the online calendar at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar for all parish events. Also, a downloadable PDF of the entire Holy Week schedule is available on the front page of our website. Remember, if you are not able - for good reason - to fulfil your calling to attend the Holy Week services in person, they will be broadcast live on www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live.

 

Lenten Fasting: A Tool for Spiritual Growth

During Lent, known as the "Season of Repentance," and now in Holy Week, the Church offers encouragement for us to dedicate ourselves to additional prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Please take note that, according to the holy canons of the Church, Holy Week is a time of strict fast (no meat, dairy, fish, etc.) all the way through the Resurrection Liturgy on Saturday evening. It is, however, important to remember that fasting is not the ends, but a means, given to us all as part of our spiritual toolkit in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection here and for eternal life in the Resurrected Christ! (A special note to our seniors: any kind of fasting must take into consideration medications and doctor’s instructions, so your fasting does not create medical issues – it is intended to bless, not make us weak or sick. Please see our priests with any questions.)

 

Holy Week Starts Tonight!

Holy Week is set aside as its own special period for us to learn about and participate in the events of the Lord’s Holy Passion, Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection. Some people have the blessing to travel to the Holy Lands and see the very places where Jesus walked. For us as Orthodox Christians, that very same reality and participation is to be found in the services of Holy Week: The Bridegroom Services on the evenings of Palm Sunday, Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday; The Service of the Twelve Gospels and Passion and Crucifixion of Christ on Holy Thursday; the Entombment and Praises on Holy Friday and the glorious victory of the Resurrection at Pascha. Don’t miss out - join millions of Orthodox Christians throughout the world in this Holy Week of Orthodox tradition and faith in Christ! "Kali Anastasi!"

 

Welcome to Our 2019 “Seminarian in Residence”

Continuing our tradition of hosting a seminarian for Holy Week, today we welcome Paul Murray, a Holy Cross seminarian, who will be with us through Pascha, assisting our Protopsalti, George Pantelakis, with services and doing pastoral visits and parish training with Father John. Thank you for being with us this week, Paul! Please be sure to personally greet and welcome him today and throughout the week.

 

Lenten and Paschal Donations Still Needed

The following items are still needed for the celebration of the special services during Holy Week and Pascha. If you would like to sponsor or donate any of these items, please submit the form, which can be found at the reception window of the Church Office, along with your donation as soon as possible. If an item has already been donated, your donation may be used for Epitaphion flowers or other needed items. Donations will be acknowledged in the Herald following Pascha unless otherwise indicated on your donation form. Thank you!

- Palm Branches for Palm Sunday Liturgy ($200.00)

- Flowers for the Epitaphion (any dollar amount) many needed

- Paschal Lilies to decorate the church for the Resurrection Service ($20 each) many needed

- Communion Wine for Holy Week and Pascha ($200 per case) or ($20 per bottle) many needed

- Candy/Paschal treats for children during Agape Vespers service (any amount)

 

Holy Week Books Available at our Bookstore

If you do not already have one, please be sure to stop by our Three Hierarchs Orthodox Bookstore to pick up your copy of the Holy Week/Easter Service book from Patmos Press. This book contains all of the services for Holy Week and Easter in the original Greek text with the Modern English translation on opposing pages. All paragraphs are arranged to correspond to both languages, making it easy to follow the services in either language. This invaluable book is a great aid in participating fully in the services of Holy Week and are reasonably priced at only $25.00 each.

 

[Apr 26] Help Decorate the Epitaphion on Holy Friday
As we prepare to celebrate Pascha, please consider taking the day off from school or work on Holy Friday. School excuses signed by Father John will be available for those who attend and help. All ages are invited to come to the church and help with decorating the Kouvouklion (which contains the Epitaphion - Tomb of Christ) with flowers immediately following the 9:30am Service of the Royal Hours (the service lasts approximately one hour).  Please come to make this one of your offerings of dedicated love and service to the Lord as we honor His Holy Passion in His Holy Church. (NOTE: This is a FAMILY opportunity, not a “drop-off” event. Young children must be supervised by a responsible adult.)

 

[Apr 26] Holy Friday - Please Submit Names of the Departed for Commemoration

If you have names of your beloved departed ones that you would like commemorated, please be sure to submit their names before the Holy Friday evening service. Prayers will be offered for them in front of the Epitaphion on Holy Friday. A form was included in the recent Herald and they are also available in the Narthex. The Holy Friday Trisagion Names form is also available on our website as a fillable PDF form. (Please note; there are no Memorial services permitted from Palm Sunday through the Sunday of St. Thomas - May 5 this year.)

 

[Apr. 27] Come to the Anastasi Services and Dinner! – Saturday Evening
Don’t forget to make plans to attend the Resurrection Orthros, Liturgy and Dinner at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday evening/early morning of Pascha. Following the liturgical celebration of the Resurrection, join your family, friends and other members of Holy Trinity to break the fast and celebrate the Feast of Feasts! Free-will offerings will be accepted for this annual community celebration featuring – what else? – lamb!
 

[Apr 26 & Apr 29] Offices Closed Holy Friday and Bright Monday

The offices of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church will be closed on Holy Friday and Bright Monday in observation of these sacred days.

 

[Apr 28] Agape Vespers Candy Hunt
The Church School ministry is again sponsoring the annual Paschal Candy Hunt on the lawn of the church (weather permitting) on Pascha following the Agape Vespers Service at 12:00 p.m. All the children are invited to come for this beautiful and bright service. It is an especially good way for those with small children who are not able to attend the midnight service to share in a special celebration of Pascha. NOTE: Two parent volunteers are needed to help coordinate this event. Please step up and contact Presvytera Becky to volunteer. Thank you!

 

[Apr 29-May 4] Bright Week Services at the Saint George Chapel

Please plan to join us for the following services to be held at our St. George Chapel (8941 Ringeisen Road, Allison Park, PA) during Bright Week. Unless otherwise indicated, Orthros begins at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am.  

-       Mon, Apr 29: Feast Day Liturgy of Saint George the Great Martyr

-       Fri, May 3: Theotokos of the Life-Giving Fountain (Zoodochos Peghe)

-       Fri, May 3, 7:00pm: Consecration Vespers Service

-       Sat, May 4, 8:00am Orthros/9:00am Consecration of the Saint George Chapel (parking at Holy Trinity Church with shuttle buses running to Chapel continuously from 7:30am to 3:00pm)

 

[May 4 & 5] Saint George Chapel Consecration Weekend: Sat. May 4 (Service)/Sun. May 5 (Banquet)

Please mark your calendar for the historic event of the Consecration of our community’s Saint George Chapel on Saturday, May 4. Also, a Consecration Banquet will be held on Sunday, May 5 following the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church. This is a celebration banquet and not just a coffee hour! Look for information in the Herald and on the website. For general info, visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/chapel/consecration.

  • PLEASE MAKE FREE RESERVATIONS TO ATTEND THE SERVICE:
  • ADVANCE PURCHASE TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE BANQUET:
    • To pay by credit card: Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events
    • – OR – To pay by cash or check, stop by the Chapel Consecration Table in the Gallery Sundays after Liturgy

 

Philoptochos News

There is still time to submit your favorite recipe to the Holy Trinity Philoptochos Cookbook, which will be sold at the 2019 Taste of Greece Festival.  New cutoff date for submitting recipes has been extended to Tuesday, April 30. Anyone in the Parish may submit a recipe, Greek or Non-Greek.  Share a family recipe! Call/text Maria Georgiadis at 724-991-5129 with any questions. The Holy Cross Philoptochos (123 Gilkeson Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15241) has invited us to join them for a Fashion Show and Luncheon on Saturday, May 18, 11:00am Cocktails, 12:00 noon Luncheon and Fashion Show. Tickets are $40.00 per person. If you are interested in attending, please see Marianne Stearns.

 

[May 1-May 28] Dance Troupe Practice

Our Holy Trinity Dance Troupe will begin dance practice during the month of May in preparation for the Festival. The groups are separated as follows Hope (kindergarten through 2nd grade), Joy (3rd through 6th grade), Goya (7th through 12th grade). Please try to attend as many practices as you can throughout the spring and summer. Practice dates are Wednesday, May 1 (Hope 6:15-6:45pm Joy 6:45-7:15pm) Wednesday, May 8 (Hope 6:15-6:45pm Joy 6:45-7:15pm) and Sunday, May 28 (Hope/Joy during coffee hour in Fireside Room).

 

[May 6] New Bereavement Support Ministry: Monthly Group Sessions - Come & Join Us

The mission of our Visitation Ministry is to reach out to the sick, homebound and bereaved parishioners of Holy Trinity. Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in time of grief and loss. What does normal grief look like? How does gratitude co-exist with the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one? In the grieving process, can we feel anxious, lonely, and angry all at the same time? Sometimes these uncomfortable feelings can be confusing as we remember our loved ones. But we can learn to understand and work with these feelings on a daily basis. If you have questions about grief and want to learn and share conversation, then please attend our first Bereavement Support Group session on Monday, May 6th in Conference Room A. Light refreshments and relaxed fellowship begin at 6:30 pm for those who choose. Then 7:00-8:30 pm is group learning and sharing with our Bereavement facilitators. Feel free to bring a family member and/or friend. Contact Amy Armanious, Visitation Ministry Coordinator with any questions by email at Visitation@holytrinitypgh.org

 

[May 7-Jun 26] Festival Cooking – IT’S BACK!

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY to get started on our FESTIVAL COOKING 2019!  Please mark your calendars and plan to come and help on the following days. Bring the kids, bring your husbands, bring your wives, bring your friends!  All are welcome...no experience necessary. Tons of light and heavy tasks for all. THANK YOU!

  • Tuesday, May 7, 9:00am-9:00pm – Apricot Rolls
  • Tuesday, May 14, 9:00am-9:00pm – Apricot Rolls/Baklava
  • Tuesday, May 21, 11:00am-9:00pm – Baklava/Chocolate Baklava (following Liturgy)
  • Tuesday, May 28, 9:00am-9:00pm – Galaktoboureko
  • Tuesday, June 4, 9:00am-9:00pm – Koulourakia/Finikia
  • Tuesday, June 11, 9:00am-9:00pm – Kourambiethes
  • Tuesday, June 18, 9:00am-9:00pm – Finikia Dipping and Souzoukakia
  • Tuesday, June 25, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples
  • Wednesday, June 26, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples

 

[May 9] Orthodox Movie Night

Please plan to join us on Thursday, May 9 in the Fireside Room beginning at 7:00pm for Orthodox Movie Night. This month’s feature film is “Wonder”. Based on the beloved, best-selling novel, it follows the inspiring story of the Pullman family, whose youngest son, Auggie, is born with facial differences. When Auggie enters school, his extraordinary journey unites his family, school, and community, and proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. Oscar winner Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay star in this heartwarming and uplifting film. Rated PG - Parental Guidance Suggested. This is truly a movie for the entire family! Children are welcome! Admission is Free! Popcorn and soft drinks are provided. Come and share in the fellowship!

 

[May 11] Metropolis of Pittsburgh Saint Photios Awards Banquet – Come and Honor the Awardees

His Eminence Metropolitan Savas invites all the clergy and laypersons of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh to celebrate and give thanks for its honored devout stewards of faith, time and talents at the Sixth Annual Saint Photios Awards Banquet, Saturday, May 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh-Cranberry, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, PA 16046. 4:00 pm Hors d’oeuvres, 5:15 pm Dinner. Donations for tickets are $85 per person for adults, $25 for children (under 12), and net proceeds benefit the Metropolitan’s Benevolent Fund. Reservations can be made by using the reservations form available in the Herald or from the Church Office window. Questions? Please call Mary Doreza at 412-877-3415. Please be there to celebrate all the awardees, including our own Holy Trinity recipients, George Dickos and Presvytera Becky Touloumes. Reservations are due by this Friday, April 26.

 

[May 31] Deadline for “Second Chance” on Paver Project

We all deserve second chances! Between now and May 31st, we are offering a one-time-only second-chance for you to be a part of this beautiful project or to add that paver you were thinking about but didn’t do the first time around. Please email Kathy Balouris and Karen Georgiadis for more information or to secure your paver at pavers@HolyTrinityPgh.org

 

[Jun 2] Holy Trinity Dance Troupe – Spaghetti Dinner

On Sunday, June 2nd following Liturgy, our Holy Trinity Dance Troupe will host a Spaghetti Dinner in the Grand Room. All donations will go toward purchasing new dance costumes! Donations per ticket are $10 for Adults and $5 for Students.

 

Metropolis Summer Camp Registration is Open

Metropolis Summer Camp registration is now open at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org for all JOY and GOYA campers (through June 3). Be sure to register early, as sessions sell out quickly. To receive the Holy Trinity parish discount, be sure to use the code “SC19HTP” at the time of registration. Dates below (grades indicate what level the student will be Fall of 2019):

  • Week 1, Elementary: June 16-22 (grades 2-4)
  • Week 2, Middle School: June 23-29 (grades 5-7)                 
  • Week 3, Junior High Session: June 30-July 6 (grades 7-9)
  • Week 4, High School Session: July 7-13 (grades 10-12)

      *7th graders are able to attend either Week 2 or 3

 

Volunteers Needed for Pleasant Valley Shelter Dinner on July 14

This shelter, near our old neighborhood on the North Side, provides overnight accommodations to 30 homeless men, 365 nights each year and relies totally on volunteers to feed the men.  We have one date that is now open for HT volunteers to provide this dinner: Sunday, July 14.  Please contact Mike Kritiotis today at 412-518-0588, or at mkritiotis@gmail.com to sign your family/group/ministry up. Thank you, good and faithful stewards!

 

Sign Up to Provide FOCUS Lunches for the Needy - More Dates are Available

If you’re looking for ways to get your family/friends/group/ministry together for a meaningful day of giving to the poor and hungry in our region, here’s your chance! Sponsored through FOCUS Pittsburgh, the 2019 weekly schedule of delivering 140 lunch bags to our less fortunate neighbors, every Saturday of the year, has many open dates still available. Please see Mike Kritiotis after Liturgy to sign up for a Saturday that fits your schedule or email outreach@holytrinitypgh.org for available dates. Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ!

 

Holy Trinity’s Connect Center
The “Connect Center” is a great resource and contact display prominently located in the Gallery every Sunday and it is for YOU! The purpose is to help EVERYONE in our Holy Trinity community become more informed about the many ministries and opportunities offered here and to make it easier to become involved in all areas of life at Holy Trinity Church. Stop by and check it out or just say hi!

 

Need Physical Assistance to Receive Holy Communion?

Do you require physical assistance to receive Holy Communion? The Holy Trinity Parish Council and Hospitality Ministry team would be glad to help. Please indicate that you require help when your row is dismissed, and they will provide someone to accompany you and provide assistance and safety.

 

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.

 

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. Following Liturgy, we invite you to stop by our Connect Center located in the Gallery and join us for our Fellowship Coffee hour.

 

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!

            For those who do receive, please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery: 1) The Church School Staff only is asked to please proceed first to receive from the left-most chalice so they may depart for their classrooms before their students arrive; 2) All other students, parishioners and Orthodox Christian guests, please remain at your place until you are dismissed by the Parish Council down the center aisle only; 3) We respectfully ask women to remove their lipstick before approaching the Holy Chalice; 4) Please wait in the Holy Communion line reverently, prayerfully and quietly without talking; 5) It is traditional as we approach with awe that we make the sign of the Cross  or bow down with a “metanoia” as an act of humility before the Lord; 5) Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving; 6) Please take great care to place the red cloth under your chin and to fully open your mouth so that none of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled, then to dab your lips on the cloth afterwards so none of the Holy Gifts are left on other objects. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!

 

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