November 11
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-11-11
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
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (412)366-8700
- Fax:
- (412)366-8710
- Email:
- office@holytrinitypgh.org
- Street Address:
- 985 Providence Blvd.
- Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5951
Contact Information
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
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-18
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-04
- Publish Date:
- 2018-10-28
- Publish Date:
- 2018-10-21
- Publish Date:
- 2018-10-14
- Publish Date:
- 2018-10-07
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Seventh Tone
By Your Cross You destroyed death and to the thief You opened paradise. You transformed the sorrow of the Myrrh-bearers, and commanded the Apostles to proclaim that You have risen from the dead, Christ our God, granting the world great mercy. (Page 53)
Apolytikion for Martyr Menas in the Fourth Tone
Your Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for You received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from You, our immortal God. For since they possessed Your strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
The most pure Temple of the Savior*, His most precious bridal chamber*, the Virgin, sacred treasury of God’s glory*, enters today into the house of the Lord*, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit.* Wherefore the angels of God are singing*: “Behold the heavenly tabernacle!” (Page 59)
Saints and Feasts
November 11
Menas of Egypt
Saint Menas, who had Egypt as his fatherland, contested in Cotyaeion of Phrygia in 296 during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian. A soldier distinguished for his valour in war, he renounced his rank and withdrew to devote himself to ascetical struggles and prayer in the mountains. Filled with zeal and more than human courage, he presented himself in the midst of a pagan festival in Cotyaeion and declared himself to be a Christian. After terrible torments which he endured with astonishing courage, he was beheaded. His martyrium in Egypt became a place of universal pilgrimage; evidence of ancient journeys to his shrine have been found as far away as Ireland. The glory and refuge of the Christians of Egypt, he has been revealed to be a worker of great miracles and a swift defender for all who call on him with faith; besides all else, he is also invoked for help in finding lost objects.
November 11
Theodore the Studite
Saint Theodore the Studite was born in Constantinople in 759; his pious parents were named Photinus and Theoctiste. He assumed the monastic habit in his youth, at the monastery called Sakkoudion, and became abbot there in 794. About the year 784 he was ordained deacon, and later presbyter by the most holy Patriarch Tarasius. On joining the brotherhood of the Monastery of Studium (which was named after its founder Studius, a Roman consul), the Saint received the surname "Studite." He proved to be a fervent zealot for the traditions of the Fathers and contested even unto death for the sake of his reverence for the holy icons. He endured three exiles because of his pious zeal. During the third one, to which he was condemned by the Iconoclast autocrat, Leo the Armenian, he endured courageously - being beaten and bound and led from one dark dungeon to another - for seven whole years. Finally he was recalled from exile by Michael the Stutterer. Receiving thus a small respite from his labours of long endurance, he reposed in the Lord on November 11, 826, a Sunday, while his disciples, who stood round about him, chanted the 118th Psalm. Some say that after receiving the immaculate Mysteries, he himself began chanting this psalm. And on reaching the verse, ' I will never forget Thy statutes, for in them hast Thou quickened me" (Ps. 118:93), he gave up his spirit, having lived for sixty-seven years. In addition to his other sacred writings, he composed, with the collaboration of his brother Joseph, almost the whole of the compunctionate book of the Triodion (see also July 14).
November 11
Victor and Stephanie
Saints Victor and Stephanie contested in Damascus in 160, during the reign of Antoninus Pius. The pagans arrested Saint Victor as a Christian and cut off his fingers, put out his eyes, and beheaded him. As Saint Stephanie, the wife of a certain soldier, and a Christian, saw Victor's nobility in his sufferings, she loudly cried out to call him blessed and to say that she saw two crowns prepared, one for him, and one for herself. She also was taken, and was tied to two palm trees which had been bowed down; when they were released, she was torn asunder.
November 11
Holy Martyr Vincent
Saint Vincent is the most illustrious of the Martyrs of Spain. Because of his virtue, he was ordained deacon by Valerius, Bishop of Saragossa, who, because of his advanced age and an impediment in his speech, commissioned Vincent to be preacher of the Gospel. In 303, the impious Emperors Diocletian and Maximian sent Dacian to Spain as governor, with an edict to persecute the clergy. Saint Vincent was brought with Bishop Valerius to Valencia; the bishop was sent into exile, but the holy deacon was tortured on a rack, and after suffering other cruel torments, gave up his soul into the hands of God on January 22 in the year 304.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.
Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel Reading
8th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37
At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Bulletin Inserts
Military Appreciation Day
Military Appreciation Day & Card Signing Coffee Hour - Sunday, November 11, 2018
IOCC Orthodox Homefront
IOCC Orthodox Homefront: Parish Emergency, Disaster Preparedness and Response Workshop - Sunday, November 11, 2018 2:30pm-5:30pm
2018 Parish Family Retreat
The Holy Trinity Spiritual Life Ministry invites everyone to attend the 2018 Parish Family Retreat featuring Dr. Philip Mamalakis on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1. Admission is free, but registration is required. Signup online or at church by November 25.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Godly love cannot be perfect unless a man love his neighbor also. Under which name must be included not only those who are connected with us by friendship or neighborhood, but absolutely all men, with whom we have a common nature, whether they be foes or allies, slaves or free.
Sermon 12, On the Fast, 6th century
For the One Maker fashioned us, the One Creator breathed life into us; we all enjoy the same sky and air, the same days and nights, and, though some be good, others bad, some righteous, others unrighteous, yet GOD is bountiful to all, kind to all.
Sermon 12, On the Fast, 6th century
The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.
ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.
The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11
Let us make our mercifulness abundant, let us give proof of much love to man, both by the use of our money, and by our actions. ... Go then, and put a stop to the evil; pull out them that are drowning, though you descend into the very depth of the surge.
Homily 15 on Matthew 5, 4th Century
Parish News and Events
TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Military Appreciation Day, Card Signing and Coups for Troops
In observance of Veteran’s Day, the Visitation Ministry Team is hosting our third annual Military Appreciation Day in honor of parishioners, family, and community members who have served and are still serving our country in the military. This tribute includes a memorial service for all veterans and fallen heroes, and special recognition of living veterans and active military service members. The Coffee Hour will feature on-screen displays of the many names of our community’s service veterans and a display of framed photos of the honorees. Also, our gratitude will be further demonstrated by a Card Signing event by all parishioners during Coffee Hour. The cards created through our labor of love will be distributed in care packages to Deployed Troops, Veterans, First Responders, and Wounded Warriors by Operation Gratitude, a wonderful organization whose mission is to lift the spirits of the Military. Finally, Clipping coupons for a cause…Coups for Troops is another way we support overseas military families. Please deposit your collected manufacturer’s coupons (internet printed included) in categories of Food, Non-food, Baby, and for overseas distribution by this amazing organization. Coupons can be used by military families up to 6 months after their expiration date. May God bless all those who have served with honor and courage!
Ten Minutes of HOPE
Our children in HOPE (grades K-2) will meet with Father Radu for ten minutes after their Church School lesson today. To have more personal interaction and a meaningful dialogue, please help your children formulate questions about our faith, and we will address those topics during our “Ten Minutes of HOPE.”
GOYA Skyzone Trip
Our GOYA teens will be taking a trip to the Skyzone Trampoline park today following Liturgy.
IOCC Orthodox Homefront; Parish Emergency, Disaster Preparedness & Response Workshop
Later today, from 2:30-5:30pm, Holy Trinity will be hosting the IOCC’s Orthodox Homefront Workshop. Part of IOCC’s US Program, the Homefront helps parishes prepare for regional emergencies, disasters, and parish critical incidents, enhance their capability to respond, and connects parishes with a network of organizations and agencies active in emergencies. Parish leaders, especially clergy, parish council members, and laypeople with expertise in emergency response, health & social services are encouraged to attend. Advance registration is required, but additional space may be available today.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
[Nov 12, 15] “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week
Holy Trinity Church’s new, expanded “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry continues this month. Building on the fruits of our last five years, we are now including more days and more opportunities for everyone to participate in and grow from worship, spiritual life and educational ministries beyond Sunday morning and to make the Church the "crossroad of daily life”.
THIS WEEK’S OFFERINGS:
- Daily: Prayer Partners. Have you remembered your prayer partner every day? Please keep the promise.
- “Journey to Fullness” - Faith Growth Ministry - Mon. Nov 12, 7:00pm: This excellent video teaching series is for everyone who wants to learn more about the “fullness of the faith” found in Orthodox Christianity, whether as inquirers, catechumens or life-long members. This 8-week series (repeated in the fall and the spring) consists of two video teaching segments per session, along with an interactive question and answer period with Father John.
- Thu. November 15, 6:30pm Worship: Paraclesis Service to Saint Nektarios at St. George Chapel. The Paraclesis, also known as the Service of Supplication, is offered monthly at our St. George Chapel. It contains hymns and prayers asking the Lord for guidance, personal strength and healing. The most well-known form invokes the prayers of the Holy Theotokos. We will alternate that service with two others, one for St. Nektarios and the other for St. Paisios.
[Nov 15] Senior Fellowship Ministry Meeting
The Senior Fellowship Ministry Group will meet this Thursday, November 15, beginning at 11:30am in the Fireside Room. Everyone is welcome to share a very nice luncheon from all who attend, by bringing a small casserole, fruit, veggie or dessert dish. There are no dues or fees, just great companionship. Coffee and water will be provided. We will also welcome our friend Becky who will once again help us to select Avon items for the senior gift bags for distribution during the Christmas holidays. In this way, we can wish all our friends, good health and happiness during the celebration of the Nativity. For more information call Joyce Countouris (412-366-1498) or Georgianne Bounos (412-761-6953).
[Nov 16-18] Metropolis GOYA Fall Retreat – Register Now
Missing camp already? The 2018 GOYA Fall Retreat will be held at Camp Nazareth from Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18. The theme is “Trusting in God.” Registration must be done at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/retreats. The code for reduced registration fee for Holy Trinity GOYAns is HTPF50.
[Nov 18] Ten Minutes of JOY
Our children in JOY (grades 3-6) will meet with Father Radu for ten minutes after their Church School lesson next Sunday, November 18. To have more personal interaction and a meaningful dialogue, please help your children formulate questions about our faith, and we will address those topics during our “Ten Minutes of JOY.”
[Nov 18] HOPE and JOY – Museum Trip
The HOPE and JOY children and their parents will be visiting the Carnegie Museum of Art next Sunday, November 18 for a docent-led tour of the Greek Art and Antiquities collection. Tickets are $9 for children and $12 for adults and include museum admission for the day. Please arrive at the art museum no later than 1:00pm. Please contact Jeanne Willow to confirm your attendance and for tickets at jeannetorlidas@verizon.net.
[Nov 25] GOYA Turkey Bowl
The GOYA will hold its annual Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving Weekend Football Game on Sunday, November 25, following Divine Liturgy. This is a fun and friendly GOYA tradition, and everyone is invited: players, non-players, cheerleaders, parents and fans! Players should bring a change of clothes and shoes for play. Sign up at the November 4th GOYA meeting. The flag football game will be followed by hot chocolate, meatless “walking tacos” and other goodies. Yum!
[Nov 27, 29 & Dec 20] Philoptochos Baking Dates
We will be preparing homemade pastries and breads for our Holiday Bake Sale in the Bakery area of Kitchen. If you are available to help with baking on any of the days, please join us for an hour or more! Don’t know how to make Greek pastries? We offer on the job training! Any questions? Please call Nicole Steiner 412-781-6109.
- Tuesday, November 27: 9am-9pm Koulourakia
- Thursday, November 29: 9am-9pm Baklava/Kourambiedes
- Thursday, December 20: 9am-4pm Sweet Bread
[Nov 30 & Dec 1] Parish Family Retreat – “Created to Thrive”
The Holy Trinity Notable Speakers Series resumes with a Parish Family Retreat to be held on Friday, November 30 (7:30-9:00pm) and Saturday, December 1 (9:00am-3:00pm) featuring Dr. Philip Mamalakis. Don’t miss this informative presentation of “Created to Thrive” and the opportunity to explore the topics of parenting, marriage, our home and our community. Everyone is welcome! Admission is free, but registration is required by the November 25th deadline. Sign up following coffee hour or online at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. For additional information contact SpiritualLife@HolyTrinityPgh.org or 412-292-4206.
[Dec 2] Church School Reminder: Thanksgiving Outreach - Bring Your Bags of Food for FOCUS
Attention Church School Students: Last week you received brown grocery bags and an instruction sheet for the annual FOCUS Food Drive for the needy. Please remember to collect your items and return them to your classroom next Sunday or by Sunday, December 2, at the latest. Thank you for your generosity!
[Dec 7] “Drop and Shop” Evening for Parents
Attention ALL Holy Trinity parents: As an offering of “Thanks for all you do for us,” the teens of Holy Trinity GOYA are watching the kids for the night for free! "Drop and Shop" gives parents a free night to get Christmas shopping done while the kids have fun with their Holy Trinity friends. Drop them off at the church on Friday, December 7 at 6:00pm and be back by 9:00pm to pick them up. This opportunity is open to ALL Holy Trinity parents of children from toddler through sixth grade. The is no charge for this event, but advance reservation is required. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events.
Philoptochos Holiday Bake Sale
As we approach the holiday season let the ladies of the Philoptochos help check something off your list! It is time for our annual Holiday Bake Sale of Spanakopita, Tiropita, Baklava, Kourambiedes, Koulourakia, Finikia, Paximadia and Sweet Breads. Order forms are available at the church office window and were also included in the November edition of the Herald. Order now as quantities are limited! All orders must be received and PREPAID by Sunday, December 9. Orders will be ready for pick up following Liturgy on Sunday, December 23. Questions? Call Nicole Steiner at 412-781-6109.
Pave a New Path in Holy Trinity's History! Paver Project – Still Time Left!
“Leave a footprint on the sands of time” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow). All great individuals have left a footprint on history. Be a part of Holy Trinity’s historical footprint by purchasing a paver for yourself and/or your loved ones. Leave a lasting memory of your family name, or someone else’s name. Engrave a lasting tribute in honor of or in memory of a special person in your life. Or capture a very special event, like a wedding or baptismal anniversary. Please email Karen Georgiadis or Kathy Balouris at pavers@HolyTrinityPgh.org. Information is also available at on our website at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/pavers. We will be selling pavers until Sunday, December 16, 2018, unless we sell out before then. The inscription process begins this winter, with the Path will be installed in early spring 2019.
The 2019 Schedule is Out! Sign Up to Provide FOCUS Lunches for the Poor and Needy
It’s time once again to get your group or family together for a meaningful day of giving to the poor and hungry in our region. 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 available. Holy Trinity Church’s participation has been critical in fulfilling this goal in the past, and we are grateful for our parishioners’ renewed generosity this time around. Please see Mike Kritiotis after Liturgy to sign up for a Saturday that fits your schedule, or contact him by emailing outreach@holytrinitypgh.org for available dates. Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ!
Holding a Ministry Activity or Committee Meeting at Church? Reservations Required!
Our community and its ministries are growing! If your ministry or committee is planning a meeting or activity and you are planning to hold it at the church, please note that reservations for rooms and event spaces are required. Please call the Church Office at 412-366-8700 and speak to our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos. There have been times when all the spaces have been filled, so your cooperation helps ensure every group that needs a place has one and helps minimize space conflicts. We have a beautiful facility – let’s work together so everyone who needs it can use it. Thank you!
Visitation Ministry Team - Volunteers Needed
The Visitation Ministry is always in need of volunteers to share their talent and time. We need volunteers who may enjoy visiting our homebound family members, designing crafts, baking cookies, transporting individuals to doctor appointments, reading the Bible at the bedside of one who is sick or has poor vision, offering grocery shopping or medication pickup at the local pharmacy, praying for those who are in need, providing a listening ear to those grieving loss, mailing cards to those who need encouragement, and so much more. If you are interested and want to learn more about our Visitation Ministry, please contact Amy Armanious at 412-628-0973 or email 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!
Upcoming Memorials Nov 18: Charles Siebott (40 days), Chrissie Georgiadis (1 year), George Georgiadis (15 years), George Zozos (1 year) and Persephone Zozos (2 years)