Publish-header
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-03-03
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
Lastjudgement1
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

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 of Holy Trinity Church (Page 75) in the First Tone

English: Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who has shown 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 merciful One, glory to You!
Greek: Ευλογητός ει Χριστέ, ο Θεός ήμων, ο πανσόφους τους αλιείς αναδείξας, καταπέμψας αυτοίς το Πνεύμα το άγιον, και δι΄αυτών την οικουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.
Phoenetics: Ev-lo-yi-tos i Hri-ste o The-os i-mon. O Pan-so-fous tous a-li-is a-na-di-xas ka-ta-pemp-sas af-tis to Pnev-ma to A-yi-on, ke di af-ton tin i-kou-men-in sa-i-nef-sas, fi-lan-thro-pe, do-xa si.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Tone

When You come, O God, upon the earth with glory, the whole world will tremble. The river of fire will bring men before Your judgement seat, the books will be opened and the secrets disclosed. Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire, and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, Judge most righteous. (Page 71)
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
March 03

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

March 03

The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus

The Martyrs, who were from Amasia, were fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore the Tyro (see Feb. 17). They were betrayed to the Governor Asclepiodotus as Christians, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). After many torments, Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified; Basiliscus was not slain together with them, but was shut up in prison, in the hope that with time he might change his mind and sacrifice to the idols. He was beheaded on May 22; see also the account on that day.

March 03

Nonnita, mother of Saint David

March 03

Theodoretos the Holy Martyr of Antioch

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. 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 St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

BACK TO TOP

Bulletin Inserts

    2019 Schedule of Lenten Services

    2019 Schedule of Lenten Services

    Holy Trinity's 2019 Schedule of Lenten Services.

    Sunday Lenten Vespers Series

    Sunday Lenten Vespers Series

    The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to offer for the first time in the Pittsburgh region a series of Sunday Lenten Vespers services to be held in Orthodox parishes of various jurisdictions around the Pittsburgh area. Each service will take place at 5:00pm and will be followed by Lenten refreshments. All Orthodox Christians in the area are invited to join the Orthodox clergy of the area in praying these beautiful Lenten services together.

    2019 Festival Head Start Cooking Schedule

    2019 Festival Head Start Cooking Schedule

    Please join us for these March dates. Everyone is welcome! The earlier we start, the less we have to do this summer!

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century

. . .The day will come when we shall stand before God and be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming, as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ which is our vocation, judgment must be pronounced by ourselves.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God; and he who gives to the least gives to God--sacrifices spiritually to God an odour of a sweet smell.
St. Cyprian of Carthage
The Lord's Prayer, 33. B#41, p.102, 3rd century

BACK TO TOP

Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES  

 

Memorial Today

Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Stella Athanasiou (1 year). May her memory be eternal! The Athanasiou Family will sponsor the coffee hour today in her memory.

 

Grounded in Faith Coffee House - GRAND OPENING TODAY

The HT Young Adults, with the support of Telos, Parish Council, and Philoptochos, will be serving premium freshly-ground single-origin espresso beverages once monthly as a supplement to coffee hour. Come and support our young adults at their grand opening today and purchase an espresso, americano, cappuccino, or hot cocoa for just $2! Today's Bean: Ethiopian Guji, roasted by Burning Bush Coffee Roasters at St. Tikhon's Monastery.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

“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.

 

[Mar 7-24, Jun 25-26] Festival Cooking – IT’S BACK THIS WEEK!

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!

  • THIS Thursday, March 7, 6:00pm-10:00pm - Pastitsio
  • THIS Friday, March 8, 9:00am-9:00pm - Pastitsio
  • THIS Saturday, March 9, after Saturday of Souls Liturgy, 11:00am-5:00pm – Pastitsio
  • NEXT Sunday, March 10, after Liturgy, 12:00pm-3:00pm – Pastitsio
  • Thursday, March 21, 6:00pm-10:00pm – Spanakopita
  • Friday, March 22, 9:00am-5:00pm – Spanakopita
  • Saturday, March 23, 9:00am-5:00pm – Spanakopita
  • Sunday, March 24, after Liturgy, 12:00pm-3:00pm – Spanakopita
  • Tuesday, June 25, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples
  • Wednesday, June 26, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples

 

[Mar 9 & 16] Saturdays of Souls

Preceding the start of Lent and during the first week of Lent, the Church offers the “Saturdays of the Souls” to commemorate those who have fallen sleep in the Lord. Services are held at the Saint George Chapel located at Holy Trinity Cemetery. Orthros is at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am and the Memorial Service. The two remaining Saturday of the Souls services will be offered on Saturday 9th and 16th. Please see the flyer in the February edition of the Holy Trinity Herald or download the names form from our website (holytrinitypgh.org/documents/worship) to submit names for commemoration and be sure to attend and commemorate your departed loved ones.

 

[Mar 10 & Mar 24] Ten Minutes of HOPE and JOY  

Our children in HOPE (grades K-2) and JOY (grades 3-6) will continue to meet with Father Radu once a month for ten minutes after their Church School lesson. Please help your children formulate questions about our faith, and we will address those topics during our “Ten Minutes of HOPE” next Sunday, March 10 and “Ten Minutes of JOY” on March 24.

 

[Mar 10] Holy Trinity Young Adults Pre-Lenten Covered Dish Brunch

Join other young professionals and growing families next Sunday March 10, after Divine Liturgy, for a pre-Lent covered dish brunch in the Fireside Room.  Please see Eleni Valliant for more details, including what to bring. (elenivalliant@gmail.com)

 

[Mar 16] IV On-the-Go Day Retreat – Cancelled

Due to lack of response, the IV-On-the-Go Day Retreat previously scheduled for March 16 has been cancelled.

 

[Mar 17-Apr 14] Pittsburgh Area Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood Announces Sunday Lenten Vespers Series

The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to offer for the first time in the Pittsburgh region a series of Sunday Lenten Vespers services to be held in Orthodox parishes of various jurisdictions around the Pittsburgh area. Each service will take place at 5:00pm and will be followed by Lenten refreshments. All Orthodox Christians in the area are invited to join the Orthodox clergy of the area in praying these beautiful Lenten services together. The schedule:

- March 17: SAINT NICHOLAS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 2110 Haymaker Rd., Monroeville, PA

Speaker: His Eminence Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern PA, OCA. Lenten Dinner to follow

- March 24: ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 1128 Summit St., White Oak, PA

Festal Great Vespers of the Annunciation

- March 31: SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, 290 Thompson Run Rd., Pittsburgh, PA

- April 7: SAINTS PETER & PAUL UKRANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, PA

- April 14: SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 3230 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA

Veneration of Relic of Saint John Maximovitch following Vespers

 

[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. Look for information in the Herald and on the website. Banquet tickets are available starting today in the Gallery.

 

[Mar 31] Paver Project Unveiling/Blessing

Be sure to attend the Unveiling and Blessing of the 95th Anniversary Paver Project on Sunday, March 31, the Feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. The event will be held following Liturgy outside in front of the church. Don’t miss it!

 

[Jun 17-22] Community Adult & Teen Mission Trip

The Holy Trinity Missions Ministry is coordinating a philanthropic mission trip to Houston, June 17-22. This trip is open to Holy Trinity adults and teens 14 and over. See the flyer in the March Herald or visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/missions.

 

[Nov 4-11] Mount Athos Pilgrimage

The Holy Trinity Pilgrimage Ministry is hosting a pilgrimage to Mount Athos Nov. 4-11. This spiritual journey is open to all men of the parish 18 and over. The trip will also include a guided tour of Thessaloniki. Space is limited to 8 men. See the flyer in the March Herald or visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/pilgrimage.

 

Holy Trinity Greek Dance Troupe
The Holy Trinity Greek Dance Troupe is in the process of ordering new costumes for all our groups. We would like to measure all those children who may possibly dance at the Festival this year in order to ensure that we order enough. Victoria and Eleni will be here next Sunday March 10th to continue measuring students. They will also be going to the Church School rooms to measure students who have danced this past year. If your child is new to dancing and they will dance this year, please let them know so that they can measure your child. It is very important that even if they aren’t 100% sure that they are going to dance, even if there is only a slight chance, they should be measured. We are ordering the costumes in March. Questions? Contact Victoria at v.andromalosdale@gmail.com or Eleni at eadedousis@gmail.com.

 

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 today and check it out!

 

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!

 

Philoptochos News

Our Holy Trinity Philoptochos is calling for submissions of recipes for their new cookbook by the March 31st deadline. The 2019 Philoptochos dues are also to be submitted by March 31, 2019 to Nicole Steiner. The next regular Philoptochos meeting is scheduled for March 24 following Divine Liturgy. New members are always welcome!

 

NHCO Collecting Personal Care Items

North Hills Community Outreach is collecting new, unopened personal care items through April 1. The added expense of items like toiletries can be a burden for low-income families, and those who receive SNAP cannot use the benefits to purchase such items. Items needed include shampoo, soap, unscented lotion, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, mouthwash and other personal care items. Please donate Monday thru Friday, 9am-4pm at NHCO offices in Hampton, Millvale or Bellevue or call 412-487-6316 option 1 to inquire about other arrangements.

 

Upcoming Lenten and Paschal Dates

Wondering about Lenten and Paschal dates? Here’s a helpful guide to some of the important events coming up. Mark them on your calendar!

-          Meatfare Sunday (Last day of eating meat): TODAY

-          Cheesefare Sunday (Last day of eating dairy): Mar. 10

-          Pure Monday (Lent begins): Mar. 11

-          Sunday of Orthodoxy: Mar. 17

-          Godparent Sunday/Lenten Luncheon: Mar. 31

-          Saturday of Lazarus/Palm Cross/Candle prep: Apr. 20

-          Palm Sunday: Apr. 21

-          Holy Week: Apr. 21-27

-          Holy Friday (schedule off work & school): Apr. 26

-          The Great and Holy Pascha: Apr. 28

 

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!

 

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP