TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Godparent/Godchild Sunday
Holy Trinity Church celebrates its annual Godparent/Godchild Sunday today at the midpoint of Lent. This special day provides us with an opportunity to observe the Lenten Feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross and re-commit ourselves to the Lord Who took up that Cross for us. We ask all those who are able to celebrate with their Godparent(s) —who placed that first Cross on their Godchildren's neck at Baptism—to renew that commitment with thanksgiving and joy. We also welcome all whose Godparents are not able to be here, for various reasons—including repose in God’s heaven kingdom—and ask that they be remembered in prayer. May God continually renew and strengthen your relationship and life in His Holy Church! Thank you for attending this annual event. Be sure to stay and enjoy the Lenten Luncheon together!
No Church School Today for Godparent/Godchild Sunday
There are no Church School classes today in honor of Godparent/Godchild Sunday.
Paver Project Unveiling/Blessing Following Liturgy TODAY!
Be sure to attend the Unveiling and Blessing of the 95th Anniversary Paver Project which will take place today following Liturgy outside in front of the church.
IMPORTANT: Here is the procedure we will use:
- 1. The Godparent/Godchild renewal prayers will be offered just before Holy Communion. All students should remain in church because there is no Church School class today.
- 2. Just before the end of the Liturgy, the procession with the Cross will take place around the inside of the church.
- 3. Following the conclusion of the Liturgy, we will process as a congregation down the center aisle, led by the clergy and the acolytes, to the Pavers area in front of the church.
- 4. A brief Pavers blessing and presentation will take place.
- 5. We will re-enter via the office entrance to the Gallery, where the flowers from the Cross will be distributed by the clergy and the commemorative keepsakes from the Pavers blessing.
- 6. Everyone is asked to remain for the annual Philoptochos Lenten Luncheon to benefit our Holy Cross seminary.
Philoptochos Lenten Luncheon
Holy Trinity Philoptochos is hosting their annual Lenten Luncheon today following Divine Liturgy in honor of Godparent/Godchild Sunday and the Veneration of the Holy Cross (Third Sunday of Lent). Ticket donations are a Free Will Offering. Enjoy a delicious selection of Lenten foods while supporting the Philoptochos’ charitable activities. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in celebration of the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross.
Grounded in Faith Coffee House - TODAY
Support the HT Young Adults and enjoy some delicious freshly-ground espresso beverages during coffee hour today! Espresso, americano, cappuccino, or hot cocoa are available for just $2 each! All products will use tasty non-dairy substitutes this Lenten season. Today's Bean: Grounded in Faith African Blend (Kenyan and Guji), roasted by Burning Bush Coffee Roasters at St. Tikhon's Monastery.
GOYA Lenten Soup Sales
GOYA Homemade Lenten Soup Sales have begun. Need a quick homemade meal? Just add a salad and bread or crackers to these delicious Lenten soups. This week's soups are Stuffed Pepper, White Bean & Kale, Russian Style Cabbage and Chili. Holy Trinity GOYA thanks you for your constant support and wishes everyone a Blessed Lenten Journey.
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 CHAPEL CONSECRATION NOTE
ANYONE PLANNING ON COMING TO THE SERVICE IS ASKED TO RESERVE A SPOT SO WE CAN PLAN SPACE.
ANYONE ATTENDING THE BANQUET IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE.
Lenten Vespers - Today at 5:00pm
The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh invites you to attend Lenten Vespers at St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral (290 Thompson Run Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237) this evening beginning at 5:00pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- TODAY, Sun. Mar. 31, 5:00pm: Lenten Vespers at St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, 290 Thompson Run Rd.
- Mon. Apr. 1, 6:30pm: Great Compline (SG)
- Wed. Apr. 3, 6:30pm: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Covered Dish Dinner and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation – Andrew Abboud (HT)
- Fri. Apr. 5, 6:30pm: Service of Salutations to the Theotokos (SG)
“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.
- Wed. Apr. 3: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten Dinner and Lenten Speakers Series
- Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (6:30-7:45pm): This is a mid-week Lenten blessing provides by the Church as a way of offering the Holy Gifts between Sundays during Lent. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is an evening service which comprises the solemn Lenten Vespers with the distribution of Holy Communion at the end. There is no consecration of the Holy Gifts during the service. Holy Communion is offered from the reserve gifts consecrated on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Those Orthodox Christians wishing to receive Holy Communion should prepare as usual but should also refrain from eating or drinking after their midday meal. Readings will be done by our older Church School students.
- Lenten Dinner (7:45pm): We will continue the tradition of Lenten dinners following Pre-Sanctified Liturgies by asking for volunteers to bring food. Everyone is invited to stay for this light meal. After the meal is served, everyone will remain in the Grand Room for the Lenten Speakers Series presentation.
- Lenten Speakers Series (8:00pm). Each week a special presentation will be offered by one of our clergy or guest presenters on a subject related to our 2019 Lenten theme: “A Better You. A Better World.” This week Stacey Mason will speak about “Philanthropy and the IOCC”.
[Mar 31-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 remaining schedule of services is as follows:
- TODAY 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
[Apr 3, 10 & 17] Faith and Family Weekdays Lenten Speakers Series
This year, our Lenten lessons are focusing on the theme, “A Better You. A Better World.” Each week a special presentation is offered by one of our clergy or guest presenters. Plan on being there for Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 6:30pm, followed by a Lenten dinner and presentation in the Grand Room. The remaining speakers this year are:
- Apr. 3 – Stacey Mason: “Philanthropy/IOCC”
- Apr. 10 – Father John Chakos: “Mission to Guatemala”
- Apr. 17 – Alex Corkos: “Relationships”
Please be sure to attend the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and remain for the presentation. If you are able, please bring a Lenten dish to contribute to the meal (non-meat, non-fish, non-dairy). Thank you!
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
[Apr 5-7] GOYA Spring Retreat – “Made Perfect Through My Weakness”
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh presents the 2019 GOYA Spring Retreat April 5-7 at Camp Nazareth. The retreat will feature Deacon George Athanasiou as guest speaker. Register at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/retreats by TODAY’s deadline. To receive the Holy Trinity parish discount, be sure to use the code “HTPP19” at the time of registration.
[Apr 14] Regular Spring General Assembly
Please plan to attend the regular Spring General Assembly following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 14. An agenda has been included in the April edition of the Herald. This Assembly is to review parish life and hear reports on important parish matters. It is vital to the life of a healthy community that all members attend, as these meetings are quite important in the day-to-day life of the parish. Please remember, to vote at an assembly, you must be a member in good standing as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations, which includes but is not limited to having a signed 2019 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge card submitted. Whether it is attending assemblies, taking in a leadership role in a ministry or just getting involved more, the Lord has a calling and a role for every one of us at Holy Trinity Church because you are a part of the Body of Christ and have an important contribution to offer.
[Apr 14] Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale
The Ladies Philoptochos is again offering their delicious traditional Greek Pascha Bread for sale! All proceeds benefit the charitable endeavors of the Philoptochos. All orders must be prepaid and turned in to the office or mailed to the church by Sunday, April 14th. Please make checks payable to “Holy Trinity Ladies Philoptochos” with “Pascha Bread” in the memo line. Pickup your PREPAID order at the Holy Trinity Center Gallery FOLLOWING Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 21st. Please call Nicole Steiner (412-352-0289) with any questions regarding orders.
[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. For general info, visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/chapel/consecration.
- PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS TO ATTEND THE SERVICE:
- ADVANCE TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE BANQUET:s
- 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. The new deadline for submission of recipes has been extended to April 30th. Anyone in the Parish may submit a recipe, Greek or Non-Greek. Share a family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation! Please call/text Maria Georgiadis at 724-991-5129 with any questions. Easter Bread Baking will take place on Thursday, April 18th from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Easter Bread pick-up will take place on Palm Sunday, April 21st (which is American Easter). Place your Easter Bread orders now! The next Philoptochos Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 7th after Divine Liturgy. New members are always welcome! The deadline for Philoptochos membership dues is TODAY, March 31. Please submit to Nicole Steiner. 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 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. It’s important to be gentle to ourselves while grieving loss. 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 at email 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
Lenten and Holy Week Schedules of Services
The March issue of The Herald contains a complete schedule of services for Lent. Please post it in a conspicuous place in your home. Make a family plan and circle the services you are able to attend and place them on your schedule and on your phone’s calendar! As the hymn from the Book of Psalms tells us during the Great Compline service, “God is with us.” Lent provides us a special time to be with Him. See you there!
Lenten Resources Available on the Internet
Looking for educational or inspirational information and resources for Lent? Try one of the best religious sites on the Internet: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. To visit the general site, go to www.goarch.org/lent. There you will find Lenten messages, scriptures, prayers, articles, hymns, videos and more.
Lenten Coffee Hour Reminder
Please keep in mind that throughout Lent our Coffee Hours following the Divine Liturgy observe the Orthodox Lenten fasting schedule. Anyone sponsoring a memorial coffee hour or providing Church School snacks is asked to take care that non-meat and non-dairy items are provided. The Philoptochos and the Church School can provide a list of suggestions for good alternatives. Thank you for helping our community grow in this proper and helpful Orthodox spiritual practice.
[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. The deadline for reservations is April 19.
[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. See the flyer in the March Herald or visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/pilgrimage.
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!
Welcome to the Sundays of Lent and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
During the Sundays of Lent, the Orthodox Church changes from using the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom to the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil. Why do we do that and what are the differences? To most outward appearances, the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil differs very little from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and those wishing to follow the service in the Divine Liturgy book may use the regular book to do so. The primary difference is in the prayers said by the priest in the later part of the service and the hymn “All of Creation” (“Epi Si Heri”) which replaces the usual “It Is Worthy” (“Axion Estin”) after the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. Why the change? In general, the prayers of St. Basil are more penitential, and therefore lend themselves to the Church's liturgical preparation for important holy days; hence, their use during Great Lent and on the eves of Nativity and Theophany. During this service, as the priest offers the prayers, there may be times when the choir completes its hymn and the priest is still offering the prayer. During this season of increased prayer and spiritual attention, please use those times to follow along with the prayers with your own heart and immerse yourself in this beautiful worship experience. Rather than “wait for” the priest to finish the prayers, join him in the prayer of your own heart! The large green Holy Trinity Divine Liturgy books indicate where the changes in those prayers are, and you may follow them to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of their beauty and meaning. A blessed Lent to all!
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.
“ONE HOLY TRINITY” – Please Make Your Commitment and Submit Your 2019 Stewardship Pledge Card
Once again, this year’s stewardship pledge card system carries the theme of ONE Holy Trinity. Just like God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, we, the members of Holy Trinity Church, need to join together in love as one to serve the Church and to provide for its critical missions in today’s society. Our member-funded church needs each and every one of us, no matter the amount. And remember, a signed pledge card is required as part of maintaining your membership in good standing at Holy Trinity Church each year. We’re grateful to all of you for your commitment. If you have any questions, please see a member of the Stewardship Committee or visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/stewardship.
Visitation Ministry Team Volunteers
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!