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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-05-26
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
Jcsamwom
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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 of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

English: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Greek: Χριστός ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας και τοις εν τοις μνήμασιν, ζωήν χαρισάμενος. Phoenetics: Christós anésti ek nékron, thanáto thánaton patísas, ke tis en tis mnímasi zoín harisámenos. (Page 74)

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

The joyful news of Your Resurrection was told to the women disciples of the Lord by the angel. Having thrown off the ancestral curse, and boasting, they told the Apostles: death has been vanquished. Christ our God is risen, granting to the world great mercy. (Page 53)

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Eighth Tone

At the middle of the feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the flowing waters of piety. For You cried out to all, O Savior, "Let him who thirsts come to me and drink." You, O Christ our God, are the Fountain of Life, glory to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Though You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women "Rejoice," and giving peace to Your Apostles, O You Who grants resurrection to the fallen. (Page 74)
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Saints and Feasts

Jcsamwom
May 26

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.

May 26

Alexandros the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

May 26

Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury

May 26

Carpos and Alphaeus, Apostles of the 70

This holy Apostle was numbered with the Seventy, and ministered unto the holy Apostle Paul, journeying with him and conveying his epistles unto those to whom they were written. He became Bishop of Beroea in Thrace, where he endured great tribulations while bringing many of the heathen to holy Baptism, and also suffered martyrdom there. Saint Paul mentions him in II Timothy 4:13.

May 26

George the New of Sofia

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

In those days, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."

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Bulletin Inserts

    Journey to Fullness

    Journey to Fullness

    This excellent 16-part video teaching series is for everyone who wants to learn more about the "fullness of the faith" found in Orthodox Christianity, whether as inquirers wanting to know more, catechumens preparing to enter the Church or life-long members who simply want to deepen their knowledge of the Faith in which they were raised.

    Holy Trinity Paver Project - Second Chance

    Holy Trinity Paver Project - Second Chance

    We all deserve second chances! Numbers are limited and the deadline is May 31 for your final opportunity to be part of this wonderful project.

    2019 Festival Cooking Schedule - Updated

    2019 Festival Cooking Schedule - Updated

    Please join us. The earlier we start, the less we have to do this summer!

    2019 Pittsburgh Summer Greek Festivals Guide

    2019 Pittsburgh Summer Greek Festivals Guide

    It's a great tradition and it's here again: 47 days of Greek Festivals in the Pittsburgh region, so plan well and you can eat Greek all summer!

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Wisdom of the Fathers

THE persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as "to them that love God all things work together for good." (Rom. viii. 28.) If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this--they dispersed the teachers.[*] Mark in what quarters the preaching was extended. "They travelled," it says, "as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch; to none however did they preach the word but to Jews only." Dost thou mark with what wise purposes of Providence so much was done in the case of Cornelius? This serves both to justify Christ, and to impeach the Jews. When Stephen was slain, when Paul was twice in danger, when the Apostles were scourged, then the Gentiles received the word, then the Samaritans. Which Paul also declares: "To you it was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken; but since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy, lo, we turn unto the Gentiles." (ch. xiii. 46.)..."And the hand of the Lord," it says, "was with them," that is, they wrought miracles; "and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." (v. 21.) Do you mark why now also there was heed of miracles (namely) that they might believe? "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." (v. 22.) What may be the reason that, when such a city received the word, they did not come themselves? Because of the Jews. But they send Barnabas. However, it is no small part of the providential management even so that Paul comes to be there. It is both natural, and it is wisely ordered, that they are averse to him, and (so) that Voice of the Gospel, that Trumpet of heaven, is not shut up in Jerusalem..."And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch." (v. 26.) Verily this is the reason why it was there they were appointed to be called Christians, because Paul there spent so long time!
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 25 on Acts 11, 4th Century

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

Here is love! Here is teaching! Here is acquiescence! Here is a model! ... Those who love they also serve. If you want to find out how great your love is towards God, then measure your obedience to the will of God, and you will immediately learn.
Bishop Nicolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 7 Sept., B #80, 706.

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES  

 

Trisagion Today

Trisagion prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Emmanuel Giakouminakis (8 years). May his memory be eternal!

 

New GOYA Parents Meeting: For all incoming 7th Grader Parents

Today in the Conference Room, there will be a “New GOYA Parents Meeting” for the parents of all teens who will be entering 7th grade in the fall. This is a great way to become familiar with this vital teen ministry, find out about the opportunities, expectations and exciting adventures ahead for your teen and your family. Questions? See Presvytera Becky or email GOYA@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

 

Dance Troupe Practice

Holy Trinity HOPE/JOY Dance Troupe practice will be held today in Fireside Room during Coffee Hour.

 

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.

 

[May 27] Memorial Day Service for Veterans - Tomorrow

Please gather in front of the Holy Trinity Cemetery War Memorial tomorrow at 10:00am as we hold a special ceremony to honor and remember our veterans. Please note that this service is to commemorate veterans; it is not a general memorial service for all the departed. That will be held according to Orthodox tradition on the Pentecost weekend Saturday of Souls (June 15 this year) with a Divine Liturgy and Memorial at the Saint George Chapel. Memory Eternal!

 

[May 27] Office Closed Tomorrow

The Holy Trinity Church office will be closed tomorrow for the observation of the federal Memorial Day holiday.

 

[May 28-Aug 11] 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!

  • THIS 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
  • Friday, July 12, 9:00am-5:00pm – Souvlaki Cutting and Skewering
  • Saturday, July 13, 9:00am until completed – Souvlaki Cutting and Skewering
  • Friday, August 2, 9:00am-5:00pm - Souvlaki Cutting and Skewering
  • Saturday, August 3, 9:00am until completed – Souvlaki Cutting and Skewering
  • Thursday, August 8, 5:00pm-9:00pm – Moussaka
  • Friday, August 9, 9:00am- 5:00pm - Moussaka
  • Saturday, August 10, 9:00am-5:00pm - Moussaka
  • Sunday, August 11, following Liturgy until completed – Moussaka

 

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

We all deserve second chances! 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 by this Friday May 31st.

 

[Jun 2] GOYA Elections

The GOYA Teen Ministry will hold its elections for 2019/2020 during a meeting to be held in the Conference Room following Divine Liturgy next Sunday, June 2. All GOYANs are asked to be present.

 

[Jun 2] Grounded in Faith Coffee House

Support our HT Young Adults and enjoy some delicious freshly-ground espresso beverages during coffee hour next week!

 

[Jun 2] Holy Trinity Dance Troupe – Spaghetti Dinner

Next Sunday, June 2 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. Donations: If you are donating any Spaghetti Dinner supplies, such as paper products, plated, or nonperishable items, Eleni will be collecting those items today. If you are donating a food item, check in with Eleni and she will let you know when and where those items will be collected. Thank you for your support!

 

[Jun 3] New Bereavement Support Ministry: Monthly Group Sessions - Come & Join Us

Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in time of grief and loss. If you have questions about grief and want to learn and share conversation, then please attend our next Bereavement Support Group session on Monday, June 3rd in the Fireside Room. Light refreshments and relaxed fellowship begin at 6:30pm for those who choose. Then 7:00-8:30pm 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

 

[Jun 3] Metropolis Summer Camp Registration Deadline

Metropolis Summer Camp registration is now open at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org for all JOY and GOYA campers (through Monday, June 3). Be sure to register as soon as possible, 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 grade the student is completing now):

  • 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 can attend either Week 2 or 3

 

Upcoming Greek Dance Practice Schedule - June

Attention parents: Please plan on having your children attend as many of the Greek Dance teaching sessions as possible. The HOPE dance group (kindergarten through second grade) will be taught by Eleni Dedousis (412-953-3699). The GOYA dance group will be taught by Victoria Andromalos-Dale (412-496-9128). The JOY (third through sixth grade) dance group will be taught by both Eleni and Victoria. Please arrive 5 minutes early and wear comfortable athletic attire. No flip flops allowed in class. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

  • Monday, June 3: HOPE 6:45-7:15pm / JOY 7:15-8:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 5: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Monday, June 10: HOPE 6:45-7:15pm / JOY 7:15-8:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 12: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Sunday  June 16: HOPE / JOY during Coffee Hour
  • Wednesday, June 19: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Monday, June 24: HOPE 6:45-7:15pm / JOY 7:15-8:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 26: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm

 

New Holy Trinity Dance Troupe T-Shirts – Place Your Order!

The HT Dance Troupe has created new T-shirts for this year. The new design reads “Holy Trinity Dance Troupe” on the front and features a Greek flag on the back. These black T-shirts are available in both long sleeve and short sleeve options. Copies of the order form can be found at the church office window. You can also reach out to Eleni (eadedousis@gmail.com) for any questions or waterfrontemb@aol.com for additional ordering information. The ordering deadline is Monday, July 8th but don’t delay. Place your order today! The shirts will be delivered during a dance practice in late July or early August.

 

[Jun 8] Wines of Greece – Wine Tasting Event

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral invites you to their upcoming wine tasting event celebrating the “Wines of Greece” on Saturday, June 8 beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets are $40 per person and include wine and hors d’oeuvres.  For reservations please contact St. Nicholas Cathedral at 412-682-3866 (419 South Dithridge St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213).

 

[Jun 9] GOYA Carwash

Our GOYA will repeat their successful fundraising carwash following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 9. The free-will offering event will take place in the front circle of the church and will last as long as it takes to get all the cars done, so be sure to bring any cars that you need to be washed to church on that day.

 

[Jun 13] Orthodox Movie Night

Please plan to join us on Thursday, June 13 in the Fireside Room beginning at 7:00pm for Orthodox Movie Night. This month’s feature film is “Swing Away”. Following a meltdown that leads to a suspension, LPGA golfer Zoe Papadopoulos travels to her grandparents’ village in Greece to escape the harsh media spotlight. Along the way, Zoe rediscovers her Greek heritage, her love of the game and the hidden strength within herself.  Rated PG - due to mature language. Admission is Free! Popcorn and soft drinks are provided. Come and share in the fellowship!

 

FOCUS-Pittsburgh Bag Lunches - Sign your Family or Group up for a Worthy Cause 

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!

 

Summer Teaching Series Sermons through July 29: The Divine Liturgy

Ever get stumped by a question about the Orthodox Christian Faith you know you should know? So many of those answers are found in the Creed. So, recognizing the need for a “return to basics” in our preaching from time to time to refresh the faithful members of the community on the foundations of the Faith we sometimes take for granted, we will be offering a “Summer Teaching Series” during the Sunday sermons of June and July. This summer the series will focus on one of the central features of the Orthodox Christian Faith: The Divine Liturgy. It’s more than “Come and See”…It’s “Come and Learn!.” And it’s just another great reason to be here every Sunday during the summer months!

 

Summer Sermons Reminder - Be Here on Time!

Please remember that during the summer months, when there is no Church School, the sermon is offered at its proper liturgical place following the Gospel (that’s usually about 9:45am!). Much as we are all reminded how important it is to arrive for the start of Divine Liturgy, perhaps there are times of genuine, urgent need that prohibit our personal on-time arrival. If you arrive during the sermon, please remember to enter quietly and wait until the end of the homily to find a seat. Better yet, set your alarm to get you there on time so you don’t miss a single blessing! Thank you.

 

Note for Summer Travel – Easy Way to Find the Nearest Orthodox Church!

Where we travel, whenever we go, we take our faith with us, for as it says in the Psalms, "God is with us!" Keeping that in mind, please remember to plan ahead and check for the location of the nearest Orthodox Christian Church if you will be staying over a Sunday. There are two great web sites to check: our own Archdiocese (www.goarch.org) and Orthodoxy in America (www.OrthodoxyInAmerica.org), a multi-jurisdictional listing of all Orthodox parishes. Also, for major trips such as overseas travels, please feel free to stay following antidoron and ask Father John to offer a special blessing to your family for your travels. Remember, "God is with us" always. Let’s not forget to invite Him!

 

Vacationing or Travelling with No Church Nearby? Watch and Listen Online!

As noted above, we should all try to find a nearby Orthodox Church when we’re travelling or vacationing, but sometimes that’s just not practical or possible. So, for the next best thing, join your church family back here at Holy Trinity by watching or listening online! Find us at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. Hint: It’s best to watch by clicking the online video broadcast, but it you’re in the car or not on wi-fi and don’t want to exhaust your data plan, try listening to the audio only version instead! There’s an audio-only link on our Live Broadcast page. The audio stream uses minimal data compared to the video stream, so it’s perfect for travelling!

 

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: June 2: Maria Kritiotis (40 Days), June 9: Helen Chapas (1 Year), Julia Welsh (12 Years) and members of the Pantelakis Family, July 14: S. Sava Macut (1 Year)

 

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