Publish-header
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-06-23
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
Allsaint
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 Eighth Tone

From on high You descended, O merciful One, and accepted the three-day burial to free us from our passions. Glory to You, O Lord, our life and resurrection. (Page 54)

Apolytikion for All Saints in the Fourth Tone

Adorned in the blood of Your Martyrs throughout all the world as in purple and fine linen, Your Church, though them, cries unto You, O Christ God: Send down Your compassions upon Your people; grant peace to Your commonwealth, and great mercy to our souls. (Page 75)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

The world offers You, the author of all creation, as the first-fruits of nature, the God-bearing martyrs. O most merciful, by their intercessions, through the Theotokos, maintain Your Church in perfect peace.
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
June 23

The Sunday of All Saints

Honouring the friends of God with much reverence, the Prophet-King David says, "But to me, exceedingly honourable are Thy friends, O Lord" (Ps. 138:16). And the divine Apostle, recounting the achievements of the Saints, and setting forth their memorial as an example that we might turn away from earthly things and from sin, and emulate their patience and courage in the struggles for virtue, says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every burden, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

This commemoration began as the Sunday (Synaxis) of All Martyrs; to them were added all the ranks of Saints who bore witness (the meaning of "Martyr" in Greek) to Christ in manifold ways, even if occasion did not require the shedding of their blood.

Therefore, guided by the teaching of the Divine Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, we the pious honour all the Saints, the friends of God, for they are keepers of God's commandments, shining examples of virtue, and benefactors of mankind. Of course, we honour the known Saints especially on their own day of the year, as is evident in the Menologion. But since many Saints are unknown, and their number has increased with time, and will continue to increase until the end of time, the Church has appointed that once a year a common commemoration be made of all the Saints. This is the feast that we celebrate today. It is the harvest of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world; it is the "much fruit" brought forth by that "Grain of wheat that fell into the earth and died" (John 12:24); it is the glorification of the Saints as "the foundation of the Church, the perfection of the Gospel, they who fulfilled in deed the sayings of the Saviour" (Sunday of All Saints, Doxasticon of Vespers).

In this celebration, then, we reverently honour and call blessed all the Righteous, the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Shepherds, Teachers, and Holy Monastics, both men and women alike, known and unknown, who have been added to the choirs of the Saints and shall be added, from the time of Adam until the end of the world, who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives. All these, as well as the orders of the Angels, and especially our most holy Lady and Queen, the Ever-virgin Theotokos Mary, do we honour today, setting their life before us as an example of virtue, and entreating them to intercede in our behalf with God, Whose grace and boundless mercy be with us all. Amen.

Mark_of_ephesus
June 23

Mark, Bishop of Ephesus

Saint Mark Eugenikos, Archbishop of Ephesus, was a stalwart defender of Orthodoxy at the Council of Florence. He would not agree to a union with Rome which was based on theological compromise and political expediency (the Byzantine Emperor was seeking military assistance from the West against the Moslems who were drawing ever closer to Constantinople). Saint Mark countered the arguments of his opponents, drawing from the well of pure theology, and the teachings of the holy Fathers. When the members of his own delegation tried to pressure him into accepting the Union he replied, “There can be no compromise in matters of the Orthodox Faith.” Although the members of the Orthodox delegation signed the Tomos of Union, Saint Mark was the only one who refused to do so. When he returned from Florence, Saint Mark urged the inhabitants of Constantinople to repudiate the dishonorable document of union. He died in 1457 at the age of fifty-two, admired and honored by all.

June 23

Agrippina the Martyr of Rome

This Martyr was from Rome and lived in virginity, having Christ alone as her Bridegroom. Of her own accord she courageously presented herself to the pagans as a Christian, and was tortured to death, according to some, in the reign of Valerian (253-260). Her holy relics were then taken to Sicily, where they immediately became a source of great miracles. In the eleventh century the relics of the holy Martyr Agrippina were transferred to Constantinople.

June 23

Holy Martyrs Aristocles the Priest, Demetrios the Deacon and Athanasios the Reader

June 23

Etheldreda the Queen

June 23

The Holy New Archpriest Martyrs Gerasimus of Crete, Neophytos of Knossos, Joachim of Cherronisos, Hierotheos of Lampi, Zachariah of Sitia, Joachim of Petra, Gerasimos of Rethymno, Kallinikos of Kydonia, Melchizedek of Kissamos, Kallinikos of Diopolos, and those Martyred with Them (1821-1822)

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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 Letter to the Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2.

Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Gospel Reading

The Sunday of All Saints
The Reading is from Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30

The Lord said to his disciples, "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first."

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

For in a contest there is much labor needed--and after the contest victory falls to some, to others disgrace. Is the palm ever given or the crown granted before the course is finished? ... Therefore no one can receive a reward, unless he has striven lawfully; nor is the victory a glorious one, unless the contest also has been toilsome.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Chapter 15, Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy, 4th century

AT all times indeed, but especially then when I reflect upon the achievements of the saints, it comes over me to feel despondency concerning my own condition, because we have not even in dreams experienced the things among which those men spent their whole lives, not paying the penalty of sins, but always doing rightly and yet always afflicted...For "God" (he says) "has provided some better thing for us." In order that they might not seem to have the advantage of us from being crowned before us, He appointed one time of crowning for all; and he that gained the victory so many years before, receives his crown with thee. Seest thou His tender carefulness?
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 28 on Hebrews 11, 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES  

 

 Welcome Back Holy Trinity IOCC Missionaries!

Our team of Holy Trinity missionaries returned from their IOCC mission to Houston yesterday after spending a week there doing disaster recovery work from Hurricane Harvey. The team of nine helped recover a house owned by a single mother that had been submerged in three feet of water by removing drywall, doing mold remediation and starting the reconstruction. These projects are coordinated by IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) in conjunction with the St. Bernard Project in Houston. Thank you for your prayers and support of Holy Trinity mission projects like this, which bring the love of Christ and care of the entire Holy Trinity community to those in need. Want to see the team in action? Check out the photos at our online Photo Gallery: https://photos.holytrinitypgh.org/Missions/National.

 

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 [except Pentecost Sunday]. 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”! Pay close attention: there will be a 5-minute question and answer session at the end of each Liturgy, too!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Upcoming Services (HT=Holy Trinity Church; SG=Saint George Chapel)

  • Tomorrow, Monday, June 24, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – Nativity of St. John the Baptist (SG)
  • Saturday, June 29, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – Saints Peter and Paul (SG)

 

Upcoming Greek Dance Practice Schedule – June & July

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.

  • Tomorrow, 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
  • Wednesday, July 3: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Sunday, July 7: HOPE & JOY during coffee hour
  • Wednesday, July 10: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Sunday, July 14: HOPE & JOY during coffee hour
  • Tuesday, July 16: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:15pm
  • Wednesday, July 17: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Sunday, July 21: HOPE & JOY during coffee hour
  • Tuesday, July 23: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:15pm
  • Wednesday, July 24: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 30: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:15pm
  • Wednesday, July 31: JOY 6:30-7:15pm / GOYA 7:15-8:00pm

 

[Jun 27] Dementia Friendly Greater Pittsburgh - Faith-Based Leadership Breakfast 

Please join representatives from Dementia Friendly Greater Pittsburgh to learn more about the impact that dementia has on your Faith-based community. They will discuss the basics of dementia and have open conversation about how Faith-based communities can adapt programing and provide support to those living with dementia and their care partners. The event will take place on Thursday, June 27 from 9:00am until 10:30am at the Vincentian Terrace Place, 9399 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, PA 15101 (across from UPMC Passavant).  A complimentary breakfast will be served. If you would like to attend, please rsvp by Tuesday, June 25 to Marianne Stearns at 412-600-2159.

 

[Jul 1] 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 scheduled for Monday, July 1 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

 

[Jul 6-7] Holy Trinity Dance Troupe Costume Fittings

The Holy Trinity Dance Troupe will begin costume fittings the weekend of July 6th and 7th. They will be at the church from 2:00-4:00pm on Saturday, July 6th and following Liturgy on Sunday, July 7th to complete the fittings and assign costumes.

 

[July 8] Deadline to Place Your Order for New Holy Trinity Dance Troupe T-Shirts

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 deadline to place your order is July 8,but don’t delay. Place your order today! The shirts will be delivered during a dance practice in late July or early August.

 

[July 12-Aug 11] Festival Cooking Continues – With YOUR Help!

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!

  • Friday, July 12, 9:00am-5:00pm – Souvlaki Cutting and Skewering
  • Saturday, July 13, 9:00am until completed – Souvlaki Cutting and Skewering
  • Tuesday, July 23, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples – NEW DATE!
  • Wednesday, July 24, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples – NEW DATE!
  • 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

 

[Jul 17] Senior Fellowship Ministry Outing      

Our Holy Trinity Senior Fellowship group is planning another outing on Wednesday, July 17 to Evergreen Community Park in Ross Township (3430 Evergreen Rd, Pittsburgh 15237, near Valliant’s Diner). There they will join other area seniors for a lunch time social under the pavilion. Bring your own bagged lunch and Ross Township will provide the drinks and dessert.  Plan to arrive at the church by 11:30am and carpool to the park to arrive by 12:00 noon.  Please RSVP to Joyce Countouris (412-366-1498) or Georgiann Bounos (412-761-6953) if you would like to attend.

 

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!

 

Holy Trinity’s Taste of Greece - Labor Day Weekend – August 28 through September 1

Please mark Wednesday, August 28, through Sunday, September 1 on your calendar for the next “Taste of Greece” festival. The Festival Committee is asking everyone, new members and old hands, young and young at heart, to pledge a donation of their time and talents so that we can continue to grow both the success of the festival and the fellowship with all our Holy Trinity church family members!

 

Festival Ads Available: Space is Waiting for You!

The Festival Ad Book is back and is looking for your support. Please consider placing a business ad or a personal/family listing. Ads start at $175 for a quarter page and go to $550 for a full page, with premium color pages available at higher prices as well. A patron line is available for only $50. Application Forms were included in the May/June edition of the Herald and can also be found at the church office window. Please be sure to share them with your favorite business establishments and ask them to support our church! For more information, please email FestivalAds@HolyTrinityPgh.org

 

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!

 

In the Hospital? Home-Bound? Please let the Church Office know! 
In today’s age of information privacy, churches are not notified when parishioners are admitted to hospitals, nursing homes or other care facilities. Both those facilities and your church depend on having the church notified by a friend or family member so that pastoral care and outreach can be offered. The same goes for those homebound. If you or any of your loved ones are in any of these situations, please contact the Church Office at 412-366-8700 to request a visit from our priests or our new and wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

 

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.

 

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

 

Hospitality Ministry Opportunities

Have you noticed that Hospitality and Outreach are a large part of our Holy Trinity mission? Helping everyone feel welcomed into our Church, whether it is just one visit or returning guests and members.... we continue to reach out.

There are currently 3 areas we have identified and are looking for additional folks to help:

  1. Funeral Greeters - This is our newest addition to Hospitality Ministry. We have found it to be very important and comforting to have a Holy Trinity representative in the Narthex to greet the family and guests during visitations and funerals. The commitment is on an 'as available' basis. You would get a phone call or email describing the times needed and can volunteer as your schedule allows. Because of it tends to be a 'last minute' need, we could use several people who are willing to help.
  2. Connect Center Staff- The Connect Center is relatively new, set up outside of the Grand Room during coffee hour, it provides a place for ALL folks to get information about Holy Trinity and its Ministries. One person per week is needed for at least the first 1/2 hour after Liturgy. This is on a rotating basis, approximately every 4-6 weeks.
  3. Sunday Morning Greeters - This ministry is fairly well staffed. Two greeters Sept-May (one greeter June-August) from 9am- 10:15 am.  These folks welcome everyone, focusing on new visitors. Greeters rotate approximately once every six weeks. Responsibilities also involve some follow up at coffee hours and beyond.

If you are interested in being a part of any or all of these outreach efforts, please Contact Stacy Dickos at hospitality@holytrinitypgh.org or 412-298-9409.

 

Holding a Ministry Activity or Committee Meeting at Church? Reservations are 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!

 

Need Physical Assistance to Receive Holy Communion?

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

 

Online Giving Reminder

Holy Trinity Church’s online giving program makes it possible to make contributions of various kinds to Holy Trinity Church online. Our secure system allows you to conveniently make donations online. You can choose to make a one-time contribution or establish a recurring weekly or monthly contribution. Best of all, you don’t need to remember to write a check or bring your offering to church - it’s already taken care of! Payments can be made via checking account, savings account, credit card or debit card. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/give to get started!

 

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 30: Joann Pappas (1 Year); July 14: S. Sava Macut (1 Year)

 

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