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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-12-15
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
Forefathers
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 First Tone

Though the tomb was sealed with a stone by the Jews and the soldiers guarded Your pure body, You arose, O Savior, on the third day, giving life to the world. Therefore, O Giver of Life, the heavenly powers praise You. Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your kingdom; glory to Your plan of redemption, O only loving God. (Page 52)

Apolytikion for 11th Sun. of Luke in the Second Tone

By faith You justified the Forefathers, having through them betrothed to yourself the Church that came out of the nations. The saints are boasting in glory; for the glorious fruit, the Virgin who without seed gave birth to You, is from their progeny. At their entreaties, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Eleutherios and Anthia in the Fourth Tone

You were fully adorned with the sacred priestly robes. * You were dripping with streams of your own martyric blood. * In this state, you ran to Christ your Master, O blessed Saint * Eleftherios, destroyer of Satan; you are wise. * Therefore cease not interceding * for us who loyally honor * your blessed contest of martyrdom.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone

The Virgin on this day* is on her way to the cave where she* will give birth ineffably* to the Word Who is before all time. * Therefore, rejoice, O universe* when you hear it*; glorify with the angels and the shepherds* Him Who chose to be seen as* a new-born child*, the pre-eternal God. (Page 61)
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Saints and Feasts

Forefathers
December 15

11th Sunday of Luke

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we commemorate Christ's forefathers according to the flesh, both those that came before the Law, and those that lived after the giving of the Law.

Special commemoration is made of the Patriarch Abraham, to whom the promise was first given, when God said to him, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). This promise was given some two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham was seventy-five years of age. God called him and commanded him to forsake his country, parents, and kinsmen, and to depart to the land of the Canaanites. When he arrived there, God told him, "I will give this land to thy seed" (Gen. 12:7); for this cause, that land was called the "Promised Land," which later became the country of the Hebrew people, and which is also called Palestine by the historians. There, after the passage of twenty-four years, Abraham received God's law concerning circumcision. In the one hundredth year of his life, when Sarah was in her ninetieth year, they became the parents of Isaac. Having lived 175 years altogether, he reposed in peace, a venerable elder full of days.

Elefther
December 15

Eleutherios the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Illyricum, and his mother Anthia

Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome, by whom he was instructed in the sacred Scriptures. Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded.

St.susanna_deaconess
December 15

The Martyr Susannah the Deaconess

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Seventh Tone. Psalm 115.15,12.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 1:8-18.

TIMOTHY, my son, do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, and among them Phygelos and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphoros, for he often refreshed me; he was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me eagerly and found me - may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesos.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24

The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

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Wisdom of the Fathers

What was the nature of the invitation? God the Father has prepared in Christ for the inhabitants of earth those gifts which are bestowed upon the world through Him, even the forgiveness of sins, the cleansing away of all defilement, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the glorious adoption of sons, and the kingdom of the heavens.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Translation courtesy of "The Orthodox New Testament" Volume 1, 4th Century

Come, O faithful, Let us enjoy the Master's hospitality, The banquet of immortality. In the upper chamber with uplifted minds Let us receive the exalted words of the Word Whom we magnify.
Last Ode of the Compline Canon

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 

 

Christmas Pageant Today!
The Holy Trinity Church School ministry will be offering its annual Christmas Pageant today with another all-new script in our Grand Room, with all the young people of our Church School participating. Following Holy Communion, the students and staff will depart for their classes and final preparations for the pageant. Then, following the end of the Liturgy, all our parishioners are asked to stay for the pageant to enjoy this beautiful and fun presentation. Coffee Hour will be served first, by the Holy Trinity Church School Alumni families, in order to give the crew time to set for the pageant.

 

GOYA Christmas Bread Available Today
Holy Trinity GOYA has their annual Christmas Bread available for pickup for those who pre-ordered and has a limited number of loaves also available for sale. Look for their table set up in the Gallery during Coffee Hour today.

 

Visitation Ministry Christmas Gift Delivery - We Need Your Help!

The Home Visitation Ministry has prepared Christmas gifts for parishioners who are homebound or in nursing facilities. We need visitors who are willing to deliver the gifts. If you are interested in volunteering, please stop by the Visitation Ministry table in the Gallery after Liturgy TODAY to sign up and pick up a gift to be delivered. Allow God to use your hands and time to bless those in need this Christmas season!  

 

“Feed the Homeless” Four 2020 Dates Still Available at Pleasant Valley Shelter – Sign Up Today!

Holy Trinity has a long-standing commitment to serve meals to the men at Pleasant Valley homeless shelter.  This organization, near our old neighborhood on the North Side, provides overnight accommodations to 30 homeless men, 365 nights each year and relies totally on volunteers to feed the men.  The following four dates in 2020 are still available, to prepare and serve these men dinner - they are all Sunday evenings. (They're served dinner at 8:00pm. Our volunteers bring the cooked food to the shelter and serve it): March 8; May 10; July 12; and Sept 13.  Please see Mike Kritiotis today, or contact him at 412-518-0588, or at mkritiotis@gmail.com to sign up your family/group/ministry.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Services This Week

  • Thur. Dec 19: 6:30pm Paraclesis Service to St. Paisios (St. George Chapel)

 

[Dec 17-19] “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week

Holy Trinity Church’s “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry has been updated once again to provide valuable faith growth and learning to the entire Holy Trinity family. Building on the fruits of our five six 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.
  • Tues. Dec 17, 9:30am “Women’s Book Club” – The new “Women’s Book Club” ministry takes a “for women, by women” approach to providing time for prayer, fellowship and discussion that is geared toward the lives and hearts of women. The group is studying “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. All women are welcome.
  • Thur. Dec 19: “Prayer and Panera” Men’s Ministry (7:00am Worship/Session): The Saint Nikodemos Men’s Fellowship hosts this morning session of prayers and Christian fellowship (with coffee and bagels, too!). The group meets at church promptly at 7:00am for a 15-20-minute morning prayer and scripture, then moves up the hill to Panera for 30-45 minutes of coffee, breakfast and Christian men’s conversation on living as a Christian man in today’s world. Change up your morning. Give it a try!
  • Thur. Dec 19, 6:30pm Worship: Paraclesis Service to St. Paisios at our St. George Chapel. The Paraclesis, also known as the Service of Supplication, is offered monthly at our St. George Chapel. It contains hymns and prayers asking the Lord for guidance, personal strength and healing. We will alternate three different services throughout the remainder of the year. Next Paraclesis Service: (Jan 16).

 

“ONE HOLY TRINITY” – Please Make Your Commitment and Submit Your 2020 Cards Today – AND, be Sure to Fulfil your 2019 Pledge!

Our Stewardship aims to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. At Holy Trinity, we’re blessed with the incredible support from you, our Stewards, who unselfishly and joyfully offer their time, talents and treasures, which in turn enhances the spirituality and ministry of the parish.  Let’s continue to be active and practicing Stewards and generously offer our gifts to God through His Church.  Please set a reminder to submit your 2020 pledge card before year-end.  If you have not yet received a 2020 pledge card or are new to Holy Trinity, additional pledge cards can be found at the Welcome Table located in the Narthex of the church.  Also, this is the time to catch up and fulfil/exceed your 2019 pledge!  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.

 

[Dec 18] Community Christmas Caroling at Sisters of Divine Providence

Want to get into the Christmas spirit and do a good deed for our neighbors at the same time? How about joining in on a new annual tradition at Holy Trinity Church: Christmas caroling across the street at the Sisters of Divine Providence! These elderly nuns truly enjoy when we come with parishioners of all ages: adults, college students, GOYA, JOY, HOPE…everyone! Meet at 6:30pm at Holy Trinity Church this Wednesday, December 18 for a brief practice and then we will head across the way for this wonderful event. Everyone is invited to participate!


 [Dec 20] Philoptochos Baking

This Friday, December 20 we will be preparing breads for our Holiday Bake Sale from 9:30am until 3:30pm. If you are available to help, please join us for an hour or more. The more help we have, the faster we may finish. The bread dough will already be made, so we will just need to place the dough in pans, bake and then place into bags.  Any questions? Please call Nicole Steiner 412-781-6109. Orders will be ready for pick up following Divine Liturgy next Sunday, Dec 22.   

 

[Dec 22 & Dec 29] No Church School Class

Attention, parents: there will be no Church School class on Sunday, December 22 and Sunday, December 29 due to the holiday celebrations, so please join together and worship as a family on those days.

 

Calling All Spero’s Books: Please Come Home in December!

Attention Church School parents and students: Spero needs your help! If you have borrowed any books or DVD’s from the St. Spyridon Children’s Library, please return them by the end of December. That would be a great Christmas gift for Spero! If you cannot locate any books or materials, please see a library staff member about replacing them. Also, if a staff member contacts you about missing materials checked out by your children, please respectfully and responsibly fulfill their request to return or replace them. Many years of development and investment have gone into our Saint Spyridon Library. It is a valuable community resource – let’s respect it and care for it properly. Thank you!

 

FOCUS Christmas Angel Gifts – Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who graciously provided gifts to help make a child’s or a senior citizen’s Christmas a special one!

 

FOCUS Pantry Food Drive - Thank You!

We would like to thank all the Holy Trinity Church School students and their families for the amazing response to our FOCUS Pantry Food Drive. Over 1,100 items were collected! Thank you, good and faithful servants!

 

[Dec 24, 25] Services for the Nativity of Christ

Please remember these festal celebrations for the Nativity of Christ and participate in them with your family. Please note that all Christmas services will be held at Holy Trinity Church.

  • Tues. Dec. 24, 9:30 am: Royal Hours of the Nativity
  • This special service offers readings, prophecies and hymns which point to and interpret the Divine Incarnation.
  • Tues. Dec. 24, 6:30pm: Vesperal Liturgy of the Nativity
  • This service “opens the liturgical day” and begins the celebration of the Nativity.  Also, the Holy Trinity Choir will be offering a selection of beautiful Christmas carols following the service. (Note: This IS a Divine Liturgy with the Eucharist. Those wishing to receive Holy Communion need to observe appropriate fasting during the daytime – no food or drink after your noon meal.)
  • Wed. Dec. 25. 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: The Nativity
  • This is the main service of the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Open the best gift first by attending Liturgy with your family and receiving the Holy Mysteries together! Make it a family tradition to keep the most important thing about Christmas the most important thing in your home!

 

[Dec 31] New Year’s Eve Vesperal Liturgy at Saint George Chapel

Want to start the New Year out "on the right foot?" Well, point that foot toward the Saint George Chapel and start your evening with the first Divine Liturgy of the New Year by celebrating the Feast of Saint Basil with Vesperal Liturgy at 6:30 p.m. at the Saint George Chapel. Be sure to prepare as usual for an evening Liturgy, with no food or drink following your noon meal, and of course the appropriate prayers of preparation for Holy Communion. There is no better way to sanctify yourself, your family and the entire New Year. "Kali Hronia!" Happy New Year to all!

 

[Jan 26] Looking for Holy Trinity’s Top Male Chefs – Rescheduled - SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendars for a fun evening feasting on edible creations from our top Holy Trinity Male Chefs! “Men Who Cook” will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 in the Grand Room. Join us as Holy Trinity’s most notable men compete for the coveted title of HT’s Top Chef! Guests will visit food stations and be served samples of appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts. Vote for all your favorite chefs via tip jars in this friendly fundraising competition! Reservations are $30.00 per person and are available at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. Proceeds to benefit the HT Capital Campaign, kitchen needs and FOCUS Pittsburgh. If you are interested in competing for the title, please see Kathy Balouris or Karen Georgiadis or email them at social@HolyTrinityPgh.org.  More details to follow!

 

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 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. Want to CONNECT with a person or ministry? We can help!

 

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

Our community and its ministries are growing! If your ministry or committee is planning a meeting or activity and you are planning to hold it at the church, please note that reservations for rooms and event spaces are required. Please call the Church Office at 412-366-8700 and speak to our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos. There have been times when all the spaces have been filled, so your cooperation helps ensure every group that needs a place has one and helps minimize space conflicts. We have a beautiful facility – let’s work together so everyone who needs it can use it. Thank you!

 

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 Dec 22: Freda Boyaci (40 days), Sandra Lolis (40 days) and Pitsa Yeatras (40 days)

 

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