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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-12-29
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
Nativity
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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

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of His reign; He has conquered death by death, and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades; and has granted to the world great mercy. (Page 52)

Apolytikion for the Sunday After the Nativity in the Second Tone

Annunciate the miracles to David the ancestor of God, O Joseph. You saw the Virgin pregnant. You glorified with the shepherds. You worshipped with the Magi. And you were warned by an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Tone

Your Nativity, O Christ our God* has shone upon the world the light of knowledge.* For through it those who had worshiped the stars* from a star learned to worship* You, the Sun of righteousness* and to know You, the One who comes from on high.* O, Lord, glory to You! (Page 61)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone

English: The Virgin on this day* brings forth the One Who is above all things* and the earth a cave provides* for Him Who is beyond man’s touch.* Angels, along with shepherds now give their glory* Magi follow a star as they journey* when for our sake is born* a young child* the pre-eternal God. Greek: Η Παρθένος σήμερον, τον υπερούσιον τίκτει, και η γη το σπήλαιον, τω απροσίτω προσ­άγει. Άγγελοι, μετά Ποιμένων δοξολογούσι, Μάγοι δε, μετά Αστέρος οδοιπορούσι, δι’ ημάς γαρ εγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ο προ αιώνων Θεός. (Page 61)
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Saints and Feasts

Nativity
December 29

Sunday after Nativity

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the twenty-sixth of this month, we make commemoration of Saints Joseph, the Betrothed of the Virgin; David, the Prophet and King; and James, the Brother of God. When there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this commemoration on the 26th.

Saint Joseph (whose name means "one who increases") was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law - and hence, as it were, the son - of Eli (who was also called Eliakim or Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin (Matt. 1:16; Luke 3:23). He was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by Trade, and advanced in age when, by God's good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin, that he might minister to the great mystery of God's dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus' "brethren and sisters" (Matt. 13:55-56) are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that Saint Joseph lived at least until the Twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Luke 2:41-52); according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ.

The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem (whence it is called the City of David), in the year 1085 before Christ. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul - who had already been deprived of divine grace - was yet living. In the thirtieth year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, David was raised to the dignity of King, first, by his own tribe, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for forty years. Having lived seventy years, he reposed in 1015 before Christ, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne.

The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgresssions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime "for David thy father's sake" (III Kings 12:12). Of The Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, "All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective" (Ecclus. 49:4). The name David means "beloved."

His melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself. It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, "He bowed the heavens and came down" (Psalm 17:9), His Baptism in the Jordan, "The waters saw Thee, O God, The waters saw Thee and were afraid" (76:15), His Crucifixion in its details, "They have pierced My hands and My feet .... They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots" (21:16, 18). "For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink" (68:26), His descent into Hades, "For Thou wilt not abandon My soul in Hades, nor wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption" (15:10) and Resurrection, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" (67:1). His Ascension, "God is gone up in jubilation" (46:5), and so forth.

As for James, the Brother of God, see October 23.

Nativity
December 29

Afterfeast of the Nativity

December 29

14,000 infants (Holy Innocents) slain by Herod in Bethlehem

The infant-slaying Herod mentioned here is the same one that ruled at the time of Christ's Nativity. In those days, certain Magi, who were wise and noble men, perhaps even kings, set forth from the East, and came to Jerusalem, seeking the King of the Jews, Who had been born; and they said that in the East, where their homeland was, an unusual and strange star had appeared two years before, which, according to an ancient oracle (Num 24:17), was to signify the birth of some great king of the Jews. "For we have seen His star in the east," they said, "and have come to worship Him" (Matt. 2:2). Hearing these things, Herod was troubled, and the whole city together with him. Then, having inquired and been informed by the high priests and scribes of the people that, according to the prophecies, Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, he sent the Magi thither and ordered them that, when they would find the Child, to inform him, so that he also - as he affirmed - might go and worship Him. But the Magi, after they had worshipped, departed by another way to their own country by a divine command. Then Herod was wroth and sent men to slay all the infants of Bethlehem and the parts round about, from two years old and under, thinking that with them he would also certainly slay the King Who had been born. But this vain man who fought against God was mocked, since Jesus the Child, with Mary His Mother, under the protection of Joseph the Betrothed, fled into Egypt at the command of an Angel. As for those innocent infants, they became the first Martyrs slain in behalf of Christ. But their blood-thirsty executioner, the persecutor of Christ, came down with dropsy after a short time, with his members rotting and being eaten by worms, and he ended his life in a most wretched manner.

December 29

Our Righteous Father Marcellus, Abbot of the Monastery of the Unsleeping Ones

Saint Marcellus, who was from the city of Apamea in Syria, was born of renowned parents. Adorned with virtue and learning, he succeeded Saint Alexander to the abbacy of the Monastery of the Unsleeping about the year 460. This monastery was so named because the monks there were divided into three ranks, and took turns in succession for the execution of the sacred services both day and night, and thus ceaselessly sent up praise to God, without any lapse. The author of this practice was the aforementioned Alexander. As the biographer of both these Saints writes: "Later, a venerable monastery was established near the mouth of Pontus - that is, the place where the Black Sea tracts into the Bosphorus - and he introduced a rule that, though new, was superior to any found elsewhere; that is, that henceforth they should never be any cessation in the hymnody offered to God, but that through an unbroken succession of those that served in turn, there should be achieved this continuous and unceasing glorification of our Master."

December 29

Our Righteous Father Thaddeus the Confessor

December 29

George, Bishop of Nicomedia, Poet of Asmatikons, Kanons, and Troparia

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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 Galatians 1:11-19.

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 2:13-23

When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Nathanael too enters ... saying, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" ... Nevertheless, He is not ashamed to be named even from thence, signifying that He needs not ought of the things of men; and His disciples also He chooses out of Galilee.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 9 on Matthew 2, 4th Century

At His birth [He] is laid in a manger, and abides in an inn, and takes a mother of low estate; teaching us to think no such thing a disgrace, and from the first outset trampling under foot the haughtiness of man, and bidding us give ourselves up to virtue only. For why do you pride yourself on your country, when I am commanding thee to be a stranger to the whole world?
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 9 on Matthew 2, 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 

 

Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Fast-Free Season Until January 4

Many thanks to all who attended the holy services in celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, especially our Holy Trinity Choir for their beautiful offering of the Liturgy and Christmas carols on both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Remember, in the joy of the Feast, the Church proclaims a fast-free period from Christmas Day through January 4.

 

No Church School Class

Attention, parents: there will be no Church School class today, so please join together and worship as a family.

 

Looking for Volunteers! Four 2020 Dates Still Available at Pleasant Valley Shelter to Feed the Homeless

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

 

Upcoming Services

  • Tues. Dec. 31, 6:30PM EVENING Orthros & Liturgy – St. Basil the Great (St. George Chapel)
  • Fri. Jan. 3, 9:30am Service of the Royal Hours of Theophany (HT= Holy Trinity Church)
  • Sun. Jan. 5, 8:30am Orthros/9:30 Liturgy: The Forefeast of Holy Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters (HT)
  • Mon. Jan. 6, 8:30am Orthros/9:30 Liturgy: Holy Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters (HT)
  • Tues. Jan. 7, 8:30am Orthros/9:30 Liturgy: St. John the Baptist and Forerunner (St. George Chapel)

 

“Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” Off This Week

Our “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” will take a break for New Year this week and will resume on Wednesday, January 8 with “Explore the Word” Bible Study. In the meantime, please remember your Prayer Partners! Even over the holidays, please remember to lift up your prayer partner every day! Please keep the promise. New “Prayer Partner” cards will be distributed next Sunday.

 

[Dec 31] New Year’s Eve 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 Orthros and 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!

 

Holiday Office Schedule

The offices of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church will be closed on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1.

 

[Jan 3, 5, 6] Services for Holy Theophany

  • Fri. Jan. 3, 9:30am Service of the Royal Hours of Theophany: This special service offers readings, prophecies and hymns which point to and interpret Holy Theophany.(HT)
  • Sun. Jan. 5, 8:30AM Orthros/9:30 Liturgy - The Forefeast of Theophany: This is the first of two Theophany Divine Liturgies and services of Great Blessings of the Waters. The Liturgy will be followed by the Great Blessing of the Waters service. This is a strict fasting day in preparation for Theophany (wine and olive oil allowed). (HT)
  • Mon. Jan. 6, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – The Holy Theophany of our Lord: This is the main Orthros and Divine Liturgy of this great Feast. We will again offer the Great Blessings of the Water at the conclusion of Liturgy. (HT)

 

Ladies Philoptochos Bake Sale

The Ladies Philoptochos Omonia would like to thank everyone who ordered baked good items.  With the funds from the baked sale, we are able to help many people. We truly appreciate your generosity! If you are interested in purchasing any baked good items, we still have a few items available for sale. Please contact Nicole Steiner at 412-781-6109 (home) or 412-352-0289 (cell).  Remaining items include: 36 dozen Koulourakia @ $7.00 per dozen, 6 dozen Kourambiedes @ $12.00 per dozen and 14 pans frozen Spanakopita @ $35.00 per pan (9 x 13 pans that you may cut to any size portions).  

 

Year-End Contributions Reminder

The Stewardship Committee and Parish Council thank all our Holy Trinity Stewards for their pledges and contributions this year and ask that everyone brings their offerings up to date for 2019. Please take note that all offerings you would like listed as received during the 2019 tax year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31) for tax deduction purposes must be received at the church or postmarked by Dec. 31. This is an IRS regulation. You may indicate the offerings to be applied for either your 2019 pledge (to pay the balance) or the 2020 pledge (to pay ahead) and your pledge balance will be accurately calculated no matter when the offering is made. Year-end statements will be sent out at the end of January. Also, the 2020 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge Cards have been distributed and all Holy Trinity Stewards should complete one immediately. 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.  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. Questions? Contact Stewardship Co-chairmen Mike Kritiotis or Ted Stewart or email stewardship@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

 

2020 House Blessings – Request Yours Online This Year!

Services for Holy Theophany and its surrounding feasts will be held as usual on January 5-7. An important part of that celebration is the Great Blessing of the Waters service. In order to bring the blessings of the feast and the Lord into our homes, Orthodox Christians traditionally invite the priest to bless their home with the Holy Water from the feast. Please see the information included on the back page of this bulletin or on page 13 of the January edition of the Herald and schedule your visit by January 3. Never had your house blessed before? This is a great year to start! The easiest way to schedule is online at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. Please note and be available for the dates in your area. Rescheduling will only be done for cases of inclement weather.

 

[Jan 5] GOYA Teens and Parents Meeting

GOYA will hold a very important meeting for all teens and parents in the Conference Room following church services on Sunday, January 5. This meeting is regarding the upcoming basketball season, winter and spring GOYA events and the upcoming Holy Trinity-hosted Metropolis Basketball Tournament February 14-16. All GOYA teens, parents, chaperones and coaches are asked to attend.

 

[Jan 9, 13, 27] GOYA Basketball Practice

GOYA will hold basketball practices in preparation for the 2020 basketball tournament season on January 9, 13 & 27. Please check the GOYA email list for times and locations.

 

[Jan 12] Vasilopita Celebration and Lunch

Holy Trinity Church will hold the annual Vasilopita Celebration on Sunday, January 12. As usual, a special tray will be

passed by the Philoptochos at the end of the Liturgy to benefit St. Basil Academy, the young people’s philanthropic institution run by the Archdiocese in Garrison, NY. Then, a Vasilopita Luncheon will be held in the Grand Room following Divine Liturgy, where the cutting of the community Vasilopita will take place and a complimentary lunch can be enjoyed by all. Leaders and/or representatives from all parish ministries are asked to be present at the luncheon to receive the Vasilopita on behalf of your ministry. The luncheon is being hosted by the Parish Council and also in part by the families of Nicholas Kaparakos and Peter Valliant, who will be holding one-year Memorial services for their departed loved ones on that day. This is also an opportunity for the Council and the Festival Committee to thank all our dedicated volunteers for their sacrificial and valued help for our most-successful-ever Taste of Greece Festival this year. Thank you for your participation! It is a community labor of love that can’t happen without you!

 

[Jan 19] Philoptochos Meeting

The Philoptochos will hold a meeting on Sunday, January 19, in the Fireside Room following Divine Liturgy. New members are always welcome!

 

[Jan 19] Ten Minutes of HOPE and JOY  

Our children in HOPE (grades K-2) and JOY (grades 3-6) will continue to meet with Father Radu once a month for ten minutes after their Church School lesson. Please help your children formulate questions about our faith, and we will address those topics during a combined “Ten Minutes of HOPE” and “Ten Minutes of JOY” session on Sunday, January 19.

 

[Jan 25] HOPE & JOY Ice Skating

Our HOPE & JOY groups have planned an Ice-Skating outing at North Park on Saturday, January 25th at 2:00pm. Please let Nicole Gross (tnpalmer113@gmail.com) or Eleni Dedousis (eadedousis@gmail.com) know if you are able to attend by January 23rd. Pricing will range from $5-6 depending if we have enough participants to qualify for the group rate. We have a backup bad weather location of the Lemieux Center for ice skating if inclement weather is in the forecast.

 

[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!

 

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: Jan 12: Nicholas Kaparakos (1 year) and Peter Valliant (1 year)


 
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