January 19
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-01-19
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
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (412)366-8700
- Fax:
- (412)366-8710
- Email:
- office@holytrinitypgh.org
- Street Address:
- 985 Providence Blvd.
- Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5951
Contact Information
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
- Publish Date:
- 2020-01-12
- Publish Date:
- 2020-01-05
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-29
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-22
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-15
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-08
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Sixth Tone
The heavenly powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead men. Mary stood at Your grave, seeking Your pure body. You stripped the power of hades, not touched by its corruption. You met the virgin woman as one Who grants life. O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You. (Page 53)
Apolytikion for Macarius the Great of Egypt in the First Tone
As a citizen of the desert and an angel incarnate * and a wonder-worker you shone forth, O Makarios our God-bearing father. * Since you received the spiritual gifts * by fasting and vigilance and prayer, * you can cure those who are ailing and heal the souls * of those who run to you with faith. * Glory to Him who gave His might to you; * glory to Him who placed a crown on you; * glory to Him who operates through you, providing cures to all.
Apolytikion of Holy Trinity Church (Page 75) in the First Tone
English: Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who has shown forth the fishermen to be most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. And through them, You drew the world into Your net. O merciful One, glory to You!
Greek: Ευλογητός ει Χριστέ, ο Θεός ήμων, ο πανσόφους τους αλιείς αναδείξας, καταπέμψας αυτοίς το Πνεύμα το άγιον, και δι΄αυτών την οικουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.
Phoenetics: Ev-lo-yi-tos i Hri-ste o The-os i-mon. O Pan-so-fous tous a-li-is a-na-di-xas ka-ta-pemp-sas af-tis to Pnev-ma to A-yi-on, ke di af-ton tin i-kou-men-in sa-i-nef-sas, fi-lan-thro-pe, do-xa si.
Seasonal Kontakion in the First Tone
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Saints and Feasts
January 19
Arsenios of Corfu
Saint Arsenios, who had Palestine as his homeland, was born in 876, the son of devout parents. From childhood he was consecrated to God and assumed the monastic habit. He studied in Seleucia, where he also received the dignity of the priesthood. After he had moved from thence to Constantinople, he was appointed Metropolitan of Corfu. He adorned the throne there by his virtue and instruction. When advanced in age, he returned to Constantinople and appeased the unjust rage of Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus against the leaders of Corfu. Finally, during his journey back to his see, he fell ill at Corinth and reposed in the Lord about the middle of the tenth century.
January 19
Branwallader, Bishop of Jersey
January 19
Removal of the Honorable Relics of Saint Gregory the Theologian
January 19
Mark, Bishop of Ephesus
The great teacher and invincible defender of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, Saint Mark, was the offspring and scion of the imperial city, Constantinople. Reared by most pious parents, and instructed in secular and spiritual wisdom, he became preeminent in both. Saint Mark lived as an ascetic on the Prince's Islands and later in the monastery of Saint George Magana in Constantinople. He passed through all the degrees of the priesthood, and was finally advanced to the dignity of Archbishop and the lofty throne of the Metropolis of Ephesus. At the insistence of Emperor John Paleologos, the Saint was sent to the council of the Latins in Florence, to unite the churches that had been divided for so many years. He astounded the papal teachers with the divine wisdom of his words, and was the only one who did not sign the blasphemous decree of that false council. Because of this, the Holy Church of Christ has ever honored this great man as a benefactor, teacher, sole defender, and invincible champion of the Apostolic Confession. He reposed in 1443.
January 19
Makarios the Great of Egypt
Saint Makarios the Great was from the Thebaid of Egypt, a disciple, as some say, of Saint Anthony the Great. He was born about 331 and struggled in asceticism in the desert at Scete. Although young, he was called "the child elder" because of his great wisdom and austere manner of life. He was ordained presbyter and reposed in 391, at the age of sixty. There are fifty homilies ascribed to him.
It is said of Saint Makarios that he became as a God upon earth, for even as God protects the whole world, so did he cover the faults he saw as if he did not see them. Once he came back to his cell to find a thief taking his things and loading them on a camel. Makarios' non-possessiveness was so great that he helped the thief load the camel. When the camel refused to rise, Makarios returned to his cell and brought a small hoe, said that the camel wanted the hoe also, loaded it on, and kicked the camel telling it to get up. The camel obeyed Makarios' command, but soon lay down again, and would not move until everything had been returned to Makarios. His contemporary, Saint Makarios of Alexandria, was so called because he came from Alexandria and was therefore of that Greek-speaking colony; while Saint Makarios the Great is also called "of Egypt," that is, he belonged to the ancient race native to Egypt, the Copts.
January 19
Makarios of Alexandria
Saint Makarios of Alexandria, was so called because he came from Alexandria and was therefore of that Greek-speaking colony; while Saint Makarios the Great is also called "of Egypt," that is, he belonged to the ancient race native to Egypt, the Copts. Whenever Saint Makarios of Alexandria heard of a virtue practiced by any man, he strove to practice it even more fully himself. When he was already old, he visited the community of Saint Pachomius in Tabennisi and, without revealing who he was, asked admittance. Saint Pachomius, on account of Makarios' age, was reluctant to receive him, but after-wards yielded to his entreaties. Shortly thereafter Great Lent began, and Makarios followed such a severe rule of fasting and prayer that many in the brotherhood complained to Pachomius asking if he had brought this old man to put them to shame. Learning Makarios' identity in a revelation, Saint Pachomius thanked him for breaking the pride of his monks and sent him away in peace.
January 19
Makarios, Hierodeacon of Kalogera, Patmos
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Sixth Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11.
Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel Reading
12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19
At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Wisdom of the Fathers
Having met the Savior, therefore, the lepers earnestly besought Him to free them from their misery, and called Him Master, that is. Teacher. No one pitied them when suffering this malady, but He Who had appeared on earth for this very reason, and had become man that He might show pity to all, He was moved with compassion for them, and had mercy on them.
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century
And why did He not rather say, I will, be you cleansed; as He did in the case of another leper, but commanded them rather to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Lev. 14-2); for it commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing.
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century
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, Father John Androutsopoulos (6 months). May his memory be eternal!
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 today.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR OUR INAUGURAL "MEN WHO COOK" EVENT!
Come See Us in the Gallery TODAY for your tickets and Chef registration forms.
TO ALL ELIGIBLE MEN: What an opportunity to showcase how creative your kitchen talents can be and make your women proud! Join the fun and compete for the coveted title of Holy Trinity's Top Chef!
TO ALL PARISHIONERS: Mark your calendars for a fun evening feasting on edible creations from our top Holy Trinity Male Chefs! Come and support our inaugural event: "Men Who Cook" next Sunday, January 26 in the Grand Room from 5:00 – 8:00pm Bring your family and friends. Invite your favorite male chef to participate too! Guests will visit food stations and be served samples of appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts. Vote for your favorite chefs via tip jars in this friendly fundraising competition! Reservations are $30 per person and are available at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. Tickets can also be purchased in the Gallery today following Liturgy. DEADLINE to purchase tickets is this Wednesday, January 22. Proceeds to benefit the HT Capital Campaign, kitchen needs and FOCUS Pittsburgh. If you have any questions, or want to compete for the title, please see Kathy Balouris or Karen Georgiadis or email them at social@HolyTrinityPgh.org.
Looking for Volunteers! Just Two 2020 Dates Now 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 two dates in 2020 are still available, to prepare and serve these men dinner: July 12; and Sept 13. (They are Sunday evenings. Dinner is at 8:00pm. Our volunteers prepare and bring the cooked food to the shelter, where they serve it): 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
[Jan 21-22] “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. Jan. 21, 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 “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis. Books are available at the study. All women are welcome.
- Wed. Jan 22, 6:30pm Worship/7:00pm Bible Study: “Explore the Word” - Bible Study Ministry - Prayerfully read the Bible! In Deut. 11, it says, “Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul.” Each Wednesday come and till your heart in worship in the Church at 6:30pm and then meet at 7:00pm in the Conference Room for the study of the Gospel of St. Matthew led by Father Radu Bordeianu. Learn the Scriptures. Depend your faith. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3.18).
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!
Stewardship Update
The 2019 Stewardship 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.
[Jan 20] It’s a New YEAR so it’s time to PREPARE for Festival 2020!
We will be continuing our BAKLAVA and CHOCOLATE BAKLAVA Prep tomorrow, Monday, January 20 (MLK Day) beginning at 9:00am. As always, there are tasks for ALL AGES so bring those students who are off from school. Thank you!
[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] Philoptochos Meeting – Rescheduled Date
The Philoptochos will hold a meeting next Sunday, January 26 in the Fireside Room following Divine Liturgy. New members are always welcome! Please note that this meeting was originally scheduled for January 19.
[Jan 27] GOYA Basketball Practice
GOYA will hold basketball practice on Monday, January 27. Please check the GOYA email list for time and location.
[Feb 8] International Soup Sampling and Health Kit Drive to Benefit the IOCC
Please join our sister parish of Holy Cross on Saturday, February 8 from 11am to 2pm for an International Soup Sampling to benefit the IOCC. Experience tastes from around the world! Sample five homemade soups for $10 and then take your favorite quart home for an additional $10 donation. Holy Cross is located at 123 Gilkeson Rd (Mt. Lebanon) Pittsburgh, PA 15228. Questions? Contact Marianne at 412-668-0420 or marianne.carmack@gmail.com. On the same day, youth groups from all jurisdictions will assemble health kits for the IOCC. Donations are needed to purchase bulk health kit supplies. To be a sponsor, please call Nick Terezis at 740-282-5198.
[Feb 9 – Mar 8] GOYA Eyeglasses Collection for Needy
As part of the 2020 Holy Trinity Basketball Tournament, Holy Trinity GOYA will be sponsoring an eyeglasses collection to benefit the “Lions Recycle for Sight”program from February 9 thru March 8. This program helps conserve sight by providing usable eyeglasses to children and adults throughout the world. Please deposit your unneeded glasses, including sunglasses and reading glasses, in the Lions' collection box located outside the church office, or see any GOYAn. Thank you!
[Feb 14-16] Volunteers and Donations Needed for GOYA Basketball Tournament
Holy Trinity GOYA is putting out a call for all who are interested in helping with the Metropolis GOYA Basketball Tournament being hosted at Holy Trinity Church the weekend of February 14-16, 2020. Volunteers are needed as hospitality greeters and guides, gymnasium supervisors, concession stand personnel, cooks for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday meals being served at the Church, and general setup and cleanup for the beginning and end of the event. Donations are also needed to help extend our Holy Trinity hospitality to our hundreds of visitors. Although this is a GOYA event, basketball tournaments at Holy Trinity have always been a community offering of “Holy Trinity Hospitality”, and our teens will be depending on our help, since they are wrapped up in the games during the weekend. Please use the form included in the January edition of the Herald or contact Presvytera Becky (GOYA@HolyTrinityPgh.org or 412-874-5195) to volunteer or donate. Thank you!!!
Vigil Candle Requested Donations Update
Please note that as of January 1, 2020, due to an increase of cost to Holy Trinity, the cost of candles has gone up. The requested donation for the 7-Day Red Vigil candle is now $10 and the 14-Day White Sanctuary candle is now $20 each.
2020 Philoptochos Stewardship
It is time for current Philoptochos members to renew their memberships for 2020. Suggested annual stewardship donation is $30.00. Checks should be made payable to “Holy Trinity Omonia.” Please return your Stewardship form and your Stewardship donation to Pam Bolkovac, Membership chairperson, or mail to Holy Trinity Philoptochos, Attn: Membership, 985 Providence Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Copies of the form can be found in the January edition of the Herald and at the church office window. If you aren’t a member, we would love for you to join us! It is only through your generous commitment of time, talent and support that we are able to pursue our philanthropic mission.
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.
Snow Cancellations – Where to Check
Please keep in mind over the winter months that there are a number of options to hear or read about event or service cancellations in the case of snow or inclement weather on the Holy Trinity "Snow Line." First stop: Check our website at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org. To hear by phone, call the church office (412-366-8700) then press option #8 and listen for a recorded weather cancellation announcement. To get updates by computer or smartphone, there are three options: 1) watch the parish email list for email announcements; 2) check the front page of our website, www.HolyTrinityPgh.org; or 3) friend us on Facebook at Facebook.com/holytrinitypgh. Finally, to get information by radio or television, watch the KDKA Storm Center, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is registered there.
Sunday Coffee Hour Sponsors
Did you know that sponsoring the Sunday Coffee Hour is not just for Memorials? You can sponsor the Coffee Hour in honor of a loved one’s Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation, Baptism, Chrismation or simply out of love for your parish family. Several families can also go in together to sponsor Coffee Hour. Best of all, you will help to support our Ladies Philoptochos who faithfully take care of providing the Coffee Hour on most Sundays. Please contact Marianne Stearns or the church office for more information. Thank you!
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!
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 26: Maria Grecos Dalson (40 days); Feb 23: Mary Alexiades (3 years), Michael Alexiades (42 years) and Theologia Alexiades (27 years)