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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-04-12
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
Palmsunday
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (412)366-8700
  • Fax:
  • (412)366-8710
  • Street Address:

  • 985 Providence Blvd.

  • Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5951

Contact Information

Rev. Fr. John Touloumes, Protopresbyter
Proistamenos

fjt@HolyTrinityPgh.org | 412-366-8700
Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu
Assistant Priest

FrRadu@HolyTrinityPgh.org
Mary Portellos
Office Administrator

office@HolyTrinityPgh.org | 412-366-8700

Services Schedule

Worship Schedule

8:15 a.m. Orthros

9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Worship Locations:

Sunday worship location: Holy Trinity Church, 985 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Weekday/Feast Day worship location: St. George Chapel, 8941 Ringeisen Rd., Allison Park, PA

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Tone

Giving us before Your passion an assurance of the general resurrection, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Therefore, like the children, we also carry tokens of victory, and cry out to You the Conqueror of death: Hosannah in the highest; blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. (Page 73)

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone

Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God, we have been granted immortal life by Your Resurrection, and we sing Your praises, saying, Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. (Page 74)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Sixth Tone

In Heaven upon the throne, on earth upon the colt, * You were carried, O Christ our God; * and the praise of the Angels, and the hymns of the children, You received as they cried to You, * “Blessed are You, the One, who is coming to call Adam back again.”
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Saints and Feasts

Palmsunday
April 12

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 12

Akakios of Kavsokalyvia

April 12

Anthousa the Righteous of Constantinople

April 12

Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium

This Saint lived during the time of the Iconoclasts, and because of his exceptional and virtuous life became Bishop of Parium. He suffered many hardships, afflictions, and persecutions from the heretics his whole life long, and finally reposed in peace.

April 12

Sergius II, Patriarch of Constantinople

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

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Bulletin Inserts

    Weekly Bulletin

    Weekly Bulletin

    Weekly Bulletin for Sunday, April 12, 2020

    Holy Week 2020 Online Services Schedule

    Holy Week 2020 Online Services Schedule

    Holy Week 2020 Online Services Schedule

    Holy Friday Trisagion Names Form

    Holy Friday Trisagion Names Form

    If you have names of your beloved departed ones that you would like commemorated, please be sure to submit their names by 12:00pm noon on Holy Thursday. Prayers will be offered for them in front of the Epitaphion on Holy Friday. This is a fillable PDF that can be emailed or printed and mailed back to the church office.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

NOTE: CORONAVIRUS PROTECTION MEASURES IN PLACE.
SERVICES BEING CONDUCTED ONLINE ONLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

 

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

CONCERNING THE CURRENT COVID-19 VIRUS PANDEMIC AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ENACTED AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH: Until further notice, parishioner attendance at services is not permitted. please continue to participate in worship by attending online only at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. We will continue our full schedule of Sunday and Lenten services as published in the Herald and listed on our website calendar. for the latest information on coronavirus measures at Holy Trinity Church, visit https://www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/coronavirus.

 

Welcome to Holy Trinity Church's Live Video and Audio Broadcast Ministry

Whether you are unable to attend Liturgy today due to church closures, you are home-bound or are watching from an area where there is no church nearby, it is our joy to be able to welcome you into the worship life of Holy Trinity Church. Today we are blessed to worship from our Saint George Chapel. For a complete list of Sunday and Holy Week services, please see our online calendar at HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar.

 

JOIN US FOR COFFEE HOUR ONLINE TODAY FOLLOWING LITURGY!

Nothing can stop Holy Trinity hospitality!! Join your Holy Trinity family and friends today after Liturgy for another Holy Trinity Virtual Coffee Hour! It was a great joy to be together last week, so we’ve had requests to do it again.

While we are doing our best to observe the recommended and required coronavirus restrictions, it's a blessing to be able to join online for worship services, especially during this holy season of Lent. Now, besides services, we also have the ability to connect online for Coffee Hour!

This morning join us online for worship (8:15am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy) on our website at HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. Then, at 11:15am, use the Zoom video conference instructions below to log on to our "Virtual Coffee Hour!" Grab your own coffee or tea at home and stay in your church clothes or come casual. We're looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

HOLY TRINITY VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR INSTRUCTIONS:

 

1. COFFEE HOUR GOES FROM 11:15am-12:15pm

2. BRING YOUR OWN COFFEE!

3. HOW TO JOIN:

 

Join by Video:

To join by video on your computer/laptop (best option to see everyone), tablet or cell phone (it must by video capable):

- Join the Zoom Meeting by using your browser to visit:

https://goarch.zoom.us/j/986225191?pwd=clJqZG1TMEVwU2xiNWZ2ZUJnTEhxZz09

Password: 15237

You may be asked to install the Zoom video app. Do it - it's safe and really handy these days! No account needed to join someone else's conference call.

- Or, if you already have Zoom installed, launch it and join Meeting ID: 986 225 191. Password: 15237

 

Join by Phone (Audio only):

To join by phone only (no video): Dial 646-876-9923. When prompted, enter Meeting ID: 986 225 191. Password: 15237

 

Regardless how you join, you will be on hold until the session begins. Instructions on how to participate will be offered at the opening of the session.

 

Send Photos of Photos of Your “Church of the Home!”

Want to make Sunday Liturgy and Lenten services special? Set aside a space and a family practice of your own “Church of the Home.” Rise on time and get dressed as you normally would for church. Refrain from eating as you normally do (seniors and medical needs excepted). If you have a home censer, light it and go around and cense the home. Then create a special “Church of the Home” in front of your television, computer, tablet or even phone by placing some icons, a Bible, a lit candle or other religious items nearby. Stand and sit as if you were actually present in the church. And to show we’re not alone, please think about sending a photo of your gathering to broadcast@HolyTrinityPgh.org. It might appear in the next Herald! Thank you, and remember, “God is with us!”

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Holy Week Schedule and Live Broadcast of Services Online

The complete schedule of Holy Week services at Holy Trinity Church is online in two places. As always, check the online calendar at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar for all parish events. Also, a downloadable PDF of the entire Holy Week schedule is available on the front page of our website. Remember, all Holy Week services will be broadcast live on www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live.

 

Lenten Fasting: A Tool for Spiritual Growth

During Lent, known as the "Season of Repentance," and now in Holy Week, the Church offers encouragement for us to dedicate ourselves to additional prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Please take note that, according to the holy canons of the Church, Holy Week is a time of strict fast (no meat, dairy, fish, etc.) all the way through the Resurrection Liturgy on Saturday evening. It is, however, important to remember that fasting is not the ends, but a means, given to us all as part of our spiritual toolkit in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection here and for eternal life in the Resurrected Christ! (A special note to our seniors: any kind of fasting must take into consideration medications and doctor’s instructions, so your fasting does not create medical issues – it is intended to bless, not make us weak or sick.)

 

Holy Week Starts Tonight!

Holy Week is set aside as its own special period for us to learn about and participate in the events of the Lord’s Holy Passion, Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection. Some people have the blessing to travel to the Holy Lands and see the very places where Jesus walked. For us as Orthodox Christians, that very same reality and participation is to be found in the services of Holy Week: The Bridegroom Services on the evenings of Palm Sunday, Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday; The Service of the Twelve Gospels and Passion and Crucifixion of Christ on Holy Thursday; the Entombment and Praises on Holy Friday and the glorious victory of the Resurrection at Pascha. Don’t miss out - join millions of Orthodox Christians throughout the world in this Holy Week of Orthodox tradition and faith in Christ! "Kali Anastasi!"

 

[Apr 26] Holy Friday - Please Submit Names of the Departed for Commemoration

If you have names of your beloved departed ones that you would like commemorated, please be sure to submit their names by 12:00pm noon on Holy Thursday. Prayers will be offered for them in front of the Epitaphion on Holy Friday. The Holy Friday Trisagion Names form is available on our website as a fillable PDF form. (Please note that there are no Memorial services permitted from Palm Sunday through the Sunday of St. Thomas - April 26 this year.)

 

[Apr 17 & Apr 20] Offices Closed Holy Friday and Bright Monday

The offices of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church will be closed on Holy Friday and Bright Monday in observation of these sacred days.

 

Holy Trinity Church and Holy Trinity Center - Closed to Outside Visitors

Please note that until further notice, Holy Trinity Church and Holy Trinity Center will be closed to outside visitors due to the COVID-19 Virus. Postal mail and deliveries will continue to be accepted.

 

Lenten and Paschal Donations Still Needed

The following items are still needed for the celebration of the special services during Holy Week and Pascha. If you would like to sponsor or donate any of these items, please submit the form, which can be found in the March edition of the Herald, along with your donation as soon as possible. If an item has already been sponsored, your donation may be used toward another needed item. Donations will be acknowledged in the Herald following Pascha unless otherwise indicated on your donation form. Thank you!

- Palm branches – used to decorate the church this year instead of being distributed ($200)

- Floral wreath for the Crucifix ($300)

- Priest’s Resurrection Candle - 1 available ($250)

 

[Apr 21, 23 & 24] Bright Week Services at the Saint George Chapel – ONLINE ONLY

Please plan to join us online for the following services to be held at our St. George Chapel during Bright Week. Orthros begins at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am. 

-       Tues, Apr 21: Feast Day of the Holy Fathers martyred in the Monastery of Pantokratoros in Daou Pentelis (whose relics are encased in the consecrated Holy Altar Table of Saint George Chapel)

-       Thurs, Apr 23: Feast Day Liturgy of Saint George the Great Martyr (Nameday of the Chapel)

-       Fri, Apr 24: Theotokos of the Life-Giving Fountain (Zoodochos Peghe)

 

Non-Perishable Grocery Donations Being Accepted at Holy Trinity for Distribution to the Needy

Want to help those in need during this crisis? How about picking up a few extra groceries? While we are all being asked to stay home/restrict our outside activities, most of us still need to make occasional trips for groceries. The needy of the Hill District do not always have that opportunity and could use some help. Thanks to Dr. Chris and Kathy Balouris, we are able to provide it. Here’s how it works. Next time you go to the grocery store, pick up a few extra non-perishable food items. Canned soups, pork and beans, vegetables are in-demand, but use your discretion. Then, even though our Holy Trinity offices and campus are closed to outside visitors, please drive by the main entrance of the church and drop off your items in the labeled bin by the office entrance. They will be collected on a daily basis and be delivered by Chris and Kathy to the FOCUS center in the Hill. Thank you for reaching out with love to our neighbors in need!

 

Visitation Ministry Reaching Out to our Holy Trinity Family!

Our Visitation Ministry has helping hands and time to reach out to those who may need some support during this challenging time. Currently we are concentrating on our parishioners who are elderly, homebound, chronically ill, feeling lonely, grieving loss of a loved one, and/or need some extra home support. We are asking you to contact our Visitation Ministry coordinator, Amy Armanious (412.628.0973) or email visitation@holytrinitypgh.org for assistance. Please leave a voicemail with your full name and phone number so Amy can return your call as soon as possible. We are offering to pick-up pharmacy medication refills, grocery store items, and take-out meals. We can cook simple homemade meals, meet transportation needs in our local community, and run short errands. We have team members in our Phone Call Ministry who are dedicated to calling individuals at regular times throughout the week, or once a week for those who need an encouraging word and a prayer.  Our Bereavement Support Team is offering phone calls to those who are grieving loss of a loved one and need a listening ear for support. Also, our Visitation Ministry coordinator is willing to assist families with community resources for extra help in the home. We are here to provide spiritual care and our helping hands. Don't hesitate to contact us for your own needs or needs of a loved one. We have Visitation Ministry team members ready to serve in many different ways. May we all stay safe and healthy these next weeks ahead asking God for His protection and guidance. No one is alone... we are all just a phone call or email away. If anyone is interesting in volunteering their helping hands and time, please contact Amy. Our Visitation Ministry Team is always in need of volunteers. Thank you!

 

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES – Please volunteer your family or group to help

Please contact Mike Kritiotis at 412-518-0588, or at mkritiotis@gmail.com to sign up your family/group/ministry for either of these two worthy causes! Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ!

  • 1. One Date Still Available to Feed the Homeless at Pleasant Valley!  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 date of Sunday, September 13 is still available. Our volunteers will prepare and bring the cooked food to the shelter, where they serve it at 8:00pm.
  • 2. Sign Up to Provide Bag Lunches for Needy Families.  It’s time once again to get your group or family together for a meaningful day of giving to the poor and hungry in our region. Sponsored through the Orthodox outreach of the “Neighborhood Resilience Project”, the 2020 weekly schedule of delivering 140 lunch bags to our less fortunate neighbors every Saturday of the year, has many open dates available. Holy Trinity Church’s participation has been critical in fulfilling this goal in the past, and we are grateful for our parishioners’ renewed generosity this time around.

 

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!

 

[May 5-June 23] Festival Cooking – IT’S BACK! (PENDING FURTHER CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS)

Mark your calendars NOW with these important dates! Our goal is to get at least 30 people each day so that we may finish on time!  The festival is bigger than ever and can only work if EVERYONE gives at least a few hours of THEIR time for OUR festival! Look over the dates and times below…you’ll see both evening and daytime hours, during the week and on the weekend. Everyone’s help is needed!

  • Tuesday, May 5, 9:00am-6:30pm – Kourambiethes
  • Tuesday, May 12, 9:00am-9:00pm – Apricot Rolls
  • Tuesday, May 19, 9:00am-9:00pm - Koulourakia
  • Tuesday, May 26, 9:00am-9:00pm – Galaktoboureko
  • Tuesday, June 2, 9:00am-9:00pm – Finikia
  • Tuesday, June 9, 9:00am-9:00pm – Finikia/Karithopita
  • Tuesday, June 23, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples

 

 PRAYER OF PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS

 Lord our God, You who are rich in mercy, and with careful wisdom direct our lives, listen to our prayer, receive our repentance for our sins, bring an end to this new infectious disease, this new pandemic, just as you averted the punishment of your people in the time of David the King. You who are the Physician of our souls and bodies, grant restored health to those who have been seized by this illness, raising them from their bed of suffering, so that they might glorify You, O merciful Savior, and preserve in health those who have not been infected. By your grace, Lord, bless, strengthen, and preserve, all those who out of love and sacrifice care for the sick, either in their homes or in the hospitals. Remove all sickness and suffering from your people and teach us to value life and health as gifts from You. Give us Your peace, O God, and fill our hearts with unflinching faith in Your protection, hope in Your help, and love for You and our neighbor. For Yours it is to have mercy on us and save us, O our God, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, to the ages of ages. Amen.

 

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