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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-11-15
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Goodsamaritan
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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





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 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 Martyrs Gouria, Shamuna, and Habib in the Fifth Tone

You have given us the miracles of Your holy Martyrs as an impregnable fortress, O Christ our God. At their entreaties, frustrate the plots of foreign enemies, and strengthen our nation, for You alone are good and love humanity.

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 Fourth Tone

The most pure Temple of the Savior*, His most precious bridal chamber*, the Virgin, sacred treasury of God’s glory*, enters today into the house of the Lord*, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit.* Wherefore the angels of God are singing*: “Behold the heavenly tabernacle!” (Page 59)
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Saints and Feasts

Goodsamaritan
November 15

8th Sunday of Luke


Nativity
November 15

Nativity Fast Begins

The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning on November 15 and concluding on December 24, the Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior in the Flesh on December 25. By abstaining from certain food and drink, particularly from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine, as well as focusing more deeply on prayer and almsgiving, we can find that the primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God.


11.15guriassamonasabibus
November 15

Guria, Shamuna, and Habib, Martyrs and Confessors of Edessa

Of these most illustrious Martyrs of the city of Edessa in Syria, Guria and Shamuna contested during the reign of Diocletian, in 288; after many tortures, they were cast into prison, then beheaded. Saint Habib, a deacon, contested in the days of Licinius, in the year 316, and was burned alive; he was buried with Saints Guria and Shamuna. The three have one common feast, and it is always together that they are portrayed in icons and invoked by the faithful. On account of a renowned miracle they worked, they are invoked for help in marital difficulties. A certain Goth had come with the Roman army to Edessa and was quartered in the house of a pious widow named Sophia. The Goth asked Sophia for the hand of her daughter, Euphemia; after resisting for a long time, Sophia at last agreed. When it was time for the army to return home, Sophia made the Goth vow by the power in the holy Martyrs Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, to keep Euphemia as the apple of his eye. As he was nearing his home, however, the treacherous man revealed to Euphemia that he already had a wife. Euphemia was compelled to serve the Goths wife, who dealt with her mercilessly. After extreme sufferings, which included being sealed alive in a tomb and left there to die, Euphemia was miraculously conveyed to Edessa, to the very shrine of the holy Martyrs whose surety they had taken, and was reunited with her mother through their holy prayers.


November 15

Thomas, Archbishop of Constantinople


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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 Ephesians 2:4-10.

Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."


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Bulletin Inserts

    Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, November 15, 2020

    Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, November 15, 2020

    Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, November 15, 2020


    Food Drive Shopping List

    Food Drive Shopping List

    [Nov 1-30] Church School vs Holy Trinity Community Fall Food Drive – Take the Challenge!


    Greek4Home and Greek2Give

    Greek4Home and Greek2Give

    You can still enjoy some of that great Greek food at home this year with our "Greek4Home" Food Sale! Ready-to-Bake pans of Spanakopita & Tiropita are available for purchase. You can also choose to give back with "Greek2Give". With your donation to help cover the costs, pans of our existing inventory of Spanakopita and Tiropita will be delivered to local organizations as gifts of appreciation and love.


    Holy Trinity E-Giving Guide

    Holy Trinity E-Giving Guide

    We have expanded our opportunities to do so and now have a number of ways. The first way is that you can continue to bring or mail your donations to the church using the offering/capital campaign envelopes. The second way is Give By Web - the online method on the church’s website. Go to HolyTrinityPgh.org/give, or from the home page click on the Online Giving Tab, then click Give and simply enter your information. The third way is Give By Text, which is as easy as sending a text with the amount you would like to donate to 833-955-2176. You will receive a confirmation link immediately via text. The fourth way is Give By App using the Vanco GivePlus app, found in the App Store and on Google Play. Find information on it and more at HolyTrinityPgh.org/give-info.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

But you cannot be a neighbour unless you have compassion on him; for no one can be called a neighbour unless he have healed, not killed, another. But if you wish to be called a neighbour, Christ says to you: "Go and do likewise."
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.

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Parish News and Events

REMINDER: HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IS STILL IN “GREEN PHASE!
50% Capacity. No Reservations Required. No Age Limits (Welcome Back Seniors!).
Masks And Physical Distance Still Required. Visit HolyTrinityPgh.Org/coronavirus for details.

 

TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Nativity Fast Begins Today

The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning today and concluding on December 24, the Nativity Though the first part of the fast (through December 12) is lighter, the Fast rises to the level of strict fast for the last two weeks (starting on December 13). Fasting, attendance at services, almsgiving, increased attention to our prayer life and participation in Holy Confession are all important parts of our preparing a place in our heart to receive the Lord at Christmas. Please see Father John with any questions you or your family might have about this important tradition or to schedule a time for Confession.

 

Military Appreciation Day – Today

In observance of Veteran’s Day, the Visitation Ministry Team requests your prayers and support once again to honor parishioners, family, and community members who have served and are still serving our country in the military.  Our tribute today will include a Memorial Service for all veterans and fallen heroes, and special recognition of living veterans and active military service members.  Due to physical distancing, we are not gathering in the Grand Room to share our cherished photos and keepsakes this year.  However, this will in no way diminish the overwhelming love, gratitude, and tribute we celebrate for our honorees for their service to our country.  May God bless all those who have served and continue to serve with honor and courage!”

 

OUTREACH NEWS: Christmas Angel Tags Available Today!

We are partnering with the Neighborhood Resilience Project again this year to help make a child’s or senior citizen’s Christmas a special one.  “Angel Tags” will be available in the Gallery, beginning today after Liturgy.  Especially during this challenging year, we are doubly encouraged to offer a helping hand to those in need, and we have the next two weeks to complete the task! Thank you for acting Christ-like, to give a small measure of His compassion to our neighbors who are fighting to find the material and emotional necessities of life.  Gifts are due back to the church no later than Monday, November 30th. Your participation is deeply appreciated!

 

GOYA Christmas Bread Sales Begin Today

Holy Trinity GOYA is once again offering their delicious, homemade traditional Greek Christmas bread for sale today through December 17th. Orders may be placed with any GOYA teen or online at HolyTrinityPgh.org/goyabread (new this year!). Thank you for supporting our faithful teens!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Services This Week:

 TOMORROW, Monday, November 16: 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist

 

“Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week

  • Daily: Prayer Partners. Have you remembered your prayer partner every day? Especially in these times! Please maintain the prayer partner you received in January. When we are all together again, we will distribute new cards.

 

Church School Continues with Safety Measures in Place

With thanks to our dedicated Church School staff, the love and support of all our parents, and the enthusiastic response of our children, our 2020-2021 Church School ministry is off to a great start. Please be assured the physical safety and spiritual well-being of all students and staff are top priorities as our children continue to know and grow in the love of Christ. Here are some highlights of the measures being taken:

  • At Holy Communion, children will be receiving first and then proceed to class, after which the rest of the congregation will be invited forward.
  • All students and staff are required to wear masks at all times while in class.
  • Class structure and room locations have been reconfigured in certain cases.
  • Class sizes are limited to observe capacity restrictions.
  • Classroom doors are being left open to promote air circulation.
  • Hand sanitizer is available in each room.
  • Traffic flow to and from class is being directed to minimize congestion and crowding. Access to upper level is limited to students and staff, with the exception of the parents of the Pre-School and Kindergarten classes, who may enter the upper level to retrieve their children if necessary; Parents of all others are requested to refrain from entering the upper level.
  • Children are being dismissed and brought by staff to a designated pickup area in the Grand Room at the end of class at 11:30am.
  • Instructional signs have been posted throughout the learning spaces.
  • As always, food and drink are not permitted in the classrooms.

All this is subject to change as developments require. As Proverbs 22.6 says, “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” That is a powerful reminder of the responsibility we have as parents, teachers, and an entire church community to fulfill our calling to teach our children to love the Lord and follow in His ways. Thank you for patience and understanding with these adjustments and for your ever-present support and love for all God’s children!

 

Festival 2020 Update: Order/Donate for the Holidays!

As announced on July 12th, out of an abundance of caution for our parish volunteers, our tens of thousands of guests and the community around us, the decision has been thoughtfully and prayerfully made by parish and festival leadership that Holy Trinity Church will not be hosting a public, in-person Festival this year, but will postpone the event until Labor Day weekend 2021. We believe this is in fulfillment of our “Faith. Family. Community.” vision statement by Preserving our Faith, Protecting our Family and Respecting our local Community. However, thanks to the dedicated labors of our Holy Trinity parishioners, a limited amount of full-pan foods are available for purchase. They are available through the "Greek4Home" ordering website, “HolyTrinityPgh.org/Greek4Home”.

While supplies last – and they’re starting to run low! - full ready-to-bake pans of Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pita) and Tiropita (Greek Cheese Pita) are available for only $99. That means you can enjoy our wonderful festival food at home! Buy them now to take and bake at home for family gatherings, graduation parties, or to bake and share with others. Each pan has 28 pre-scored servings. The pans are 20” X 13” and are expertly wrapped in premium protective freezer paper. Just unwrap, follow the basic cooking instructions and enjoy! But that's not all!

Through our "Greek2Give" ordering website, “HolyTrinityPgh.org/Greek2Give” you can also donate a pan of food to a worthy cause! During the COVID-19 crisis, some of our neighbors are having a tough time making ends meet. The first-responders and “heroes” at our hospitals, safety services and social agencies have sacrificed of themselves to protect us. And some local churches are struggling just to survive. With your help, pans of our existing inventory of spanakopita and tiropita will be delivered to local organizations, churches, hospitals, agencies and the Neighborhood Resilience Project, an Orthodox Christian ministry in the Hill District, at no charge as gifts of love from you and the Holy Trinity family. To date, generous parishioners and friends of Holy Trinity Church have donated over 70 pans already, and 60 of them have already been delivered to the charities and agencies above. Thank you for your offerings of love and gratitude to those in need and those who serve us!

 

[Nov 1-30] Church School vs Holy Trinity Community Fall Food Drive – Take the Challenge!

During the month of November, Holy Trinity Church School is once again holding its Fall Food Drive…but this year there is a special twist: it’s Church School vs the Community! All month there will be two food collection bins in the Gallery during Coffee Hour: one for Church School collections and the other for the rest of the community. Which will collect more? We’ll see! At the end the winner will be announced, and a special award given, but the real winners will be those in need who will receive food supplies as we approach the winter months. Items will be donated to the Orthodox Christian ministry at the Neighborhood Resilience Project in the Hill District, which Holy Trinity has been supporting actively since its founding as FOCUS Pittsburgh many years ago. See the list of requested food items at the church office window and thanks for taking the challenge!

 

[Nov 17, 18 & 19] Neighborhood Resilience Project – Hosts a Journey of Hope & Resilience – This Week!

This year has been quite remarkable for the Neighborhood Resilience Project. They have moved into a new building, created new programming to support medically underserved communities during COVID-19 and continued providing food, clothing, free health care, acute support after gun violence, micro-community interventions and leadership development to the region. Join them in celebrating the accomplishments of 2020 with their “Journey of Hope and Resilience” this Tuesday, November 17, Wednesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm each night. You can take a tour through their facility, learn about their programs, and meet the people who make the work possible. The event is free to attend and donations will be requested at the event. Group Tours are scheduled 10 minutes apart to allow for physical distancing. Each tour will run for approximately one hour. To attend, please sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fafa82ca0f8c34-journey to choose your preferred date and time. You can schedule up to 7 people in your group. NRP is located at 2038 Bedford Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15219. 

 

[Nov 22] Philoptochos Meeting – Next Sunday

There will be a Philoptochos meeting following Divine Liturgy next Sunday, November 22 in the Grand Room. We will practice physical distancing and provide hand sanitizer to ensure safety for all attending.  We look forward to seeing everyone at this meeting!

 

[Nov 24-30] Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery – Online Auction

The Sisters of the Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Monastery invite everyone to participate in an Online Auction. This new and exciting fundraiser is in lieu of their Annual Dinner Banquet, which was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. You can browse their hand-made items, register and bid online at: www.biddingowl.com/NativityTheotokos beginning at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, November 24 until the auction closes at 12:00 noon on Monday, November 30. You can also make a donation to their Capital Campaign by visiting www.NativityoftheTheotokosMonastery.org. Thank you!

 

[Dec 7] 6:30pm Special Vespers Service Offered by our Bereavement Support Ministry

Holidays may bring mixed feelings for those experiencing loss and grief. Many of us this year 2020 have experienced various losses especially loss of a loved one. For some, our loved ones have been gone for many years, but the holidays may bring sadness as we remember them. Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team is offering a special Vespers Service for “Our Losses and in Remembering our Loved Ones who have Fallen Asleep in the Lord” on Monday, December 7th at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. Father John and Amy Armanious have coordinated this special Vespers Service. We are inviting parishioners and their extended family and friends. It will be a quiet, sacred time for worship, reflection, and prayer. We encourage each person to bring a photo frame of their loved one. We will display these photo frames on a table. A special votive candle will be lit by each photo as a remembrance of the light and warmth that our loved ones have shared in our lives. Also, our Bereavement facilitator Jonathan Kohan will be delivering a brief message titled “Honesty and the Holidays.”  At the end, each person will take home their photo and votive as we focus on God’s abiding love and hope. Please join us for this special evening together as we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord and the Christmas holiday. If you want to learn more, contact Amy Armanious, Visitation Ministry Coordinator at visitation@holytrinitypgh.org.

 

“Feed the Homeless” – 2021 Dates Now 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 dates in 2021 are available, to prepare and deliver the food (due to covid-19 restrictions, we are to drop off the food curbside) - these are all Sunday evenings, and food needs to be there by 7:45pm. (Also, we do have parishioners who have expressed interest in helping families with delivering the food to the shelter.) Available Dates: March 14; May 9; July 11; Sept 12; and Nov 14.  Please see Mike Kritiotis today, or contact him at 412-518-0588, or at outreach@holytrinitypgh.org to sign up your family/group/ministry.

 

Philoptochos Turkey Fundraiser - Thank You!

The Ladies Philoptochos would like to thank everyone who has donated to their Annual Turkey Fundraiser so far, this year.  Your donations will be used to assist local needy families and food banks during the holiday season.  If you have not sent in your donation, there is still time to support this worthy cause.  Checks can be made payable to "Holy Trinity Philoptochos" with “Turkey Fundraiser” written on the memo line and mailed to the church office. Thank you!

 

Holy Trinity Church Completion and 2023 Consecration Plan Approved

We are pleased to report that the November 10, 2020, General Assembly unanimously approved the Church Completion and Consecration proposal and plans will be moving forward to complete the necessary items so Holy Trinity Church can be consecrated by the end of 2023. This is historically significant because 2023 also celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Holy Trinity Church. The plan provides for completing all of the items required for consecration including: completing the remaining iconography in the Church and Narthex; installation of numerous items of handcrafted ecclesiastical wood furnishings, most notably a permanent iconostasis and required new Holy Altar table; Altar furnishings and other liturgically required  items for the Consecration; and more appropriate seating to replace the temporary chairs in the Church. A very realistic plan to raise the needed monies for the project over the next 3 years has been developed. It comprises a combination of funds from the Greek Festival and catering income, as well as parishioner donations, and all without incurring loans or bank financing, so we will remain debt-free having paid off the mortgage this year. We are praying that all of our members will pledge what they are able to over the 2021–2023 timeframe to fund the completion of our Church for its Consecration. With God’s blessing, together we certainly have this within our means to finish what we started when we originally broke ground here in 2011. Details were presented at the November 10 General Assembly and will be further emphasized in the forthcoming “ONE HOLY TRINITY” Pledge Card for 2021. If there are any questions in the meantime, please feel free to speak with Jim Balouris, Charlie Petredis or George Dickos.  May God continue to richly bless His Holy Church!

 

To the Faithful Stewards of Holy Trinity Church

In the past few months when some have been limited in their ability physically meet on Sundays, many thanks go to those who have continued to offer their offerings, pledges, and capital campaign contributions. We have expanded out opportunities to do so and now have a number of ways. The first way is that you can continue to bring or mail your donations to the church using the offering/capital campaign envelopes. The second way is Give By Web - the online method on the church’s website. Go to HolyTrinityPgh.org/give, or from the home page click on the Online Giving Tab. The third way is Give By Text, which is as easy as sending a text with the amount you would like to donate to 833-955-2176. You will receive a confirmation link immediately via text. The fourth way is Give By App using the Vanco GivePlus app, found in the App Store and on Google Play. Find information on it and more at HolyTrinityPgh.org/give-info. Lastly, we continue to encourage everyone to reach out to members of our church family and let them know they are being thought of, prayed for and most importantly loved. And, of course, for those still not able or ready to return to in-person services, they may continue to worship together in spirit online with our services as they are broadcast online (made possible through your offerings of love) at HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. Thank you and God bless you, faithful stewards!

 

Holy Trinity Church in “Green Phase”

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, we are so thankful to be able to continue welcoming our Holy Trinity family back to worship in-person and together as a community in the Church. As previously announced, we are now in the “Green Phase.” This means some important things for our worship and community life:

  • Greater Attendance Levels: We can accommodate up to 50% of our capacity (approximately 250 people in both the main church and the Grand Room)
  • Age Restrictions Lifted: All ages are welcome to attend.
  • Masks and Physical Distance: Masks are still required, and safe levels of physical distancing will still be practiced in both seating and moving around. PLEASE RESPECT THESE PRECAUTIONS AND BE SURE YOUR SEATING IS PROPERLY DISTANCED. ALSO PLEASE DO NOT CONGREGATE IN THE NARTHEX.
  • Veneration: The faithful may return to their customary practice of venerating icons and sacred objects if they choose, or they may continue to reverence them by bowing, depending on their comfort level.
  • Holy Communion: Parishes are free to return to their customary parish practice of customary method of distributing and receiving the Holy Gifts.
  • Coffee Hour and Meetings May Resume: We are free to resume holding Coffee Hour and meetings, provided that we respect the 50% capacity and physical distance guidelines.

 

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