CURRENT PARISH OPERATIONS STATUS
WORSHIP - All Services Continuing as Previously Announced
- 50% Capacity. No Reservations Required. No Age Restrictions.
- Masks and Physical Distance Required. Must be observed by all in attendance.
COFFEE HOUR AND MEETINGS - Continuing Today
CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES – Continuing Today
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Church School classes have resumed – with previously announced safety precautions in place.
TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Memorial Today
Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Paul Balouris (40 days). May his memory be eternal!
Lent Starts Tonight!
Lent officially begins on the Orthodox liturgical calendar this evening with the Solemn Vespers of Forgiveness service. It is one of the most beautiful and solemn services of the year and is a deeply meaningful way to step into this season of repentance. Please plan on attending this evening beginning at 6:30pm, here at Holy Trinity Church. If you have never attended a Solemn Vespers of Forgiveness service, you have never experienced Lent like this.
Please Follow Parish Council Seating/Spacing Instructions…and THANK YOU for Your Cooperation!
Your Parish Council members are volunteers you have selected to take an important role in the leadership of Holy Trinity parish life. One of the unexpected responsibilities that has entered their list of duties this year is to provide guidance and directions during the COVID pandemic. Therefore, since they are responsible for monitoring capacity, spacing, entrance, dismissals and more in order to have us all maintain best practices in all these areas, thank you for continuing to respect their guidance with your respectful cooperation when it comes to entering the church, where to sit and how to enter, exit for process in lines. Want to go a step farther? Take a moment to thank them for stepping up in these challenging times!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- TODAY, Sun. Mar. 14, 6:30pm: Solemn Vespers of Forgiveness
- Mon. Mar. 15, 6:30pm: Great Compline
- Wed. Mar. 17, 6:30pm: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by light Lenten Bowl meal and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation
- Fri. Mar. 19, 6:30 pm: The Salutations to the Theotokos
- Sat. Mar. 20, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: Saturday of the Souls
[Mar 15] Offices Closed on Pure Monday
Please note that the offices of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church will be closed on the first day of Lent, Pure Monday, March 15.
“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 last. When we are all together again, we will distribute new cards.
- “Explore the Word” - Bible Study Ministry - Wed. March 17, 6:30pm Worship/7:00pm Bible Study Prayerfully read the Bible! In Deut. 11, it says, “Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul.” Come and gladden 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. This series will complete the Gospel of Matthew with Chapters 26-28. NEW MEETING FORMAT: The study will be available IN PERSON AS USUAL IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM with current safety measures in place, including the wearing of face masks and physical distancing. In-person attendance does not require registration. But for those unable to attend, it will also be available LIVE ONLINE via Zoom with PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED at HolyTrinityPgh.org/events.
- Wed. March 17: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten Dinner and Lenten Presentation
- Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (6:30-7:45pm): This is a mid-week Lenten blessing provides by the Church as a way of offering the Holy Gifts between Sundays during Lent. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is an evening service which comprises the solemn Lenten Vespers with the distribution of Holy Communion at the end. There is no consecration of the Holy Gifts during the service. Holy Communion is offered from the reserve gifts consecrated on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Those Orthodox Christians wishing to receive Holy Communion should prepare as usual but should also refrain from eating or drinking after their midday meal. Readings will be done by our older Church School students.
- Lenten Bowl and Presentation (7:45pm): We will continue a MODIFIED version of the tradition of Lenten dinners following Pre-Sanctified Liturgies by offering a simple, light “Lenten Bowl” in the Grand Room, with tables spaced and people seated in household groups if desired and a brief Lenten presentation.
[Mar 18] Saint Nikodemos Men’s Prayer Fellowship
Men, are you tired of just working on work and are you ready to recharge working on your spiritual life as husbands and fathers? It starts with prayer. The Saint Nikodemos Men’s “Prayer and Panera” Fellowship has resumed its morning prayer and fellowship meetings for the Spring. All men in the parish are invited to participate. The group meets at church promptly at 7:00am for a 15-20-minute morning prayer and scripture. Prior to our current situation, it would then relocate up the hill to Panera for 30-45 minutes of coffee, breakfast and Christian men’s conversation on living as a Christian man in today’s world but depending on developments we may remain in the Gallery for discussion to start – to be determined at the meeting. Either way – or even if you can’t stay for discussion after - it’s time to return to prayer and fellowship with your brothers in Christ. Change up your morning. Give it a try! Meetings will continue to be held at 7:00am on Mar. 18, Apr. 1 and Apr. 15. Brought to you by the “Faith and Family Weekdays Ministries” of Holy Trinity Church.
[Mar 20] Saturdays of Souls
Preceding the start of Lent and during the first week of Lent, the Church offers the “Saturdays of the Souls” to commemorate those who have fallen sleep in the Lord. These memorial services are traditionally held at our Saint George Chapel located at Holy Trinity Cemetery. However, due to current safety/space requirements, services will be temporarily relocated this year to Holy Trinity Church. Orthros is at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am and the Memorial Service. The final Saturday of the Souls services will be offered on Saturday, March 20. Please see the flyer in the February edition of the Herald or download the form from our website (HolyTrinityPgh.org/documents/worship) to submit names for commemoration and be sure to attend and commemorate your departed loved ones.
[Mar 21 – Apr 25] GOYA Lenten Soup Sales – Beginning Next Sunday
The GOYA is once again offering its very popular Lenten soup sales during the Sundays of Lent. Among the many good reasons to buy some to take home are that they are strict Lenten recipes, they provide fund-raising support for our GOYA ministry ... plus they taste great and they are good for you! Please visit the Lenten Soup Sales table in Gallery during Coffee Hour each week! Thank you for supporting our youth as you strive to maintain and grow your spiritual discipline of fasting during Lent!
[Mar 21] Philoptochos Meeting
The next Ladies Philoptochos Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 21, beginning at 6:30pm via Zoom. The Philoptochos hopes that you will attend this meeting. Topics include items related to the essential work of this philanthropic ministry.
[Mar 23] Saint Lydia Women’s Study Ministry – 5-Week Series: “Renewing You”
Ladies, are you ready to share in some good fellowship and spiritual growth with your sisters in Christ? Do you need some time with other women of faith? Do you just want to shake off COVID stagnation and move your spiritual and personal life forward? The Saint Lydia Women’s Study Ministry is one of the longest-running fellowship and study ministries of Holy Trinity Church and is there for you. It is open to women of all ages. It will be offering a 5-week series using a new Orthodox book, “Renewing You” by Father Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh. Topics include “Make Faith Your Foundation”; “Find Victory Over Your Vices”; “Turn Your Trials Into Triumphs”; “Equip Your Children” and more. To address everyone’s needs and preferences, the meetings will be conducted in hybrid mode, with those able and willing to safely gather in the Fireside Room invited to meet in person, and those preferring to remain online participating via Zoom, since our Fireside Room is set up for video conferencing. Advance registration is required for Zoom only participation by visiting HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. In-person attendance does not require registration. The books are available for purchase by contacting Stacy Dickos at SaintLydia@HolyTrinityPgh.org or directly from our Three Hierarchs Bookstore. The remaining meeting dates are from 7:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, Mar. 23, April 6 and April 20. Hope to see you there in person or online! Brought to you by the “Faith and Family Weekdays Ministries” of Holy Trinity Church.
[Mar 23] Metropolis Webinar: “The Mystery of the Sabbath – Keeping it Holy”
His Eminence Metropolitan Savas and the Metropolis of Pittsburgh Religious Education Commission invites you to join them for a webinar presentation by Father Stephen Freeman on “The Mystery of the Sabbath – Keeping it Holy”. The presentation will be held on Tuesday, March 23 from 7:00-8:30pm via Zoom. One of the aims of Fr. Stephen's talk will be to equip us with practical tools on how to cultivate a love within our parishes for The Lord's Day and the worship life of the Orthodox Church. Advanced registration is required: tinyurl.com/KeepingItHoly
[Apr 13] Bereavement Ministry Meetings to Resume in Person
Join us for our upcoming monthly group gathering on April 13th Tuesday evening. The Holy Trinity Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in times of grief and loss of a loved one. We are returning back to our in-person meetings beginning on Tuesday, April 13th. However, during this challenging time, we are opening up our ministry to helping those in dealing with other losses too. Loss comes in many forms such as loss of a job or family business, loss of identity and purpose when family caregiving changes, loss of a pet, loss of independence and mobility when one ages, loss of one’s mental alertness with dementia and chronic illness, and loss of a role when children leave home and go to college. These are only some losses. Everyone’s grief and loss journey is unique. It may be a recent loss or one from many years ago. Grief is a reality and takes time to better understanding when the journey is accompanied by someone who cares. Our monthly bereavement support group gatherings will resume on the first Monday evening of the month after our April 13th meeting. Our session is 7:00-8:00 p.m. Feel free to bring a photo of your loved one. If you are not grieving a loved one, then bring a photo of yourself with family or friends at an event that brings a special memory. All are welcome to participate in group sharing or observe through quiet time with others who care. To learn more about our Bereavement Support Ministry and/or our private support sessions, please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org
[Apr 17] Family Lenten Retreat – Jesus; the Resurrection and the Life of the Family
Please make plans to join the Metropolis of Pittsburgh and the GOA Center for Family Care for a Family Lenten Retreat on Saturday, April 17 from 10:00-11:30am. Zoom registration link: tinyurl.com/GOMoP-Family Retreat
Host Ministries/Families Still Needed for Bag Lunches - Please volunteer your family or group to help!
Please see Mike Kritiotis today, or contact him at 412-518-0588, or at outreach@holytrinitypgh.org to sign up your family/group/ministry for this worthy cause to help the poor and hungry in our region. Sponsored through the Orthodox outreach of the “Neighborhood Resilience Project”, the 2021 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.
Reminder: Holy Trinity Church Completion and 2023 Consecration Campaign Underway
As was reported previously, at its November 10, 2020 meeting the General Assembly unanimously approved the Church Completion and Consecration proposal. Plans are now 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 now paid off the mortgage.
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 in 2023. We need to get started on this project now so that it is completed on time. So we ask that you please fill out the center section of the “ONE HOLY TRINITY” Pledge Card with your Church Completion and Consecration Campaign pledge amounts for 2021-2023. Please do your part as a member of the Holy Trinity family on this important project – you’ll be glad you did! We will be publishing a list with the names of those who have pledged for this Campaign in the coming months.
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!
Lenten Resources Available on the Internet
Looking for educational or inspirational information and resources for Lent? Start with our own website at HolyTrinityPgh.org/lent for our 2021 Lenten Theme: “Find A Way”. Also, check out one of the best religious sites on the Internet: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. To visit the general site, go to www.goarch.org/lent. There you will find Lenten messages, scriptures, prayers, articles, hymns, videos and more.
Stewardship Update
The 2021 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge Cards have been distributed and all Holy Trinity Stewards should complete one immediately. If you have not yet received a 2021 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. And remember, a signed pledge card is required as part of maintaining your membership in good standing at Holy Trinity Church each year. We are grateful for your commitment. Questions? Contact Stewardship Co-chairmen Mike Kritiotis or Ted Stewart or email stewardship@HolyTrinityPgh.org.
Upcoming Lenten and Paschal Dates
Wondering about Lenten and Paschal dates? Here’s a helpful guide to some of the important events coming up. Mark them on your calendar!
- Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday (Last day of eating dairy): TODAY
- Pure Monday (Lent begins): TOMORROW, March 15
- Sunday of Orthodoxy: March 21
- Godparent Sunday: April 4
- Saturday of Lazarus: April 24
- Palm Sunday: April 25
- Holy Week: April 25 - May 1
- Holy Friday (schedule off work & school): April 30
- The Great and Holy Pascha: May 2
