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
Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession Today
All the students and staff of Holy Trinity Church School have been asked to bring icons for the procession of the holy icons for the Sunday of Orthodoxy today. IMPORTANT: Students and Staff have been instructed on conducting this annual procession with respect to current safety guidelines. 1) All participants must wear masks; 2) As per just-updated CDC guidelines, students should maintain a distance of 3 feet during the procession; 3) At the end of the procession, the students will not gather together on the solea in the front as usual but will form a circle around the church in the aisle as directed by the staff. Also, please be sure your icon has your name marked on the back, so it does not get lost. REMEMBER: things may still be a little different and we still need to make these adjustments, but here at Holy Trinity Church we continue to FIND A WAY to live the traditions of our Holy Orthodox Faith! Thank you for your cooperation.
GOYA Lenten Soup Sales – Beginning Today
The GOYA is once again offering its very popular Lenten soup and sauces sales throughout Lent, starting today and ending April 25. 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!
Philoptochos Meeting – Later Today
The next Ladies Philoptochos Meeting will be held later today, 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- Mon. Mar. 22, 6:30pm: Great Compline
- Wed. Mar. 24, 6:30pm: Great Vespers of the Annunciation followed by light Lenten Bowl meal and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation
- Thur. Mar. 25, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am: Divine Liturgy of the Annunciation of the Theotokos
- Fri. Mar. 26, 6:30 pm: The Salutations to the Theotokos
“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.
- Wed. March 25- Great Vespers of the Annunciation (6:30-7:30pm) Lenten Presentation (7:30pm): We will continue a MODIFIED version of the Wednesday evening Lenten presentation. Note that this is VESPERS, not Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, so no Holy Communion or dinner after will be offered, but there will be Artoclasia bread and fruit offered in honor of the Feast during the presentation.
[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. Brought to you by the “Faith and Family Weekdays Ministries.”
[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 this 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
[Mar 25] Offices Closed for the Feast of the Annunciation
The offices of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church will be closed on Thursday, March 25, for the great Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. Please plan to attend services: 8:30am Orthros/9:30am: Divine Liturgy (HT).
[Apr 1] 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 Apr. 1 and Apr. 15. Brought to you by the “Faith and Family Weekdays Ministries” of Holy Trinity Church.
[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 to our in-person meetings beginning on Tuesday, April 13th. However, during this challenging time, we are opening 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 are 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 virtual Family Lenten Retreat on Saturday, April 17 from 10:00-11:30am. Has this year of social distancing and the dramatic changes in community life brought some issues to light regarding your family dynamics? Are there areas of family life that could really use God's merciful healing, and direction? Jesus Christ can bring hope to situations that seem lost, healing to areas that are not healthy, and set you all on a wholesome and joyful path. He "has come that we might have life and have it abundantly." Join Fr. Alex Goussetis and Staff from the GOA Center for Family Care as they lead us in a discussion on how to bring ourselves and our families to Christ for restoration and renewal. Zoom registration link: tinyurl.com/GOMoP-FamilyRetreat
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 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 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 will 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.
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 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!
HOLY COMMUNION PROCEDURES REMINDER
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!
CURRENT SPECIAL PROCEDURES: During the current pandemic safety practices, please note that we are concerned that we respect one another and also respect the Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, please abide by these guidelines when receiving Holy Communion at the current time:
- Keep your mask on in the line for Holy Communion until you are there is only one person ahead of you.
- Before approaching the Chalice, remove the mask entirely (do not just pull it down below your chin) so we do not run the risk of having Holy Communion getting on a disposable or washable mask which may then be thrown in the trash or the laundry – this is not befitting of this Sacred Mystery.
- Receive the Holy Gifts according to your customary practice.
- Do not put your mask back on until after you have consumed at least part of the antidoron bread. Again, this is to avoid Holy Communion on your lips or mouth being wiped onto the mask. After placing the antidoron in your mouth upon receiving it, please replace your mask before returning down the aisle to your seat.
Thank you for your cooperation and for your contribution in helping all of us to FIND A WAY back to the life-giving, purifying and saving Holy Gifts the Lord calls us to each Divine Liturgy. May God have mercy on us all!
