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
Greek Independence Day 200th Anniversary Doxology
Today we will honor that history and those contributions, as well as commemorate the heroes of that struggle, with a special Doxology honoring the Bicentennial of Greek Independence, 1821-2021.
To briefly explain the significance of this historic day, take note of this excerpt from a recent report in the Hellenic News of America, “This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the heroic Greek War of Independence from the Ottomans, on March 25, 1821. The fight for Greek independence was a monumental struggle that culminated in the emergence of the modern-day state of Greece. Not only was it a fight for independence but our very identity as Greeks, our religion, our culture and traditions, and language were at stake. This small country, where the very foundation of western civilization and democracy took root, inspired the Founders of our great country. The Founders valued Greek history, philosophy, government, and language. Thomas Jefferson was said to have read Homer in Greek. John Adams wrote in a letter to Lafayette (a great Philhellene himself), ‘Two republic powers, Athens and Rome, have done more to honor our species (humankind) than all the rest of it. A new country can be planted only by such government.’ Likely many American supporters of Greek independence saw the United States as a direct inheritor of the ancient Greek ideals of liberty and self-government. Along with commemorating the start of the Greek War of Independence, this bicentennial anniversary reminds all of us of the immeasurable contributions that Greece, the birthplace of democracy, has given the world in philosophy, government, history, sciences, language, math literature, theater, and the arts, just to name a few. In particular, the Greek ideals of freedom and democracy had ignited the minds of educated people in America and Europe who felt genuinely indebted to Greece and lent their support to this noble cause.”
Festival News Today
Today following the Divine Liturgy representatives from the Parish Council, Parish Development Committee and Festival Committee will make a brief presentation on the 2021 Holy Trinity Greek Festival. As always, it will require the full participation and support of the entire community. Many thanks to all those who have put in so many labors of love into this annual event, and above all may God’s blessings be with us!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- Mon. Mar. 29, 6:30pm: Great Compline
- Wed. Mar. 31, 6:30pm: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by light Lenten Bowl meal and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation
- Fri. Apr. 2, 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 31: 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.
GOYA Lenten Soup Sales
The GOYA is once again offering its very popular Lenten soup and sauces sales throughout 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!
[Apr 1] Saint Nikodemos Men’s Prayer Fellowship – This Thursday
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 6] 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, April 6 and April 20. Brought to you by the “Faith and Family Weekdays Ministries.”
[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!
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!
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.
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.
Welcome to the Sundays of Lent and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
During the Sundays of Lent, the Orthodox Church changes from using the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom to the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil. Why do we do that and what are the differences? To most outward appearances, the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil differs very little from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and those wishing to follow the service in the Divine Liturgy book may use the regular book to do so. The primary difference is in the prayers said by the priest in the later part of the service and the hymn “All of Creation” (“Epi Si Heri”) which replaces the usual “It Is Worthy” (“Axion Estin”) after the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. Why the change? In general, the prayers of St. Basil are more penitential, and therefore lend themselves to the Church's liturgical preparation for important holy days; hence, their use during Great Lent and on the eves of Nativity and Theophany. During this service, as the priest offers the prayers, there may be times when the choir completes its hymn and the priest is still offering the prayer. During this season of increased prayer and spiritual attention, please use those times to follow along with the prayers with your own heart and immerse yourself in this beautiful worship experience. Rather than “wait for” the priest to finish the prayers, join him in the prayer of your own heart! The large green Holy Trinity Divine Liturgy books indicate where the changes in those prayers are, and you may follow them to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of their beauty and meaning. A blessed Lent to all!
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!
Cemetery Committee Request
The Holy Trinity Cemetery Committee asks that all fall and winter decorations at the Cemetery be removed by this Wednesday, March 31. Items remaining after that date will be discarded. Thank you.
Upcoming Memorials: April 4: Amalia Stamoolis (1 year)
April 11: George Papadopoulos (40 days), Stella Johnson (1 year) and Homer Johnson (5 years)
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!
- 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
