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, Amalia Stamoolis (1 year). May her memory be eternal!
Godparent/Godchild Sunday
Holy Trinity Church celebrates its annual Godparent/Godchild Sunday today at the midpoint of Lent. This special day provides us with an opportunity to observe the Lenten Feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross and re-commit ourselves to the Lord Who took up that Cross for us. We ask all those who are able to celebrate with their Godparent(s) —who placed that first Cross on their Godchildren's neck at Baptism—to renew that commitment with thanksgiving and joy. We also welcome all whose Godparents are not able to be here, for various reasons—including repose in God’s heaven kingdom—and ask that they be remembered in prayer. May God continually renew and strengthen your relationship and life in His Holy Church!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- Mon. Apr. 5, 6:30pm: Great Compline
- Wed. Apr. 7, 6:30pm: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by light Lenten Bowl meal and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation
- Fri. Apr. 9, 6:30pm: 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. April 7: 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 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 15] Saint Nikodemos Men’s Prayer Fellowship – Last Meeting of Great Lent
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! Brought to you by the “Faith and Family Weekdays Ministries” of Holy Trinity Church.
[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
[May 11] Regular Spring General Assembly via Zoom
Please save the date and plan to attend the regular Spring General Assembly via Zoom on Tuesday, May 11. An agenda will be included in the April edition of the Herald. This Assembly is to review parish life and hear reports on important parish matters. It is vital to the life of a healthy community that all members attend, as these meetings are quite important in the day-to-day life of the parish. Please remember, to vote at an assembly, you must be a member in good standing as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations, which includes but is not limited to having a signed 2021 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge card submitted. Whether it is attending assemblies, taking in a leadership role in a ministry or just getting involved more, the Lord has a calling and a role for every one of us at Holy Trinity Church because you are a part of the Body of Christ and have an important contribution to offer.
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. During the current COVID restrictions, 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!
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.
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!
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!
- 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
Upcoming Memorials: April 11: George Papadopoulos (40 days), Stella Johnson (1 year) and Homer Johnson (5 years)
