Memorials Today

Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, Agapios Kritiotis (40 days), George and Helen Alexandres (1 year). May their memory be eternal!

METROPOLIS COVID MASKING DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN SAVAS

According to a directive issued by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, all parishes in his Metropolis are to immediately begin requiring masks to be worn for all services and events. Here is the communication distributed on Tuesday, January 11, 2022:

The recent surge in coronavirus cases in our general area, and in our parish communities in particular, has been cause for concern.  This has affected clergy and laity, old and young, vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.  While we maintain our ultimate trust and hope in God's providence for our lives, we also recognize the fundamental scriptural call for each of us to safeguard one another, especially the most vulnerable among us, regardless of how we perceive the risks to ourselves; we are called to love one another self-sacrificially, to bear each other's burdens, and to be our brother's and sister's keeper.

Therefore, I am implementing a masking mandate at all Church-related functions (whether on Church property or not) and for all non-Church functions taking place on Church property, effective immediately and until further notice.  For those who are unable to mask, in-person participation in worship and meetings will not be possible, so each community should make reasonable accommodations; contact your parish priest for sacramental needs, and any essential meetings should have an option for participation via electronic means (telephone or videoconference).

I ask you to continue to make supplication to the Lord, to the Theotokos, and to the healing Saints (especially the recently canonized St. Nicephoros the Leper) for those affected by the pandemic: those who have been ill, the doctors and medical workers treating them, supporting family whose loved ones have died or been negatively impacted, those who are suffering job loss or financial instability, and those who suffer with anxiety or other psychological conditions; and may our God grant rest to all those who have departed this life in hope of the Resurrection. 

With Archpastoral blessings and love in the Lord,                        

+ SAVAS, Metropolitan of Pittsburgh

Anthony Balouris Visitation and Funeral

Our brother in Christ, Anthony (“Tony”) Balouris, has fallen asleep in the Lord. Visitation will be today at Holy Trinity Church from 2:00-8:00pm with a Trisagion at 7:00pm. Additional visitation will be on Monday at 10:00am followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00am and interment at Holy Trinity Cemetery. May his memory be eternal!

Faith & Family Weekdays

Faith and Family Weekdays is back, and there is something for everyone! Ready to learn more about the Bible, about your Faith, about navigating life’s challenges as a Christian, a woman, or a man? It’s all there. New this season: the Parish Book Club, based on the Orthodox Christian book “Gratitude in Life’s Trenches.” Having been through the challenges of the past 18 months, we could all use a perspective that helps us find blessings and thanks even in the most challenging situations.

THIS WEEK:

• Tues. Jan. 25, 7:00pm: “St. Lydia Women’s Fellowship” – Our longest running study group, aimed at giving women the opportunity to share and grow together. This year based on the new book, “Seven Holy Women: Conversations with Saints and Friends”.
• Wed. Jan. 26, 6:30pm Vespers/7:00pm: “Explore the Word” Bible Study - Father Radu continues his exploration of the Holy Bible, this time with a survey of the Old Testament. Learn about Genesis, Exodus, Job, the poetry of the Book of Psalms and the Prophecies of Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah. Bring your Bible & your questions!
• Thur. Jan. 27, 7:00am: “Prayer & Panera” – Prayer and Christian fellowship for men. Meet at church promptly at 7:00am for a 15–20-minute morning prayer and scripture, then move up the hill to Panera for 45 minutes of coffee & conversation.

[Jan 30] Philoptochos Meeting

A Philoptochos meeting will be held in person next Sunday, January 30, following Divine Liturgy in the Fireside Room.

[Feb 5] IOCC Health Kit Drive – Monetary Donations Needed

On Saturday, February 5, Holy Trinity Church will host an IOCC Health Kit Drive and Assembly. These small packages of essential supplies, assembled here by youth volunteers, will make a huge difference in ongoing International Orthodox Christian Charities programs or to those in need when disaster strikes. Our goal is to assemble several thousand Health Kits on this day. Donations are needed to help purchase bulk health kit supplies. Please make your check payable to “Holy Trinity AGAPE Fund” with “Health Kit Project” in the memo line and mail to Nick Terezis, c/o IOCC, 306 Marberry Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15215. The kit assembly will take place during the International Soup Sampling event. Please see below.

[Feb 5] International Soup Sampling to Benefit the IOCC

On Saturday, February 5, from 11:00am until 2:00pm Holy Trinity Church will host an International Soup Sampling event to benefit the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities). Sample five homemade soups for $10 and take your favorite quart home for an additional $10 donation. Experience tastes from around the world! For questions or to pre-order soup, contact Vera at 412-833-0839 or croitv@verizon.net.

Two Important Charity Agencies Again Need Our Generous Outreach Support

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 either of these two worthy causes! The first is a smaller scale project (dinner for 30 people); the second service aims to provide lunch for 140! Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ! (Also note, we do have parishioners who have expressed interest in helping families with delivering the food to the shelters.)

1. Feed the Homeless at Pleasant Valley Shelter.  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. Your group prepares and delivers the food (curbside drop-off available). Our dates are all Sunday evenings, and food needs to be there by 7:45pm.

2. Provide Bag Lunches for Needy Families through NRP.  Get your group or family and friends together for a meaningful day of giving to the poor and hungry in our region. Sponsored through the Orthodox outreach of the “Neighborhood Resilience Project”, the 2022 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 again this year.

Snow Cancellations – Where to Check

Please keep in mind over the winter months that there are several options to hear or read about event or service cancellations in the case of snow or inclement weather on the Holy Trinity "Snow Line." First stop: Check our website at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org. To hear by phone, call the church office (412-366-8700) then press option #7 and listen for a recorded weather cancellation announcement. To get updates by computer or smartphone, there are three options: 1) watch the parish email list for email announcements; 2) check the front page of our website, www.HolyTrinityPgh.org. Finally, to get information by radio or television, watch the KDKA Storm Center, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is registered there.

2022 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge Cards Now Due

The 2022 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge Cards have been distributed and all Holy Trinity Stewards should complete one immediately. If you have not yet received a 2022 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.  Our member-funded church needs each and every one of us, no matter the amount. And remember, a signed pledge card is required as part of maintaining your membership in good standing at Holy Trinity Church each year. We’re grateful to all of you for your commitment. Questions? Contact Stewardship Chairman Mike Kritiotis or email stewardship@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

Holy Trinity Church Completion and Consecration Campaign: Have You Pledged Yet?

Plans are now being developed to complete the necessary items so Holy Trinity Church can be consecrated by the end of 2023, as was approved by the General Assembly last November. The plans provide 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. If you haven’t done it already, 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.

Welcome, Holy Trinity Guests!

We welcome all our guests to Holy Trinity Church today, whether as visitors from out of town, family members joining others here for worship today or even soon-to-be members here for the first time. No matter what the reason the Holy Spirit brought you here today, we welcome you with open arms and hearts filled with the love of Christ. Please help us welcome you by signing in at the hospitality table in the Narthex, where you will be presented with a yellow lapel Cross to help our Holy Trinity family know you're here. Please fill out an information card so we can contact you with any information you may need concerning life here at Holy Trinity Church. Following Liturgy, we invite you to stop by our Connect Center located in the Gallery and join us for our Fellowship Coffee hour.

About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church

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!

How to receive: Please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery. In approaching the Holy Chalice, we respectfully ask anyone wearing a mask to fully remove it as you approach the Holy Gifts and do not replace it until you have received antidoron, so that the Body and Blood of Christ are not spread on the mask and discarded. Also, anyone wearing lipstick should remove it before receiving. For all those receiving, please wait in the Holy Communion line reverently, prayerfully, and quietly without talking. It is traditional as we approach with awe that we make the sign of the Cross or bow down with a “metanoia” as an act of humility before the Lord. Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving. Please take great care that the red cloth is fully under your chin and to fully open your mouth so that none of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!