Services This Week - Locations: (HT) Holy Trinity Church (SG) St. George Chapel
- Mon. Apr. 11, 6:30pm: LAST Great Compline (SG)
- Wed. Apr. 13, 6:30pm: LAST Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Dinner and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Lenten Presentation (HT)
- Sat. Apr. 16, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: Saturday of Lazarus (HT) followed by Lenten breakfast and Holy Week preparations and confessions.
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 2 years, we could all use a perspective that helps us find blessings and thanks even in the most challenging situations.
THIS WEEK:
- Wed. Apr. 13: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten Dinner, and Lenten Speakers Series
- 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 Dinner (7:45pm): We will continue the tradition of Lenten dinners following Pre-sanctified Liturgies by asking for volunteers to bring food if you are able. Plan on a Lenten vegetable, soup, salad, or dessert for approximately 20. Everyone is invited to stay for this light meal. After the meal is served, everyone will remain in the Grand Room for the Lenten Speakers Series presentation.
- Lenten Speakers Series (8:00pm). Each week a special presentation will be offered by one of our clergy or guest presenters. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Dr. Peter Gagianas will be offering Part 2 of his series on the Crucifixion of the Lord, with special insights into the medical aspects. The Shroud of Turin will also be discussed.
- Thu. Apr. 14: 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.
[Apr 16] Saturday of Lazarus Palm Crosses/Candles/Confessions
Calling all Holy Trinity Church School students and staff, their families, friends, relatives, and everyone at Holy Trinity Church: Your help is needed to prepare some important items for our Holy Week services! Divine Liturgy is at 9:30am followed by a Lenten breakfast and the project. Plan to stay and help make the many Palm Crosses (everyone can help with this!) as the younger students prepare the cupped candles for Holy Friday and Holy Saturday evenings. The GOYA teens will be setting up for the Palm Sunday luncheon. Parents, please be sure to attend with your children and family.
[Apr 17] Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale
Philoptochos Pascha Bread is back! The Ladies Philoptochos will be making Pascha bread this year. There will be approximately 100 loaves available. There will be NO PREORDERS and will be available on a first come first serve basis. The bread will be available for pick up on Palm Sunday, April 17th following Liturgy and will be sold for $10.00 per loaf.
[Apr 17] Visitation Ministry - Pascha Gift Delivery – Your Help is Needed
The Visitation Ministry Team will have a table display on Palm Sunday, April 17th during the Hospitality Hour. We need help in delivering our Pascha gifts to our homebound parishioners during Holy Week. Also, we will have a donation basket for those who would like to contribute to this special outreach project. For questions or to add a loved one's name to our homebound list, please contact Amy Armanious or email Visitation@holytrinitypgh.org. Thanks to all for your support and prayers as we approach this holy time of the year.
[Apr 22] Help Decorate the Epitaphion on Holy Friday
As we prepare to celebrate Pascha, please consider taking the day off from school or work on Holy Friday. School excuses from the Father John will be available for those who attend and help. All ages are invited to come to the church and help with decorating the Kouvouklion (which contains the Epitaphion - Tomb of Christ) with flowers immediately following the 8:30am Service of the Royal Hours (the service lasts approximately one hour). Please come to make this one of your offerings of dedicated love and service to the Lord as we honor His Holy Passion in His Holy Church. (NOTE: This is a FAMILY opportunity, not a “drop-off” event. Young children must be supervised by a responsible adult.)
[Apr 23] Come to the Anastasi Services and Dinner! – Saturday Evening
Don’t forget to make plans to attend the Resurrection Orthros, Liturgy and Dinner at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday evening/early morning of Pascha. Following the liturgical celebration of the Resurrection, join your family, friends, and other members of Holy Trinity to break the fast and celebrate the Feast of Feasts! Free-will offerings will be accepted for this community celebration.
[Apr 24] Agape Vespers Candy Hunt
The Church School ministry is again sponsoring the annual Paschal Candy Hunt on the lawn of the church (weather permitting) on Pascha following the Agape Vespers Service at 12:00pm. All the children are invited to come for this beautiful and bright service. It is an especially good way for those with small children who are not able to attend the midnight service to share in a special celebration of Pascha. NOTE: Parent volunteers are needed to help coordinate this event. Please step up and contact Presvytera Becky to volunteer. Thank you!
[Apr 25] Saint George Chapel Feast Day
Please join the Holy Trinity Community for the celebration of the Feast Day of our Saint George Chapel on Bright Monday, April 25 with Orthros at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy.
[Apr 26] Holy Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli Monastery
During the Consecration of the Saint George Chapel, three relics were sealed in the Holy Altar table: Saint Panteleimon, Saint Kyrikos and the Holy 179 Martyrs of the Ntaou Penteli Monastery. The Feast of the 179 Martyrs falls each year on Bright Tuesday, so we will offer services in their honor on that day at the Chapel, with Orthros at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy.
[May 3-Jul 23] Festival Cooking – IT’S BACK!
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY to get started on our FESTIVAL COOKING 2022! Please mark your calendars and plan to come and help on the following days. Bring the kids, bring your husbands, bring your wives, bring your friends! All are welcome...no experience necessary. Tons of light and heavy tasks for all. THANK YOU!
- Tuesday, May 3, 9:00am-9:00pm – Apricot Rolls
- Tuesday, May 10, 9:00am-9:00pm – Galaktoboureko
- Thursday, May 19, 9:00am-9:00pm – Pastitsio
- Friday, May 20, 9:00am-9:00pm – Pastitsio
- Saturday, May 21, 11:00am-5:00pm – Pastitsio
- Tuesday, May 31, 9:00am-9:00pm – Koulourakia
- Tuesday, June 7, 9:00am-9:00pm – Kourambiethes
- Tuesday, June 14, 9:00am-9:00pm – Finikia and Portokalopita
- Tuesday, June 21, 9:00am-9:00pm – Diples
- Tuesday, June 28, 9:00am-9:00pm – Souzoukakia
- Thursday, July 21, 11:00am-9:00pm – Moussaka
- Friday July 22, 9:00am-9:00pm – Moussaka
- Saturday, July 23, 9:00am-5:00pm – Moussaka
Upcoming Greek Dance Troupe Practice Schedule - May
Please plan on having your children attend as many of the dance troupe practice sessions as possible. As a reminder, the groups are HOPE (5 years old through 2nd grade), JOY (3rd through 6th grade) and GOYA (7th through 12th grade). Any recent graduates can also attend if they would like to dance. All practices will be held at Holy Trinity Church. Please feel free to reach out with any questions to Eleni Dedousis (412-953-3699) or Victoria Andromalos-Dale (412-496-9128).
- Sunday, May 1: ALL Groups, during Coffee Hour
- Sunday, May 8: ALL Groups, during Coffee Hour
- Sunday, May 15: GOYA, during Coffee Hour
- Tuesday, May 17: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:30pm
- Sunday, May 29: GOYA, during Coffee Hour
- Tuesday, May 31: HOPE 6:00-6:30pm / JOY 6:30-7:30pm
[May 22] Men Who Cook – Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for a fun evening feasting on edible creations from our top Holy Trinity Male Chef's as we welcome THE RETURN OF "MEN WHO COOK!" The Event will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022, in the Grand Room. Join us as Holy Trinity’s most notable men compete for the coveted title of HT’s Top Chef! Entertainment will be provided by the Holy Trinity Jazz Band. Tickets are available now for purchase online at HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. Questions? see Kathy Balouris or Karen Georgiadis or email them at social@HolyTrinityPgh.org.
Metropolis Summer Camp Registration is Open
Metropolis Summer Camp registration is now open at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org. All active youth participants of Holy Trinity Church may register for camp using the code “HTPSC22” to receive $350 off the registration fee. The code must be used at the time of registration. Be sure to register early, as sessions sell out quickly!
- Week 1 (grades 2-4): June 19 - June 25
- Week 2 (grades 5-7): June 26 - July 2
- Week 3 (grades 7-9): July 3 - July 9
- Week 4 (grades 10-12): July 10 - July 16
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 & Consecration Campaign: Have You Pledged?
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 2022-2023.
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!
IOCC Ukraine Crisis Response
Please continue praying for everyone affected by the crisis in Ukraine, and for the teams who are serving them on the ground. With long-standing relationships in the region, including in Romania and Moldova, IOCC has mobilized to serve people affected by the crisis in Ukraine. As refugees flee Ukraine—mostly elderly persons, people with disabilities, and women with infants and young children—and enter neighboring countries, IOCC is working with local partners to make sure their needs are met. While word on the ground in Romania and Moldova is that even the most basic items—like food, water, and milk products—are in short supply in shops, IOCC and its partners there are purchasing items in bulk and distributing them to people in need. You can serve people affected by the Ukraine crisis with a gift today to IOCC's Ukraine Crisis Response Fund by visiting www.iocc.org/ukraine22 to make a secure online donation or by phone at 877.803.4622 or by stopping at the church office window to pick up a pre-addressed IOCC donation envelope. Kindly make your personal check payable to “IOCC” and note “Ukraine Crisis” in the memo line. Thank you!
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 join us for our Hospitality hour.
Keeping Holy Trinity “Like New” Is Up to You
When, by God’s grace, we moved into our beautiful new Church and Center in 2013, we committed as a Holy Trinity family to do our best to always keep the entire facility in “Like New” condition. Keeping that commitment is up to all of us. It means leaving things as clean and organized, or better, than when we found them. It also means notifying the church office of any maintenance needs as they are discovered. As we come closer to our 10th anniversary here, let’s all double down on that effort so that when we celebrate our upcoming 100th anniversary in 2023, these beautiful facilities are looking as good or better than the day we moved in. Thank you for your support and love!
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. Anyone wearing lipstick should remove it before receiving. 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!
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/Palm Cross/Candle prep: April 16
- Palm Sunday: April 17
- Holy Week: April 17 – April 23
- Holy Friday (schedule off work & school): April 22
- The Great and Holy Pascha: April 24
- Bright Monday/Saint George Chapel Feast Day: April 25
Bright Tuesday/Feast of the Holy Fathers of Ntaou Penteli (Relics in Chapel Altar): April 26
