Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

English: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Greek: Χριστός ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας και τοις εν τοις μνήμασιν, ζωήν χαρισάμενος. Phoenetics: Christós anésti ek nékron, thanáto thánaton patísas, ke tis en tis mnímasi zoín harisámenos. (Page 74)

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended into death, O Life immortal, You destroyed Hades with the splendor of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers shouted: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph* wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices* and laid it for burial in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* and granted the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

The Angel standing at the sepulcher cried out and said to the ointment bearing women:* The ointments are appropriate for mortal men, but Christ has been shown to be a stranger to decay.* So go and cry aloud, The Lord has risen* and granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of John the Theologian in the Second Tone

Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy.

Apolytikion of Holy Trinity Church (Page 75) in the First Tone

English: Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who has shown forth the fishermen to be most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. And through them, You drew the world into Your net. O merciful One, glory to You!
Greek: Ευλογητός ει Χριστέ, ο Θεός ήμων, ο πανσόφους τους αλιείς αναδείξας, καταπέμψας αυτοίς το Πνεύμα το άγιον, και δι΄αυτών την οικουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.
Phoenetics: Ev-lo-yi-tos i Hri-ste o The-os i-mon. O Pan-so-fous tous a-li-is a-na-di-xas ka-ta-pemp-sas af-tis to Pnev-ma to A-yi-on, ke di af-ton tin i-kou-men-in sa-i-nef-sas, fi-lan-thro-pe, do-xa si.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Though You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women "Rejoice," and giving peace to Your Apostles, O You Who grants resurrection to the fallen. (Page 74)

Saints and Feasts

May 08

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).

May 08

Arsenios the Great

Saint Arsenios was a deacon of the Church of Rome, born of an illustrious family, and wondrous in virtue. In the days of Saint Theodosius the Great, he was chosen to be the tutor of the Emperor's young sons, Arcadius and Honorius. While living at the imperial palace in Constantinople, compassed with all luxury and innumerable temptations to sin, Arsenios often besought God with tears to guide him to salvation. This prayer was answered one day when a voice came to him saying, "Arsenios, flee from men, and thou shalt be saved." He sailed secretly to Alexandria, and from there went to Scete, where he became a monk. Yet after he had withdrawn from the world, and was come among the most illustrious monks of his day, he heard, 'Arsenios, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the causes of sinning not." Following this call, he separated himself even from his fellow monks, practicing extreme silence. On Saturday evenings, he would turn his back on the setting sun, and would stretch out his hands in prayer to Heaven, till the sun shone upon his face the following morning, and only then would he sit down. Once a monk came to visit him, and looking into his cell saw Arsenios entirely like a flame of fire. After living some fifty-five years as a monk, and attaining to heights reached by few, he reposed in peace about the year 449, at the age of ninety-five.

May 08

Synaxis of the Holy Powder (or manna) which emitted from the tomb of Saint John the Theologian

The feast today in honour of the holy Apostle John commemorates the miracle taking place each year in Ephesus, in which a certain dust or powder, called manna, suddenly poured forth from his tomb and was used by the faithful for deliverance from maladies of both soul and body. For an account of his life, see September 26.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Eighth Tone. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from St. John's First Universal Letter 1:1-7.

THAT WHICH WAS from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Bulletin Inserts

Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, May 8, 2022

Festival Cooking Schedule 2022

Festival Cooking is back! Look over the dates and times listed here. You'll see both evening and daytime hours, during the week and on the weekends. Everyone's help is needed!

Men Who Cook Returns!

Join us on Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm for the return of Men Who Cook. Holy Trinity's most notable men will compete for the coveted title of HT's Top Chef 2022!

Holy Trinity Golf Outing

It’s time once again for the annual Holy Trinity Golf Outing, to be held this year on Monday, June 6, 2022 at Diamond Run Golf Club located in Sewickley, PA. Registration includes a boxed Lunch, golf cart, 18 holes of golf, Outdoor Live Grille Dinner, the opportunity to win skill prizes, a putting competition and more!

2022 Pittsburgh Summer Greek Festivals Guide

It's a great tradition, and it's back again! 38 Days of Greek Festivals in the Pittsburgh region, so plan well and you can eat Greek all summer!

Holy Trinity Hospitality Hour

The all new "Holy Trinity Hospitality Hour" will continue to embrace the opportunity to foster Christ-centered relationships, to "love your neighbor", to meet and greet newcomers and to build and strengthen existing friendships...but in a whole new format!

Faith and Family Weekdays

Faith and Family Weekdays is back, and there is something for everyone! Journey of Marriage; Explore the Word; Parish Book Club; St. Lydia Women's Fellowship; Journey to Fullness; Prayer & Panera; Family Game Night! Check out this handy guide for more details including dates and times.

Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

The second [Sunday after Pascha] is dedicated to the women who visited the tomb of Christ, hoping to anoint his body with myrrh, but they found an empty tomb instead. In many ways, this reflects the content of every Sunday and every Divine Liturgy: we come to church to celebrate the sacrifice of Christ, which takes place on the altar, a symbol of the tomb of Christ. Our testimony, every time, is that the tomb is empty, a reflection of the revelation to the Myrrh bearers.

Rev. Dr. Andreas Andreopoulos

Gazing on God: Trinity, Church and Salvation in Orthodox Thought and Iconography. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co., 2013, 55-56.

Parish News and Events

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Memorials 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, Themistocles Balouris (20 years). Trisagion prayers will also be read for Margie (Coralia) Smyrnes (5 years). May their memory be eternal! The Balouris family will be sponsoring the Hospitality Hour today.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Faith & Family Weekdays – Spring 2022

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. There is something for everyone! Watch the bulletin and check the online calendar at HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar for details and locations.

THIS WEEK:

Mon. May 9, 7:00pm: “Journey to Fullness” – An overview of the Orthodox Christian Faith for newcomers interested in joining or life-long members yearning to deepen their understanding. Videos and Q&A discussion. This adult catechism series will continue on Mondays at 7:00pm through June 13. All are welcome.
Wed. May 11, 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! (This is the last Bible Study before Lent begins)
Thur. May 12, 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.

[May 10-July 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!

THIS 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 2^nd grade), JOY (3^rd through 6^th grade) and GOYA (7^th through 12^th 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).

TODAY, 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 – Tickets Available Now!

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 or in the Gallery after Liturgy today. Questions? see Kathy Balouris or Karen Georgiadis or email them at social@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

[May 30] Memorial Day Service for Veterans

Please gather in front of the Holy Trinity Cemetery War Memorial at 10:00am on Monday, May 30 as we hold a special ceremony to honor and remember our veterans. Please note that this service is to commemorate veterans; it is not a general memorial service for all the departed. That will be held according to Orthodox tradition on the Pentecost weekend Saturday of Souls (June 11 this year) with a Divine Liturgy and Memorial at the Saint George Chapel. Memory Eternal!

[June 6] Holy Trinity Golf Outing

It’s time once again for the annual Holy Trinity Golf Outing, to be held this year on Monday, June 6, at Diamond Run Golf Club located in Sewickley, PA. Registration includes a boxed Lunch, golf cart, 18 holes of golf, Outdoor Live Grille Dinner, the opportunity to win skill prizes, a putting competition and more! The Golf Outing registration form can be found at the Church Office information window or look for a copy in the May edition of the Herald. Email registration and player names to Dean Passodelis (DPassodelis@jonespassodelis.com) by the May 29^th deadline. Proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Church. Payable by check to “Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church”. Everyone is welcomed to attend!

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, 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.

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 held by the acolytes (you should not hold it) is fully under your chin and please 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 Memorials: May 15: Evdoxia Danis (5 years) & Family; June 5: Vladimir Peregontsev (40 days), Nicholas Georgallis (1 year)

Today’s Hospitality Hour Hosts: The family of +Themistocles Balouris

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

Apolytikion for Synaxis of John the Theologian in the Second Tone

Apolytikion of Holy Trinity Church (Page 75) in the First Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

Arsenios the Great

Synaxis of the Holy Powder (or manna) which emitted from the tomb of Saint John the Theologian

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Bulletin Inserts

Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, May 8, 2022

Festival Cooking Schedule 2022

Men Who Cook Returns!

Holy Trinity Golf Outing

2022 Pittsburgh Summer Greek Festivals Guide

Holy Trinity Hospitality Hour

Faith and Family Weekdays

Wisdom of the Fathers

Parish News and Events