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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-12-25
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Bulletin Inserts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Parish News and Events
Calendar of Events
Nativity
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (412)366-8700
  • Fax:
  • (412)366-8710
  • Street Address:

  • 985 Providence Blvd.

  • Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5951

Contact Information

Rev. Fr. John Touloumes, Protopresbyter
Proistamenos

fjt@HolyTrinityPgh.org | 412-366-8700

Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu
Assistant Priest

FrRadu@HolyTrinityPgh.org

Mary Portellos
Office Administrator

office@HolyTrinityPgh.org | 412-366-8700

Services Schedule

Worship Schedule

8:15 a.m. Orthros

9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Worship Locations:

Sunday worship location: Holy Trinity Church, 985 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Weekday/Feast Day worship location: St. George Chapel, 8941 Ringeisen Rd., Allison Park, PA

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Nativity in the Fourth Tone

Your Nativity, O Christ our God* has shone upon the world the light of knowledge.* For through it those who had worshiped the stars* from a star learned to worship* You, the Sun of righteousness* and to know You, the One who comes from on high.* O, Lord, glory to You! (Page 61)

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone

English: The Virgin on this day* brings forth the One Who is above all things* and the earth a cave provides* for Him Who is beyond man’s touch.* Angels, along with shepherds now give their glory* Magi follow a star as they journey* when for our sake is born* a young child* the pre-eternal God. Greek: Η Παρθένος σήμερον, τον υπερούσιον τίκτει, και η γη το σπήλαιον, τω απροσίτω προσ­άγει. Άγγελοι, μετά Ποιμένων δοξολογούσι, Μάγοι δε, μετά Αστέρος οδοιπορούσι, δι’ ημάς γαρ εγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ο προ αιώνων Θεός. (Page 61)
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Saints and Feasts

Nativity
December 25

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).

Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).

But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).

Magi
December 25

The Adoration of the Magi: Melchior, Gaspar, & Balthasar

25_nativity4
December 25

The Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks and came to see the Lord

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fifth Tone. Psalm 65.4,1.
Let all the earth worship you, and sing praises to you.
Verse: Shout with joy to God, all the earth.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7.

BRETHREN, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ.

Gospel Reading

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord has given us a sign 'as deep as Sheol and as high as heaven', such as we should not have dared to hope for. How could we have expected to see a Virgin with Child, and to see in this Child a 'God with us' (Isaiah 7: 11 & 14) Who would descend into the depths of the earth to seek for the lost sheep, meaning the creature He had fashioned, and then ascend again to present to His Father humanity thus regained?
Irenaeus of Lyons
Against Heresies, III, 19.3 (SC 211, p. 380), 130-208

His love for me brought low His greatness. He made Himself like me so that I might receive Him. He made Himself like me so that I might be clothed in Him. I had no fear when I saw Him, for He is mercy for me. He took my nature so that I might understand Him, my face, so that I should not turn away from Him.
42 hymns discovered in 1905 in a Syriac Manuscript.
Odes of Solomon 7 (The Odes and Psalms of Solomon R. Harris adn A. Mingana II, pp. 240-1). Written in Greek for the Christian communities of Syria., Early 2nd Century

This is the reason why the Word of God was made flesh, and the Son of God became Son of Man: so that we might enter into communion with the Word of God, and by receiving adoption might become Sons of God. Indeed we should not be able to share in immortality without a close union with the Immortal. How could we have united ourselves with immortality if Immortality had not become what we are, in such a way that we should not be absorbed by it, and thus we should be adopted as Sons of God?
Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, III. 19,1
Sources Chretiennes, Cerf, Paris, as found in The Roots of Christian Mysticism by Olivier Clement, p. 38, 130-208

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Parish News and Events

 

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Fast-Free Season Until January 4

Many thanks to all who attended the holy services in celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, especially our Holy Trinity Choir for their beautiful offering of the Liturgy and Christmas carols on both Christmas Eve and this Christmas morning. Remember, in the joy of the Feast, the Church proclaims a fast-free period from Christmas Day through January 4.

 

No Church School Class

Attention, parents: there will be no Church School class today, so please join together and worship as a family.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Upcoming Services

  • Thurs. Jan. 5, 8:30am Service of the Royal Hours of Theophany (HT= Holy Trinity Church)
  • Thurs. Jan. 5, 6:30pm Vesperal Liturgy: Holy Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters (HT)  
  • Fri. Jan. 6, 8:30am Orthros/9:30 Liturgy: Holy Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters (HT)
  • Sat. Jan. 7, 8:30am Orthros/9:30 Liturgy: St. John the Baptist and Forerunner (St. George Chapel)

 

Faith & Family Weekdays – Off This Week

Our “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” will resume the first week of January. In the meantime, please remember your Prayer Partners! Even over the holidays, please remember to lift up your prayer partner every day! Please keep the promise. New “Prayer Partner” cards will be distributed in early January. 

 

Christmas Angel Gifts – Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who graciously provided gifts to help make a child’s or a senior citizen’s Christmas a special one!

 

[Dec 29] Greek Dance Troupe Practice

Our Greek Dance Troupe will be performing at the Valentine’s event on Sunday, February 12. If you would like to participate, you must come to the practices we will be having in the next few months. Our first practice will be Thurs Dec 29: GOYA 4:00-4:45pm, JOY 4:45-5:30pm, HOPE 5:30-6:00pm. Please reach out to Victoria or Eleni with any questions.

 

[Jan 5, 6] Services for Holy Theophany

  • Thurs. Jan. 5, 8:30am Service of the Royal Hours of Theophany: This special service offers readings, prophecies and hymns which point to and interpret Holy Theophany.(HT)
  • Thurs. Jan. 5, 6:30pm Vesperal Liturgy - Holy Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters: This is the first of two Theophany Liturgies and services of Great Blessings of the Waters. The Liturgy will be followed by the Great Blessing of the Waters service. This is a strict fasting day in preparation for Theophany. Anyone wishing to receive Holy Communion should refrain from eating or drinking after the noon meal. (HT)
  • Fri. Jan. 6, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – The Holy Theophany of our Lord: This is the main Orthros and Divine Liturgy of this great Feast. We will again offer the Great Blessings of the Water at the conclusion of Liturgy. (HT)

 

[Jan 8] Parish Council Installation

As per the Parish Regulations, the 2023 Holy Trinity Parish Council will be installed following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 8. Please continue to support and pray for them as they serve you and this community, and always be ready to step up and respond when the Parish Council sends out the call for laborers in the vineyard to serve the Church!

 

[Jan 8] Vasilopita Celebration

On Sunday, January 8, the Holy Trinity Philoptochos will offer the annual Vasilopita celebration in the Grand Room following the Divine Liturgy. Proceeds will benefit the Saint Basil Academy, an educational and philanthropic institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

 

[Jan 13] Parish Family Game Night

Please plan to attend our Parish Family Game Night on Friday, January 13 beginning at 7:00pm for an evening of games, fun and fellowship for all ages! Lots of great board games, skill exercises and more. Bring your own favorites with you to share! Popcorn, snacks, and drinks provided. It’s for the entire family, so bring Papou & Yiayia, Mom & Dad, too!

 

[Jan 22] GOYA Meeting

The GOYA teen ministry will be holding its monthly meeting on Sunday, January 22 in the Conference Room following Church School. All teens are invited to attend.

 

[Jan 22] JOY Games & Pizza Party

Attention all Holy Trinity JOY children (3rd-6th grades): Join us in the Fireside Room after Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 22 for an afternoon of playing board games. The event runs until 2:00pm. Pizza, snacks and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to JOY@HolyTrinityPgh.org so we know how much food to prepare. See you there!

 

Back for 2023: “Feed the Homeless” Dinners at Pleasant Valley Shelter

Would you like to donate a small bit of your time and treasures, and make 30+ homeless people happy? The dates below are available to feed the residents of this local men’s shelter, located on the North Side, near our old church. If you’d like to provide a warm meal to our less fortunate neighbors, please sign up for this Holy Trinity Outreach Ministry opportunity. All dates are Sunday evenings, and meals can be dropped off or - better yet – you could stay and personally serve on site. Instructions will be sent to you once you sign up. You will not forget this experience, and those you help will not forget you! Available 2023 dates are: Jan 8; Mar 12; May 14; July 9; Sept 10; and Nov 12. Please see Mike Kritiotis today, or call 412-518-0588, or email outreach@HolyTrinityPgh.org to volunteer your family or group. 

 

Snow Cancellations – Where to Check

Please keep in mind over the winter months that there are a number of 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.

 

Sunday Hospitality Hour Sponsors Needed – January and February Dates are Available

Did you know that sponsoring the Hospitality Hour is not just for Memorials or Holy Trinity Ministry Groups? Individual parishioners are encouraged to sponsor the Hospitality Hour in honor of a loved one’s Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation, Baptism, Chrismation or simply out of love for their parish family. Parishioners can also reach out and combine their efforts with other individuals or families! For additional information please contact Coordinator: Stacy Dickos (412-298-9409), Scheduler: Theanne Gagianas (724-986-4546) or by email at hospitality@HolyTrinityPgh.org. Additional information is available on our website: www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/hospitality-hour or on the sign-up board located in the Gallery following Divine Liturgy today.

 

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 us know that 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.

 

Year-End Contributions Reminder

The Stewardship Committee and Parish Council thank all our Holy Trinity Stewards for their pledges and contributions this year and ask that everyone brings their offerings up to date for 2022. Please take note that all offerings you would like listed as received during the 2022 tax year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31) for tax deduction purposes must be received at the church or postmarked by Dec. 31. This is an IRS regulation. Year-end statements will be sent out at the end of January. Also, the 2023 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge Cards have been distributed and all Holy Trinity Stewards should complete one immediately. If you have not yet received a 2023 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.

 

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. Please join our parish family for Hospitality Hour 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!

 

Holy Trinity Church Launches “Realm” – Have You Activated Your Account Yet?

We are pleased to introduce Realm, an exciting new feature at Holy Trinity Church that will help grow our ministry effectiveness, our stewardship growth and our parish administration. Here are some fast facts about it.

  • What is Realm? Realm is an online ministry tool designed for real time connection. It helps the church connect with you and helps you connect with your church. Realm allows you to manage your personal information and who is allowed to see it, control your giving, and keep in touch with the groups that matter to you.
  • How will Realm help with pledges and offerings? Pledging and giving should be easy. Realm places giving right in the palm of your hands. You may set up recurring gifts, view your giving history, and make changes at any time. Realm automatically records all electronic gifts and adds them to your giving record making it easy for you to give, and easy for our office to manage.
  • I activated my account and I see my previous pledges and offerings, but offerings I made in November and December using the Vanco online giving or the giving kiosk in the Narthex are not appearing on my app. We are currently in a transition period from the old Vanco donations platform to the new Realm platform. Instructions will be sent out shortly to all members who are currently subscribed to the old Vanco recurring giving system instructing them how to discontinue it and subscribe to the new Realm recurring giving system. During this transition, there may be delay in posting your November/December remaining contributions from the old system, but they will be posted in time for the year-end statements. Watch for instructions and thank you for your patience.
  • I would like to pay ahead in 2022 for my 2023 pledge as I have done in the past. The new Realm system applies all donations to the calendar year in which they were given. You are free to “pay forward” to the next year for tax or other purposes, but all stewardship donations during a calendar year will now be credited toward that same calendar year’s stewardship pledge.
  • Is Realm secure? Your privacy is one of our greatest concerns. Our Holy Trinity Realm account is only made up of the people in our church. It’s not like a social network that’s open to everyone. Realm keeps your data safe and gives you control over what information you share and who can see it.
  • How do I activate my Holy Trinity Realm account? All current Holy Trinity Stewardship members have received or will receive an activation invitation. If not, please email realm@HolyTrinityPgh.org to get one. Then install the Realm app and you’re up and running with all the features and info at your fingertips!

 

Please Support Our Local Orthodox Monasteries

During the Nativity season, please remember to show your support to our local Orthodox Monasteries. We depend on their prayers, and they depend on our essential support. You can make an online charitable contribution or simply mail your donation to the monastery. Their contact information is listed below. Thank you for your offerings of love!

Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery: 121 St. Elias Lane, Saxonburg, PA 16056-9615

Online Donation: http://www.nativityofthetheotokosmonastery.org/donate

Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration: 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, PA 16117-6531

Online Donation: http://www.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodcity.org/giving

St. Gregory Palamas Monastery: 934 County Road 2256, Perrysville, OH 44838-9529

Online Donation: http://www.sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery

 

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