Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-08-27
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

Organization Icon
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

Deacon Matthew Palamara
Deacon

DeaconMatthew@HolyTrinityPgh.org

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

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of His reign; He has conquered death by death, and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades; and has granted to the world great mercy. (Page 52)

Apolytikion for Martyr Phanurius in the Fourth Tone

A heavenly song of praise is brightly sung on the earth; * the hosts of the Angels keep an earthly festival now in splendor and radiant joy; * from on high, they praise with hymns the sufferings and struggles; * and below, the Church does laud the heavenly glory * you founded by your contests and pains, O glorious Phanourios.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
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Saints and Feasts

August 27

12th Sunday of Matthew

August 27

Holy Martyr Phanourios

Little is known of the holy Martyr Phanourios, except that which is depicted concerning his martyrdom on his holy icon, which was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes, when the Moslems ruled there. Thus he is called "the Newly Revealed." The faithful pray to Saint Phanourios especially to help them recover things that have been lost, and because he has answered their prayers so often, the custom has arisen of baking a Phaneropita ("Phanourios-Cake") as a thanks-offering.

August 27

Anthousa the Martyr

August 27

Hosisos the Confessor

August 27

Liverios, Pope of Rome

August 27

Monica

August 27

Pimen the Great

Saint Pimen was from Egypt and shone forth in the ascetical life in Scete in the fourth century; he was renowned for his discretion. Many of his sayings and deeds are preserved in the Paradise of the Fathers and the Sayings of the Fathers.

August 27

Poimen of Palestine

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17.

Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Rise from love of the world and love of pleasure. Put care aside, strip your mind, refuse your body. Prayer, after all, is a turning away from the world, visible and invisible. What have I in heaven? Nothing except simply to cling always to You in undistracted prayer. Wealth pleases some, glory others, possessions others, but what I want is to cling to God and to put the hopes of my dispassion in Him (cf. Ps. 72:25, 28).
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 28: On Prayer; Paulist Press pg. 277, 6th century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

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Parish News and Events

 

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Welcome OPCM Representatives Father Stephen Powley and Nicholas Petrogeorge

Today we have the honor of welcoming Father Stephen Powler, Co-Director of Training & Spiritual Care of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), and Nicholas Petrogeorge, its Executive Director. OCPM is an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. For Orthodox Christians who have been arrested for crimes, OCPM helps them return to the Faith, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with Christ. For both Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, OCPM provides spiritual care, enabling prisoners to find hope and purpose in their lives. They are in Pittsburgh for an OCPM Conference and we are delighted they have chosen Holy Trinity Church for worship this morning. Welcome!

 

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, Dinos Dickos (10 years). May his memory be eternal. The Hospitality Hour will be sponsored by the Dickos family. 

 

Attention All Holy Trinity Church School Families – Register for Church School Today – Starts September 10

Please remember to register your children for the 2023-2024 Church School year, which begins September 10. Registration will continue today during Hospitality Hour. Along with updating all records, we are asking that each family volunteer to host Snacks & Drinks after class for one Sunday AND fill in a volunteer form for an area of your choice. Our Youth programs depend on the volunteers that dedicate their time and talents to our most precious children. (Don't have a child in our program but would still love to volunteer? Please stop by the registration table for a form.)

 

Greek Dance Troupe – Final Practice Before the Festival - TODAY!

All groups will practice today during the Hospitality Hour. This is our final practice before the Festival! Please reach out with any questions to Eleni Dedousis (412-953-3699) or Victoria Andromalos-Dale (412-496-9128).

 

Festival Prep – LOTS OF HELP NEEDED TODAY!

MANY hands are needed to prep festival tzatziki cups TODAY following Divine Liturgy until 5:00pm.  Please join us in the kitchen. Work clothes and aprons are recommended.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Services This Week:

- Tues. Aug. 29, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Divine Liturgy: Beheading of St. John the Baptist (at Holy Trinity Church)

- Thurs. Aug. 31, 10:00am - Festival Opening Blessing

It is a long-standing tradition of Holy Trinity Church that we open and close our annual Greek Festival with prayer, invoking God’s blessings on all we do and thanking him for every gift. As such, all Festival volunteers are asked to gather for a brief opening blessing service at 10:00am on Thursday, August 31, in the church. We will also close the Festival on Sunday evening with a thanksgiving service as usual.

 

Festival Setup Today Through Wednesday! YOUR Help is Needed!

Attention ALL volunteers: It's Festival Setup Week - All Hands On Deck! We need to be up and ready by Thursday for the thousands of enthusiastic visitors and friends who will be coming to enjoy the festival this week, so please lend a hand. Sign up at www.HolyTrinityPghl.org/volunteer.  Setup times are:

  • TODAY, August 27 – 11:30-6:00pm
  • Monday, August 28 – 4:30-9:30pm
  • Tuesday, August 29 – 4:30-9:30pm
  • Wednesday, August 30 – 4:30-9:30pm

 

Festival Pastry Baking, Cutting & Set-Up Today – Your Help is Needed Here, Too!

Please mark your calendars and plan to come and help on the following dates. Bring the kids, bring your husbands, bring your wives, bring your friends!  All are welcome…no experience necessary. Light and heavy tasks for all. THANK YOU!

  • TODAY Sunday, August 27, following Liturgy - Baklava baking and pastry room & counter set up
  • Tuesday, August 29, 9:00am-3:00pm – Pastry Cutting
  • Wednesday, August 30, 9:00am-5:00pm – Pastry Cutting and FINAL FESTIVAL SET-UP!

 

[Aug 31-Sep 3] Holy Trinity’s Taste of Greece - Labor Day Weekend – IT’S HERE!

See you this week for the Festival on Thursday, August 31, through Sunday, September 3. The Festival Committee is asking everyone, new members, and old hands, young and young at heart, to pledge a donation of their time and talents so that we can continue to grow both the success of the festival and the fellowship with all our Holy Trinity church family members! Sign up at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/volunteer. Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ! We can’t do it without you!

 

Festival Public Parking

Once again, UPMC Passavant Hospital has graciously permitted us to use their lot for Festival parking. Please note that during our Festival, their GREEN lot will be available for our use on Thursday and Friday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm and all day on Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. Shuttle Bus service will be available.

 

Festival Staff Parking

The McCandless Crossing development has again given us permission to use the LOWER lot of the Midwest building across the street for festival staff parking. Please be respectful and only use the lower lot.

 

[Sept 9] Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery – Feast Day Celebration

Gerontissa Theophano and the Sisters warmly welcome you to the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery’s Feast Day on Saturday, September 9 beginning at 9:00am.  “Please come with family and friends and spend the day at the Monastery. Browse our icons and handiwork for sale, pastries, as well as frappes at our cafe.” Please RSVP so that the Monastery can prepare adequate hospitality. Kindly call 724-352-3999 or email: info@NativityoftheTheotokosMonastery.org. Location: 121 St. Elias Ln, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Visitors should be modestly dressed; women are asked to wear long skirts and men are asked to wear long pants.

 

[Sep 10] Holy Trinity Philoptochos will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, September 10, in the Fireside Room following Divine Liturgy. All members are invited to attend. Ladies, still not a member of Philoptochos? Get involved. Sign up at the meeting!

 

[Sept 11] Bereavement Ministry Meeting

Please make plans to join us for our next group gathering on Monday, September 11. The Holy Trinity Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to parishioners and their extended family & friends in time of grief and loss of a loved one. Fellowship and light refreshments begin at 6:30 pm followed by group support, learning, and conversation from 7:00-8:00 pm. 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 our private support sessions, please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org

 

[Sept 24] IOCC Ukrainian Relief Dinner & Prayer Service

Please show your support by attending the IOCC Ukrainian Relief Dinner & Prayer Service to be held on Sunday, Sept 24 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral (419 S. Dithridge St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213). The Prayer Service will begin at 4:00pm followed by Dinner at 5:00pm. Tickets are $50 each. Register online at iocc.org/pittsburgh or mail your personal check payable to “IOCC” with “Ukraine Relief Dinner” in the memo line to IOCC c/o Nick Terezis, 306 Marberry Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15215. Tickets will be held at the door. Net proceeds will benefit IOCC’s Ukraine Crisis Response. For additional information or to volunteer, call Zelfa at (412-417-4706 or zkhalil1@live.com).

 

Visitation Ministry needs your help – Yarn and CD’s needed for crafts

For the months of August and September, Visitation Ministry is collecting yarn (newly purchased or unused; all colors & textures) and CDs for crafts.  Please hand them in a bag to Amy Armanious during Hospitality Hour. For questions, feel free to email visitation@holytrinitypgh.org. Thank you as we prepare Christmas gifts for our homebound parishioners and extended family members.

 

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 celebrate our 10th anniversary here, and our centennial as a parish, let’s all double down on that effort to keep these beautiful facilities looking as good or better than the day we moved in. Thank you for your support and love!

 

Centennial Ornament – Place Your Order Soon

Our Ladies Philoptochos is offering a special Centennial Ornament to honor 100 Years of Holy Trinity Church! This limited-edition collector’s item measures 2 1/2 inches and is made of cast metal. This will be a wonderful gift for the holidays! Pre-order now to receive the discounted pricing of $20.00 per ornament. All orders must be pre-paid and received by Sunday, October 1, 2023. Use the order form included in the June edition of the Herald or visit HolyTrinitiyPgh.org/store to order by credit card. Additional order forms can be found on the window ledge outside of the church office. Pick up will be on Sunday, November 19th following Divine Liturgy. Proceeds will benefit Philoptochos charities.

 

[Nov 3-5] Save the Consecration Dates and Make Your Reservations Now for the Weekend of Nov 3-5, 2023

Please mark your calendars now and plan on dedicating that weekend to celebrating the once-in-a-lifetime historic Consecration and Centennial of our beloved Holy Trinity Church with your parish family. Tickets and Centennial commemorative items are now available at HolyTrinityPgh.org/centennial. Reserve your tickets today!   

 

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, then use the centuries-old practice of receiving: please fully open your mouth, then gently close your lips to make sure the Holy Gifts are securely in your mouth and so that none of the holy and precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!



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