Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2024-09-08
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Holy Trinity Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (978) 458-8092
  • Fax:
  • (978) 970-0935
  • Street Address:

  • 62 Lewis Street

  • Lowell, MA 01854


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Orthros: 9:00am 
Divine Liturgy: 10:00am
Sunday Fellowship: following Divine Liturgy


Past Bulletins


Today's Calendar

Memorial Service - Μνημόσυνο:   40 days for Vasilios Giavis and 1 year for Catherine Natsios.  May their memories be eternal.
Parish Council Members on Duty:  Betty Themeles, Tom Themeles, Joan Metropolis and Megan Hantzis
Fellowship Coffee Hour hosted by the Chronopoulos family  
 
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Weekly Calendar

Tuesday, September 10 at 6:15pm: Philoptochos Meeting in the Church Hall.  This is the first meeting of the Ecclesiastical New Year and the beginning of the Philoptochos 2024-2025 year.  It is a very important meeting.  The agenda will include, but is not limited to:  discussion of national and metropolis obligations for the entire year and planning for the November 2 "Fall Fair" which is our primary fundraiser of the year.
Saturday, September 14: The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross. Η Παγκόσμιος Ύψωσις του Τιμίου Σταυρού Orthros 8am and Divine Liturgy 9am
Sunday, September 15: Winter Hours begin, Orthros 9am and Divine Liturgy 9-10pm
  https://www.goarch.org/news
The Orthodox Observer places the Church in the context of the current world we live in through a diverse and informative experience — offering participants meaningful exchange with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, her ministries, and affiliates. The experience provides the faithful significant content to listen to, watch, and read; in order to lead, grow, and inspire.
 

 

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Announcements

 Holy Trinity News
Upcoming Church Services (Orthros 8am & Divine Liturgy 9am unless otherwise noted):  
Saturday, October 26: Divine Liturgy - St. Demetrios the Myrhbearer - Αγίου Δημητρίου τού Μυροβλητου.
Monday, October 28: Divine Liturgy - Holy Protection of the Theotokos - Αγία Σκέπη της Θεοτόκου.
Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 22, with registration & welcoming fellowship.  Join us....We welcome new and existing families to join us for Sunday school classes this fall.  The Registration fee is $10.00 per child and is used to help offset our expenses. 
JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) 

Thought for the month is encouragement. Biblical encouragement is not focused on what a person is capable of within themselves, but rather in what the Spirit is doing in them.  It doesn’t take anything to show encouragement.   An act of encouragement can make an impact on someone’s life.

On the first day of Sunday School, Pancakes & Fellowship Coffee hour will be provided by Sunday School parents. Please reach out to Panayiota Anastasiadis if you would like to help with coffee hour.  ([email protected] )

Philoptochos News: www.facebook.com/Holy-Trinity-Ladies-Philoptochos-Lowell 
 Hellenic American Academy and HAA PTA News (hellenicaa.org)  

A Message from the HAA PTA

The PTA is excited to kick off the school year with our new executive PTA board. We worked to smoothly transition all roles & responsibilities from the previous board members, Bobby Kefalas, Dimitri Tjoutjakis and Pam Crawford and we wish them the best of luck at their new schools! We also want to give a special THANK YOU for their years of dedication to the school, teachers, and children. 

Former Vice-President, Meg Hantzis will move into the role of President and will be joined by Georgia Bletsis as the new Vice-President, Kosta Agganis as Treasurer and Maria Vrakas as Secretary. We are excited to continue the consistent monthly meeting cadence that was implemented last year alongside providing full transparency into all budgeting & fundraising goals. As the school year begins, watch for communication regarding PTA Membership applications, meeting schedules as well a Save the Date calendar.  Planning for our 3rd Annual Fall Family Glendi at Indian Country Club is already underway, slated for Saturday October 12th—a kid-friendly event where we can bring all local Hellenic families together for a night of dancing, dinner and raffles that celebrates our great community.

The following events are on the School Calendar for this Fall:

August 27 — First Day of School

October 5 — HAA PTA Glow Golf Tournament & Raffle Fundraiser at Stone Meadow Golf

October 12 — HAA PTA Fall Family Glendi at Indian Ridge Country Club

October 25 — HAA PTA Sponsored Halloween Party at Hellenic Cultural Center

October 28 — The Holy Protection of the Theotokos and OXI Day Celebration

December TBD — Christmas Program at Hellenic Cultural Center

Church Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00am - 1:00pm and Friday 8:00am-11am.  Please use the side entrance and ring the doorbell. If you prefer to use the elevator entrance, call the office upon arrival to be let in.
 Pastoral Visits
Please call the Church Office at 978 458-8092 to arrange a hospital, nursing home or shut-in visit by Fr. Nick.  Health care facilities are unable to contact us because of HIPAA regulations.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News & On-Line Ministries www.goarch.org:
Communications Department:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/communications
Family Care:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/family
New Charter for the Second Centennial: https://charter.goarch.org/ 
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) announces the launch of a dedicated website (charter.goarch.org) aimed at providing comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate information concerning the proposed revision of the Archdiocese’s Charter.
 
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Upcoming Events - Save the Date

 September 23:  AHEPA Hellas 15th Annual Golf Tournament at the Four Oaks Country Club
September 24:  Metropolis of Boston Camp Golf Classic at the Indian Ridge Country Club
October 15: Holy Trinity Golf Tournament at the Indian Ridge Country Club 
More golfer and sponsor information will be included with the mailing of the fall edition for The Communicator which went out late last week.
November 02 at the Hellenic Cultural Center
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Sunday before Holy Cross
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.


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Saints and Feasts

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.


September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.


September 13

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.


September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Our Redeemer and Maker, Who was Son of God before the ages, became Son of Man at the end of ages. Thus the One Who, through the power of His divinity, had created us to enjoy the happiness of everlasting life, might Himself restore us, through the weakness of our humanity, to recover the life we had lost.
St. Bede the Venerable
Homilies on the Gospels, 2.18. 7th Century. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 126.

For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

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Archdiocese News

23rd Anniversary Memorial Service for 9/11 at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

09/06/2024

On September 11, 2024, a memorial service will be held at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in honor of the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This solemn event, which will be presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, will begin at 3:00 PM and is open to the public.


Ecumenical Patriarchate and Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne Condemn Actions of Russian Orthodox Church in Africa

09/04/2024

Yesterday, September 3, 2024, the Ecumenical Patriarchate issued a condemnation of recent illegal actions of the Russian Orthodox Church. This statement comes in response to a heartfelt letter from His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, dated August 31st, 2024, which was delivered at the concluding session of the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne in Istanbul, Türkiye.


Telos Center Boston to Host Great Vespers for the Forefeast of the Holy Cross, Young Adult Potluck

09/03/2024

On September 12, 2024 at 6pm, the Telos Center Boston and Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cambridge, Masschusetts will host the service of Great Vespers for the Forefeast of the Holy Cross, welcoming new students and young adults to the Boston area.


Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne Discuss Global Ecclesial Affairs at Holy Synaxis in Istanbul, Türkiye

09/02/2024

In Istanbul, Türkiye, the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne continued today, September 2, 2024.


Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne Commences in Istanbul, Türkiye

09/01/2024

Tonight, September 1, 2024, the Commencement of the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne took place in Istanbul, Türkiye. As the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne gathered at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, they appreciated the company of their fellow clergymen, making new connections, reuniting with seminary classmates, and engaging in spirited conversation. 


Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne Sign the Act of the New Indiction at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

09/01/2024

This morning, September 1, 2024, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the New Indiction at the Venerable Patriarchal Church of St. George in Phanar, Istanbul, Türkiye. After offering a blessing over the upcoming year, His All-Holiness signed the Act of the New Indiction, officially signifying the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America signed alongside His All-Holiness, as did all present Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne.


Archbishop Elpidophoros Ordains Patriarchal Deacon Kallinikos Chasapis to the Priesthood

08/31/2024

This morning, August 31, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, located in the Phanar district of Istanbul, Türkiye. His Eminence ordained Patriarchal Deacon Kallinikos Chasapis to the priesthood during the service.


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