Worship

Services:

Sundays

8:30am Orthros, 9:30am Divine Liturgy

UPCOMING SERVICES:

Nativity of the Theotokos

- Parish Celebration: Monday, September 8th - Great Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, 9am Orthros & Liturgy

Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
- Join Holy Cross in Mt. Lebanon for the Patronal Vespers on Saturday, September 13th at 7pm

- Sunday, September 14th at our Parish
  - 8:30am Orthros
  - 9:30am Procession and Service of the Cross followed by the Divine Liturgy
    - We will need Basil plants for adorning the cross and for distribution to the faithful, drop off time will be by Friday, September 12th by 2pm.

UPCOMING MEMORIALS:

September 7th
- 3mo Memorial - Pauline Skeriotis
- 8yr Memorial - Angeline Neforos
- 20yr Memorial - Pano "Pete" Neforos
- 12yr Trisagion - Kathryn Tsacalis
September 14th - No Memorial Permitted

Church News

YIAYIA-PAPPOU SUNDAY - TODAY: Reminding all grandchildren and grandparents to invite eachother to come to church together and to prepare to recieve Holy Communion as we pass the faith down from generation to generation.

SUNDAY SCHOOL - TODAY: This vital ministry of Orthodox Education for our children will begin again on September 7th. Make every effort to be in your pew by 9:30am each Sunday for the most important portion of our faith education: learning how to regularly worship on the Lord's Day. The education continues with the children's sermon after the Gospel reading and it all culminates in recieving Holy Communion and attedning our PreK-12th grade classes.

GOYA KICKOFF GoKarting - TODAY: Join us for Liturgy, Sunday School, and coffee hour and then we will make our way over to Three Rivers Karting to enjoy a fun afternoon and have GOYA meeting.

GREEK SCHOOL IS BACK! We are looking to have Greek School classes for our youth on Tuesdays from 5-6pm starting on September 16th. Please speak to Alexa Bovalino, Lenia Contes, or Fr. Anastasios to express your interest, volunteer, or for more information. Tuition will be $100 for a first child, $75 for a second child, and $60 for each additional child in each registered family. Click here to register by September 9th

A JOURNEY TO FULLNESS - Mondays at 6pm starting September 8th We will begin this 8 session video series and discussion for those interested in learning about Orthodoxy and those on their path to converting to Orthodoxy. This series also bolsters the understanding of our faith for already established Orthodox Christians. If you are interested, please let Fr. Anastasios know or just simple show up on September 8th in our Church Hall.

9/8 - Session 1: Introduction, "Is this trip really necessary?", and "What is the Orthodox Church?"
9/15 - Session 2: "When did Orthodoxy begin?" and "Characteristics of Orthodox Christianity"
9/22 - Session 3: "Mindset Matters" and "A Healing Purpose"
9/29 - Session 4: "Truth and Tradition" and "How do I understand the Bible?
10/6: No Class
10/13 - Session 5: "When we say God, Part 1 & 2"
10/20 - Session 6: "God with Us" and "Our Ultimate Purpose"
10/27 - Session 7: "Salvation as Participation" and "Orthodox Worship"
11/3: No Class
11/10 - Session 8: "A Beautiful Rhythm", "The Journey Continues", and Wrap Up

SUNDAY DANCE PRACTICES: Based on responses from the majority of our families, we will be moving dance practices to Sundays after church. We will still practice twice a month as much as possible. For the month of September, we are only having one practice on

Sunday, September 14th

11:40am-12pm Little Angels

12pm-12:30pm Middle and Older Dancers

Sunday, October 5th

11:40am-12pm Little Angels

12pm-12:30pm Middle & Older Dancers

FAMILY NIGHT - SAVE THE DATES - 3rd Tuesday of each Month at 6pm: Family Nights will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from September through May at 6pm. One night each month you won't have to worry about dinner, as a meal will be made for the whole group. This program is designed to foster family bonding time and learning a topic of our faith, while taking some time to dive in deeper with each all 3 age groups: K-6th (HOPE & JOY), 7th-12 (GOYA), and their parents. We are going to concentrate much of our Youth Ministry efforts into this ministry, so please make sure that you mark off the 3rd Tuesday of each month for your whole family. We are always looking for volunteers to help lead breakout sessions and the family portion, so if you have an interest, please let Fr. Anastasios know.

GOYA GYRO SALE - September 28th - Please see bulletin inserts section to preorder Gyros. Benefitws Ambridge GOYA

PARISH PLEDGES $20,000 FOR THE NEW METROPOLIS CENTER If you would like to add your own personal donation or pledge to the completion of the New Metropolis Center, please go to pittsburgh.goarch.org/pledge .

YOUTH SAFETY - Please register at https://ncsrisk.org/goarch/. This includes all Youth Safety Workers as well as Parish Council

PRAYER CHAIN - Members of Holy Trinity are being brought together in efforts to pray for those in need of prayers. Please contact Joanie Ondrako at 724-601-6298, Fr. Anastasios, or the Office to join the prayer team, a group of people who will pray for the names given each day.

Prayer requests can be submitted anonymously and will be on the prayer list as long as your request is wanted, even up to a year.

ONLINE GIVING & STEWARDSHIP: Is OPEN! Online giving can be found by clicking here! Please consider your continued support of our church through becoming one of our online giving families. You can make general contributions and stewardship contributions.

Bulletin Inserts

2025 Stewardship Pledge

The 2025 Pledge drive is until Stewardship Sunday on November 10, 2024. Please get your pledge card in today!

GOYA Gyro Sale - September 28th

Help support our GOYA ministry and fill your stomach at the same time.

AHEPA Testimonial Dinner Honoring Sam Spanos

October 18, 2025 from 5:00pm-8:30pm. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased in advance by October 8th.

Our Calendar

Holy Trinity Ambridge

September 7 to September 21, 2025

Sunday, September 7

Ministry Fair

Yiayia-Pappou Sunday

Sunday School

12yr Trisagion - Kathryn Tsacalis

20yr Memorial - Pano “Pete” Neforos

8yr Memorial - Angeline Neforos

3mo Memorial - Pauline Skeriotis

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Liturgy

1:00PM GOYA Kickoff

Monday, September 8

Great Feast #1: Nativity of the Theotokos

9:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - Nativity of the Theotokos

6:00PM A Journey to Fullness - Session 1

Tuesday, September 9

7:00PM Parish Council

Saturday, September 13

9:30AM The Journey of Marriage Seminar

3:00PM Baptism

Sunday, September 14

Sunday School

Great Feast #2: Elevation of the Holy Cross

Lenten Coffee Hour: Hellenic Dancers

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Procession of the Cross & Liturgy

Monday, September 15

6:00PM A Journey to Fullness - Session 2

Tuesday, September 16

5:00PM Greek School

6:00PM Family Night

Friday, September 19

GOMoP Family Camp Weekend at Camp Nazareth

Saturday, September 20

Voice Deadline

Sunday, September 21

Sunday School

Philoptochos Meeting

Philoptochos Oath of Office

Coffee Hour: LOVE+HOPE+JOY

5mo Trisagion - Louis Peronis

11yr Trisagion - Pandora (Peronis) Dinello

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Liturgy

1:00PM Young Adults - Soergel's Fall Festival
Regional Orthodox Events

September 13 to September 21, 2025

Saturday, September 13

7:00PM Patronal Feast Vespers at Holy Cross Pittsburgh

Sunday, September 21

4:30PM OCBGP Blessing of the Waters

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Theotokos' Nativity Forefeast in the 4th Mode

Unto us is born today Mary the child of God, * as the branch from Jesse’s root, and as the fruit of David’s loins, * and all creation is re-created and deified. * O heaven and the earth, rejoice in unison. * Sing praises unto her, O all you Gentile clans. * Joachim is exultant, and Anna is keeping festival, crying out: * “The barren woman bears the Theotokos, * the nourisher of our Life.”

Εκ τής ρίζης Ιεσσαί, καί εξ οσφύος τού Δαυϊδ, η θεόπαις Μαριάμ, τίκτεται σήμερον ημίν, διό καί χαίρει η σύμπασα καί καινουργείται, συγχαίρει τε ομού, ο ουρανός καί η γή, Αινέσατε αυτήν αι πατριαί τών εθνών, Ιωακείμ ευφραίνεται, καί Άννα πανηγυρίζει κραυγάζουσα, Η στείρα τίκτει, τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Mode

On this day the virgin Maid, Mary the true Theotokos, * the inviolate bridal room of the heavenly Bridegroom, * by the will of God is born of a barren woman, * to prepare to be the carriage of God the Logos, * as for this she had been destined, * to be the gateway of God and Mother of Life.

Η Παρθένος σήμερον, καί Θεοτόκος Μαρία, η παστάς η άλυτος, τού ουρανίου Νυμφίου, τίκτεται, από τής στείρας θεοβουλήτως, όχημα, τού Θεού Λόγου ευτρεπισθήναι, εις τούτο γάρ καί προωρίσθη, η θεία πύλη, καί Μήτηρ τής όντως ζωής.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

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.

Προκείμενον. Plagal 2nd Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 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.

Saints and Feasts

September 07

Sunday before Holy Cross

September 07

The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 07

Sozon the Martyr

This holy Martyr was a shepherd in Lycaonia. Born a pagan, named Tarasius, he received holy Baptism and was renamed Sozon. Filled with zeal for the truth, he taught his countrymen to desist from the worship of idols. Once he entered the temple of Artemis in Pompeiopolis of Cilicia, cut off the golden hand of the idol, and breaking it in pieces, distributed it among the poor. When he saw that many were being unjustly punished for the theft, of his own accord he gave himself up to Maximian the Governor. He was beaten with rods until his bones were broken. According to some, he suffered martyrdom in 288; according to others, in 304.

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