Worship

About our Worship & Liturgical Life:

Each Sunday is the Lord's Day, the first day of the week, in which Jesus rose from the dead.  
We commemorate Christ's Resurrection specifically once each year on Pascha (aka Easter).  
Each Sunday we gather in worship in celebration of His Resurrection, having a mini-Pascha each week.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Twelve Great Feasts throughout the year, in addition to 
Pascha, the Feast of Feasts.  These 12 feasts commemorate the most important events in the life of our 
Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother the Theotokos, as well as the finding of Christ's Cross. These days 
are especially important opportunities to set aside our ordinary routines, keep the day holy, 
and participate in the worship of the Church.

Whenever possible, we encourage everyone to make an extra effort to attend the services of these
Great Feasts and to celebrate them as a community of faith.

The Church also honors saints and other feasts throughout the year that go beyond the twelve great feasts.
Please consider joining us in prayer as a community as we worship our Lord, Who is wondrous in His saints,
throughout the year.

Sundays:

8:30 AM Orthros
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Upcoming Services & Feastdays:

Sept. 14 - Elevation of the Holy Cross (Strict Fast Day)
Great Feast of the Orthodox Church #2 of 12
9:00 AM Orthros with the Procession of the Cross followed by Liturgy
Reminder: Please bring basil plants/shoots by noon on Sunday, September 13
Great Feast 2 of 12

Sept. 23 - Conception of St. John the Baptist
9:00 AM Orthros followed by Liturgy

Sept. 29 - St. Kyriakos the Anchorite
9:00 AM Orthros followed by Liturgy

Upcoming Memorials:

Sunday, September 20th

11yr Trisagion - Kondelia Boudros
47yr Trisagion - Irene Kakias

Sunday, September 27th

1yr Memorial - Louis Peronis
12yr Memorial - Pandora (Peronis) Dinello

Local Feastday Services to Travel to:

We are blessed in Pittsburgh with many sister parishes of both our Metropolis as well as many 
from other Orthodox Jurisdictions in whom we are in communion with.  It is a great blessing 
and a normal practice for us to make pilgrimages to other local churches and monasteries for 
their patronal feastdays.  Its one way we kind of say Happy Nameday or Chronia Polla to our 
brothers and sisters in Christ.


Holy Cross, Pittsburgh (Mt. Lebanon)— Patronal Feastday Vespers
Sunday, September 13 · 5:00 PM

Parish Life

This Week

Sep. 13 - Mum Orders Due

Sep. 13 - Basil donations to church

Sep. 14 - Feast of the Holy Cross

Sep. 18-20 - GOMoP Family Camp at Camp Nazareth

Support our Ministries

Sept. 13 - Greek School Fall Mum Sale Orders Due
$15 each. Orders Due on 9/13. Pickup on 9/27

Oct. 21 - Philoptochos Fundraiser: Boscov's Friends Helping Friends
Get your shopping pass today for up to 25% off various items, on top of the sale price!
All proceeds will benefit the Women's Shelter in Beaver. Shopping Day Oct. 21

Coming Up
Sept. 13 - Sunday School Begins
Our 2026-2027 Sunday School year featuring an all-new curriculum from the Archdiocese
will begin on September 13th. We thank our staff in advance for their commitment to our
church and its youth - Jackie Bennis, Supervisor; Preschool: Alexa Bovalino, Brooke Niznik,
and Erin Skeriotis; K-1: Joanie Ondrako; 2nd-3rd: Joanne Cain; 4th-5th: Constantine Tsatiris;
6th-8th: Nina Pompeani; and 9th-12th: Jaimie Economos.

Sept. 20 - Yiayia Pappou Sunday
Please make arrangements to attend church together with your grandparents/grandchildren.

Sept. 20 - Ministry Fair Coffee Hour
Learn about the ministries at our church and get invovled.

Sept. 20 - YAL 3rd Sundays - Canned Food Collection

Sept. 22 - Greek School Begins 5:30pm-6:30pm

Sept. 26 - Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly at the New Metropolis Center

Sept. 27 - Philoptochos Meeting

Oct. 4 - National Church Music Sunday is a day in which we recognize those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, our parish chanters and choir singers. As church musicians, these people lead the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. In glory to God, the Holy Trinity, they commit themselves to learning the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song to enhance the beauty of our worship. We ask each of them, and our congregation as well, to be mindful of the special ministry they fulfill in singing the hymns of our faith and leading us to worship. Join us as we honor them all, and in particular honor those who have hit anniversaries of service.

Oct. 4 - Acolytes: Help and our Acolyte "Altar Boy" Meeting: All 2nd-12th grade boys are invited to take a role in assisting the clergy as acolytes in the sactuary, which surrounds the Holy Altar. Following Sunday School on October 4th, we will onboard those who will be joining for the first time at any age, as well as offer training for these new and our veteran acolytes.

Ongoing

YAL - Meets 1st Thursdays & 3rd Sundays
Join us monthly for
1st Thursdays at 6:30pm Fellowship/Social Gathering
3rd Sundays: Following Divine Liturgy with rotating themes of Worship/Fellowship/Witness/Service

Benevolence Opportunities
Please speak with Fr. Anastasios if you are able to help people in need financially.  Any amount 
would be helpful.

Parish Pledge to the New Metropolis Center
We have committed $20,000 as a parish. 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 Worker Registration
Please register at https://ncsrisk.org/goarch/.  This includes all individuals who volunteer with 
our Youth (teachers, advisors, coaches, drivers, etc) and for Parish Council background checks.
 
Prayer Chain
Dedicated members of Holy Trinity that are praying for your prayer requests. Please contact 
Joanie Ondrako or Fr. Anastasios to make a prayer request or to join the group.
 
Online Giving & Stewardship
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 contri-
butions and stewardship contributions.

Bulletin Inserts

2026 Stewardship Card

Please prayerfully read and consider what an appropriate financial commitment is for the 2026 year. A Pledge Card must be on file to be considered for membership in Good Standing. Please submit these by November 30th.

Fall Mum Sale to support Greek School

Greek School will be selling Mums for $15 each. Money and Orders are due by Sun 9/13, pickup will be two weeks later on Sun 9/27.

Our Calendar

Holy Trinity Ambridge

September 13 to September 27, 2026

Sunday, September 13

First Day of Sunday School

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Liturgy

Monday, September 14

Great Feast #2: Elevation of the Holy Cross

9:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - Elevation of the Holy Cross

Friday, September 18

GOMoP Family Camp Weekend at Camp Nazareth

Sunday, September 20

YAL: 3rd Sundays

11yr Trisagion - Kondelia Boudros

Yiayia-Pappou Sunday

Voice Deadline

Coffee Hour: Ministry Fair

47yr Trisagion - Irene Kakias

Ministry Fair Coffee Hour

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Liturgy

1:00PM GOYA Go Karting

Tuesday, September 22

5:30PM Greek School

Wednesday, September 23

9:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - Conception of the Baptist

Saturday, September 26

Ambridge Festival of Churches

Metropolis Clergy-Laity at the New Metropolis Center

Sunday, September 27

12yr Memorial - Pandora (Peronis) Dinello

1yr Memorial - Lou Peronis

GOYA Gyro Sale

Philoptochos Meeting

Coffee Hour: LOVE+HOPE+JOY

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Liturgy
Regional Orthodox Events
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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary, who was seeking Your immaculate body. Unassailed by Hades, You divested it of spoils. Then You met the Virgin. You granted life. O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Exaltation in the 2nd Mode

O benevolent Lord, as an intercessor we we present to You the life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which we the unworthy have as a gift from You. Save our leaders and our nation and keep them in peace, through the Theotokos.

Τόν ζωοποιόν Σταυρόν τής σής αγαθότητος, όν εδωρήσω ημίν τοίς αναξίοις Κύριε, σοί προσάγομεν εις πρεσβείαν, Σώζε τούς βασιλείς καί τήν πόλιν σου, ειρηνεύοντας διά τής Θεοτόκου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Temple of the Resurrection in the 4th Mode

You have made the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Your glory to be like the majesty of the firmament on high, O Lord. Make it strong forever and ever, and accept our supplications that we unceasingly bring to You there, at the intercession of the Theotokos. For You are the life and resurrection of all.

Ως τού άνω στερεώματος τήν ευπρέπειαν, καί τήν κάτω συναπέδειξας ωραιότητα, τού αγίου σκηνώματος τής δόξης σου Κύριε, Κραταίωσον αυτό εις αιώνα αιώνος, καί πρόσδεξαι ημών, τάς εν αυτώ απαύστως προσαγομένας σοι δεήσεις, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, η πάντων ζωή καί ανάστασις.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Plagal 4th Mode

O Blessed are You, O Christ our God; Who has shone 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 Lover of Mankind, glory to You.

Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι᾽ αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

Lord, Your Church appears to us * to be like heaven * full of light, and guides with light * all who believe in You, O Christ. * And we who stand in it cry to You: * Savior, establish forever this holy house.

Ουρανός πολύφωτος η Εκκλησία, ανεδείχθη άπαντας, φωταγωγούσα τούς πιστούς, εν ώ εστώτες κραυγάζομεν, Τούτον τόν οίκον, στερέωσον Κύριε.

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 13

Sunday before Holy Cross

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 13

Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr

Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.

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