Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-12-22
Bulletin Contents

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










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 First Tone

Though the tomb was sealed with a stone by the Jews and the soldiers guarded Your pure body, You arose, O Savior, on the third day, giving life to the world. Therefore, O Giver of Life, the heavenly powers praise You. Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your kingdom; glory to Your plan of redemption, O only loving God. (Page 52)

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Tone

O Bethlehem, rejoice; Ephratha, make ready; * for in her womb the Ewe-lamb does bear the Great Shepherd, * and lo, she now urgently makes haste to give birth to Him. * On beholding Him, the righteous God-bearing Fathers * all rejoice, and with the shepherds sing hymns in praise of * the Virgin that nursed a child.

Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Tone

Magnificent are the accomplishments of Faith! The holy Three Servants greatly rejoiced, as they stood in the fountain of fire, as if beside the still waters; and the Prophet Daniel appeared to be a shepherd of lions, as if they were sheep. At their entreaties, O Christ God, save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone

English: The Virgin on this day* is on her way to the cave where she* will give birth ineffably* to the Word Who is before all time. * Therefore, rejoice, O universe* when you hear it*; glorify with the angels and the shepherds* Him Who chose to be seen as* a new-born child*, the pre-eternal God. Greek: Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τον προαιώνιον Λόγον, εν Σπηλαίω έρχεται, αποτεκείν απορρήτως. Χόρευε η οἰκουμένη ακουτισθείσα, δόξασον μετά Αγγέλων και των Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα εποφθήναι, παιδίον νέον, τον προ αιώνων Θεόν. Phoenetics: I Parthénos símeron* ton pro-aiónion Lógon* en spiléo érhete* apótekín aporítos.* Hórevé, i ikouméni, akοutisthísa.* Dóxason, metá angélon ke tón piménon,* vouλithénda épofthíne,* pedíon neon* ton pro-eónon Theón. (Page 61)
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

December 22

Sunday before Nativity

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.


December 22

Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ


December 22

Anastasia the Great Martyr

This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name "Deliverer from Potions." Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian's minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290.


December 22

Chrysogonos, Theodota, Evodias, & Eutychianus, the Martyrs


December 22

The opening of the gates of the Great Church of God


BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.


BACK TO TOP

Bulletin Inserts

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Pray, my brethren, to the Mother of God when the storm of enmity and malice bursts forth in your house. She, Who is all-merciful and all-powerful, can easily pacify the hearts of men. Peace and love proceed from the one God, as from their Source, and Our Lady - in God, as the Mother of Christ the Peace, is zealous, and prays for the peace of the whole world, and above all - of all Christians.
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 179, 19th 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

BACK TO TOP

Parish News and Events

 

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Lenten “Open Table” Sunday Hospitality Hour Today: Thank You!

Thank you to all of those who have contributed to the “Open Table” Sunday Hospitality Hour today! Please place your Lenten ready to share plated items on the table located in the Gallery on your way into Liturgy. Please stay for a few moments afterwards and offer to help with clean-up. Thank you!

 

[Dec 22, 29] No Church School Class

Attention, parents: there will be no Church School class today, Sunday, December 22 and next Sunday, December 29, due to the holiday celebrations, so please join together and worship as a family on those days.

 

2025 Stewardship Cards Distributed Again Today

Holy Trinity Church and all its ministries are made possible through the generous donations and support of our stewards, who offer their time, talents, and treasures throughout the year. Traditional printed 2025 Stewardship Pledge Cards will be distributed TODAY. You also have the option of making your 2025 Stewardship Pledge ONLINE through our Realm system. It’s so easy! Just visit our website at HolyTrinityPgh.org/pledge or click the “2025 Stewardship Pledge” icon on the front page. The return date for all pledges is December 29.Remember, every Holy Trinity member who pledges or donates already has a Realm account, and that makes pledging, giving, and reporting so much easier! You can even access your giving statement any time from your account without waiting for it to be mailed or emailed. Not sure how to access your account? Just visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/give and click “Sign In.” Use your email address and password to login. Don’t know your password? Simply click “Forgot password” and a link will be emailed to you to create or re-create one.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

[Dec 24 & 25] Services for the Nativity of Christ

Please remember these festal celebrations for the Nativity of Christ and participate in them with your family. Please note that all Christmas services will be held at Holy Trinity Church.

  • Tues. Dec. 24, 8:30am: Royal Hours of the Nativity -This special service offers readings, prophecies and hymns which point to and interpret the Divine Incarnation.
  • Tues. Dec. 24, 6:30pm: Vesperal Liturgy of the Nativity - This service “opens the liturgical day” and begins the celebration of the Nativity.  Also, the Holy Trinity Choir will be offering a selection of beautiful Christmas carols following the service. (Note: This is a Divine Liturgy. Those wishing to receive Holy Communion need to observe proper fasting and spiritual preparation during the day.)
  • Wed. Dec. 25, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: The Nativity of the Lord - This is the main service of the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Open the best gift first by attending Liturgy with your family and receiving the Holy Mysteries together! Make it a family tradition to keep the most important thing about Christmas the most important thing in your home!

 

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. And please be sure to stay and enjoy our after-Liturgy Hospitality Hour!

 

About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church

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 also join our parish family for Hospitality Hour 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!

 

Offices Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

The offices of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in celebration of the holidays.

 

Missing Books Needed!!

Our St. Spyridon Lending Library is missing many of its beloved books. Many of our books are irreplaceable so we need you to please look around your homes/cars for any lost books to be returned. Letters are being sent out to families with outstanding book returns. If you are unable to find the missing books please see Connee Bistolas or Nicole Steiner to make a payment towards the purchase of a new replacement book. Our library is unable to have any guests until all returns are made. For questions or clarifications, please contact Connee or Nicole during 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 2024. Please take note that all offerings you would like listed as received during the 2024 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. But remember, if you have activated access to your Realm account you may view your statement of giving at any time! We’re grateful to all of you for your commitment! Questions? Contact Stewardship Chairman George Mellis or email [email protected].

 

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP