Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-05-04
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

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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

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Tone

English: Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Greek: Χριστός ανέστη εκ νεκρών, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας και τοις εν τοις μνήμασιν, ζωήν χαρισάμενος. Phoenetics: Christós anésti ek nékron, thanáto thánaton patísas, ke tis en tis mnímasi zoín harisámenos. (Page 74)

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended into death, O Life immortal, You destroyed Hades with the splendor of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers shouted: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph* wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices* and laid it for burial in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* and granted the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

The Angel standing at the sepulcher cried out and said to the ointment bearing women:* The ointments are appropriate for mortal men, but Christ has been shown to be a stranger to decay.* So go and cry aloud, The Lord has risen* and granted the world His great mercy.

Kontakion for a Memorial Service in the Eighth Tone

English: Remember, O Lord, as You are good, your servant(s), and forgive every sin he (she,they) have committed in this life. For no one is sinless except You, who have power to grant rest to those who have fallen asleep. Greek: Μνήσθητι, Κύριε, ὡς ἀγαθός, τοῦ (τῆς, τῶν) δούλου (δούλης, δούλων) σου, καί ὄσα ἐν βίῳ ἥμαρτεν (ἥμαρτεν, ἥμαρτον) συγχώρησον· οὐδείς γάρ ἀναμάρτητος, εἰμὴ σὺ ὁ δυνάμενος, καί τῷ (τῇ, τοῖς) μεταστάντι (μεταστάσῃ, μεταστάσι) δοῦναι τὴν ἀνάπαυσιν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone

Though You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and arose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women "Rejoice," and giving peace to Your Apostles, O You Who grants resurrection to the fallen. (Page 74)
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Saints and Feasts

May 04

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).

May 04

Athanasios, Bishop of Corinth

May 04

Euthemios, Bishop of Madytos

May 04

Hilary the Wonderworker

May 04

Pelagia the Nun-martyr of Tarsus

This Saint was from Tarsus of Cilicia and contested in martyrdom under Diocletian, in 284: she was cast into a bull fashioned of bronze, which had been heated with fire.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

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Parish News and Events

 

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Welcome Your Eminence!
Today we welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Savas and thank him for blessing us today with not only the Divine Liturgy, but the special gift of the ordination of our new Deacon, Theodore. Eis polla eti Despota!

 

Ordination of Deacon Theodore Stewart to the Holy Diaconate Today
By the grace of God and through the laying on of hands by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, the servant of God, Theodore Stewart is being ordained to the Holy Diaconate today. A luncheon is being hosted by the community in honor of Deacon Theodore’s ordination. AXIOS, DEACON THEODORE! May your life with Diakonissa Mary Ellen in the service of the Holy Church of Christ be blessed, faithful and fruitful always! AXIOS!  

 

Memorials Today
Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, William Areheart (40 days), Father Sarantos Serviou (2 years), Presvytera Nancy Athanasia Serviou (4 years), Stella Johnson (5 years) and Homer Johnson (9 years). May their memory be eternal! In memory of her parents, Dr. Kristina Johnson has provided all the desserts for today’s Ordination Luncheon.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Father John on Pilgrimage Through May 15
Father John will be out of the office, beginning tomorrow May 5 through May 15, leading a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. In Father John’s absence, our Assistant Priest, Father Radu Bordeianu (FrRadu@HolyTrinityPgh.org), will be fulfilling urgent pastoral care needs. Please see him following services regarding personal matters or contact our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos (412-366-8700 or office@HolyTrinityPgh.org) with any clergy requests, including memorials and sacraments. For clergy emergencies only, call 412-366-8700 and select option “2”. For all other office matters, including facilities scheduling, Bulletin and email announcements for ministry events, please contact Mary Portellos (see above) as usual. For Parish Council and other administrative matters, please contact our Parish Council President, Anthony Balouris (pcpresident@HolyTrinityPgh.org). For all other needs, please contact the ministry or organizational leader directly or pass your request through the Church Office. Thank you for your understanding!

 

FESTIVAL COOKING!  
Please join us as we continue preparing delicious food and pastries for our 2025 TASTE OF GREECE Festival!  The key to finishing our cooking day goals is to have 30-35 volunteers each time - why not be one of them!  Mark your calendars - there is a time and day to fit everyone's schedules.

•    THIS Tuesday, May 6, 9:00am-9:00pm – APRICOT ROLLS
•    Tuesday, May 20, 9:00am-9:00pm – GALAKTOBOUREKO
•    Tuesday, June 10, 9:00am-9:00pm –DIPLES
•    Tuesday, June 17, 9:00am-9:00pm – PORTOKALOPITA
•    Tuesday, June 24, 9:00am-9:00pm – TIROPITA
•    Wednesday, July 16, 9:00am-9:00pm – SOUZOUKAKIA

 

[May 6] Bereavement Support Ministry - Fellowship Dinner 
Before we enter into summer, the Bereavement Support Ministry is reaching out in a new and different way. Please join us for dinner and casual conversation this coming Tuesday, May 6, around 5:30 pm in the North Hills area. It will be a relaxed evening together. If interested in learning more details, please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@holytrinitypgh.org

 

[May 15] “Playtime & Parea” 
Holy Trinity Church is pleased to announce the addition of its newest ministry: “Playtime & Parea”! It is a fun, faith-based playgroup for little ones (ages 0 to 4) and parents (or caregivers) to connect, make new friends, and grow together in the love of Christ. Meets twice a month on Thursdays from 10:00am until 11:30am in the Fireside Room. The next gathering is scheduled for Thursday, May 15. For information, contact PlaytimeandParea@HolyTrinityPgh.org.


[May 18] Church School Graduation & Picnic
Please note that the last day of Church School for this semester will be Sunday, May 18. All students are asked to attend and sit with their class during Liturgy. Following the service, the Church School will have a graduation celebration and picnic lunch. Registration will also be available for the 2025/2026 Church School year. Attention parents: Help is needed with the picnic. Please contact Presvytera Becky to volunteer. Thank you!

 

[May 18] Holy Trinity Dance Troupe Meeting
On Sunday, May 18, the Dance Troupe will be having a very important informational parent’s meeting during Hospitality Hour. Please get your snacks and go to the conference room. This meeting will be an introduction for all new dancers. We will review our summer schedule as well as share information related to the Folk Dance Festival that we are hosting.

 

A Journey to Fullness – An Introduction to the Fullness of the Original Christian Faith - Begins May 19
Are you new to the Orthodox Faith? Want to just explore or ready to dive in and learn how to live it fully? Born and raised Orthodox? Ready to deepen your understanding of the Church you love? Either way, please join us for a 6-week series of video lessons, live Q&A and engaging discussions about the Orthodox Christian Faith. Held Mondays at 7:00pm in the Holy Trinity Church Conference Room. Scheduled dates are May 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 23. 

 

[May 24] Holy Trinity Cemetery – Community Clean-Up Day
Please make plans to join us on Saturday, May 24th from 9:00am until 2:00pm for Community Clean-Up Day at Holy Trinity Cemetery (8941 Ringeisen Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101). Volunteers are asked to help with the general Spring cleaning of the Cemetery grounds. Bring your lawn & garden tools and a pair of work gloves! Topsoil will be provided for those parishioners who would like to work on their family’s individual graves. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Rain date, if needed, will be Sunday, May 25 (12:00-4:00pm). All help is appreciated! Questions? Please call Bill Fiedler at 412-364-1545.

 

[May 26] Memorial Day Service for Veterans
Please gather in front of the Holy Trinity Cemetery War Memorial at 10:00am on Monday, May 26 as we hold a special ceremony to honor and remember our veterans. Please note that this service is to commemorate veterans; it is not a general memorial service for all the departed. That will be held according to Orthodox tradition on the Pentecost weekend Saturday of Souls (June 7 this year) with a Divine Liturgy and Memorial at the Saint George Chapel. Memory Eternal!

 

Summer Camp Registration – Holy Trinity Campers Attend Free!
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh has announced the dates for its 2025 Summer Camp season. They are as follows:

•    Week 1 (Grades 2-4): June 15 - June 21
•    Week 2 (Grades 5-7): June 22 – June 28
•    Week 3 (Grades 7-9): June 29 – July 5 (waitlist)
•    Week 4 (Grades 10-12): July 6 – July 12

Important: The standard fee for 2025 is $695, but all active youth participants of Holy Trinity Church member families may register for camp using code “SC25HTP” to attend at no cost. The code must be used at the time of registration. Early registration deadline is May 8. Find information and to register for camp, visit y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/summercamp. 

 

Holy Trinity Greek School Registration is Now Open
Only a few spots left for the 2025-2026 Greek School year! Registration is open for children ages 4 - second grade (as of 9/1/25). Log into Realm to register today! Don’t have a Realm account? Email realm@holytrinitypgh.org for more assistance. Registration closes on 6/1 or once all spots have been filled. For more information, email us at greekschool@holytrinitypgh.org.

 

[June 1] Spring General Assembly 
Our regular Spring General Assembly will be held on Sunday, June 1 following Divine Liturgy. Please plan to be present to participate as part of fulfilling your membership at Holy Trinity Church!

 

Hospitality Hour Hosts Needed
Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to host our reformatted “Hospitality Hour” following our Sunday Divine Liturgies. There are several available Sundays in the Spring and plenty during the summer. Remember a loved one. Celebrate a special event. Share your hospitality with the community. Contact Stacy Dickos at 412-298-9409 or email her at hospitality@HolyTrinityPgh.org to reserve a date. 


[June 9] Holy Trinity Golf Outing
The annual Holy Trinity Golf Outing will be held on Monday, June 9 at Wildwood Golf Club. A registration flyer was included in the May edition of the Herald. Additional copies can be found at the church office window. The deadline for reservations and sponsorships is May 31. Proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Church. All are welcome!

 

[Aug 28-31] Holy Trinity’s 2025 “Taste of Greece” Festival
This summer’s Holy Trinity “Taste of Greece” Festival is set for Thursday, August 28 through Sunday August 31. Everyone is asked for their time and talents to grow both the success of the festival and the fellowship with all of our Holy Trinity Church family members. Thank you!

 

Stewardship 2025 – We Reached the Summit – Let’s Be Sure Not to Slide Back Down!
Thanks to the dedication and offerings of so many faithful stewards, 2024 was a record year for Holy Trinity Stewardship. As we strove together for “Stewardship Independence” we reached levels never seen before. Glory to God and many thanks to the faithful stewards who stepped up to the challenge! Now it’s time to keep it going!
    This year, let’s maintain and grow as our theme for 2025 calls us to be “Stewards of God’s Blessings.” If you pledged last year, please grow that pledge to keep up with our increasing expenses in 2025. If you have not pledged before, ask our Stewardship Chairperson, Andrew Fournaridis, any questions you have. And whether new or renewing your pledge, there are two ways: 1) Use a 2025 Stewardship pledge card or 2) Go online to your Holy Trinity Realm account (see below) at HolyTrinityPgh.org/pledge. And there are many ways to give: in person via cash; in person or by mail via check; online at HolyTrinityPgh.org/give; via text by texting HOLYTRINITYPGH to 73256; via the Realm app on your phone; and the giving kiosk in the Narthex. Remember, “Stewardship Independence” is not a one-time goal; it is a lifetime commitment to keep Holy Trinity Church vibrant, growing and bearing witness to Holy Orthodoxy for all!

 

Keeping Holy Trinity “Like New” Is Up to You – Please Lend a Hand!
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 and even better than when we found them. It’s not “someone else’s job” to clean up. It’s ours. It also means notifying the church office of any maintenance needs beyond regular clean-up as they are discovered. Let’s all double down on that effort so we all together can keep these beautiful facilities are looking as good or better than the day we moved in. Thank you for your support and love for your Church!

 

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!

 

Upcoming Memorials: May 11: Theodore Torlidas (40 days); May 18: Demetrios Danis (20 years) & George V. Gatsiopoulos (10 years).

 

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