· Sun, July 13: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour
· Wed, July 16: HOPE 5pm/JOY & GOYA 6pm
· Sun, July 20: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour
· Wed, July 23: JOY & GOYA, 6pm
· Sun, July 27: JOY & GOYA, Hospitality Hour
Father John Away through July 15
Father John will be away through July 15 to serve at two weddings in Greece and take some personal time in between. One of the important lessons learned by both Father John and the community during his sabbatical was the importance of clergy taking real time away for renewal and recharging. That lesson has carried forward with life-long impact and many long-term benefits, so while Father John is away, he will not be available via phone or email, and all our parishioners are asked to refrain from contacting him to allow this time to be a true renewal (between weddings, anyway!) rather than just another working time away from the office and always on call. In Father John’s absence, Father Radu Bordeianu ([email protected]) will be offering liturgical services and fulfilling urgent pastoral care needs. Please see him following services regarding personal matters or contact our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos (412-366-8700 or [email protected]) 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 ([email protected]). For all other needs, please contact the ministry or organizational leader directly or pass your request through the Church Office. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Metropolis of Pittsburgh – Scholarships Available
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce that applications are now open for multiple scholarships available to students pursuing higher education. These scholarships aim to support students of the Metropolis who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to their faith and community. Visit pittsburgh.goarch.org and scroll down to “New Application for Metropolis Scholarships”.
FESTIVAL COOKING!
Please join us as we come down the homestretch in preparing delicious food 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!
· THIS Wednesday, July 16, 9am-9pm – SOUZOUKAKIA
[July 19] Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery – Prophet Elias Feast Day
Gerontissa Theophano and the Sisters of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery invite you to attend the Feast Day services of the Prophet Elias on Saturday, July 19, beginning at 9:00am; Hours, Divine Liturgy and Lunch to follow. Home-made pastries, frappes and items made by the sisters will also be available for purchase. Please RSVP, so that the Monastery can provide adequate hospitality, via email at: [email protected] or by phone at 724-352-3999. Visitors should be dressed modestly for all visits to the Monastery (121 St Elias Ln, Saxonburg, PA 16056).
[July 26] St. Anthony’s Annual Summer Picnic
All are invited to attend St. Anthony’s Annual Summer Picnic on Saturday, July 26. Orthros will begin at 9:00am followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00am. Following services there will be a Summer Picnic Luncheon featuring Grilled Souvlaki and delicious homemade Greek foods. St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church is located at 424 Miller Ave, Clairton, PA 15025. (Note: Saint Anthony’s in Clairton is a dormant parish that has been taken under the wing of Holy Trinity Church. They open only twice a year: Saint Anthony’s feast day in January and once in the summer, when they hold a parish picnic. Father John is the only priest offering services there. Some of our parish families have historic connections to this, the only Saint Anthony parish in our Metropolis. Please consider joining us for Liturgy and the picnic on Saturday, July 26th.
[Aug 28-31] Holy Trinity’s Taste of Greece
Please mark Labor Day Weekend, Thursday, August 28, through Sunday, August 31 on your calendar for our next “Taste of Greece” festival. The Festival Committee is asking everyone, new members and old hands, young and young at heart, to pledge a donation of their time and talents so that we can continue to grow both the success of the festival and the fellowship with all our Holy Trinity church family members!
Festival Ads Available: Space is Waiting for You!
The Festival Ad Book is back and it’s looking for your support. Please consider placing a business ad or a personal/family listing. Ads start at $175 for a quarter-page and go to $550 for a full-page, with premium color pages also available at higher prices. A patron line is available for only $50. Application Forms were included in the June-August edition of the Herald and can also be found at the church office window. Please be sure to share them with your favorite business establishments and ask them to support our church! For more information, please email [email protected]
Festival Aprons – Place Your Order Now!
Show your Holy Trinity spirit by wearing a festival apron while you work! Royal blue aprons, embroidered with our festival logo, are available in two lengths. The regular length apron (31”) is $18 and the extra-long length (34”) is $21. Aprons can be monogrammed with your name for an additional $4. To receive your apron in time for the festival, your order must be placed by Sunday, Aug. 17th. Please contact Paula Valliant at [email protected] to place your order.
Note for Summer Travel – Easy Way to Find the Nearest Orthodox Church!
Where we travel, whenever we go, we take our faith with us, for as it says in the Psalms, "God is with us!" Keeping that in mind, please remember to plan ahead and check for the location of the nearest Orthodox Christian Church if you will be staying over a Sunday. There are two great web sites to check: our own Archdiocese (www.goarch.org) and Orthodoxy in America (www.OrthodoxyInAmerica.org), a multi-jurisdictional listing of all Orthodox parishes. Also, for major trips such as overseas travels, please feel free to stay following antidoron and ask Father John or Father Radu to offer a special blessing to your family for your travels. Remember, "God is with us" always. Let’s not forget to invite Him!
Weekly Offering Envelopes
If you are not currently receiving packets of weekly offering envelopes mailed directly to your home address each month, and would like to receive them, please contact the church office to submit a request. Also, if you are already receiving monthly offering envelopes and would prefer not to receive them, please let us know. Kindly reach out to Mary at [email protected] or call 412-366-8700.
Stewardship 2025 – We Reached the Summit – Let’s Be Sure Not to Slide Back Down!
This year, let’s maintain and grow as our theme for 2025 calls us to be “Stewards of God’s Blessings.” Have you submitted your 2025 pledge yet? 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!
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: July 20: Peter Abdo (5 years), Peter and Angela Kostopolos, Father John Kostopolos and Presvytera Louella Kostopolos, William Kostopolos and Angeline Kostopolos
