National Church Music Sunday/Hospitality Hour Hosted by the Holy Trinity Choir

Today we honor those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, Chanters and Choir members. As church musicians, they are essential to our worship services. To the glory of 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. Today’s Hospitality Hour is hosted by the Holy Trinity Choir. Please be sure to express your thanks to them today!

Hospitality Hour Sponsor

Today’s Hospitality Hour is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Choir. Thank you!

Faith & Family Weekdays

Faith and Family Weekdays is back, and there are many ways for each one of us to grow in the knowledge and practice of our faith. There’s a lot more to church than Sundays, and here is where to find it. 

THIS WEEK:

• Wednesday, October 7, 6:30pm Vespers/7:00pm: “Explore the Word” – Father Radu continues his exploration of the Holy Bible with the greatest “adventure book” of the New Testament, The Book of Acts. Learn about the history of the early Church and how the Good News was spread. All are welcome! Fall dates are Oct 7, 14, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18, Dec 2, 9.

[Oct 8] Playtime & Parea

Join us for a fun, faith-filled playgroup for parents, caregivers, and little ones to connect, make new friends, and grow together in the love of Christ. Ages 0 to 4. Our next session will be held this Thursday, October 8 at 10:00am in the Fireside Room and continue every other Thursday. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Father John Away through October 15

Father John will be out of the office through October 15 to lead the 2026 Holy Trinity “Greece Through the Ages” Pilgrimage. Please note that he will not be available via phone, email or social media through October 15. In Father John’s absence, our Assistant Priest, 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!

Church School Class Times

Remember that Church School begins with Divine Liturgy. So please be sure to have all our students here at 9:30am each Sunday. The youth sermon – a special time for your priests to teach and connect with our youth – takes place early in the service after the Gospel reading. Pre-School through Eighth Grade classrooms are located on the upper level of the Education Center. Ninth through Twelfth Grade classrooms are located on the main floor of the Education Center. Please note that all classes, Pre-School through Twelfth Grade, conclude at 11:30am. Parents, please give the teachers time to finish class every Sunday. Pre-School and Kindergarten parents should meet their children outside of their classroom on the upper level. All other students will be dismissed to the Church School snack area, which is located on the main floor Education Center hallway, outside of the Fireside Room. Thank you!

North Hills Community Outreach Coat Shop – Now through October 16

NHCO is currently collecting and distributing new coats to children ages infant to 18 years old. New hats, scarves and gloves are also being accepted. Gift cards to purchase coats are also greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at any of the three offices (1975 Ferguson Rd in Allison Park, Millvale Community Center and 939 California Ave in Bellevue), or you can order from their Amazon Wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/5EIV17Y8UJ31 and have the coats shipped directly to NHCO. Adult sizes are most needed as many teens wear adult size coats. Thank you!

[Oct 18] Heart Health Awareness Event following Liturgy

Are you paying attention to the health of your heart? Our own parishioner and Parish Council member, Michael Erdeljac, is an American Heart Association "Leader of Impact" and will be hosting a free Heart Health Awareness event, featuring free CPR training (including Pediatric CPR) and Heart Health Awareness information. Representatives from the American Heart Association will also be present. Hospitality Hour is sponsored by the event on that day.

[Oct 18] HOPE & JOY Pumpkin Patch

The Holy Trinity Pumpkin Patch Hayride & Campfire for families of HOPE & JOY (Pre-K – 6^th grade) will be held on Sunday, October 18 from 2:00-4:00pm at Yeck’s Farms, 568 Baker Rd, Freedom, PA 15042. The event is free, but only those that RSVP will be able to participate in the Hayride. Please note that Yeck’s Farms is cash only for any personal purchases made during your visit. Please RSVP by October 11 to Vicki at 412-720-5094 or [email protected] for JOY children and Maria at 724-991-5129 or [email protected] for HOPE children.

A Journey to Fullness – An Introduction to the Fullness of the Original Christian Faith - Begins October 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 Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23.

[Oct 25] GOYA Fall Fest

On Sunday, October 25, our Holy Trinity GOYA will host Youth Sunday and their annual Fall Fest in the Gallery following Liturgy, with hot sandwiches, comfy fall appetizers, salads, pumpkin and apple treats and more for sale. A homemade taste of Fall from our GOYA families! Thank you for supporting our teens!

[Oct 25] Orthodox Dudes on Tap

This new casual men’s ministry is for guys, single and married, to just enjoy a few hours of conversation, snacks, brews and great company with other Millennials and Gen Z’ers. The next get together is scheduled for Oct 25.  Laid back; informal. Want to find out more? Email Orthodox [email protected]g for times and places.

Holy Trinity Active Older Adults Ministry

The Active Older Adults Ministry is honored to have Cheri Pagonis; the wife of Lt General Gus Pagonis speak to us on her life as the wife of a career military man. Having moved 28 times in 28 years and having lived all over the world has given her a lot of interesting stories to share with us. She will be speaking in the later part of October. The date is to be determined.

The 2027 Bag Lunch Schedule is Here!

It’s time to get your group or family and friends together for a meaningful day of giving to the poor and hungry in our region. Sponsored through the Orthodox outreach of the “Neighborhood Resilience Project”, the 2027 weekly schedule of delivering 140 lunch bags to our less fortunate neighbors every Saturday of the year, is open and has many open dates available. Holy Trinity Church’s participation has been critical in fulfilling this goal in the past, and we are grateful for our parishioners’ renewed generosity again this year. Please contact Mike Kritiotis at 412-518-0588, or at [email protected] to select a date and sign up your family/group/ministry for this worthy cause before the dates are taken! Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ!

Youth Safety Certification Reminder for Adults

Youth Protection Policy Note: All adults involved with youth ministry contact will need to complete the youth safety and protection requirements of the “Policies for the Safety of Youth and Children” of the Archdiocese, Metropolis and Holy Trinity Church. Are you not yet certified? Do you have any questions? Please see our parish Youth Safety Coordinator Christopher Welch or email [email protected].

2026 Stewardship – It’s What Makes Life at Holy Trinity Possible - Have You Pledged?

Do you enjoy the life, ministries and activities Holy Trinity Church offers? It is all made possible through the generous donations and support of our stewards, who offer their time, talents, and treasures throughout the year. Traditional printed 2026 Stewardship Pledge Cards were distributed or mailed out months ago. If you have not completed yours, you also have the option of making your 2026 Stewardship Pledge ONLINE through our Realm system. Just visit our website at HolyTrinityPgh.org/pledge or click the “2026 Stewardship Pledge” icon on the front page. 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. Visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/give and click “Sign In.”

Holding a Ministry Activity or Committee Meeting at Church? Reservations Required!

Our community and its ministries are growing! If your ministry or committee is planning a meeting or activity and you are planning to hold it at the church, please note that reservations for rooms and event spaces are required. Please call the Church Office at 412-366-8700 and speak to our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos. Thank you!

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. Please note that 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!