August 24
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-24
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
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (412)366-8700
- Fax:
- (412)366-8710
- Email:
- [email protected]
- 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
- Publish Date:
- 2025-08-17
- Publish Date:
- 2025-08-10
- Publish Date:
- 2025-08-03
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-27
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-20
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-13
Hymns of the Day
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! (Page 52)
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Saints and Feasts
August 24
Cosmas of Aetolia, Equal to the Apostles
Our holy Father Cosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aetolia. At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.
August 24
Eutyches the Hieromartyr & Disciple of St. John the Theologian
Saint Eutyches was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian and a fellow laborer of the holy Apostle Paul. He preached the Gospel in many places, pulled down the idols' temples, and suffered imprisonments and many torments at the hands of the idolaters. He finally reposed in peace in deep old age in his native city of Sebastia, near Tarsus.
August 24
The Translation of the Relics of Dionysios of Zakynthos, Bishop of Aegina
When Saint Dionysios died in 1622 A.D., his last wish was that he be buried in the Church of Saint George on the Strofades Islands where he lived as a monk. Three years after his interment there his body was found to be incorrupt. In 1717 his body was transferred from the Strofades Islands back to his home island of Zakynthos where it resides to this day.
August 24
The Translation of the Holy Relics of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow
On this day we also commemorate the translation of the holy relics of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, which took place in the year 1646.
Our holy and wonderworking Father Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, was born in Volhynia, tonsured a monk at twelve years of age, and later ordained a priest. He lived in solitude for a time in a desert place north of Lvov and founded the Holy Transfiguration Monastery; afterwards he was sent to Constantinople, where the holy Patriarch Athanasius consecrated him Metropolitan of Kiev in 1308, and he returned to Vladimir, where the Metropolitans of Kiev had their residence at that time (see Saint Jonas on June 15). In 1325, he moved to Moscow, where he founded the Dormition Cathedral, and after his repose in December 21, 1326, was buried there. He was also an iconographer, and two of his icons, the Dormition and the Petrovskaya, are found in the Dormition Cathedral (see Oct. 5).
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 St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.
Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel Reading
11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35
The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Bulletin Inserts
Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, August 24, 2025
Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, August 24, 2025
Holy Trinity Taste of Greece 2025
Holy Trinity Taste of Greece 2025
Wisdom of the Fathers
Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
Unknown, 18th century
Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.
Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century
Parish News and Events
TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Blessing of the Backpacks - TODAY
Today, we ask all Holy Trinity students to bring their own backpacks to Liturgy for a special back-to-school blessing. Our Orthodox Christian tradition holds education in high regard, and we even have the Three Hierarchs (St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom) as patrons saints of education. So, let’s ask the Lord’s blessings on our studies by presenting our study tools before Him as we begin the new year.
Hospitality Hour
Today’s Hospitality Hour is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Festival Committee in thanks for everyone’s help with set-up!
“Dress for Work” Sunday Today
As announced last Sunday, everyone has been invited to attend Divine Liturgy today “dressed for work,” that is, dressed to head out to the Grand Room, Kitchen, Lawn and everywhere else that need to be set up for this week’s “Taste of Greece” Festival. No need to head home and change! Go casual, but please remain respectful. Please refrain from shorts and t-shirts.
Greek Dance Troupe – Final Practice Before the Festival - TODAY!
All groups will practice today during the Hospitality Hour. This is their final practice before the Festival! Please reach out with any questions to Eleni Dedousis (412-953-3699) or Victoria Andromalos-Dale (412-496-9128).
Attention All Holy Trinity Church School Families – Register for Church School TODAY – Starts Sept 7
Please remember to register your children for the 2025-2026 Church School year, which begins September 7. Students who are age 3 or above as of Sept. 1 are welcome to register. The final day of registration will take place during TODAY’s Hospitality Hour. Along with updating all records, we are asking that each family volunteer to host Snacks & Drinks after class for one Sunday AND fill in a volunteer form for an area of your choice. Our Youth programs depend on the volunteers that dedicate their time and talents to our most precious children. (Don't have a child in our program but would still love to volunteer? Please stop by the registration table and we'll give you a form to complete.)
Festival Setup Today Through Wednesday! YOUR Help is Needed!
Attention ALL volunteers: It's Festival Setup Week - All Hands On Deck! We need to be up and ready by Thursday for the thousands of enthusiastic visitors and friends who will be coming to enjoy the festival this week, so please lend a hand. Sign up at www.HolyTrinityPghl.org/volunteer. Set-up times are:
· TODAY, August 24 – 11:30am-5:00/6:00pm
· Monday, August 25 – 10:30am-9:30pm
· Tuesday, August 26 – 10:30am-9:30pm
· Wednesday, August 27 – 10:30am-9:30pm
Festival Setup Details
· TODAY, after Liturgy until 5:00/6:00pm: This is our BIG day to set up tables & chairs, empty the PODS, move heavy equipment, hang signage, begin preparing pastries, organizing outside booths, etc. Help is needed today!
· MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY 10:30am-9:30pm: Continue final preparation of Grand Room, Gallery, Kitchen, Pastry, Tent and Greeter areas. Lots of help is needed for us to be ready to open our doors on Thursday!
Festival Pastry Baking, Cutting & Set-Up Today – Your Help is Needed Here, Too!
Please mark your calendars and plan to come and help on the following dates. Bring the kids, bring your husbands, bring your wives, bring your friends! All are welcome…no experience necessary. Light and heavy tasks for all. THANK YOU!
TODAY, Sunday, August 24, following Liturgy - Pastry room clean up and set-up & pastry counter set up
Tuesday, August 26, 9:00am-3:00pm – Pastry Cutting
Wednesday, August 27, 9:00am-5:00pm – Pastry Cutting and FINAL FESTIVAL SET-UP!
Holy Trinity’s 2025 Taste of Greece – Your Help is Really Needed During the Festival!
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! Sign up at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/volunteer or scan this QR Code. Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ! We can’t do it without you!
Holy Trinity Cemetery Prayer Garden Project Launched – Brief Presentation Today
Our Holy Trinity Cemetery is launching the first phase of a new Prayer Garden, to be located in front of the Saint George Chapel. GOYAn Christopher Ramaley, an aspiring Eagle Scout, will be leading the first phase as his Eagle Scout Project, under the supervision of our Cemetery Committee and with the approval of the Parish Council. Christopher will make a brief presentation at the end of the Liturgy today and will be available in the Gallery to answer questions and receive donations. More information will follow, but in the mean time, let’s all support this laudable effort. Thank you, Christopher, for putting the energy into getting this long-desired addition to our Cemetery moving forward.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week:
- Thurs. Aug. 28, 10:00am - Festival Opening Blessing – All Festival Volunteers!
It is a long-standing tradition of Holy Trinity Church that we open and close our annual Greek Festival with prayer, invoking God’s blessings on all we do and thanking him for every gift. As such, all Festival volunteers are asked to gather for a brief opening blessing service at 10:00am on Thursday, August 28, in the church. We will also close the Festival on Sunday evening with a thanksgiving service as usual.
- Friday, Aug. 29, 8:00am - Divine Liturgy only: Beheading of St. John the Baptist (at Holy Trinity Church)
Note both the location and earlier start time to accommodate the Festival.
Help Spread the Word About our Taste of Greece Festival with Lawn Signs and Emails!
You are an important part of the advertising for our 2025 Taste of Greece Festival! If you still have your yard signs from last year with days listed as THURSDAY thru Sunday, now is the time to pull them out and display them! (Please do not use older signs that list a Wednesday start.) Please note that McCandless Township does not permit signs to be placed on public property - only private property with the owner’s permission. All signs must be placed at least 5 ft from the pavement. Also, an email was sent with Festival information, including a flyer with the menu, to all Holy Trinity email list recipients. Please try to send it to 10 friends this week and ask them to meet you there!
[Aug 28-31] Festival Public Parking
Once again, UPMC Passavant Hospital has graciously permitted us to use their lot for Festival parking. Please note that during our Festival, their GREEN lot will be available for our use on Thursday and Friday from 5:00pm to 11:00pm and all day on Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am to 11:00pm. Shuttle Bus service will be available.
[Sep 1] Sign Up for House Blessings
Time for annual House Blessings season! The 2025 schedule has been included in the September issue of The Herald. For online reservations visit our website at HolyTrinityPgh.org/events.
[Sept 6] Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery – Feast Day Services
Gerontissa Theophano and the Sisters invite you to attend the Feast Day services of the Nativity of the Theotokos on Saturday, September 6, 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). If you are unable to attend, please consider helping the Sisters to complete their new Monastery Church. You can make an online charitable contribution at www.nativityofthetheotokosmonastery.org/donate or simply mail your check to the address listed above.
[Sept 6] Blessing of the Animals Service
Attention all pet owners: Bring your pet to Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, September 6th at 2:00pm (promptly please – pets don’t usually wait patiently!) for the Blessing of the Animals service. It will be held outside the front of the church in honor of the Feast of St. Mamas, one of the Orthodox patron saints of animals. All kinds are welcome! The service is brief and always full of animal energy, so please be sure to leash dogs and hold all others to help keep the peace!
[Sep 6] Youth Ministries Kick-Off Picnic
Holy Trinity Church will be hosting a combined Youth Ministries Kick-Off Picnic on Saturday, September 6 from 3:00-7:00pm at the Sesqui Pavilion at North Park. Volunteers are needed to bring food and help with activities. RSVP by Sept 4 to Vicki Ambrose at 412-720-5094 or [email protected].
[Sep 7] Hospitality Hour – Open Table – Please Bring an Item to Share!
When there is no ministry or memorial hosting Hospitality Hour following Sunday Divine Liturgy, we offer “Open Table Sundays,” on which we ask parishioners to please bring something small to share on platter and place it on the table in the Gallery. The next “Open Table Sunday” is scheduled for Sunday September 7. Also, we need folks to help set up & clean up on that day. Questions? Contact Stacy Dickos at 412-298-9409 or email [email protected]
Introducing The Herald Quarterly – Starting Fall 2025
After 32 years of continuous publication, the September edition of The Holy Trinity Herald marks the last monthly issue of our community news magazine. Starting in October, The Herald begins its new life as a quarterly news magazine, with 4 issues per year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The Herald Quarterly issues will continue to feature color photos, news and articles on the life and ministries of Holy Trinity Church. In between issues, news, events and updates will continue to be communicated through the Weekly Bulletin, as well as other new information update systems. To submit information for the Fall 2025 Herald Quarterly, please email [email protected] by the September 10 deadline. As in the past, all submissions are subject to approval and editing due to content or available space. Thank you!
[Sept 29] Active Older Adults Ministry - Pittsburgh Sights Tour
Holy Trinity Active Older Adults (AOA) is sponsoring a trip to two iconic Pittsburgh sights on Monday, September 29th. Our first stop will be the St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale, featuring the murals of Maxo Vanka; hauntingly beautiful with a message about both the divine and humanity. Combines traditional religious themes with social themes, showing the horrors of war, social injustice, and scenes of the Old and New Testament. Then we will visit the Hartwood Acres Mansion, located in Hampton Twp, completed in 1929 for John and Mary Flinn Lawrence. Lunch is included. Bus will depart from Holy Trinity at 10:15am and return at 4:30pm. Cost is $65.00 per person. Everyone is welcome to take the trip. For more info, or to make your reservation by Sept 22, please call or text Tasy McCann at 724-612-9145.
On Sunday, October 12 our Holy Trinity GOYA will host its 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!
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. There have been times when all the spaces have been filled, so your cooperation helps ensure every group that needs a place has one and helps minimize space conflicts. We have a beautiful facility – let’s work together so everyone who needs it can use it. Thank you!
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 Victoria Ambrose or email [email protected].
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 – or if you are receiving them would like to discontinue them -please contact the church office to submit a request. Kindly reach out to Mary at [email protected] or call 412-366-8700.
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!