Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-23
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

[email protected] | 412-366-8700

Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu
Assistant Priest

[email protected]

Mary Portellos
Office Administrator

[email protected] | 412-366-8700

Deacon Matthew Palamara
Deacon

[email protected]

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 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 First Tone

When You come, O God, upon the earth with glory, the whole world will tremble. The river of fire will bring men before Your judgement seat, the books will be opened and the secrets disclosed. Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire, and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, Judge most righteous. (Page 71)
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Saints and Feasts

February 23

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

February 23

Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna

This apostolic and prophetic man, and model of faith and truth, was a disciple of John the Evangelist, successor of Bucolus (Feb. 6), and teacher of Irenaeus (Aug. 23). He was an old man and full of days when the fifth persecution was raised against the Christians under Marcus Aurelius. When his pursuers, sent by the ruler, found Polycarp, he commanded that they be given something to eat and drink, then asked them to give him an hour to pray; he stood and prayed, full of grace, for two hours, so that his captors repented that they had come against so venerable a man. He was brought by the Proconsul of Smyrna into the stadium and was commanded, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, 'Away with the atheists.'" By atheists, the Proconsul meant the Christians. But Polycarp, gazing at the heathen in the stadium, waved his hand towards them and said, "Away with the atheists." When the Proconsul urged him to blaspheme against Christ, he said: "I have been serving Christ for eighty-six years, and He has wronged me in nothing; how can I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?" But the tyrant became enraged at these words and commanded that he be cast into the fire, and thus he gloriously expired about the year 163. As Eusebius says, "Polycarp everywhere taught what he had also learned from the Apostles, which also the Church has handed down; and this alone is true" (Eccl. Hist., Book IV, ch. 14,15).

February 23

Boswell, Abbot of Melrose Abbey, Scotland

February 23

Damian the New Martyr of Mount Athos

February 23

Gorgonia the Righteous, sister of Gregory the Theologian

February 23

Proterios, Archbishop of Alexandria

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century

. . .The day will come when we shall stand before God and be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming, as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ which is our vocation, judgment must be pronounced by ourselves.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

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Parish News and Events

 

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

STEWARDSHIP INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION - TODAY

Thank you and congratulations to all who fulfilled their 2024 pledge! It came down to the wire, but December 2024 was one of our strongest months for stewardship in church history, which took us to the summit of Stewardship Mountain. We finally reached stewardship independence, meaning the church is now able to sustain its operations through stewardship and not rely on the festival to keep the doors open. What a blessing! It is now up to us to be Stewards of God's Blessings, allowing us to give back, both locally, nationally, and beyond. Please stay for the expanded hospitality hour today; we will have lunch and cake in the Grand Room to celebrate this amazing accomplishment. Don't forget to submit your 2025 pledge cards and keep the sustaining efforts going.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Services This Week: (Location guide: HT = Holy Trinity Church; SG = St. George Chapel, 8941 Ringeisen Rd)

- Saturday, March 1, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Divine Liturgy: Saturday of the Souls (St. George Chapel)

 

Faith & Family Weekdays

Faith and Family Weekdays is back, and there are many ways for each of to grow in the knowledge and practice of our faith. Ready to learn more about the Bible, about the Orthodox Church, about navigating life’s challenges as a Christian, a woman, or a man? It’s all there. There’s a lot more to church than Sundays, and here is where to find it.

THIS WEEK:

  • Wednesday, February 26, 6:30pm Vespers/7:00pm: “Explore the Word” - Father Radu leads us through the last session of a 4-week “Mini-Series” of Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. Deepen your knowledge of Holy Scripture as this Epistle expounds on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Cross of Christ and living a life of faith.

 

It's Back...FESTIVAL COOKING! 

It's never too early to start preparing our delicious food and pastries for our 2025 TASTE OF GREECE!  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. Watch out for more dates in the coming weeks!!!

  • THIS Wednesday, February 26, 9:00am-9:00pm – SPANAKOPITA
  • THIS Thursday, February 27, 9:00am-5:00pm – SPANAKOPITA
  • Tuesday, March 11, 9:00am-9:00pm – BAKLAVA and CHOC BAKLAVA
  • Sunday, March 30, following Liturgy – KOULOURAKIA
  • Thursday, April 10, 9:00am-6:00pm – PASTITSIO
  • Friday, April 11, 9:00am-3:00pm (if needed) – PASTITSIO
  • Saturday, April 26, 9:00am-6:00pm - KOURAMBIETHES and FINIKIA

 

[Feb 28] Please Submit Your Saint Photios Awards Nomination Form – Due this Friday

The Annual Metropolis of Pittsburgh Saint Photios Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, May 3. Nominations for two recipients from Holy Trinity Church are due to the church office by this Friday, February 28 and must be submitted using the form that was included in the February edition of the Herald. Additional copies of the Nomination Form can be found at the church office window. Thank you for your input!

 

[Mar 1, 8] Saturdays of Souls      

Preceding the start of Lent and during the first week of Lent, the Church offers the “Saturdays of the Souls” to commemorate those who have fallen sleep in the Lord. Services are held at the Saint George Chapel located at Holy Trinity Cemetery. Orthros is at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am and the Memorial Service. The remaining Saturday of the Souls services will be offered on Saturday March 1 & Saturday, March 8. Please submit names of your departed loved ones and, if possible, offer “kollyva” (memorial wheat) for the services to be shared with the faithful, please do so! We cannot lose this beautiful and theologically significant tradition. Thank you!

 

Lenten Hospitality Hours

Please keep in mind that throughout Lent our Hospitality Hours following the Divine Liturgy will observe Orthodox Lenten fasting practices. Any families or ministries hosting a Memorial or Ministry Hospitality Hour and any families providing the Church School snacks are asked to take care that non-meat, non-fish and non-dairy items are provided. The Hospitality Hour and Church School ministries can provide suggestions of needed. Thank you for helping our community grow in the proper and helpful Orthodox spiritual practice and discipline.

 

[Mar 1] Second Annual McCandless Crossing Chocolate Walk Benefiting NHCO

On Saturday March 1, from 12:00pm until 6:00pm, participating McCandless Crossing businesses will offer specialty chocolates to ticketed guests for a relaxing day full of shopping and treats. The delicious fun starts at Fairfield Inn & Suites, where participants will get a tote bag for their goodies before starting their sweet stroll. All proceeds benefit North Hills Community Outreach. Purchase your tickets today at https://www.nhco.org/chocolate/p/ticket

 

[Mar 2] Hospitality Hour Hosted by the Holy Trinity Dance Troupe

On Sunday, March 2, the Holy Trinity Dance Troupe will be hosting Hospitality Hour. The proceeds collected on that day will be donated to Vicky Constantinidis who is the Greek Dance Troupe instructor for Columbus Annunciation. Vicky was in a severe car accident earlier this year. All donations will help support her recovery. We appreciate all your generosity.

 

[Mar 6] New Ministry! “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, March 6. For information, contact [email protected].

 

[Mar 9] Sunday of Orthodoxy Icon Procession

Church School students will once again participate in the annual Procession of the Holy Icons at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 9. All students should bring an icon of their patron saint or other favorite icon to hold in the procession that day. Be sure to have the name of the student on the back of the icon to identify it.

 

[Mar 9 – Apr 13] GOYA Lenten Soup Sales

Our Holy Trinity GOYA is once again offering its very popular Lenten soup sales during the Sundays of Lent. Among the many good reasons to buy some to take home are that they are strict Lenten recipes, they provide fund-raising support for our GOYA ministry ... plus they taste great, and they are good for you! Beginning next Sunday, please visit the Lenten Soup Sales table in Gallery during Coffee Hour each week! Thank you for supporting our youth as you strive to maintain and grow your spiritual discipline of fasting during Lent!

 

[Mar 9] Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Celebration

The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh is hosting its annual Sunday of Orthodoxy Service and Celebration on Sunday, March 9, at 4:30pm at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mount Lebanon, 123 Gilkeson Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. The presiding Hierarch and homilist will be His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh. Following the service, light refreshments will be served during fellowship time. Local representatives from Orthodox philanthropic ministries will be there with information on how to get involved. Also, icons and other Orthodox Christian gifts and handmade items will be available to purchase from the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery (Saxonburg) and the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration (Ellwood City). Come and celebrate Orthodoxy in Pittsburgh! "This is the Faith of the Apostles. This is the Faith of the Fathers. This is the Faith of the Orthodox. This is the Faith which has established the Universe."

 

[Mar 29] "Care for the Caregiver" Seminar – Registration is Open

Caring for or assisting a parent, spouse, child, other family member or loved one? As we give of ourselves so generously, we must be mindful that we, too, have to pay attention to our own well-being. And we need to know we are not alone in the challenges caregiving can bring. The Visitation Ministry is hosting a seminar titled "Care for the Caregiver" on Saturday, March 29. Our time together will include a guest speaker, lunch and fellowship. Registration is free and online at HolyTrinityPgh.or/events. Register by March 27. Also, if you have any questions or need a caregiver to stay with your loved one while you attend, see Amy Armanious, Visitation Ministry Coordinator or email [email protected].

 

[Mar 30] Holy Trinity Cemetery Notice – Deadline for Removing Christmas Decorations

Whoever wishes to save Christmas wreaths or decorations at their family memorial stones are asked to remove them before Sunday, March 30th to get ready for spring grass cutting. Decorations left behind will be discarded. The Cemetery Committee thanks you for your understanding.

 

In the Hospital? Home-Bound? Please let the Church Office know! 
In today’s age of information privacy, churches are not notified when parishioners are admitted to hospitals, nursing homes or other care facilities. Both those facilities and your church depend on having the church notified by a friend or family member so that pastoral care and outreach can be offered. The same goes for those homebound. If you or any of your loved ones are in any of these situations, please contact the Church Office at 412-366-8700 to request a visit from our priests or our new and wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at [email protected].

 

[Apr 4-6] GOYA Spring Retreat – Registration Opens Tomorrow

The Metropolis of Pittsburgh will offer a GOYA Spring Retreat on April 4th through 6th at Camp Nazareth (339 Pew Road, Mercer, PA 16137). Questions? Contact Camping Ministries Coordinator, Maria Phyrillas at [email protected]. For additional information or to register, visit: y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/retreats 

 

Upcoming Lenten and Paschal Dates

Wondering about Lenten and Paschal dates? Here’s a helpful guide to some of the important events coming up. Mark them on your calendar!

  • Meatfare Sunday (Last day of eating meat): TODAY, Feb. 23
  • Cheesefare Sunday (Last day of eating dairy): Mar. 2
  • Pure Monday (Lent begins): Mar. 3
  • Sunday of Orthodoxy: Mar. 9
  • Godparent Sunday: Mar. 23
  • Saturday of Lazarus/Palm Cross/Candle prep: Apr. 12
  • Palm Sunday: Apr. 13
  • Holy Week: Apr. 13-19
  • Holy Friday (schedule off work & school): Apr. 18
  • The Great and Holy Pascha: Apr. 20

 

Stewardship 2025 – Please submit your pledge today!

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! This year, let’s maintain and grow as our theme for 2025 calls us to be “Stewards of God’s Blessings.” There are two ways to pledge: using a 2025 Stewardship pledge card or by going online to your Holy Trinity Realm account (see below). 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. However you choose to support our ministries, 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. 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!

 

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