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
English: Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who has shown forth the fishermen to be most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. And through them, You drew the world into Your net. O merciful One, glory to You!
Greek: Ευλογητός ει Χριστέ, ο Θεός ήμων, ο πανσόφους τους αλιείς αναδείξας, καταπέμψας αυτοίς το Πνεύμα το άγιον, και δι΄αυτών την οικουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.
Phoenetics: Ev-lo-yi-tos i Hri-ste o The-os i-mon. O Pan-so-fous tous a-li-is a-na-di-xas ka-ta-pemp-sas af-tis to Pnev-ma to A-yi-on, ke di af-ton tin i-kou-men-in sa-i-nef-sas, fi-lan-thro-pe, do-xa si.
This Saint, great and renowned among the ascetics of Egypt, lived in the fourth century in Scete of Nitria. After the death of Saint Anthony the Great, he left Scete to live in Saint Anthony's cave; he said of this, "Thus in the cave of a lion, a fox makes his dwelling." When Sisoës was at the end of his long life of labours, as the Fathers were gathered about him, his face began to shine, and he said, "Behold, Abba Anthony is come"; then, "Behold, the choir of the Prophets is come"; his face shone yet more bright, and he said, "Behold, the choir of the Apostles is come." The light of his countenance increased, and he seemed to be talking with someone. The Fathers asked him of this; in his humility, he said he was asking the Angels for time to repent. Finally his face became as bright as the sun, so that the Fathers were filled with fear. He said, "Behold, the Lord is come, and He says, 'Bring Me the vessel of the desert,'" and as he gave up his soul into the hands of God, there was as it were a flash of lightning, and the whole dwelling was filled with a sweet fragrance.
Prokeimenon. Third Tone. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:18-23.
Brethren, having been set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification.
When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13
At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Weekly Bulletin - Sunday, July 6, 2025
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.
It's a great tradition, and it's here again: 36 days of Greek Festivals in the Pittsburgh region, so plan well and you can eat Greek all summer!
TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
“Open Table Sunday” Hospitality Hour Today - Thank You!
Thank you to all of those who have contributed to the “Open Table Sunday” Hospitality Hour today! Please place your ready-to-share plated items on the table located in the Gallery on your way into Liturgy. Please stay for a few moments afterwards and offer to help with clean-up.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Upcoming Greek Dance Troupe Practice Schedule
Our Dance Troupe has begun practicing in preparation for their festival performances. If you have any questions, please reach out to Victoria (412.496.9128) or Eleni (412.953.3699). The groups are as follows: HOPE- 5 years old-2nd grade, JOY-3rd grade to 6th grade, GOYA 7th grade-12th grade. The practice schedule is below.
· TODAY, Sun, July 6: HOPE, Hospitality Hour
· Thurs, July 10: HOPE, 6pm
· 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!
· Wed, 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 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.
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]
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!
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 wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at [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, 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 13: Peter Georgiadis (13 years) and Mary Georgiadis (11 years); July 20: Peter Abdo (5 years), Peter and Angela Kostopolos, Father John Kostopolos and Presvytera Louella Kostopolos, William Kostopolos and Angeline Kostopolos.