Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-20
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]

Deacon Ted Stewart
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 Fifth Tone

To the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, let us, the faithful, give praise and worship. Of His own will He mounted the Cross in the flesh, He suffered death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection. (Page 53)

Apolytikion for Prophet Elias in the Fourth Tone

The glorious Elias, angelic in body, pillar of prophets, second herald of Christ, by sending grace upon Elisha from on high, dispels disease, cleanses lepers and overflows with healing for those who honor him. (Page 68)

Kontakion for a Memorial Service in the Eighth Tone

English: Remember, O Lord, as You are good, your servant(s), and forgive every sin he (she,they) have committed in this life. For no one is sinless except You, who have power to grant rest to those who have fallen asleep. Greek: Μνήσθητι, Κύριε, ὡς ἀγαθός, τοῦ (τῆς, τῶν) δούλου (δούλης, δούλων) σου, καί ὄσα ἐν βίῳ ἥμαρτεν (ἥμαρτεν, ἥμαρτον) συγχώρησον· οὐδείς γάρ ἀναμάρτητος, εἰμὴ σὺ ὁ δυνάμενος, καί τῷ (τῇ, τοῖς) μεταστάντι (μεταστάσῃ, μεταστάσι) δοῦναι τὴν ἀνάπαυσιν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

A protection of Christians unshameable, Intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering; reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us for you are good; your loving help bring unto us who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you. (Page 54)
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Saints and Feasts

July 20

6th Sunday of Matthew

July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).

July 20

Mother Maria Skobtsova, New-Martyr of France

Saint Maria Skobtsova of Paris lived a life devoted to serving the poor and the marginalized. She was born Elizaveta Pilenko in 1891 in Riga, Latvia to devout Russian Orthodox parents. Her father died when she was fourteen, and her grief led her to atheism. As a young teenager she became involved in the socialist and intellectual circles in St. Petersburg. By eighteen she was a published poet and married to a Bolshevik. Her desire to actively serve the needy - more than simply discuss social change - led her back to a faith in Christ. She then became the first woman accepted to study at the Theological Academy of the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in St. Petersburg.

After the Bolshevik Revolution, she was elected Mayor of Anapa but had to flee Russia for Paris in 1923. Elizaveta was inspired to devote her life completely to serving the poor after her daughter, Nastia, died of meningitis in 1926. After her second marriage ended in 1932, Metropolitan Evlogii of Paris tonsured her a nun with the name Maria and blessed her to live a "monasticism in the world" devoted to social service.

Initially devoted to the Russian emigres in Paris, she founded a sanatorium along with homes to serve single mothers, families, and single men. By 1937, 120 dinners were served each day. Much of the work she did herself: begging for food, cooking the soup, and even embroidering the icons for their chapel.

By 1942, Maria's work turned to assisting the Jewish population. She helped Father Dimitri Klepinin issue fake baptismal certificates for Jews that came to their aide. In a mass arrest in July of that year, 12,884 Jews were taken to a sports stadium before being transferred to Auschwitz. Maria spent three days visiting the prisoners, bringing them food, and even rescuing some of the children by smuggling them out in trash cans. She also aided Jews in escaping to Southern France which was unoccupied by the Nazis.

Maria was arrested in February, 1943, and was sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany. For two years, she raised the spirits of her fellow prisoners, helping them remember their human dignity. She led discussion groups on literature, history, and theology, despite her weakening health. On March 31, 1945, a short time before the camp was rescued, Saint Maria was taken to the gas chambers; some prisoners say she took the place of a fellow Jewish prisoner.

On January 18th, 2004, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized Mother Maria Skobtsova as a saint along with her three fellow workers who also died in German concentration camps: her son Yuri, Fr. Dimitri Klepinin, and Ilya Fondaminsky. They are all commemorated in the Orthodox Church on July 20th.

July 20

Synaxis of the Russians who were perfected in France: Protopresbyter Alexios Mednedkov, Presbyter Dimitri Klepinin, Mother Maria Skobtsova, her son Yuri Skobtsov, and Ilya Fondaminsky

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Tone. Psalm 109.4,1.
You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies my footstool.

The reading is from St. James' Universal Letter 5:10-20.

BRETHREN, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

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Bulletin Inserts

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Through the toil of prayer and the anguish of your heart commune with those who are grieved at heart, and the Source of mercy will be opened up to your petitions.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

The Lord looks with affection on the humble. . .Learn, you who are sick, to gain health through prayer. Should you be diffident because of your grave sins, seek the prayers of others, call upon the Church to pray for you, and in His regard for her, the Lord will give what He could refuse to you.
Saint Ambrose
The Healing of the Paralytic, P. L. 15 (col. 138), Expos., in Toal, IV: 182, 183., Fourth Century

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Parish News and Events

 

TODAY'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Memorials Today

Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, members of these two families: the Kostopolos family - Peter Kostopolos (10 years), Angela Kostopolos (16 years), Father John Kostopolos, Presvytera Louella Kostopolos, William Kostopolos and Angeline Kostopolos; and the Saikaly family - Peter Abdo (5 years), Nichola Abdo (63 years), Arkadia Abdo (26 years), Victor Abdo (19 years), Mimi Abdo (10 years). May their memory be eternal! The Kostopolos family is hosting the Hospitality Hour today.

 

Welcome Home Father John and Presvytera Becky!

Today we welcome Father John & Presvytera Becky home from their travels in Greece. We are happy to have you back!

 

Congregational Card Signing Today!

Please join the Visitation Ministry in signing cards for the last Great Feast of the ecclesiastical year: the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15th). Feel free to write words of encouragement and blessings to our homebound parishioners. These beautiful cards have been specially designed by our Creative Team and will be displayed during our Hospitality Hour. Stop by and take a few minutes to reach out to our Holy Trinity family members. Thank you.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Upcoming Greek Dance Troupe Practice Schedule

Our Dance Troupe continues to practice 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.

  • Sun, July 20: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour
  • Wed, July 23: JOY & GOYA, 6pm
  • Sun, July 27: JOY & GOYA, Hospitality Hour
  • Sun, Aug 3: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour
  • Thu, Aug 7: ALL Groups, 6pm
  • Sun, Aug 10: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour
  • Wed, Aug 13: ALL Groups, 6pm
  • Sun, Aug 17: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour
  • Tue, Aug 19: ALL Groups, 6pm
  • Sun, Aug 24: ALL Groups, Hospitality Hour

 

[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 26.

 

[July 27] Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday

The Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) supports the unique spiritual needs of people who are incarcerated, and their families, by providing spiritual care and enabling people in prison to find hope and purpose in their lives. OCPM also provides resources and training to parishes and clergy, allowing them to offer local solutions and to fulfill Christ’s command to visit Him in prison. Former Holy Trinity parishioner Niko Petrogeorge has been the Executive Director of OCPM since 2020.  To learn more about this important ministry, and to offer your support, visit www.theocpm.org

 

[Aug 1-14] Fasting and Schedule of Paraclesis Services  

The Church observes the holy season of the Theotokos, August 1-14, with both prayer and fasting. During that time, we are in a strict fast period in honor of the Theotokos and Mother of God in preparation for her feast of Koimissis (Dormition or Falling Asleep in the Lord) on August 15. According to the canons of the Church, this is a time when we abstain from all meat, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil. Adding the complete purpose to this spiritual preparation, of course, is our participation in an increased prayer life, including the Paraclesis services, Holy Confession, and personal prayer. "Paraclesis Services" are beautiful sung services asking for the prayers and intercessions of the Theotokos to her Son and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please complete a Paraclesis Names Form to submit prayers for your loved ones and bring it to the services. A copy of the Paraclesis Names Form was included in the June-August edition of the Herald. Additional copies can be found at the church office window or at holytrinitypgh.org/documents/worship. All parishioners are encouraged to attend all services, which will be held beginning at 6:30pm at the St. George Chapel located at 8941 Ringeisen Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101. The schedule of services is as follows:

•           Friday, August 1

•           Monday, August 4

•           Friday, August 8

•           Monday, August 11

•           Wednesday, August 13

 

[Aug 5] Great Vespers and Blessing of First Fruits for the Feast of the Transfiguration

We will celebrate the Great Vespers of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the evening of August 5, and in keeping with the wonderful tradition of the Blessing of the Fruits on the feast, it is customary to bring a tray of washed grapes or fruit to be blessed and distributed at the end of the service. In the days of a farming society, this was the first offering back to God from the harvest. Even though they are most often bought from a grocery store today, we should not lose touch with the idea of offering back to God the first fruits of all our blessings! The service will be held at 6:30pm on Tuesday, August 5 at our St. George Chapel (8941 Ringeisen Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101), followed by the Blessing of the First Fruits.

 

[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.

 

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, 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 27 – Kit White

 

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