Service schedule varies. The current schedule can be found in the bulletin or parish website.
Glory to Jesus Christ! Greetings to the faithful members and families of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. May our Risen Lord continue to bless and guide us as we live out our Faith in Him every day of this new Liturgical year.
Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
Nativity of the Holy Theotokos
9:30AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
12:00PM Ladies of Agape Fundraiser Luncheon
6:00PM Daily Vespers and Memorial fo 9-11 with Potluck Meal
5:00PM Great Vespers with Artoklasia
6:00PM Byzantine Chant Class
Elevation of the Holy Cross (transfered from 9/14)
9:30AM Orthros with Procession of the Holy Cross
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:30AM Memorial Stavros Zafeiratos and Nicolaie Bulumac
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Father Paisius offer a heartfelt word of thanks to everyone who has been praying for his recovery and has helped him in many ways! We ask for everyone to continue to pray for his full recovery!
We are pleased to announce that on Sunday, October 13 we will have a Parish General Assembly for nominations for 2 open positions on our Parish Council, to elect our Parish Council Election Committee and our Parish Audit Committee. Please join us for this very important meeting and make sure to be current on stewardship pledges to be eligible to vote. As we consider making nominations please remember that to serve on Parish Council and these Committees a member must be a member in good standing spiritually and financially. Lord willing our Parish Council Elections will then be held on Sunday, November 17.
We are pleased to announce that beginning on Monday, September 30, we will begin our once a month new Practical Orthodoxy Group. We encourage everyone to join us as we fellowship and learn together the practical and nuts and bolts practices in our lives as Orthodox Christians and faithful members of this Parish Community. For more information please talk with Father Paisius and Cassidy and Crystal Anderson.
This week on Wednesday, September 11 we will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of 9-11 with a memorial service at the end of our weekly Wednesday evening Vespers service. Please join us as we prayer for the repose of those who died, those injured and pray for God's continued blessings on our Nation.
We offer a reminder that every Sunday following Divine Liturgy we offer the Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion. We encourage anyone who can to join us as we offer these beautiful prayers of Thanksgiving for having received the Precious Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion!
This coming weekend we will celebrate the first Great Feast of the new year with the Nativity of the Holy Theotokos on Saturday, September 7 with Great Vespers with Artoklasia at 6pm and Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 8 as we honor the Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary! Following Divine Liturgy our Ladies of Agape will have its Fundraiser Luncheon and we encourage everyone to give generously to help them continue their important ministry.
We offer a reminder that next weekend the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross will be celebrated on Sunday, September 15 and so the Feast will include Great Vespers with Artoklasia on Saturday, September 14, Orthros with Procession and Veneration of the Holy Cross and Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 15.
For anyone who is interested in learning more about our Byzantine Chant, we will have a Chanting class on Saturdays at 5 pm beginning on Saturday, September 7. Please talk with our Chanter Angelos Vamvakas for further information.
Today we ask that everyone please note that when you light candles in the Narthex Sandbox to be careful not to put them to close to the edges and too close to the Icon Stands and Icon Vestments. Thanks in advance!
We are happy to announce that our printed copies of the Holy Trinity September schedule is now available in the Narthex and Side Entrance today. Please notice our upcoming schedule in the new month and join us as we worship together as a Community.
CATECHUMEN
This Sunday we welcome our newest Catechumens Andrew Onderdonk and Andrew Poulos to our parish. We all pray for them as they begins their journey to the Orthodox faith. We now have 19 Catechumens in study to be Orthodox Christians! A true blessing.
🎂BIRTHDAYS🎂
Today we offer our best wishes and congratulations to Lucia Bridges as she celebrated her 1st birthday on September 5, to Melissa Schwartz as she celebrates her birthday on September 10, to Maria Koskan, Stavroula Beach, and to George Loukatos as they celebrate their birthday on September 11, and to Leah Sommers as she celebrates her birthday on September 12. May the Lord our God bless His servants, Lucia, Melissa, Maria, Stavroula, George and Leah and may he grant to them many more blessed and happy years!
If we missed your anniversary or birthday it means we don't have you information listed on our roster. Please let us know so we can make the updates.
✝️MEMORIAL✝️
On September 15 we will offer a Memorial Service for the 40th Day Memorial of Stavros Zafeiratos-brother of Eleni Vganges and the 1 year Memorial for the parents of Meri Ionescu. May their memory be eternal!
On Sunday, September 29, following Divine Liturgy we will offer the 1 year Memorial for our faithful parishioner, Mihalis Kastrinos. May his memory be eternal!
🙏PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND RECOVERING🙏
Pray for Father Paisius, Saidi Maalouf, Mousa Maalouf, Niki Arnold, Wilson Arnold, Karen Henderson, Photine Hagicostas, George Vaporis, and Demetri Vlahos as they recover from their illnesses. May the Lord our God quickly heal His servants. Get well soon. Let us continue to pray for those of our Parish Community who are recovering in various ways. Let us always remember that praying for each other is important and beneficial to all!
Please let Father Paisius know of any parishioner who is sick so we may pray for them.
ORTHODOX STEWARDSHIP
Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. See bulletin inserts for the 2024 Stewardship Pledge Form and a current list of parishioners who have pledged for this year.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Pledge Form