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Fr. Ignatius Hunter Appointed as Rector

After the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Melchisedek revealed his choice for the next rector of the parish—the Rev. Priest Ignatius Hunter. 

Father Ignatius joins us via of St. Innocent Mission in Napakiak, Alaska and St. Michael’s Church in Mount Carmel, PA, where he lived with his wife, Matushka Seraphima, and two children, Daniel and Elizabeth. He holds bachelor degrees in Religion, History, and General Economics from Lycoming College and master degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and the University of Alaska. Father Ignatius officially begins February 1, at which point Fr. David and Dn. Alexander’s terms as Interim Priest and Acting Administrator, respectively, will end. Father David will resume his role at Holy Trinity as Associate Rector—keeping his regular office hours in State College through the month of February to assist Fr. Ignatius in the transition—and remain Priest-in-Charge at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Deacon Alexander will remain on staff full-time with a title and roles to be determined. 

May God grant Fr. Ignatius, Mka. Seraphima, and his entire family many years!

Parish Approves Chapel Mortgage; Building Project

The parish met in both locations yesterday to authorize the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Beavertown to enter into a new $150,000 mortgage (0% APR for 25 years) with the Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania. The loan, which was pre-approved by the Diocesan Council and included in the 2020 budget passed last November, will pay off the Chapel’s existing $62,500 mortgage. The remaining balance will be used toward a 12- by 24-foot addition on the east end of the building to house the altar. When construction is complete this Spring, the community will have a dedicated sanctuary and nave, and 50% more space in which to worship. 

Join us at the March for Life

Help fill our van to the 47th Annual March for Life!

HolyTrinity and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit are currently accepting reservations by email through this Wednesday for the annual one-day pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. Our vans depart Friday, January 24 at 6:30 a.m., and return around 10 p.m. College students and youth are especially encouraged to attend. As in previous years, all costs are covered by the parish.

Special Parish Meeting this Sunday

Although included in the 2020 Budget, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit’s proposal for a refinanced mortgage through the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh requires a two-thirds vote of no fewer than 51% of the parish membership.

Therefore, the Council will conduct a Special Parish Meeting this Sunday following the Divine Liturgy. It will be chaired by our Dean, Fr. Mark Meholick; Archbishop Melchisedek will also attend as a show of support. If approved, equity from a new $150,000 mortgage (which will be financed by the Archdiocese at 0% APR for 25 years) will be used to build a 12- by 24-foot addition on the Chapel’s east side to house its altar. 

Sunday is Sanctity of Life Sunday

The Holy Synod has designated this Sunday as Sanctity of Life Sunday in all of the parishes of the Orthodox Church in America. You can read His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon’s proclamation of life ahead of the 47th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.

However, the best way to witness life is by attending the January 24 March for Life in Washington D.C. with your fellow brothers and sisters from Holy Trinityand the Chapel. All expenses will be covered by the parish; simply bring a packed lunch or money for food and/or souvenirs. For more information or to RSVP, email events@holytrinity-oca.org.

Electronic Giving Now Available

The work of Holy Trinity, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Penn State is entirely supported by sacrificial gifts from its members, family, and friends. Thank you.

Now, at no cost to you—and at a minimal cost to the parish (on average, less than the price of offering envelopes)—your donations can be withdrawn directly from your checking account, savings account, or payment card (all major networks are accepted).  

With just a few clicks, you can set up a one-time or recurring payment. After authorizing the transaction, your donation is immediately recorded alongside your other contributions for the year.

Holy Trinity’s new, updated, and fully-integrated electronic payment system is now available.


Give as a Member

Giving as a member through Realm allows you to log in securely and manage all your donations in one place. Once you are signed in, click on Giving on the left-hand side of your screen.

Donate Now   Learn more


Give as a Guest

To give once or to give without logging in, select this option.

Donate Now   Learn more


Give by Text/Mobile

To give using the messaging feature on your mobile device, simply text holytrinitysc and the dollar amount to 73256. Standard messaging rates apply.

Examples:

Make a $100 Stewardship Offering to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church:

holytrinitysc $100  

Give $75 to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit:

holytrinitysc CHS $75  

Parking Tenants: Give $51.50 for your monthly payment (i.e., $50 rent plus the 3% convenience fee):

holytrinitysc parking $51.50  

See more options or give to a fund not listed above:

holytrinitysc  

Want to review your giving records? Log into Holy Trinity’s secure database.

Questions, comments, or suggestions? Let us know your feedback at online.giving@holytrinity-oca.org.

 

 

 

Register Online for Sunday School

Sunday School Class of 2019.

Sunday School begins on September 15, 2019. We look forward to sharing the teachings and Tradition of the Church to build a firm foundation for our students to lead a life in God’s image. Sunday School supplements and reinforces the work of our parents in the Christian formation of their children. Many thanks to our staff of dedicated teachers for their ministry each week throughout the year!

Holy Trinity has five classrooms for students in Kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Please enroll your child by completing the online form below. Submit one form for each child, please.

Sunday School 2019-2020

Online Registration Form
(Please submit a separate form for each child you wish to enroll.)

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Register Now for Vacation Bible School

Holy Trinity’s Vacation Bible School: “Got Fruit?” begins Monday evening, August 5, 2019, and continues through Thursday, August 8 in the Parish Hall. The program includes activities, crafts, songs, and dinner each evening. Our Church School offers VBS free of charge for all children entering Kindergarten through the sixth grade in the Fall (friends/neighbors are especially welcome). Parents are encouraged to register and complete the release forms online as soon as possible.

In Memoriam: Galina Mikaelyan (1924-2019)

Galina Mikaelyan, a beloved member of the parish for the past decade, fell asleep in the Lord in her home here in State College yesterday (June 27, 2019). She is the mother of Irina Mikaelian, also a member of Holy Trinity. She was 95.

Parishioners and friends of the family will be received Monday, July 1 at 9 a.m. at Holy Trinity. It will be immediately followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. and a mercy meal at Irina’s home at 720 West Hamilton Avenue (at the corner with Sparks Street). Preceding the visitation and funeral, parish faithful are also invited to keep overnight vigil with Galina beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. A sign-up sheet may be found here (use the side/accessible ramp entrance when entering and exiting the Nave).

Born January 12, 1924, in Moscow, she was the daughter of Boris and Zinaida Aronsky. Galina worked for many years as Professor of English in Moscow State University.

For the past ten years, she lived with Irina’s family. She is survived by Irina, three granddaughters, Maria, Zinaida, and Elizaveta, and eight great-grandchildren. She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a faithful friend, and a beautiful person.  

Fr. David Smith will officiate at the funeral on Monday. The Choir will prepare for the service at a special rehearsal in Trinity House on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. The burial will be in Russia.  

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.

Sheehans to Lead Choral Workshop Here June 7-9

Renowned Orthodox musicians Benedict and Maria Sheehan will conduct a three-day workshop here for the parish the weekend of June 7-9. They will help current and prospective Choir members of all levels reach new levels of mastery and enable the ensemble to sing with “One Mouth and One Heart.” Group training will occur amidst personal breakouts for directors, singers, chanters, and clergy. The goal is to create a worshipful atmosphere full of musicianship, expressiveness, attentiveness, and prayer.

Session I begins on Friday at 7 p.m. with introductions, a lecture, and snacks. The Saturday sessions begin at 9 a.m. and continue through Vespers, with ample breaks for a catered lunch, fellowship, and one-on-one attention. On Sunday, participants will gather at 9 a.m. for warm-ups, and then lead the congregation in responses at the 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy. The workshop concludes with a celebratory coffee hour for the whole parish with an open Q&A with the Sheehans.

The parish is offering this unique opportunity at no cost for all eligible Choir members (i.e., children entering middle school and older). It is made possible from the operating budget, which your sacrificial tithes support. Registration is required either below or in the Narthex so enough food can be purchased. For more information, contact us.

Schedule

Friday

7-9pm — Welcome, Lecture, and Fellowship/Snacks

  • Church-Building with Choral Singing: What Choral Singing Does for the Christian Person and the Christian Community

Saturday

9-10am — Vocal Technique

10-12pm — Ensemble Technique (how to sing choral repertoire with good individual vocal technique)

12-1:30pm — Lunch

1:30-3:30pm — Break out sessions

  • Rehearsal Technique (how to learn a new piece, for director and ensemble)
  • Clergy & Reader Vocal Technique

3:30-4:30pm — Break out sessions

  • Ensemble Technique
  • Conducting Lesson for Directors

4:30-5:30pm — Conducting Coaching w/ ensemble

6pm — Vespers

Sunday

9am — Warm-up; Run-throughs

10am — Divine Liturgy

12pm — Celebratory Coffee Hour and Discussion/Q&A with the Sheehans

Choir Workshop Registration Form

Benedict & Maria Sheehan are bringing their uniquely complementary skill sets to a weekend workshop at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church June 7-9, 2019. In intensive sessions they help church musicians of all abilities reach new levels of mastery, with emphasis on how to retain these skills and employ them in an everyday setting. They particularly emphasize the spiritual work of the sacred choral musician, and its connections to ensemble blend, musicianship, expressiveness, attentiveness, and a prayerful ethos.

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