Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

More than 20 families have been joining Holy Trinity’s Conference Call line each night at 6 p.m. to hear the readings of Great and Holy Week. Tonight, because of the unique solemnity of the Twelve Passion Gospels service (Matins of Holy Thursday), Frs. Ignatius and David have decided to celebrate the full service and simulcast it in high-definition at Holy Trinity’s webpage, the Chapel’s homepage, and the Facebook accounts of both Holy Trinity and the Chapel.

Parishioners without a computer or internet access may continue to use the Conference Call line at (508) 924-5540 to hear each broadcast (see the remaining schedule below). Note, we will continue using the Conference Call line for the remaining readings.

To prevent the evil one from stealing our Paschal joy (and festal foods!), baskets will be blessed during Saturday’s Open House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. To participate, place your basket on the table outside the main doors of the church for Father to bless while you offer your personal prayers and meditation. As with the other Open Houses, clergy will strictly limit access to the Nave to ten people at all times (thank you in advance for your cooperation). 

Parishioners may also arrange a time through the Parish Office by email or phone (814-231-2855) for Father to bless your family’s basket before the front door of your home. Similar to home blessings, you will receive a time to place your basket outside; Father will ring the doorbell when the service is complete. 

Join Father Ignatius Virtually this Wednesday at 7 p.m. for an interactive reading of the life of St. Mary of Egypt on her names day. Parents with their children are especially encouraged to join by computer to familiarize themselves with video teleconferencing should an online Holy Trinity Sunday School be formed in the near future. All are welcome to join and participate. 

All Orthodox Christians—clergy and laity—of the Pittsburgh area are invited to a retreat being sponsored by the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and W. Pa. (OCA) at the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, located in Rostraver Twp./Belle Vernon at 222 Mary Street, on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Presenter Archpriest Steven Voytovich will speak on the topic “Our Life in Christ in 2020,” a topic which is especially appropriate as we reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Canonization St. Herman of Alaska this year. The retreat will begin with an Akathist Prayer Service to St. Herman at 10:00 a.m.; lunch will be included; the retreat will end at approximately 2 p.m. Registration is $10.00; please make the check payable to the “Archdiocese of Pgh and W PA – OCA” and mail it to: “Archdiocese of Pgh and W PA (OCA), P.O. Box 1769, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066-1769.”

RSVP’s must be received at the chancery no later than Tuesday, February 4. Please provide a name and contact information with the check should it become necessary to contact you.

Please email Archpriest William J. Evansky, Chancellor, at (frbill158@verizon.net) or call (724-266-5009) if you have any questions.

On Christmas Eve beginning at 4:30 p.m., the parish will sponsor a traditional Holy Supper and everyone is invited. (The custom of the “holy supper” comes from central Europe and parts of Russia. It provided the family a time to gather and share the last meal of the Fast prior to attending the evening liturgical services.) Please sign up in the Parish Hall or email Mka. Kelly Oleynik so that we may have an accurate count. 

There are traditionally twelve Lenten foods served (representing the twelve Apostles) such as barley, honey, stewed prunes, pierogi, sauerkraut, potatoes, garlic, Lenten bread, and mushroom soup. Please consider preserving (or starting) this family tradition by attending and sharing with your parish family a favorite Lenten food. (Thanks in advance for bringing fast-friendly foods: as a friendly reminder, the Nativity Fast is broken following the Divine Liturgy on December 25.)

The Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania (OCA) will conduct a retreat led by Steven Christoforou (of the popular “Be the Bee” podcast) at Christ the Savior Church in Harrisburg on Friday and Saturday, February 8-9. The retreat is open to school children ages 12 and older.

To promote fellowship among our own students and to have the opportunity to engage with Orthodox students from other parishes, the parish’s Sunday School and Orthodox Youth Association are inviting your children to attend the retreat. Participants will depart from Holy Trinity at 4:30 p.m., stay overnight at the parish in Harrisburg (bring your sleeping bags), and return following Vespers in Harrisburg on Saturday.

While the majority of the trip’s costs will be assumed by the parish, the suggested donation is $15 to cover part of the registration fee and transportation costs. If you are interested in attending, please contact Deacon Mark. After RSVPing with Deacon Mark, you may download and complete a release form for your child to bring prior to the event.