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Journey to Pascha
Inside News & Events 3
Philoptochos 4
Sunday School 5
YOUTH 6
Hellenic Dancers 7
FOCUS 8
A Good Word 10
Calendar 15
Holy Week Back
Glory to Your Forbearance, O Lord!
“… the spitting, the blows, the buffeting, the mockery, the reviling, the purple robe,
the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nails, the spear, and above all, the Cross and
Death which He condescended to endure willingly for our sakes.”
From the Synaxarion on Holy Friday
2—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
Pastoral Message | Father Anastasios Athanasiou
About Holy Trinity 2930 Beaver Rd, Ambridge, PA 15003
724-266-5336 We are a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of
Pittsburgh and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou, Proistamenos
Deborah Piltz, Office Administrator
Parish Ministries 2019 Parish Council
Alex Barlamas, President
Angelo Pournaras, Vice President
Constance Barlamas, Treasurer
Raina Kanakis, Secretary
Zach Economos, Financial Secretary
Michael Bellas Joanne Cottage
James Gregorakis Stephie Ramaley
Louis Peronis George Portoulas
Thaddeus Skeriotis Dr. Alex Vasilakis
Gus Vasilakis Theo Yakoumas
Sunday School: Jaqueline Bennis, Supervisor
Chanters: Tom Skias, Karen Kietzke, Bruce Wilson
Choir: Gus Vasilakis, Director
Harriet Sickles, Sub-director Kathleen Marvin, Organ
Alternate Organists: Mary Bungas & Dr. Alex Vasilakis
FOCUS: Joanne Jamis-Cain
Ladies Philoptochos:
Pauline Skeriotis, President
Jaimie Economos, Vice-President
Faith Dickinson, Treasurer
Joanne Jamis-Cain, Corresponding Secretary
JOY & HOPE: Nicoletta Elolo & Sara Portoulas
GOYA: Vasilia Gradek & Alexa Bovalino
Dance: Harriet Sickles, Advisor
Kathleen Marvin & Valerie Lerch, Instructors
Missions Ministry: Hoggin & Nicoletta Aswani-Elolo
George & Sara Portoulas
Pastoral Message | Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou
his season of Lent and Holy Week give us,
as Orthodox Christians, the time to self
reflect and to ultimately repent for our
sins and mistakes, and turn back to God. We have
been on a journey and our roughly half way there at
the beginning of April. Now is a great time for us to
stop, think about how our Lenten journey has been
going.
If your Lenten journey sputtered at the beginning and is not quite up
to speed, you still have plenty of time to begin to pray more, fast more, and
give more alms. There is still time to prepare yourself for the feast of feasts
that is coming, don’t waste this opportunity.
If your Lenten journey has been going through the motions, now is a
terrific time to take a deep breath, and reassess what this season is really
about. Begin to find a path towards spiritual growth. Do what you need to
do so that you to can prepare yourself for the feast of feasts—focus on the
prayers, read the scripture, and push yourselves to be selfless.
In each and every experience that we may be going through, the
Church is ready for you. St. John the Baptist didn’t say, “repent tomorrow,”
he said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” It’s happening
right now and there is no better time than now to turn back to God, when
you find yourself in a Church pew or if you haven’t seen that Church pew in
a while, today is the day to turn back. Turn back to the ancient practices of
the Church that help us truly commemorate the sorrow and truly celebrate
the joys of life. Turn back to following the Way, the Truth, and the Life
through Christ’s teachings and His saving actions.
If Lent is a journey to Pascha, Holy Week is the most intense part of
the journey. It is not something we should just walk into, but we have to be
ready to handle the emotions and the struggle that it will bring. Instead of
focusing on the feast, focus on the fast. Instead of wondering how many
eggs to dye or how many pounds of lamb we will need to truly celebrate,
find yourself asking how many services will you attend during Holy Week?
How many prayers will I do at home? How can I make a difference in
someone’s life? How can I fast without focusing on what I’m eating? Be
ready and be prepared, the Kingdom of God is truly at hand.
May the Lord Strengthen us all,
+Fr. Anastasios
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—3
News & Events
Lenten Services___________________________
Wednesdays of Lent 6pm: Presanctified Liturgy
Friday April 5 & 12 at 7pm: Salutations & Akathist
Holy Week_______________________________ Please see the back cover for the Holy Week Schedule
Bright Week Services______________________
Tuesday April 30th: Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene
Orthros 9:30am, Liturgy 10:00am
Friday May 3rd: The Life-giving Font of the Theotokos
Orthros 9:30am, Liturgy 10:00am
Youth Palm Folding_____________April 19
All of our youth—JOY/HOPE & GOYA—are invited to come to the Church on April 19th at 6pm for the folding of Palm Cross-es and for an evening of spiritual growth. The JOY/HOPE will discuss the Sacrament of Confession and have an opportunity to participate in it. The GOYAns will have another discussion with Fr. Anastasios.
Holy Friday Retreat _____________April 26
All of our youth—JOY/HOPE & GOYA—are invited to come to the Church on Friday April 26th for the Royal Hours service which begins at 9am. Following the service, the children will have an opportunity to explore the Holy Week story of Christ and possibly have opportunities to offer service to our Church to prepare for Pascha!
Summer Camp Registration & Scholarship
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Summer Camp at Camp Nazareth is approaching in June and July. It is a wonderful time for our children to join other Orthodox kids their age throughout our Metropolis to learn about their faith, experience God’s love, and glow through the enjoyment of true Christian fellowship. Our parish and the local AHEPA chapter have come together to help support our kids get to camp. This year the JOY kids from our parish can get a $200 scholarship by using the code JOY19HT when registering. Our GOYA code is GOYA19HT which is worth $400—$200 from the parish & AHEPA and $200 from GOYA Fundraising. These codes are only for our Church member families. Register at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org.
Anderson’s Candy Sale_________ Due April 7
Enjoy Anderson’s Candy for Easter and support the Ladies’ Philoptochos. A percentage of the sales of Anderson’s Candy comes back to the Philoptochos if you order through the La-dies’ group. Orders are due to Mary Menis by Sunday April 7th for delivery on Sunday April 14th. Call Mary Menis for any questions at 724-266-5568.
Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon _______April 21
The Parish Council is hosting this annual luncheon on Palm Sunday following the Divine Liturgy. If you would like to do-nate any items or help in the kitchen please contact Zach Economos Jr. We need your help the day of to make this a success. Calling all GOYAns: per usual we need your help serv-ing this luncheon. Thank You!
Holy Friday Luminaries ______ Due April 24
GOYA will be selling Luminary Candles in memory of your loved ones for Holy Friday. Please fill out the form located in the Narthex and then give it to a GOYA advisor, a GOYAn, or put it in the office by Holy Wednesday, April 24th. Donation of $5 for each bag with a maximum of 2 names per luminary. Funds raised will be used to fund the GOYA ministry.
St. Photios Awardees Named ____________
Our parish is overjoyed to announce that this year we lift up Isabel “Kiki” Niznik and Angelo Pournaras as the two recipients of this annual award. They will be officially recognized by Met-ropolitan Savas at the Annual Banquet being held on May 11th. To join them in celebrating, contact the Church office and give your check by April 12th.
2019 Greek Food Festival________July 23-27
Save the date and make preparations in your calendar for this annual event and fundraiser for our parish. Meetings are be-ing held and plans are being made for another successful festi-val. We will be meeting almost every 2 weeks, check the weekly bulletins.
A Good Cause Daughters of Penelope at Kimisis Tis Theotokou on Sunday, April 14,
2019 from 1-6 will be a fundraiser for Elias Kazas who has been given
a diagnosis of cancer. It will be held at Monaca Turners, in Monaca.
Presale Tickets/Information Call Marguerite Kakiou 412-427-3650
4—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
The Ladies of Philoptochos | Pauline Skeriotis, President Philoptochos & Parish Members of Holy Trinity,
We were honored by His Eminence Metropolitan
Savas this past Friday for the Salutations to the Theoto-
kos service. The service was beautiful and the ladies
Philoptochos prepared an evening reception, enjoyed by
everyone.
On Saturday, March 30th, the ladies enjoyed an
afternoon of fellowship and painting. Anna Weatherford
and her mother Joanne traveled from North Carolina to
teach us how to paint and enjoy our relaxing afternoon.
Our Philoptochos is grateful for their generosity that
made this event a successful fundraiser for our many
charities.
Mark your calendar, they will be back in the fall. We also enjoyed the presence of our own Fr. Anastasios
that lead our event with prayer. This Sunday of the Cross, it was befitting and ordered by His Eminence Metropolitan
Savas to pass a tray for donation for our Holy Cross in Boston that Philoptochos supports. It is important that we
support Holy Cross unconditionally.
Our next Philoptochos meeting will be held on April 14th, the second Sunday of the month. Contact Mary
Menis with Easter Candy order. Harriet Sickles is the chairperson for this year’s mother’s day card. Let’s remember
our loved ones and honor our mothers, godmothers, aunts & grandmothers who we enjoy & with us today. For a
small donation, Philoptochos will supply the Artoklasia for the living and Koliva for the deceased. We offer this ser-
vice so that everyone can honor & remember their loved ones. There is no better way. Call Harriet Sickles with your
names. This service will be held on Mother’s Day, May 12th during the Divine Liturgy.
Also, ladies lets remember we have election at the end of May. Please attend this meeting which we will se-
lect, with Fr. Anastasios, you will be notified of the date.
Last Sunday we enjoyed the liturgy served by Fr. Serviou & Fr. Daskalakis. Fr. Serviou helped us remember
our Greek Independence & why our Church exists today. Thank you Fr. Anastasios for their enjoyable visit.
We have a lot to be thankful for, lets use this period of lent with prayer for everyone.
With Love in Christ,
Pauline Skeriotis
Guardians of Hellenic College Holy Cross
To ensure that HCHC will continue to educate the servant-leaders of the Church and society for generations to
come, become a Guardian of our school. Guardians are asked to make a gift of at least $1000 per year in support of
our school—the only Orthodox Christian College, school of theology , and seminary in the Western Hemisphere. You
can donate at https://www.hchc.edu/guardians/
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—5
Sunday School | Religious Education
Sunday of Orthodoxy Our Sunday School children participated in the Proces-sion of the Icons on Sunday, March 17, 2018.
OCMC Mission Boxes OCMC Mission Boxes were distributed on Sunday, March 10th and are to be returned on Palm Sunday, Sun-day, April 21, 2019. Please help this worthy cause.
Myrrh Bearing Women Girls in grades 2 through 8 are invited to participate as Myrrh Bearing Women on Good Friday, April 26th. Please contact Jackie Bennis, if you wish to participate.
Bonus Sundays Attendance at the Lenten and Holy Week Services can be used to make up Sundays missed during the year. Attendance at two services erases one absence. Please be sure to mark your attendance on the chart. Faithful Attendance awards will be announced on Sunday, June 2nd.
AGES Digital Chant Stand in Lent If you would like to follow along with the Lenten ser-vices, all you need is your Smart phone or iPad. Just enter the following URL and you can follow:
www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html Don’t forget to turn your volume off!
Church Bookstore Looking for some gifts? Check out the selection in the Church Bookstore. We have some new children’s books.
Last Day of Sunday School This year the last day of formal Sunday School classes will be on Sunday, May 19th. Faithful attendance awards will be presented on Sunday, June 2.
Upcoming... Myrrh Bearing Women
Girls in grades 2 through 8 are invited to participate as a
Myrrh Bearing Woman on Holy Friday, April 26th. Please
contact Jackie Bennis, if you wish to participate.
Georgia Antinopoulos Academic & Service Award
Application for the annual Georgia Antinopoulos Aca-
demic and Service Award have been mailed to our 2018
High School Graduates. Our graduates include Alayna
Aspiotes, Alexsia Barlamas, John Diamantis, Adam Grad-
ek, John Rocco Kazalas, George Kontoulis, Dimitri Pe-
ronis, and Marina Smallis.
Application are due on or before May 6th, 2018.
Orthodoxy 101 | Religious Education
Wednesday Nights of Lent at 7:30pm
Fr. Anastasios will be teaching an introduction and
catechism of our Orthodox Faith to those seeking
to learn more about Orthodoxy. While the class is
directed to the non-Orthodox, everyone is invited
to come and brush up on their knowledge of their
faith. Schedule will be determined by students.
6—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
Youth Ministries | G.O.Y.A.
Officers
President—Alayna Aspiotes
Vice President—Sofia Chickos
Secretary—John Diamantis
Treasurer—Nicholas Marvin
Thank you for Fundraising Success
Because of your generosity and the faithful work of our
GOYA families, we have been able to provide each of our
GOYAns that want to attend camp with $200 from our
account. We would like to thank the Parish Council and
AHEPA, as both organizations are providing those that
want to attend camp with an additional $100 each.
Thank you to everyone who supported our recent Spa-
ghetti Dinner.
Upcoming… Palm Folding—April 19th at 6pm
Our teens in conjunction with our HOPE & JOY kids are
invited to come to the Church at 6pm on Friday April
19th to offer service to the Church community by pre-
paring the palm crosses for the faithful on Palm Sunday.
We also anticipate fellowship and another discussion
with Fr. Anastasios.
Serving Palm Sunday Fish—April 21st
Our GOYAns are being asked to serve the fish dinner fol-
lowing the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday. Another way
to volunteer for the betterment of the Church communi-
ty.
End of the School Year Celebration
Keep your eyes peeled for information about our end of
the School Year gathering at Plaza Azteca in Robinson
sometime in the month of May.
Volleyball Fun
Our Holy Saints GOYA Volleyball team participated in the
recent tournament. They had lots of fun and just missed
out on the 3rd place trophy.
Dear JOY/HOPE children and parents,
We hope you are all having a wonderful Lenten sea-
son! At 6pm on Friday, April 19th, we will be getting
together for palm folding and confession with Fa-
ther. We always have a great time, and it is a won-
derful tradition and experience to learn how to
make palm crosses! We hope you can make it!
The following week is Holy Week. On Friday, April
26th, we will have our Holy Friday Youth Retreat af-
ter the morning church service. Father is also plan-
ning to have a little get together with the JOY/
HOPE and GOYA children before the Youth Retreat
begins. There will be a lot of fun activities and
learning planned for the children, and lunch will be
served, too. If any parents would like to help out,
please let us know. We’d love to have you come and
help! Have a blessed month of April!
With Love in Christ,
Nicoletta & Sara
J.O.Y. & H.O.P.E. | Youth Ministries
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—7
Hellenic Dancers | Ministries
Koulourakia
(Marble – Half Vanilla/Half Chocolate)
75 cents each
3 @ $2.00 9 @ $6.00
6 @ $4.00 12 @ $8.00
________Koulourakia $_____________
Easter Tsoureki & Koulourakia Sale
Total Amount Due $____________ Cash_______ Check#___________ PLEASE MAKE CHECK TO: Hellenic Danc-ers
Name ______________________________Phone _____________
Tsoureki (Braided Easter Bread)
______x 1 Loaf - $8.00
______x 2 Loaves - $15.00
TOTAL Bread
Order Amount - $________
NOTE Both items are from Hellas Bakery in Tarpon Springs and will be shipped fresh in time for Easter.
Pick up will be on Holy Thursday (April 25) and Holy Friday (April 26)
The Easter Tsoureki Bread orders and Koulourakia will be available for pick up on Palm Sunday, follow-ing Diving Liturgy, and during Holy Thursday and Good Friday services. Please place your order as soon as possible. ( Additional loaves and Koulourakia should be available.) Metropolis Dance Work Shop has been rescheduled for November 16 and 17. Details will be forthcom-ing. DANCE PRACTICE will resume after Great Lent to prepare for our Food Festival --- July 23 to 27. Notice of information and dates will be sent to you through our texting system and the weekly bulletin, as in the past.
WISHING ALL A HAPPY AND BLESSED PASCHA !!!!!
Commemoration List
Livi
ng
Ort
ho
do
x C
hri
stian
s
Livi
ng
No
n-O
rth
od
ox
Cut this out and turn Commemoration List into the office.
8—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
COME JOIN US! We are looking for fam-
ilies and individuals to help make our FO-
CUS efforts successful. Come set an example for your family, and emphasize the importance of giving to others,
while growing together in the church. Everyone can contribute, no matter how small.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND WAYS TO HELP: We are collecting canned fruit, cereal, and backed beans for our
FOCUS West Central PA emergency food pantry located at St. Johns Orthodox Church in Beaver Falls. The dona-
tion bin is at the top of the steps. Thank you!
We are always accepting monetary donations for our weekend back pack feeding program for two hundred
school students in the Beaver County area. Any donation is greatly appreciated! Please make Fellowship of Or-
thodox Christians United to Serve, PO Box 645039, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5039. On the memo line write
“backpack program.”
Every third Saturday of the month is a community breakfast at
St. John’s Orthodox Church in Beaver Falls, PA. Call the FOCUS office at 724-494-8441 to volunteer. Check out
our website at focuswestcentralpa.prg for more information. If you would like to sponsor all or part of the
breakfast please see Mr. Bruce Wilson. (average cost is $50.00)
We are still collecting cans –see the bin behind the church. Many thanks to John Neforos for his diligent work
for FOCUS West Central
Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve
Outreach Ministries | F.O.C.U.S. West Central, PA Commemoration List
Dec
ease
d O
rth
od
ox
Ch
risti
ans
Dec
ease
d N
on
-Ort
ho
do
x
Cut this out and turn Commemoration List into the office.
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—9
Lenten Vespers Series | Regional
For The Healing of Soul and Body | Things We Missed On Friday, December 14th, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas and area priests came together to perform the Holy
Unction service in particular for the healing of Fr. Emmanuel Lillios. Following the service, the Philoptochos provid-
ed a luncheon for all in attendance. We pray for the healing of Fr. Emmanuel and ma God grant him health and
many years.
10—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
A Good Word | Metropolis Newsletter
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—11
Metropolis Newsletter | A Good Word
12—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
Memorial Donations | In Memory Of KOSTANTIN BARLAMAS
George and Peggy Kanakis
Mr. and Mrs. William Niznik
Anthony Saveikis
JACK KARNAVAS
Paul Birris
Athena and Bessie Kallas
George and Peggy Kanakis
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Skias
Emanuel and Katina Eliou
Tom, Anna, and Dimitri Napoleon
FLORENCE ANSON
George and Peggy Kanakis
Zachary Economos Sr.
Daniel and Jean Anson
Brian and Toni Aliskowitz
Peter and Chandra Margetis
Anthony Flaskos
Dr. & Mrs. Alex Vasilakis
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Skias
Steven Schwartz
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Apostolis
Mr. and Mrs. C. Ceranic
Mr. & Mrs. David Yourd
Mr. & Mrs. Jason Gross
ASPASIA DANE
Aleka Costianis
CHRISTINA ELIOU
Jackie Bennis
Sophie Chickos
Joseph and Bonnie Makarewicz
Thomas and Charlotte Pappas
Tom and Nomiki Pastrikos
Mr. & Mrs. Vasili Kontoulis
Josephine Leaf
Irene Vasilakis
John Banes
Cris Turkovich
Emily Banes
Anna Napoleon
Catherine Musone
Dr. & Mrs. Alex Vasilakis
GEORGE HANIOTES
Mr. & Mrs. George Spiropoulos
SAM JOHNSON
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Pournaras
CHARLES WHITE
Mr. & Mrs. Lou Peronis
Things We Missed | New Beginnings in January
A New Parish Council Sworn-in
The New 2019 Parish Council was
sworn in on January 13th. Thank you
for these individuals who have an-
swered the call to serve Holy Trinity.
Vasilopita 2019
Fr. Anastasios blessed and cut the Vasilopita at this annual tradition. Many
parishioners were called forward to receive a piece of Vasilopita with the
possibility of getting the blessing of receiving the coin for 2019. Than you
Philoptochos for organizing and raising funds for St. Basil’s Academy.
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—13
Thank You to Our Sponsors | Advertisements
14—The Voice www.HTGOC.org
Thank you to our
ongoing VOICE
supporters!
Beaver Valley Chapter #400
Kendrew’s Lounge
Baruni’s
Franzee’s & Javy’s
Wes Banco
Salonika
Thank you to these additional
VOICE Contributors:
Avalotis Corp.
B & G Home Center
Hoffman’s Drug Store
Advertisements | Thank You to Our Sponsors
www.HTGOC.org The Voice—15
April 2019 | Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
6:30pm Festival Meeting
2 3
6pm Presanctified Liturgy
7:30pm Ortho-doxy 101
4 5
7pm Salutations with 4th Stanza
6
7 Sunday of St. John Climacus 9am Orthros 10am Liturgy
8 9
6pm Parish Coun-cil Meeting
10
6pm Presanctified Liturgy
7:30pm Ortho-doxy 101
11 12
7pm Salutations with Full Akathist
13
14 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt 9am Orthros 10am Liturgy
15 16 17
6pm Presanctified Liturgy
7:30pm Ortho-doxy 101
18 19
Youth Palm Fold-ing 6pm
20 Saturday of Lazarus 9am Orthros 10am Liturgy
21 Palm Sunday 9am Orthros 10am Liturgy
7pm Bridegroom Orthros
22 Holy Monday
7pm Bridegroom Orthros
23 Holy Tuesday
7pm Bridegroom Orthros
24 Holy Wed.
3:30pm Sacra-ment of Unction
7pm Mystical Supper Orthros
25 Holy Thursday
7am Mystical Supper Vesperal Liturgy
6pm Passion Or-thros
26 Holy Friday
9am Royal Hours followed by Youth Retreat
3pm UnNailing Vespers
7pm Lamenta-tions Orthros
27 Holy Saturday
9am Proti-Anastasi Vesperal Liturgy
11pm PreRessurection Service until...
28 PASCHA
12am Resurrec-tion Service with Orthros and Di-vine Liturgy
11am Agape Ves-pers
29 Bright Monday 30 Bright Tuesday
Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, & Irene 9:30am Orthros 10am Liturgy
1 Bright Wed. 2 Bright Thursday 3 Bright Friday
Life-giving Font of the Theotokos 9:30am Orthros 10am Liturgy
4 Bright Saturday
Our extended tentative Calendar can be found at
www.HTGOC.org/calendar
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
2930 Beaver Road
Ambridge, PA 15003
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 16
AMBRIDGE, PA
2019 Holy Week Schedule 4/20 Saturday of Lazarus Orthros & Liturgy 9am &10am
4/21 Palm Sunday Orthros & Liturgy 9am & 10am
Bridegroom Orthros 7pm
4/22 Holy Monday Bridegroom Orthros 7pm
4/23 Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Orthros 7pm
4/24 Holy Wednesday Sacrament of Unction 3:30pm
Mystical Supper Orthros 7pm
4/25 Holy Thursday
Mystical Supper Vesperal Liturgy
Scheduled before your commute
7am
Passion Orthros 6pm
4/26 Holy Friday
Royal Hours 9am
Youth Retreat in between
UnNailing Vespers 3pm
Lamentations Orthros 7pm
4/27 Holy Saturday ProtiAnastasi Vesperal Liturgy 9am
PreResurrection Service 11pm
4/28 Pascha
Resurrection Service
Followed by Orthros & Liturgy
12am
Agape Vespers 11am
