HERALD 1923 · OUR 78TH YEAR of MINISTRY · 2001 “To Proclaim and Live the Orthodox Christian Faith in Its Fullness As Faithful Members of the Body of Christ”
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THE HOLY TRINITY HERALD 1923 · OUR 78TH YEAR OF MINISTRY · 2001 “To proclaim and live the Orthodox Christian Faith in its fullness as faithful members of the Body of Christ” December 2001 www.HolyTrinityPgh.org Volume 9 – Issue 12 Monthly Parish Newsletter of Holy Trinity Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Greek Orthodox Church Pittsburgh, PA Fr. John Touloumes, Economos Inside This Issue 2 Father John’s Message 3 News & Events 6 St. Spyridon Church School Library News 7 IOCC Christmas Appeal 8 A New York Thank You 9 The Cultural Side Η Πολιτιστικη Πλευρα 11 “Gheronda’s Corner” 12 Building an Architecture of True Orthodox Vision (Part 1) 13 Herald Sponsors Inserts December Parish Calendar Hellenium III Flyer Orthodox Family Life Magazine Find the Herald on the web at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org. The “First Called” among the Disciples was a fisherman, along with his brother Peter, in the city of Bethsaida. After the Resurrection, Andrew took his mission of spreading Just follow the Herald link! Father John’s Message THE HOLY TRINITY HERALD God, the Lord of hosts, and Author of all creation, who in Your ineffable tender mercy have sent down Your Only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our kind, and, Parish Newsletter of 0 Holy Trinity through His Holy Cross have torn up the handwriting of our sins Greek Orthodox Church and thereby triumphed over the princes and dominions of darkness... 302 W. North Avenue (From the Prayer of the Sixth Hour) Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Phone 412-321-9282 Dear Brothers and Sisters and Christ, Fax 412-321-7272 In the above prayer from the Service of the Royal Hours of the Nativity, we see two of the main reasons for Jesus, the Logos, coming into the world: to save A Parish of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of mankind and to triumph over evil and death. According to St. John Athanasius, Pittsburgh and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under the Spiritual Jurisdiction of the who wrote a famous treatise, “On the Incarnation,” both were necessary: Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople What else could He possibly do, being God, but renew His image in Publication Information mankind? ... In order to effect this re-creation, however, He had first to do away with death and corruption. Editor Father John Touloumes, Economos These mutual priorities—salvation of mankind and our liberation from the Church: 412-321-9282 opression of death—are so intimately intertwined because in the long run they Home: 412-831-3574 take us to the same place: back to Paradise, from which we were expelled for E-mail: [email protected] our disobedience and pride, thus ushering in a fallen world of suffering and sin. How clear the reality of those twin needs—to be close to God and to be far Production from evil— has become for us in America! Since the September 11 attacks, we Josephine Stofko, Parish Secretary have been reeling from the attacks of evil, no longer masked and seditious, but Church: 412-321-9282 open and deadly. We have also, on various levels, been brought to a repentant E-mail: [email protected] change of heart when it comes to recognizing God’s place—and the need for The Cultural Side Him—in our country and in our world, thus muting (and hopefully winning Michael Kritiotis over) the faithless minority which has sought to expel God from so much of our Maria Kraniou life and our society over the recent decades. Publication Schedule Difficult as it may seem, then, for us to be waging war and celebrating The Herald is published monthly. Christmas at the same time, when seen in the light of Christ’s dual mission The information deadline is the 15th of each as stated above, the picture is clear: The Church has always first and foremost month. If you would like to assist with mailing sought peace and will continue to do so, but we pray for protection and victory the Herald, please contact the church secretary at 412-321-9282 to volunteer your help. for those brave men and women who serve in the battle against the opression and violence which blaspheme the very image of God in mankind. A recent Orthodox theological conference stated it this way: “The basis of This issue of peace can be none other than unconditional respect for the human person who, the Herald being in the image of God, is rooted beyond this world and, in Christ, becomes irreducible... Christ has become ‘our peace’ (Eph.2:14)—peace which is broader is sponsored by and more essential than the peace which the world promises. As stated by Clem- Angela Morris ent of Alexandria, peace is inseparable from justice, which is the social aspect of communion; and from freedom, where the mystery of the image of God is in memory of her inscribed.” beloved husband, In this challenging and confusing time, then, may we each continue to invoke God’s peace upon our world, His divine protection upon our soldiers, genuine Michael F. repentance and justice for the perpetrators of evil and a firm commitment to Morris finding the peace of Christ with our family and our loved ones as we glorify the newborn Savior. Though this world is not perfect due to sin May his memory and death, that is precisely why Christ has come among us. be eternal! To give up hope, or to turn our backs in indifference, would be to miss the entire message: Christ is Born! Glorify Him! 2 News & Events EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES ther information on this worthwhile and informative group or for directions to the meetings, call Paula Val- Church Christmas Pageant . December liant at 412-487-3977. The Holy Trinity Church School ministry will be offering its annual Christmas Pageant on Sunday, St. Nikodemos Men’s Fellowship . December The St. Nikodemos Men’s Study Fel- December 23. All the students of the Church School lowship meets on the second and fourth will be involved in this event. Preparations are being Thursday each month from 7:00 a.m. made by each teacher for the students in their class. In to 8:30 a.m. at the office of TriadUSA, addition to their in-class preparations, please take note Suite 460, Two Gateway Center, down- of these special practice times: town. The group features prayer, Bible Sunday, Dec. 2, 9 & 16 ...............5th-12th Grades study, topics of interest to Orthodox Practice following Divine Liturgy Christian men and how to live our Faith Saturday, Dec. 22 ................. All students & staff in the working world. It is open to all interested men 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Dress rehearsal for every- and has been centrally located downtown to accommo- one. Extra attendance credit is offered for every- date those who need to be at work early. For directions, one who attends this rehearsal. call Gus Georgiadis at 412-880-4999. Sunday, Dec. 23 ..................... Christmas Pageant The last meeting of 2001 is scheduled for Decem- Following Holy Communion, all Church School ber 13. (Note: There will only one meeting in Dec. due students and staff will depart for their classes to the Christmas holiday.) and final preparations for the pageant. All our parishioners are asked to stay for the pageant and coffee hour in the social hall YOUTH MINISTRIES No Church School Class . December 30 St. John Chrysostom JOY Oratorical Festival Attention, parents! There will be no Church School New this year! Our JOY-aged children class on December 30 due to the holiday celebrations, (8-12 year- olds) will have an exciting so please plan on being in church together as a family new opportunity to learn and share their for the entire service on those days. Instead of teaching faith this year through a new “entry- your children to think of these times as “days off from level” St. John Chrysostom Oratorical church,” give your children the gift of faith and dedi- Festival. Instead of the various levels cation by bringing them to Liturgy and helping them (local, regional, diocese, etc.) and the understand the importance of worship and prayer in the judging that the older children use, the JOY version of Orthodox life. It is one of the best gifts you can give this event is designed to be a local event which gives your children at the holidays for a lifetime! Thanks! the children an opportunity to learn how to prepare a brief speech on their faith and deliver it in a non-com- St. Lydia’s Women’s Fellowship . December petitive environment.Their are four topics available for The St. Lydia Women’s Study Fellowship is a min- the children to choose: istry for women to share in fellowship and to study • My Favorite Saint scripture, the Orthodox Faith and family life in today’s • My Favorite Bible Passage world. The meetings take place about twice a month on • My Favorite Prayer Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m at a home in the North • My Favorite Part of the Divine Liturgy Hills. New participants are always welcome! The fel- All our JOY-aged children are asked to participate. lowship is enjoyable and the approach is casual, but the Please pick a topic from the above list and see or call subjects are important for today’s families. The main Faith or Sophia Williard at 412-343-0329. source material for studies this year is the book, “Diary of a Russian Priest,” which provides scriptural guid- GOYA Basketball Practices ance, pastoral direction and spiritual insights into every The GOYA is holding basketball practices for both day life.