Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

09/08/2026

Your Nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Theotokos! By annulling the curse, He bestowed a blessing. By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life. (Troparion)

By your Nativity, O Most Pure Virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness; Adam and Eve, from the corruption of death. And we, your people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to you: “The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life.” (Kontakion)

09/01/2026

https://youtu.be/8mUetSFCJnQ?si=tkQ9EvcOvpo1Cc62

08/27/2026

“There was a time when I did not know how to act in a very important life choice. And I asked the elder:
“Elder, what am I doing?”
And he answered:
“Ask God to fulfill His will!”
Then I was afraid! And then I thought:
“And if God wants something that I do not want, then what should I do?”
One of us must interrupt His will!

I did not understand that God’s will is to find the greatest peace for a human being! God does not want to put you in a difficult situation. On the contrary! God takes you out of the prison you are in and leads you to a place of rest. Fulfilling God’s will gives peace, joy and rest to the human soul! Christ speaks of this in the Gospels: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).”

Metropolitan Athanasius of Limassol

08/15/2026

The Liturgy for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos will be celebrated tomorrow morning at 9am. All are welcome!

08/06/2026

The Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ will be celebrated this morning at 9am. All are welcome!

08/06/2026

Blessed and joyous Feast of the Transfiguration!

“He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light… and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’ - Matthew 17:1-3, 5

Did you know that it is tradition in many churches to bring grapes and other fruit to Liturgy to be blessed for the Transfiguration? It reflects the ancient biblical tradition of offering the “first fruits” of the harvest to God in thanksgiving, acknowledging that all good things come from Him. Grapes symbolize not only gratitude but also transformation - just as grapes become w**e, we are called to be transfigured and renewed in Christ. This act of blessing the fruits is also a joyful way for the faithful to participate in the grace of the feast, reminding us that even the simple gifts of creation can be sanctified and offered to God as signs of His glory and abundance.

If you head over to our blog, you’ll find a little explanation about what this feast day is, as well as a handful of activities we can do with our kids to help teach them about the Transfiguration: https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/series-12-great-feasts-transfiguration-august-6/

08/01/2026

The Paraklesis Service

In writing about the Dormition fast and the Feast itself nearly two weeks ago, I referred to this feast as the Summer Pascha. Just as the Passion, crucifixion and death of Christ, and ultimately, His glorious resurrection on the third day, are preceded by a rigorous period of fasting, so to, is the falling asleep of the Most-holy Theotokos, and ultimately, her sharing in the fullness of the Resurrection, body and soul, preceded by the same. While this period is certainly shorter than the Lenten fast, it does afford us the same opportunities to grow spiritually if we take advantage of them.

One of the hallmarks of our Lenten journey is an increased participation in the services of the Church. Many services, such as the Pre-Sanctified Divine Liturgy, are only celebrated during Lent. Why should the Dormition fast then, be any different?

While the Paraklesis service can be served any time during the year, it is specifically prescribed to be served during the period of the Dormition fast.

The word “paraklesis” has two different meanings. The first is consolation from which the Holy Spirit is called the “Paraclete” or “Consoler.” The second is “supplication” or “petition.” The Service of the Paraklesis to the Theotokos is made up of hymns of supplication to help us gain consolation and courage. It is a service that can be most beneficial in times of temptation, discouragement or sickness. The service focuses around our cry to the Mother of our Lord and Savior, “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!”

If something is burdening us, or causing us distress. If we are feeling as if we are not at peace with ourselves or with others, than what better way to seek the peace that only Christ can give to us by beseeching that His mother intercede on our behalf.

Brothers and sisters, let us all take seriously the Church’s call for us to be in a spirit of fasting and repentance as we prepare to celebrate this final Feast of the Church year. Let us have the courage to lay aside the cares and distractions of the world and gather as the Church in prayer and supplication. The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos shows us Christ’s desire for each and every one of us, that we, one day, will experience death the way His mother did–not as an end, but as a falling asleep, and an awakening into a life where there is no pain, sorrow or sighing, but life everlasting.

Fr. M

https://stgregs.info/the-paraklesis-servi-ce/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3k0wTCHKCg&list=RDc3k0wTCHKCg&t=330s

The Supplication Canon to Panagia, known in Greek as the Paraklesis...

08/01/2026

The story of the death of the Theotokos, as told by Orthodox Christ...