Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Sioux City

05/02/2026

05/01/2026

Καλό μήνα!

April slipped by faster than any of us expected, and in that time our mighty parish has been busy!

Throughout a journey that has tested our faith, our patience, and our perseverance, and one we are still walking as we remain without a shepherd for our parish, we are reminded of something deeply powerful: Christ is present, even in the waiting. Even without a spiritual leader, our community continues to pray, to serve, and to do the work of the Church, trusting that God is guiding us forward.

For weeks, our beloved Holy Trinity parish walked through Great Lent without a priest. And yet, we were not completely alone, our dear Father Sava Protopresbyter Sava Leida and Father Nichalas came to serve as often as their schedules would allow, and our chanter John continually showed up, offering his voice, his time, and his steadfast presence to help carry our services forward.

As we entered Holy Week on Palm Sunday without a priest, we were reminded of Christ’s own entrance into Jerusalem. Welcomed not with power or earthly authority, but with humility, faith, and a people crying out in hope. Just as Christ walked forward knowing what was to come, our parish stepped into the week with the same quiet strength, trusting that even in uncertainty, God was present among us.

We had no Hymn of Saint Kassiani on Tuesday evening, no Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday, no 12 Gospels on Holy Thursday, and Good Friday’s Royal hours were listened to over YouTube while our amazing dedicated ladies decorated the Kavouklion. It was heavy, emotional, and not how any parish hopes to experience these holy days.

Then, on Holy Friday afternoon, everything changed.

With the arrival of Father Christopher Whatley and his son Aiden, a wave of grace, peace, and renewed strength filled our church. From the very first service, his presence brought comfort to our hearts and life back into our worship in a way that is difficult to fully put into words.

Through Holy Friday, Saturday, and into the radiant joy of Pascha, our parish was reminded of what it means to be shepherded, not just led, but cared for. Father Christopher guided our community with gentleness, humility, and a deep reverence for the moment. He met us exactly where we were and helped lift us into where we needed to be.

The impact was immediate and gratitude is overwhelming.

Our Easter weekend did not erase the challenges we have faced, nor does it remove the challenges that still lie ahead. However, it reminded us that we are not forgotten. That even in the most difficult moments, God provides.

Holy Trinity is strong, faithful, and moving forward together.

Christ is Risen! Χριστός Ἀνέστη!
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

04/28/2026

A Statement by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael on the Tragic Shootings in Chicago, Illinois

Read the full statement at:
Chicago.goarch.org/a-statement-by-his-eminence-metropolitan-nathanael-on-the-tragic-shootings-in-chicago-illinois"

04/09/2026

Thank you Father Dimitri Tobias for another inspiring message.

04/08/2026

Holy Tuesday is one of the most spiritually charged days of Orthodox Holy Week, and for Greek Orthodox Christians around the world, tonight marks one of its most powerful moments: the Hymn of Kassiani.

The day carries two striking contrasts at its core, as Archimandrite Filoumenos Roumpis explains. Through two figures, the Church places side by side a repentant woman and a betraying disciple, a sinner seeking redemption and an apostle choosing greed over grace. That tension is what gives Holy Tuesday its emotional weight.

The Hymn of Kassiani, chanted during the Bridegroom Matins service tonight, is one of the most beloved pieces of Byzantine hymnography still sung in the Orthodox Church. It tells the story of a sinful woman who washes Christ's feet with her tears and dries them with her hair, and its words have moved Greek Orthodox congregations for over a thousand years.

Kassiani herself was a ninth-century Byzantine poet and composer, one of the few women of her era whose name and work survived intact through the centuries. Her hymn remains a rare example of a woman's voice preserved in the liturgical tradition of the Eastern Church.

For Greek diaspora communities across the United States, tonight's service is often one of the most attended of Holy Week. Churches from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles will chant the hymn in the darkened nave, a moment that connects Greek Americans directly to a tradition stretching back to Byzantine Constantinople.

Holy Week continues with Holy Wednesday tomorrow.

03/31/2026

You are invited, Wednesday at 7:30, in person or via Zoom, to learn about Holy Week in the Orthodox Church.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84690159313?pwd=faUDQHT8TuUUVcqY30XaWSbuhOTvpH.1

Meeting ID: 846 9015 9313
Passcode: 641464

03/25/2026

On Sunday, March 22nd the Greek School children of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Sioux City presented their 2026 Greek Independence Day program.

Their hard work reflected the long and rich history of our parish—a history built on faith, sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to preserving who we are.

As our century-old parish stands without a priest, we are reminded that this is not a moment of weakness—but a call to rise.

Like the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, we do not retreat—we stand firm. We defy the odds before us, grounded in a deep understanding of what our parish needs not only to survive, but to grow and thrive. We refuse to settle for less than what our faith, our community, and our legacy deserve.

We are a vibrant parish—patiently awaiting our shepherd—yet growing with new life, welcoming newcomers to the faith, working harder, standing stronger, and moving forward together.

Greek School is more than education.
It is preservation.
It is legacy.

Every lesson taught, every prayer said, and every child present is a declaration:
Our faith and traditions will not be forgotten.
Our community will endure for generations to come.

Together, we are actively shaping the future of Holy Trinity—honoring the legacy entrusted to us and ensuring it continues long after us.

With deep gratitude to our dedicated teacher Angie Holevas, supportive parishioners, and families—your love and commitment are what keep this parish strong.

Ζήτω η Ελλάδα. Ζήτω η Πίστη μας. 💙🔥
Orthodox Observer, Greek Reporter, Greek City Times, Greek Orthodox Moms, GreekFest - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, Consulate General of Greece in Chicago, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

03/10/2026

Last Sunday, our parish gathered with Protopresbyter Sava Leida to celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy, commemorating the restoration and veneration of holy icons in the life of the Church. Our Sunday School students and parishioners participated in a beautiful procession of icons, joyfully bearing these sacred images as a witness to our faith.

The Triumph of Orthodoxy reminds us that the incarnation of Christ sanctifies the material world and allows us to depict and venerate Him and His saints through icons. These holy images proclaim the truth of the Gospel and connect us to the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.

It was a meaningful moment for our community to stand together in faith, honoring this historic victory of the Church and passing the beauty of our Orthodox tradition on to the next generation.

03/10/2026

How strong is your faith?

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn how Christ heals a man with paralysis.

What did his friends do? Why did Christ choose to forgive his sins before physically healing him? What is the link between God and our healing? Why did people think it was blasphemous that Jesus forgave sins?

→ To find out, read today’s Sunday Sermon Series from the Department of Religious Education (DRE): www.goarch.org/departments/religioused/sermons/sunday

SUNDAY SERMON SERIES is an easy-to-download weekly sermon on the Sunday Gospels with insights and analyses about the readings.

Subscribe → www.religioused.goarch.org to receive these in your inbox during the week for free.

📸 Department of Religious Education (DRE)

02/21/2026

Join us for Orthros and Divine Liturgy at 8:30am with Forgiveness Vespers immediately following. Sunday School will follow communion. Have a blessed week!