Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - September 26, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - September 12, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Liturgical Service Schedule through September 1, 2024

Saturday Aug. 24 - Vespers - 5pm
Sunday, Aug. 25 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Wednesday – Aug. 28 – Vespers – 6:00pm
Thursday, Aug. 29 – Beheading of St. John Divine Liturgy 10am
Saturday – Aug. 31 – Vespers – 5:00pm
Sunday – Sept. 1 – Divine Liturgy – 10:00am

While preaching the Gospel in India, Saint Thomas the Apostle received the inner call to return to the West for the impending departure of the Virgin Mary from this earthly life. Just as he had been separated from his brother apostles for a special mission, so he was in the final hour of the Virgin's life. For he did not reach Gethsemane in time to be present at her going forth from the body, but only came there on foot the third day after her burial.

As he was approaching her tomb unawares, he was astounded to see her radiant living body emerge from the stone sepulchre and ascend. Realizing that she had finished her span of life without his being present, and fearing that he would never see her divine form again, he cried out to her in anguish of heart, imploring her not to leave him desolate. Looking upon him with loving tenderness, the Virgin took from her waist the belt she habitually wore and threw it down to him with words of blessing.

Carrying the precious relic of her belt, Saint Thomas hastened and announced to the grieving apostles and all those gathered in the Mother's house that she, too, was risen from the dead. Whereas he had doubted the good news of Jesus' resurrection and had received proof of its reality by touching the resurrected body of his Lord, now it was Thomas who gave physical evidence that Mary, too, was "alive for evermore" (Revelation 1:18).

Lost...
Saint Thomas took the Virgin Mother's belt with him to India, and there it became the most valued treasure of his disciples, whose descendants in time came to be known as Saint Thomas Christians. A few centuries ago, in times of upheaval in India, it was taken into Syria, where during subsequent troubles in that country it disappeared.
..and Found!
About thirty years after the head of the Syrian Jacobite Church, Patriarch Zachariah, felt an intense urge to find the belt, and began studying the ancient records concerning it. Noticing that one of the handwritten books he consulted had an unusually thick binding, he was inspired with the thought that the belt might be hidden there. Cutting it open, he found the prize, whose simple touch began to work great miracles.

Most of the belt has been returned to India and enshrined in a great church where every Saturday thousands of Christians, Hindus, and Moslems gather for the sacred Eucharist (Qurbana) and prayers to the Virgin – a testimony to the Holy Mother's capacity to unite the her children in love and harmony. The miracles granted are beyond number.

The belt was then kept in Jerusalem until it was taken to Constantinople in the 5th century. In the 14th century, it was given to Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos by the emperor, and it remains there to this day. The feast of the Belt of the Theotokos is celebrated on August 31, the last day of the liturgical year in the Orthodox Church.

Reminder: Tuesday, August 20 there will be Vespers at 6pm followed by the Book Club - all are welcome.

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - August 22, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Liturgical Schedule for this week.

Wednesday - Aug. 14 – Vespers of Dormition – 6:00pm
Thursday –Aug. 15 – Dormition Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Flowers – 10am
Saturday – Aug. 17 – Vespers – 5pm
Sunday – Aug. 18 –Divine Liturgy – 10am
Parish Names-day Dinner following the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share.

All are welcome to join us in the Liturgical celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos, and on Sunday, Aug 18 as we celebrate the Names Day of our parish.

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - August 8, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Upcoming Liturgical Services:
Wednesday – July 31 – Vespers – 5pm
Thursday –Aug. 1 – Procession of the Cross Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Water – 10am
Saturday – Aug. 3 – Vespers – 5pm
Sunday – Aug. 4 –Divine Liturgy – 10am
Monday - Aug. 5 – Vespers of Transfiguration – 5pm
Tuesday – Aug 6 – Divine Liturgy at Transfiguration Monastery – 9am

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - July 25, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

An excellent reminder on what being the Church is about.

Diocesan Interview with Arkady (Migunov) - Christ’s Mission in Walbridge, Ohio Fr. Michael Myers, our St. Paul Fund Admin, interviews Fr. Arkady from Holy St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Orthodox Mission. We hear about Fr. Arkady's experie...

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - July 11, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: Duer to the imminent threat of extremely severe weather conditions tonight Vespers is cancelled. Please be safe, we hope to see everyone for Divine Liturgy in the morning.

O Lord restrain the harsh winds, grievous tornadic activity, severe rains and flooding and keep safe Thy children.

Liturgical Service Schedule this weekend.

Friday, June 28 – Vespers - 6pm
Saturday, June 29 – SS. Peter and Paul Divine Liturgy – 10am
Saturday, June 29 – Vespers – 5pm
Sunday, June 30 – All Saints Divine Liturgy -10am
All are welcome to come and join with us in worshipping the Lord.

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - June 27, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Liturgical Schedule for 6/22 through 6/30

Saturday, June 22- Great Vespers - 5pm
Sunday, June 23 - Holy Pentecost Divine Liturgy and Vespers with Kneeling Prayers - 10am
Monday, June 24 – Holy Spirit Divine Liturgy – 10am
Thursday, June 27 - Food Pantry - 5:30 to 6:30pm
Friday, June 28 – Vespers - 6pm
Saturday, June 29 – SS. Peter and Paul Divine Liturgy – 10am
Saturday, June 29 – Vespers – 5pm
Sunday, June 30 – All Saints Divine Liturgy -10am
All are welcome to come and join with us in worshipping the Lord.

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - June 13, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Liturgical Schedule for June 8 through June 16.

Saturday, June 8 - Vespers - 5pm
Sunday, June 9 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Wednesday, June 12 – Great Vespers –6:00pm
Thursday, June 13 – Holy Ascension Liturgy – 10am
Saturday, June 15 – Pierogi Workshop – 9:00am
Saturday, June 15– Great Vespers – 5:00pm
Sunday, June 16– Divine Liturgy – 10am

Liturgical Schedule for this week:

Vespers - Saturday May 25 - 5pm
Sunday - May 26 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Tuesday, May 28 - Vespers - 6pm
Wednesday, May 29 - Mid-feast Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Waters - 10am
Saturday, June 1 - Vespers - 5pm
Sunday, June 2 - Divine Liturgy - 10am

All are welcome to come and worship the Risen Lord with us.

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - May23, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Today, our parish was represented by an outreach table at Pittsburgh Open Streets Event.

Hymn of Cassia Hymn of CassiaBulgarian Chant, arr. by Fr. Stefan MeholickWomen of the Choir of St. Tikhon's Monastery ChurchHoly Week - 2014Conductor: Benedict Sheehan

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - May 9, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

A special thank you to Deacon Luke Loboda, Subdeacons Alexei Carson and Gabriel Bullard, Reader Michael Daniels and our parish choir for their glorious service and singing todays awesome Paschal Service!!! May God grant them Many Years!!!!

Blessed and Glorious Pascha beloved!!! Christ is Risen!!! Truly, He is Risen!!! May grant you all every blessing and kindness n this glorious Pascha of the Lord!!!!

We invite everyone to join us tomorrow at 8:30am for the glorious Paschal Services and for the Agape Meal afterwards.

Christ is Risen!!! Truly, He is Risen!!!

Tomb of our Lord, 2024.

ONGOING HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE: Come worship the Lord with us.

Holy Tuesday, April 30 - Bridegroom Matins - 6pm
Holy Wednesday, May 1 – Bridegroom Matins – 6pm
Holy Thursday, May 2 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Holy Thursday, May 2 - Matins and Passion Gospels - 6pm
Holy Friday, May 3 - Royal Hours - 9am
Holy Friday, May 3- Vespers and Procession with Shroud - 6pm
Holy Saturday, May 4- Vesperal Divine Liturgy - 10am
HOLY PASCHA, May 5 - Paschal Divine Services - 8:30am
Blessing of Baskets and a Parish Agape Meal will follow in the Hall - Everyone is invited to attend. Immediately following the Agape Meal the Paschal Agape Vespers will be served in the Church. All are welcome.
Bright Monday, May 6 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Bright Saturday, May 11 – Vespers – 5pm
St. Thomas Sunday, May 12 – Divine Liturgy - 10am

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - April 25, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.

Liturgical Schedule for April 17 through May 6, 2024. Please note all are welcome to join us for all Divine Services.

Wednesday, April 17 - Pre-sanctified Liturgy - 6pm
Saturday, April 20 - Great Vespers - 5pm
Sunday, April 21 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Wednesday, April 24 - Pre-sanctified Liturgy - 6pm
Thursday, April 25 - Food Pantry - 5:30 to 6:30pm
Friday, April 26 - Vespers - 6pm
Saturday, April 27 – Resurrection of Lazarus Divine Liturgy – 10am
Saturday, April 27 – Great Vespers – 5pm
Palm Sunday, April 28 – Entrance of our Lord Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Psalms/Pussywillows - 10am
Palm Sunday, April 28 – Bridegroom Matins - 5pm
Holy Monday, April 29 - Bridegroom Matins - 6pm
Holy Tuesday, April 30 - Bridegroom Matins - 6pm
Holy Wednesday, May 1 – Bridegroom Matins – 6pm
Holy Thursday, May 2 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Holy Thursday, May 2 - Matins and Passion Gospels - 6pm
Holy Friday, May 3 - Royal Hours - 9am
Holy Friday, May 3- Vespers and Procession with Shroud - 6pm
Holy Saturday, May 4- Vesperal Divine Liturgy - 10am
HOLY PASCHA, May 5 - Paschal Divine Services - 8:30am
Blessing of Baskets and a Parish Agape Meal will follow in the Hall - Everyone is invited to attend. Immediately following the Agape Meal the Paschal Agape Vespers will be served in the Church. All are welcome.
Bright Monday, May 6 - Divine Liturgy - 10am
Bright Saturday, May 11 – Vespers – 5pm
St. Thomas Sunday, May 12 – Divine Liturgy - 10am

A reminder: The Food Pantry in Holy Assumption Of St. Mary Orthodox Church Hall 105 S. 19th St., Pittsburgh PA will be open on Thursday - April 11, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All in need are welcome.