The Creed

After the singing of the Creed we hear the deacon exclaim, “Let us stand aright; let us stand with fear; let us attend, that we may offer the holy oblation in peace.” With these words intoned by the deacon, we, the community that has gathered, are invited (maybe it is better even to say commanded!) to continue our liturgical journey into what is considered the highpoint of the Divine Liturgy: the Anaphora.

The word Anaphora is a Greek word that could be translated as “offering” or “lifting up.” We use it to describe this part of the Divine Liturgy because that is what we are doing: we are offering to God bread and wine, as well as ourselves, in thanksgiving.
 
Throughout history the Divine Liturgy has been explained in different ways, sometimes using symbolism and allegory to make particular points. Although there is nothing wrong with this approach, when trying to understand what exactly the Anaphora is, it is best to look at it for what it really is: a period when we offer ourselves to God, unselfishly and without any pretenses, so that we can be transformed and molded into the Body of Christ. This is the goal of every Christian. And, the Divine Liturgy is the perfect way – the way instructed us by Christ Himself – to become more and more incorporated into the Body of Christ.

From the start of the Liturgy our ears and minds have been bombarded with Scriptural phrases and words, each one of them somehow settling deep into our body. Maybe it is possible to say that every liturgical phrase that enters us somehow affects even our DNA and transforms us into a “different” person. It is here, at the Anaphora, where we, the people who have been transformed through liturgical words and hymns, are now submitting our will to God’s will, and are being transformed further into His Body. 


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Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral has launched a new web site, www.friendsofholytrinity.com, to support the Cathedral’s multi-year restoration efforts.

Separate from Holy Trinity's main web site (www.holytrinitycathedral.net), the goals of this new site are to:

• Increase awareness of the Cathedral’s historic and architectural significance,
• Serve as a primary method of communicating restoration progress.

The site features photo galleries of each major phase, historical perspective, and progress reports. Visitors can join a mailing list to receive updates and invitations to events, and download information on how they can support the project. The grant will help fund repairs to the roof and decorative metalwork.

“Our parishioners have been very generous supporters of the Cathedral over the years,” said Council Vice President and Building and Restoration Committee Chairman, Charles Fetterly. “but the scale of restoration work requires substantial funding. It is our hope the new website will generate additional support not only from the entire Orthodox community, but also fans of Louis Sullivan’s work, the people of Chicagoland and beyond.”

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The Sts. Martha and Mary Sisterhood is ramping up to publish a
fundraising cookbook featuring Holy Trinity parishioners’ favorite
recipes. We'd like this to be a parish-wide project and need everyone's
help to make it a success.

We need contributors, typists, proofreaders, sponsorship solicitors, and much more. If you’d like to work on a fun, creative project (even if you don’t cook), please contact Larisa Fetterly via email: larisa (dot)
fetterly (at) sbcglobal.net.

Start looking through those recipes and stay tuned for more info on when to start submitting!

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If you are interested in becoming a Lamplighter (one who helps light the candles, filling and lighting the lampadas), please see Theodore Kurtz.

We need volunteers for our Greeter’s Ministry, in which we are able to greet our visitors in a bright, Christian way: we get only one opportunity to make a first impression.

We need people to volunteer to be docents on Saturdays. This is a very important and successful ministry in which we are able to open our beloved Cathedral to visitors, seekers, and other interested people, sharing with them our Faith, and the Lord’s Temple.

For more information, please contact either Fr. John or Theodore.

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Our thanks to Athanasia Lardin for taking a beautiful photograph of Holy Trinity’s domes, and transforming them into a post card. These cards, available for $1.00 each, are in the Vestibule and ready for distribution.

Thank you, Athanasia, for your good work.

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If you have any used cell phones or inkjet cartridges, please bring them to support a fundraising project to benefit Holy Trinity Cathedral through Sts. Martha and Mary Sisterhood.


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We are exceptionally pleased to announce Archpriest Michael Oleksa will deliver the St. John of Chicago Lecture this year on Saturday, November 1.

Fr. Michael is a noted pastor, lecturer, teacher, and missionary from Alaska. He has been the Dean of St. Herman’s Seminary, as well as being a professor of several different subjects.

He will be with us for the feast of St. John, as well as delivering his lecture: The Missionary Legacy of the Alaskan Saints.

Please be sure to mark this date on your calendars so you will be able to participate in this wonderful lecture.

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Holy Trinity Cathedral’s Parish Council will meet Monday, September 8, at 7:00 pm.  As usual, there will be an “Open Forum” immediately before the meeting.

All Council Members are urged to attend the meeting!

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Mark your calendars for a delicious Italian dinner sponsored by Sts. Martha and Mary Sisterhood, Sunday, September 21, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

A delicious lasagna will be the star of the show, accompanied by some wonderful side dishes.

    Donation for the dinner:
        $12.00     Adult
        $  6.00        Child
        $35.00     Family

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors to come for a delicious dinner and great friendship.

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We now have a portable ramp to provide an access to those handicapped and need a wheelchair or are using a walker.

We also have a wheelchair in the Vestibule for those who needs it as well.
   
If you need to use the ramp, please let either the Greeter or one of the folks at the Candle Desk know.  However, please be patient as it will take about ten minutes to put it in place. Please try to give us as much advance notice as you can.

Our thanks to Dennis Garlilck for finding the ramp!

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Your help is needed!

If folks were to bring a can of coffee every now and then, it would really help, as well as milk, juice, creamers, spoons, etc.

Won’t you consider bringing in a can of coffee or something to help?  A little bit goes a long way!

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In an ongoing effort to not only define who our members are, but also to keep in touch with our parishioners, there will be a meeting of the Membership Committee on Sunday, August 31, following the Coffee Hour.

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It’s that time of year when the Sts. Martha and Mary Sisterhood are looking for items for this year’s Rummage Sale.  The sale will be held on October 11, 12, and 18.

We need to have things to rummage!  Look in your basement; look in your attic; check out your closets!  Bring what you find to the library in the Parish Hall.

Don’t forget: one person’s trash is another’s treasure. You never know what you might have that someone may be interested in purchasing.

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A great, big "Thank You!" to all who helped make the West Fest booth a great success. This was a wonderful opportunity not only for us to showcase Holy Trinity Cathedral to the community at large, but it also gave us a time to work with our sister parish,
St. George Cathedral. The cooperation between the two parishes is great!

Thanks to Matushka Joanna Keith and Juliana Meng to coordinating the booth, and to all who helped set up, took turns staffing the booth, provided material for distribution, or helped in any way.

A big thanks to Reader Gregory Ealy and Holy Trinity Cathedral’s Choir for coming and singing the “mini concerts” last Saturday and Sunday. They were beautiful and well received.

Thanks again to all who helped!


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Earlier this week, contractors were at Holy Trinity to remove the windows in the dome of the Cathedral. These windows will be reworked and refitted to make them secure and watertight.

Would you be able to contribute to this project?
  Booster:     up to $500
  Donor:       $501 to $1,000
  Patron:      $1,000+
  Saint:        $3,000        (for an entire window)

        (More information to come…)

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