 Founded
in 1910 by immigrants from the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires,
the Cathedral was the spiritual and cultural haven of those facing
the risks, challenges and opportunities of the American experience.
Like other parishes in North America, Holy Trinity Cathedral has
evolved from an ethnic community to one that opens its doors to
all seeking the life in Christ. Presently over 50% of the
adult membership is comprised of converts who, to a large extent,
were drawn to Orthodox Christianity through the Cathedral's rich
liturgical cycle.
It is corporate prayer that forms the core of parish life.
It is corporate prayer which has provided the most vibrant venue
for evangelical outreach in the urban environment. Consequently,
every facet of Cathedral life stems from its commitment to coming
together as a community of prayer. Through this commitment
the parish strives to reveal and proclaim the Gospel of new and
eternal life. From its liturgical content, culminating in
the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the Cathedral continuously
seeks to draw others into its living experience of God's inaugurated
and transfigured kingdom. It is this reality, founded on and
centered in Jesus Christ, that compels the Cathedral parish to identify
itself as a community of prayer and also as a community of learning.
Christian
Education
Because
learning is fundamental to Christian formation, church school and
adult education are vital complements to liturgical worship.
Church
school for elementary school students meets on Saturdays before
the Vigil service. Due to the integration of church school and Vigil,
the students have the opportunity to experience the interrelationship
of learning and worship. In addition, elementary students meet before
the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings to review the Gospel lesson
for the day.
Middle
school and high school church school classes meet on scheduled Sundays
after the Divine Liturgy. Adult Education meets on Sundays during
the coffee hour, while the Rector's Seminar is held on a weekday
after Vespers. The Seminar is comprised of Orthodox and non-Orthodox
Christians and focuses on reading and discussing Scriptural, patristic
and modern theological texts.
Youth
Groups
Holy
Trinity Cathedral is committed to supporting Orthodox parents in
their vocation to raise their children in the Orthodox faith. Our
children’s sense of belonging at church is of utmost importance,
and the Youth Group is one way to make some crucial connections.
High school and middle school students meet for fellowship on scheduled
Sundays, for fun outings, and for a weekend retreat every year.
Retreats include a guest speaker, teaching and discussion, and a
fun event like snowboarding/skiing, etc. Kids nurture friendships
with other Orthodox teenagers, wrestle with significant issues,
and support one another at a challenging time of life. Members of
the HTOC Youth Group participate each summer in the diocesan Youth
Rally.
Fellowship
- Coffee Hour
Our
coffee hour is a time of fellowship and sharing for the broader
HTOC community. As one visitor recently said, “One wonderful
thing about your church is that no one wants to leave.” Because
we are a commuter parish, it is so important for us to share a meal
and to spend time in discussion and mutual encouragement.
St.
Herman’s Food Pantry
To further serve the local community, the Cathedral established
the St. Herman's food pantry. The pantry is a humble expression
of love for the many poor who, with very little, eke out an existence
in a city with an ever increasing cost of living.
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