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St. Lydia Orthodox Women's Study Ministry

About this Ministry

Now in its 13th year, the St. Lydia Women's Study Ministry meets every other Thursday (see schedule below) in the North Hills. For the past three years, the meeting location is the Saint George Chapel, 8941 Ringeisen Road, Allison Park. This ministry is dedicated to providing fellowship and spiritual growth for women, with a special emphasis on family issues.

Contact Information

For information on the Saint Lydia Women's Study Ministry, call Stacy Dickos at 412-367-0925 or send an e-mail to SaintLydia@HolyTrinityPgh.org. New participants are always welcome.

This Year's Study Topic

This year we return to direct scriptural study. We will be studying the Universal Epistles of Saints James (Iakovos), Peter, Jude and the Beloved Disiple, John. The guide for this study will be: “Universal Truth” (L. Farley, Conciliar Press). Books are available for purchase at the study. As always, participants are also encouraged to bring an Orthodox Study Bible as well.

Schedule for 2011/2012

Date	Topic/Chapter	Pages
Sep. 29	James: Intro - Sec. II	13-23
Oct. 13	James: Sec. III - Sec. IV	24-47
Oct. 27	James: Sec. V – Sec. IX	47-56
Nov. 10	I Peter: Intro – Sec. II	57-75
Dec. 1	I Peter: Sec. III	76-97
Dec. 15	I Peter: Sec. IV – Sec. V	98-107
Jan. 12	II Peter: Intro – Sec. IV	109-138
Jan. 26	Jude: Intro – Sec. IV	139-156
Feb. 9	I John: Intro – Sec. II	157-175
Feb. 23	I John: Sec. II	175-190
Mar. 8	I John: Sec. II – Sec. III	190-205
Mar. 22	II John: Intro – Sec. III	207-214
Apr. 19	III John: Intro – Sec. III	215-224
May. 3	Wrap-up: Review, Other topics
Note: Chapter and page assignments are from the "Universal Truth" book

Who is Saint Lydia? Why does this ministry bear her name?

Saint Lydia was a woman of Philippi described by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles in this way: “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul. And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’” Because of her faithful example and her dedication in bringing her family to Christ, she is a role model for all woman and the patron saint of this ministry.

What has the Saint Lydia Ministry studied?

The following is a complete history of the topics studied by this valuable ministry:

1999-2000	Orthodox Spiritual Life	“Abba Nikon: Letters to Spiritual Children” (SVS Press)
2000-2001	What the Church Fathers Say About...	Topic packets from St. John of Kronstadt Press
2001-2002	Diary of a Russian Priest	“Diary of a Russian Priest” (SVS Press)
2002-2003	Studies of Scripture and Faith in Everyday Life	“Come, Receive the Light” Study Series II”
2003-2004	God With Us	“God With Us”, Fr. John Breck (SVS Press, 2003)
2004-2005	Growing in Christ	“Growing in Christ”, Mother Raphaela (SVS Press, 2003)
2005-2006	Bible Study: I and II Corinthians	“First and Second Corinthians: Straight From the Heart.” (Conciliar Press)
2006-2007	Bible Study: II Corinthians; Ephesians	“First and Second Corinthians: Straight From the Heart.” Lawrence Farley (Conciliar Press) “The Prison Epistles.” Lawrence Farley (Conciliar Press)
2007-2008	The Orthodox Church	“The Orthodox Church: Its Faith, Life and Worship.” Fr. Antonios Alevisopoulos
2008-2009	Bible Study: The Gospel of John	“Gospel of John: Beholding the Glory.” Lawrence Farley (Conciliar Press)
2009-2010	A Journey Through the Divine Liturgy	"Let Us Attend." Lawrence Farley (Conciliar Press) "The Heavenly Banquet." Emmanuel Hatzidakis (Orthodox Witness)
2010-2011	The Spiritual Counsels of Elder Thaddeus	Excerpts from the writings of Elder Thaddeus taken from the book, "Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives." (St Herman of Alaksa Brotherhood)
2011-2012	Bible Study: Universal Epistles of James, Peter, Jude and John	"Universal Truth." Lawrence Farley (Conciliar Press)