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St. Lydia Orthodox Women's Study Ministry

About this Ministry

Now in its 11th year, the St. Lydia Women's Study Ministry meets every other Thursday (see schedule in PDF format below) in the North Hills. As of October, 2009, the new 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 the ministry is focusing on the topic: "A Journey Through the Divine Liturgy." It is geared to women who “wish we got more out of the Liturgy'” and want to grow in the worship experience. Of course, meeting in the chapel with its beautiful iconography makes it an inspiring and appropriately surrounded experience as well. Two books are being used: “Let Us Attend” (L. Farley, Conciliar Press) and “The Heavenly Banquet (E. Hatzidakis, Orthodox Witness).

Schedule for 2009/2010

Click to open the schedule for the year (PDF format): SCHEDULE AND TOPIC LIST FOR 2009/2010.

Date	Topic	Chapter
Oct. 8	Introductory Session	N/A
Oct. 22	Beginning the Journey	1
Nov. 5	Blessed is the Kingdom	2
Nov. 19	The Great Litany	3
Dec. 3	The Antiphons/The Entrance & Trisagion	4 & 5
Dec. 17	The First Blessing/The Readings	6 & 7
Jan. 14	The Intercessions	8
Jan. 28	The Great Entrance and Prayer of Access	9
Feb. 11	The Peace/The Closing of the Doors	10 & 11
Feb. 25	The Creed	12
Mar. 11	The Anaphora	13
Mar. 25	The Pre-Communion Prayers (Note: Divine Liturgy of the Annuciation will be held at St. George Chapel at 9:00 a.m.)	14
Apr. 8	The Reception of Holy Communion	15
Apr. 22	The Final Rites	16
May 6	Living as the Light of the World	Conclusion
May 20	Additional Discussion	Various
Note: Chapter assignments are from the "Let Us Attend" 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)