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Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral
Publish Date: 2020-12-20
Bulletin Contents
Today
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
This Week
Hymns of the Day
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION AT STS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN CATHEDRAL IS DONE IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

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Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (216) 932-3300
  • Fax:
  • (216) 932-0825
  • Street Address:

  • 3352 Mayfield Road

  • Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
  • Mailing Address:

  • 3352 Mayfield Road

  • Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Past Bulletins


Today

December 20, 2020

12/20/2020

SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY

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LITURGY: 9:30 a.m.
PROSFORA: Paula Kappos
PANGARI: Team C: Costa Tsatiris, George Stamatis, Bill Chevako
EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40
GOSPEL: Matthew 1:1-25
              (GREEK TEXT p. 208, black books)
MEMORIALS:

  • 40 Day Memorial for Dr. John Collis: Beloved husband of Helen; daughter Maribeth (Steve) Lekas; son John III (Katey); grandchildren Michael Lekas, Andrea (James) Cappello, Kacey Collis, and Laina Collis

  • 1 year Memorial for Ricky (Matthew) Hawkins.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14). Thus, from the tribe of Levi may be counted a heritage that is priestly and filled with holiness, while from the tribe of Judah - to which David and Solomon and the rest of the kings belonged - there shines forth the splendor of a royal descent. And so, by the testimony of the Scriptures, Christ is shown to be at once both king and priest.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

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This Week

THIS COMING WEEK

Mon,  Dec 21st    - 7:30 p.m. - Gamblers Anonymous
Tues, Dec 22nd   - 7:00 a.m. - Liturgy
                             (Prefeast of Christmas and feast of St Anastasia)
Thurs, Dec 24th  - 9:30 a.m. Christmas Eve - Royal Hours 
                              5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve - Vespers w Divine Liturgy
Fri,   Dec 25th     - 10:00 AM - CHRISTMAS - Divine Liturgy
Sun, Dec 27th     - 8:15 a.m. - Matins
                              9:30 a.m. - Liturgy


CHRISTMAS SERVICES

We will be holding services on several dates this coming week as we approach the Nativity. Details are as follows:

 

      • 12/22: 7:00 AM - Divine Liturgy
        Prefeast of Christmas and feast of St Anastasia - 
         (this provides an early morning opportunity to receive Holy Communion)

      • 12/24: 9:30 AM- Christmas Eve - Royal Hours
        (readings & hymns about Christmas; no Communion)

      • 12/24: 5:30 PM- Christmas Eve - Vespers w Divine Liturgy
        (Holy Communion is offered; the service ends 7:15ish. Orthodox Christians who wish to receive Communion should refrain from food and drink after a very light lunch, no later than 1:00 P.M. If the church attendance reaches full capacity, then those coming later may watch the service on a live stream in the Cathedral Center and then receive Holy Communion in church. The Christmas morning service may be a good option; attendance is usually much lower than in the evening. There will be a live stream on YouTube for the evening service.)

      • 12/25: 10:00 AM - CHRISTMAS - Divine Liturgy (Live stream on YouTube) 
         

 


ONLINE TEXTS OF SERVICES

Those wishing to follow the livestreamed services with a written text may do so using the links below.
Electronic Version of Orthros (Matins) on Dec 20:
https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/p/s/2020/12/20/ma/gr-en/se.m12.d20.ma.pdf
Electronic Version of Divine Liturgy on Dec 20:
https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/p/s/2020/12/20/li/gr-en/se.m12.d20.li.pdf


STEWARDSHIP

Our parish strives "To lead people to God through Orthodox Christianity and to provide ways for them live and share God's love." It does so in good days and in bad, such as we now experience. Church attendance may be difficult or impossible for you, but we endeavor to spread the "good news" as best we can. Any financial help that you might offer is deeply appreciated.


Tithe.ly Giving App

Tithe.ly is an online giving tool that makes it simple to safely/securely give to our church anywhere at any time. You can download the Tithe.ly giving app onto your phone, or click the green "Give Now" button on the church website. Your gift goes directly to the church. Plus, you can track all your gifts, setup recurring donations, and more!


ZELMA GEORGE TOY COLLECTION

THANK YOU!!!

Thanks to your generosity, Philoptochos was able to provide Christmas gifts for over 100 children and their parents, who are currently living at the Zelma George Family Center. This is the largest number of families we have been able to help to date. We couldn't have done it without you!


PHILOPTOCHOS

Many thanks to those of you who have been lifelong members of Philoptochos, and a warm welcome to all the new parishioners who have just joined us! If you have not already done so, please join Philoptochos as we start our 2021 year.  Forms are now available in the church office or online at  http://stsconstantine.com/outreach/philoptochos/ For more updates on the work of Philoptochos, you can visit the Philoptochos, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Community, Cleveland Ohio Facebook page.


FAITH IN ACTION - Upcoming Activities

Bible Study

You can join us for 30 minutes of weekly Bible Study - all are welcome. If you are interested in an invite, or for current dates and topics, please email peter.poulos@case.edu.

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Prayer Team

You can join the prayer team and keep others in your daily prayers. If you are interested, you should either email pmp17@case.edu or text (216) 288-1972 ahead of time to receive the link. You will need to provide your name and email address to receive the Zoom invite. If you have any requests for our prayer team, or if you have questions about other activities, please send them to peter.poulos@case.edu

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Thank you and keep the faith!
“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  (James 2:18)


GOYA / YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES

1)   GOYA/Teenage Winter Retreat: GOYAns are invited to participate in an online event focused on St. Herman of Alaska who was glorified as a saint 50 years ago. The retreat will be hosted by the OCA, and it will be Wednesday, December 30th starting at 11:30 a.m. Registration and information is at linktr.ee/nyjocayouth. See Ted with any questions.

2)   CrossRoad is accepting applications until January 4th, 2021. CrossRoad "prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition." Our own Angelique Myers will serve on staff as part of this year's program too. To learn more or register, go to https://www.crossroadinstitute.org/ 

3)   Virtual YAL Conference: young adults (ages 21 - 35ish) are invited to participate in an online retreat hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco. The event will be Saturday, January 9th - Sunday, January 10th. No cost to attend; register at cvent.me/ZQ2bzr.

4)   The Orthodox Young Adult Group (OYAG) will be hosting a virtual holiday party on Tuesday, December 22nd at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will begin with a short reading and discussion, holiday-themed games, and (maybe) caroling! If you haven't already RSVP'd, contact Ted to get the Zoom link.

5)   Orthodoxy on Tap will have its next young adult event (ages 21 - 35ish) on Thursday, January 21st @ 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker will be Christian Gonzalez, the young adult coordinator of the entire Archdiocese. RSVP by Wednesday, January 20th to gorealcleveland@gmail.com.

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ORTHODOX EDUCATION UPDATED NEWS

Due to the inceased pandemic restrictions in Cuyahoga County, Orthodox Education classes are returning to internet-only platforms for the time being. There will be a 2-week break as usual after Sunday; classes will resume January 10th. 

Zoom events:

Dec. 20th -- Class zooms for PreK-12th, last day of the Fall session

Contact Maria at orthodox_education@stsconstantine.com with any questions or comments.


OCW RETREAT

The Orthodox Christian Women of Akron have scheduled a retreat for January 23, 2021. Once again, because of the COVID virus, it will be held as a free ZOOM event. Speaker Joe May will present "St. Basil & His New City" - an Orthodox Christian response of love to the issue of poverty. Contact Nikki Bober (330 409-3552, or email at nlbober@gmail.com) or Nancy Studebaker (330 655-9638) with any questions or for information regarding the Zoom link.


Unknown Heroes Project

As part of a series of events to celebrate the Bicentennial of Greece's Independence, the Metropolis of Pittsburgh is collaborating on a project to uncover unknown heroes. We are asking for children to ask their grandparents, great grandparents, etc. last names and first names, villages in Greece where they were born or grew up or going back as far as they know. Maybe their families participated in the Greek War of Independence.

A project team will work on uncovering as much as they can.  Families will be honored in March of 2021.  Please look at the attached flyers. This is open to Greek School Students and Goyans; the deadline is December 15, 2020. Send their information to contact@panhellenicfoundation.org 


LIVESTREAM SERVICES

We have closed our livestreaming service on Facebook in favor of using YouTube for all future livestreaming of services. To continue participating with our livestream services, please visit, subscribe, & bookmark our channel at YouTube.com/stsconstantine.

The services of Christmas Eve (5:30 PM) and Christmas day will be livestreamed.


TRADITION

The days before Christmas are considered fasting days. Give it a try! The hardest part is getting started, but then it becomes a wonderful aid to preparing for the holidays. The days from Dec. 25 thru January 4, inclusive, are not fasting days. Enjoy!

 


CHRISTMAS & CORONAVIRUS RULES

We need to maintain our COVID rules even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Households may share a pew. Masks are required. Those who do not feel well should watch the livestream at home.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of his reign. He has conquered death by death and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades and has granted the world great mercy.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Cross Press


Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the 4th Tone

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the 2nd Tone

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


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