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Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral
Publish Date: 2021-03-28
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

March 28, 2021

03/28/2021

SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

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LITURGY: 9:30 a.m.
PROSFORA: Maria Misthos
PANGARI: Team A: Eftihia Tsengas, Dr. Michael Manos, Tom Parras
EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3
GOSPEL: Mark 2:1-12 (GREEK TEXT p. 188, black book)
MEMORIAL:

  • 1 year Memorial for Michael Tsironis
    Beloved husband for 55 years to Constance (nee Kliousi), dear father of John (Jessica) and Nicholas (Colleen), loving grandfather of Michael, Will and Nicholas, cherished brother of Gregory and the late Afroditi, Eleni, Nikki, Kostas and Fotis.

  • 40 day Memorial for Filomeni Romoudi, mother of Evangelia Romoudi (Dr Nicholas Skubas), grandmother of Ioanna, Apostolos and Matthew.

     


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 1st Tone. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

For though in the beginning He Himself went about, and did not require so much faith of them that came unto Him; yet in this case they both approached Him, and had faith required on their part. For, "Seeing," it is said, "their faith;" that is, the faith of them that had let the man down.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

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This Week

THIS COMING WEEK

Mon, Mar 29th    - 7:00 p.m.  - Compline
                           - 7:30 p.m.  - Gamblers Anonymous
Weds, Mar 31st  - 6:00 p.m.  - Presanctified Liturgy
Fri, Apr 2nd        - 7:00 p.m.  - Salutations Service
                          - 7:30 p.m.   - Gamblers Anonymous
Sat, Apr 3rd       - 5:00 p.m.   - Vespers
Sun, Apr 4th      - 8:15 a.m.   - Matins
                          - 9:30 a.m.   - Liturgy 


VISITORS & SACRAMENTS

Everyone is welcome in the Orthodox Church & may receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the end of the service, but only practicing Orthodox Christians may receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.


CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Our current attendance rules require that we must maintain social distancing and wear masks while in church. We also ask that those not feeling well should stay home, but there are no limitations based on age. All are welcome, young and old.


WEEKDAY SERVICES

The Orthodox Christian tradition presents many opportunities for worship outside of Sunday morning services, especially Liturgies on the feast days of beloved saints. As the restrictions on Sunday attendance are loosening up, those with special concerns may consider attending a weekday service, where the typical attendance is in the range of 10-20. 


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 Mar. 28:
www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/p/s/2021/03/28/ma/gr-en/se.m03.d28.ma.pdf
Electronic Version of Divine Liturgy on Mar. 28:
www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/p/s/2021/03/28/li/gr-en/se.m03.d28.li.pdf


FAMILY LENTEN RETREAT

The Metropolis is offering a "Family Lenten Retreat" via Zoom on Saturday, April 17th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The keynote address will be offered by Fr. Alex Goussetis of the Archdiocese Center for Family Care. Registration is at: tinyurl.com/GOMoP-FamilyRetreat. Questions may be directed to Ted or to Fr. Joe DiStefano at: frjdistefano@yahoo.com.


NEW DIRECTORY FOR 2021!

The deadline is fast approaching to get your entries in for the updated 2021 Church Directory that will be sent to all parishioners in the Spring. All submissions are to be received by this Weds., March 31, 2021. If you have any contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, emails etc.) that you would like to update or reconfirm, please send an email to office@stsconstantine.com or call Sade, the office manager, at (216) 932-3300.


HYMN TO LIBERTY

As a contribution to the celebration of this historical milestone by the peoples of Greece and their descendants and all those who live the ideals and achievements of the Greek people, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh prepared a recorded recitation of the entire Hymn to Liberty by Dionysios Solomos - all 158 stanzas, recited by 132 students of our 17 Greek language schools - which premiered on YouTube on Greek Independence Day, March 25th.

This achievement of our children, their parents and instructors was produced with love and enthusiasm and a sense of pride in the accomplishments of our heroic ancestors. The program includes a performance of the first two verses of this great poem, now known as the National Anthems of Greece and Cyprus, offered by one of our own, internationally known opera singer, Ms. Alexandra Loutsion (of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Canonsburg).

To complement the recitation in Greek, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas has prepared a new English translation of the Hymn to Liberty, closely approximating the original’s poetic meter and rhymes. To see the video visit: https://youtu.be/cBCqNnfqY6Q


EASTER BAKE SALE

Enjoy delicious homemade Greek pastries without all the work! Place your orders by Apr 15th by visiting https://form.jotform.com/210638762795164 or by picking up a form in the church lobby. Orders can be picked up Apr 24th OR Apr 25th from 11am - 12pm either day. If you cannot pick up your order, volunteers can deliver ($50 minimum order for delivery).

As all baking will be done to order, ONLY PREPAID ORDERS WILL BE FILLED. Payments can be made out to Philoptochos Bake Sale and mailed to the Church office:

3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts. OH 44118

IF YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO DELIVER ORDERS, or have any questions, please contact:

Christina at (216) 346-1317 or by email to ctcallos@gmail.com OR Barb at (440) 227-2338 or by email to bsapharas@aol.com


FAITH IN ACTION - Upcoming Activities

Bible Study

Zoom Evening Prayers: Zoom in and participate in Evening Prayers with other parishioners held from 8:30 to 8:50 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday. It is a great way to have fellowship during these challenging times. For a zoom invite, please email peter.poulos@case.edu.

Zoom Bible Study: Zoom in and participate in Bible Study with other parishioners held from 8:30 to 9 p.m. once every few weeks (usually on Thursdays). It is a great way to have fellowship during these challenging times. For a zoom invite, please email peter.poulos@case.edu.

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Prayer Team

If you are interested in joining the prayer team to keep others in your daily prayers, 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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St. Herman's

We will be assembling 90 dinner bags for St. Herman's at the Church on Sunday April 18 from 11 a.m. to noon. We follow strict masking and social distancing and will limit the group to a total of 8 to 10 volunteers. We need volunteers to help assemble the bags, and we need donations of the following:

- 90 sandwich rolls;
- roast beef slices for 90 sandwich rolls;
- sliced cheese for 90 sandwich rolls;
- potato salad and small side containers for 90 meals;
- 90 fruit cups;
- 90 sandwich plastic zip lock bags;
- 90 candy bars;
- 90 water bottles;
- 90 brown bags for the meals; and
- 90 napkins and plastic utensils.

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)


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.


LIBRARY COMMITTEE

The Library Committee will hold an IN-PERSON meeting  on Weds. April 7th at  1:00 p.m. Covid protocols will be observed. Contact Elaine Joaquin at 440 286-1478 with any questions.

 


GOYA / YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES

1)   Camp Nazareth will host its next young adult retreat the weekend of March 26th - 28th via Zoom. Guest speakers will be Fr. John Touloumes & Fr. John Cox, and the theme will be: "Adam, where are you?" Questions may be directed either to Ted or to youngadultretreats@gmail.com.


2)   GOYA will have its next in-person meeting on Wednesday, April 7th at 7:15 p.m. in the gym following the Presanctified Liturgy. Food and drinks will be provided with special care in accordance with COVID protocols. Parents & siblings are welcome to attend. We will discuss plans for in-person ministry the next few months. RSVP to Ted by Monday, April 5th.


3)   Orthodoxy on Tap will have its next young adult event (ages 21 - 35ish) on Thursday, April 8th @ 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker will be Christian Gonzalez, the young adult ministry coordinator of the Archdiocese. RSVP by Wednesday, April 7th to gorealcleveland@gmail.com. 


4)   A virtual teen retreat will take place the afternoon of Saturday, April 17th from 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m., and then from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. There is no fee to participate. The times of this event do not overlap with the Metropolis family retreat on the same day. Registration is available online, and must be done prior to April 16th. Fr. Joshua Makoul will speak on "Finding Balance through Self-Care & the Church." Contact Ted for the link to sign up and with any questions. 

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ORTHODOX EDUCATION UPDATED NEWS

Orthodox Education  is resuming in-person classes. The same safety protocols that have been in place this school year, will be in effect now.

Upcoming Class Events:

Sun, Mar 28th - Orthodox Education in-person classes
                       - Greek Independence Day Pgm: 12:30 pm via Zoom
Sun, Apr 4th   - at 8:00 pm: Speaker Fr. Michael Varvarelis
                         from Holy Trinity in Harrisburg 
Sun, Apr 11th - PreK-12 - in person classes

Parents are encouraged to check their email for up to the minute announcements of classes.  Contact Maria at orthodox_education@stsconstantine.com with any questions or comments.

 


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.


LOST AND FOUND

With recent increases in attendance at the church, we have once again begun collecting forgotten possessions. Hats, umbrellas, masks, toys, and more are filling our unclaimed basket. Please, contact the office if you think we might have something of yours!


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America


Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal 4th Tone

Light of Orthdoxy, pillar and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever pray that our souls be saved.

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


Apolytikion for the Church in the Plagal 4th Tone

Your Apostle among the Rulers, St. Constantine, who once beheld in the sky the image of Your Cross, and who like Paul received his calling not from man, once entrusted the Ruling City into Your hand. We entreat You to restore it in peace forever, at the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord who loves humanity. (Copyright Fr. Seraphim Dedes, used by permission. All rights reserved)


Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

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


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