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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2022-12-25
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Magi
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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (414) 778-1555
  • Street Address:

  • 2160 N. Wauwatosa Avenue

  • Wauwatosa, WI 53213


Contact Information






Services Schedule

SUNDAY MATINS/DIVINE LITURGY, 8:15 am


Past Bulletins


This Sunday

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022— The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ 

 

EPISTLE: St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7 

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12 

 

Prosfora: Debbie Koutromanos

Hospitality: n/a

Coffee Hour Hospitality

Starting with the March 2022 schedule anyone (individual, family or friends) can sign up to host the Coffee Hour after church on Sundays. 

Do you have a Feast Day, birthday, anniversary or special day that you would like to host in honor of? 

Please reach out to Presvytera Konstantina to sign up!

____________________

For our most up-to-date schedule of events, please visit our online calendar:  

https://www.stsconstantinehelenwi.org/parish-calendar/

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Saints and Feasts

Magi
December 25

The Adoration of the Magi: Melchior, Gaspar, & Balthasar


25_nativity4
December 25

The Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks and came to see the Lord


Nativity
December 25

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).

Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).

But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 1:18-25

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.

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 1:18-25

Τοῦ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου. ᾿Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν. ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ᾿ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων· ᾿Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου· τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν ῾Αγίου. τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν· αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Εμμανουήλ, ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 65.4,1.
Let all the earth worship you, and sing praises to you.
Verse: Shout with joy to God, all the earth.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7.

BRETHREN, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 65.4,1.
Πᾶσα ἡ γῆ προσκυνησάτωσάν σοι καὶ ψαλάτωσάν σοι.
Στίχ. Ἀλαλάξατε τῷ Κυρίῳ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:4-7.

Ἀδελφοί, ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν. Ὅτι δέ ἐστε υἱοί, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, κρᾶζον, Ἀββᾶ, ὁ πατήρ. Ὥστε οὐκέτι εἶ δοῦλος, ἀλλʼ υἱός· εἰ δὲ υἱός, καὶ κληρονόμος θεοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ.


Gospel Reading

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 2:1-12

Τοῦ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις ῾Ηρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα λέγοντες· ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων; εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. ᾿Ακούσας δὲ ῾Ηρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐταράχθη καὶ πᾶσα ῾Ιεροσόλυμα μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐπυνθάνετο παρ᾿ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται. οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας· οὕτω γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου· καὶ σὺ Βηθλεέμ, γῆ ᾿Ιούδα, οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν ᾿Ιούδα· ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος, ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ. Τότε ῾Ηρῴδης λάθρα καλέσας τοὺς μάγους ἠκρίβωσε παρ᾿ αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος, καὶ πέμψας αὐτοὺς εἰς Βηθλεὲμ εἶπε· πορευθέντες ἀκριβῶς ἐξετάσατε περὶ τοῦ παιδίου, ἐπὰν δὲ εὕρητε, ἀπαγγείλατέ μοι, ὅπως κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ. οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀστὴρ ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ προῆγεν αὐτούς, ἕως ἐλθὼν ἔστη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον· ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα, καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν· καὶ χρηματισθέντες κατ᾿ ὄναρ μὴ ἀνακάμψαι πρὸς ῾Ηρῴδην, δι᾿ ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῶ κόσμω, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως, ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοὶς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο, σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοί.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He that existed * before the ages as God.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῶ ἀπροσίτω προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι μετὰ Ποιμένων δοξολογοῦσι. Μάγοι δὲ μετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι. δι' ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός.
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Calendar

  • Calendar

    December 23, 2022 to January 8, 2023

    DECEMBER

    Friday, December 23

    Greek School Christmas Break

    Sunday, December 25

    7:30AM Prosfora: Debbie Koutromanos

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Hospitality: NONE

    Monday, December 26

    Daycare Closed

    Office Closed

    8:00AM +Matins/D. Liturgy - Synaxis of the Virgin Mary

    Tuesday, December 27

    Nikki on vacation

    8:00AM Matins and Liturgy - St. Steven Archdeacon and First Martyr

    6:00PM College Ministry Dinner

    8:00PM Young Adult BBall Practice

    Wednesday, December 28

    Nikki on vacation

    9:30AM Wake for Kassandra Kokalis

    10:30AM Funeral for Kassandra Kokalis

    1:30PM JOY iceskating social event at Petit

    Thursday, December 29

    Nikki on vacation

    6:00PM GOYA Christmas Party/Escape Room

    6:00PM METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

    Friday, December 30

    Epiphany closes at 3pm

    Nikki on vacation

    Y2AM: Fanari Reunion Dance

    Saturday, December 31

    5:00PM Great Vespers for St. Basil the Great

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    JANUARY

    Sunday, January 1

    7:30AM Prosfora: Gina Raicu

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Hospitality: please sign up

    Monday, January 2

    Office Closed

    Epiphany closed

    1:30PM Young Adult Ministry Event - see attachment

    Tuesday, January 3

    Nikki on vacation

    8:00PM Young Adult BBall Practice

    Wednesday, January 4

    Nikki on vacation

    4:30PM Virtual Greek School: 2A

    5:45PM Virtual Greek School: 1AK

    8:15PM Virtual Greek School: Adults I Beginners

    Thursday, January 5

    Nikki on vacation

    7:30AM Royal Hours for Epiphany followed by Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil followed by Great Agiasmos

    11:30AM Hospitality by Epiphany LA&C

    5:45PM Virtual Greek School: 1B

    7:00PM Virtual Greek School: 2C

    8:15PM Virtual Greek School: Adults II Advanced Intermediate

    Friday, January 6

    Nikki on vacation

    8:15AM Matins and Divine Liturgy for Theophany with blessing of the waters

    10:30AM Bible Studies (Founders' Hall)

    4:00PM Virtual Greek School: 2B/C

    Saturday, January 7

    8:00AM +Matins & Divine Liturgy - St. John the Baptist

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, January 8

    Book Drive for nextdoor-Books for Kids

    +Memorial: 40-days Michael Stasinoulias

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    7:30AM Prosfora: Peggy Gorgolis

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Sunday School

    11:15AM Hospitality: In memory of Antonia Papas Naughton

    12:00PM Philoptochos meeting

    12:00PM Sunday school teacher meeting

    2:30PM Pan-Orthodox Milwaukee Blessing of the Waters

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Church office

Office closed 12/26-1/6


New Phone System & New Welcome Message

We have upgraded our telephone system!

When calling our church, you FIRST hear a welcome message and have a choice to speak directly with Fr. Panteleimon by pressing "1" or, if you would like to reach the church office, you can press "2". 


College Ministry Dinner

2022.12.27 College Ministry Dinner


2022.12.11 Christmas Bake Sale

You can still place your order! Contact Stili Klikizos or Mary Poulos.

2022 Philoptochos' Christmas Bake Sale


Philoptochos' Bake Sale Order Form

Cmas Bake Sale Order Form


Fundraiser: Sts Constantine & Helen Ring by Paul's Jewelers

Saints C&H Ring by Paul's Jewelers


Applications Open for Greek America Corps 2023 Summer Volunteer Programs


In addition to our successful youth volunteer programs in Athens and Chios, this year, we are excited to expand our Greek America Corps programs in Thessaloniki and also add a new program in Hania, on the island of Crete.
Are you or someone you know interested in spending part of the summer in Greece, giving back, and making incredible, lifelong connections? We have just 40 spots for our Greek America Corps program, and these fill quickly! Click below to learn more about this year's incredible opportunities.

Learn more & Apply Here: Applications Open for Summer 2023 Volunteer Programs in Greece - Greek America Foundation

 


Are you a Junior or Senior in High School?

Crossroad


Pan-Orthodox Blessing of Lake Michigan

Blessing of Lake Michigan


Book Drive for "nextdoor - Books for Kids"

Sunday school will be hosting a Book Drive for nextdoor-Book for Kids (www.nextdoormke.org)!

From their website: "Our high-needs books include board books and picture books targeted to children (infants to five years old), multicultural and multilingual books to represent the children we teach, and social emotional books to help children understand their feelings. Click for a printable Wish List.

We also accept books for school-aged children, which will be distributed through our Community Library and Little Free Libraries. We are unable to accept damaged books, discarded library books, reference books, text books, curriculum materials and magazines."

2023 Booki Drive


Fall/Winter Book Study

Fall/Winter Book Study


Save the Date! Centennial Celebration

You are invited! Please save the date and help spread the word!

Parish volunteers are very busy behind the scenes planning a spectacular celebration to honor 100 years!

Be sure not to miss out on this centennial celebration to remember! God Bless our parish.

Be on the look out and check back frequently on Facebook, Realm and the monthly Vine. More information will trickle in each month!

2022.05.06 save the date


Greek Translations - Notary Public Services

 Services offered: 

  • Certified Translations from Greek to English and from English to Greek for all types of documents (legal, medical, certificates, and more).
  • Power of Attorney documents for Greece. 
  • Apostille services.
  • Certifications and notarizations of every kind.
  • Greek Interpreter services online and in-person.

For quotes please call/text: 414-296-8004 (Anastasia) or email: greektranslations.wi@gmail.com


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Bulletin Inserts

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Ionian Village Accepting Staff Applications for Summer 2023

12/15/2022

Ionian Village, the official international summer camping ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is accepting staff applications for summer 2023. Applications are open from December 17, 2022 through January 17, 2023 online at www.ionianvillage.org.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord has given us a sign 'as deep as Sheol and as high as heaven', such as we should not have dared to hope for. How could we have expected to see a Virgin with Child, and to see in this Child a 'God with us' (Isaiah 7: 11 & 14) Who would descend into the depths of the earth to seek for the lost sheep, meaning the creature He had fashioned, and then ascend again to present to His Father humanity thus regained?
Irenaeus of Lyons
Against Heresies, III, 19.3 (SC 211, p. 380), 130-208

His love for me brought low His greatness. He made Himself like me so that I might receive Him. He made Himself like me so that I might be clothed in Him. I had no fear when I saw Him, for He is mercy for me. He took my nature so that I might understand Him, my face, so that I should not turn away from Him.
42 hymns discovered in 1905 in a Syriac Manuscript.
Odes of Solomon 7 (The Odes and Psalms of Solomon R. Harris adn A. Mingana II, pp. 240-1). Written in Greek for the Christian communities of Syria., Early 2nd Century

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