UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHOIR, HOPE & JOY PAGEANT REHEARSAL: TODAY, Sunday December 15th, following the Divine Liturgy, we will have a special Christmas brunch and Pageant Rehearsal for all Sunday School students and teachers, Choir members, and their families. During the rehearsal, Fr. Teodor will have an adult-time question and answer period. Bring your questions, and be ready for some lively discussion!
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT/TREE OF LIGHTS CEREMONY: Will be held on Sunday, December 22nd. Plan to be here with your family to celebrate Jesus’ birth! There will be songs and readings, followed by a parish sing-a-long to familiar Carols. Our 25th annual Mary Drakos Tree of Lights Ceremony will also be held on that day, with prayers in memory of those lost, and commemorating those honored on the tree.
MOMS’ GROUP CHRISTMAS “MYSTERY MOVIE” Members of the St. Cons Moms’ Group will be taking our families to the historic Redford Theatre on December 22nd after church for an old holiday film. It is a mystery movie. You won’t know what it is until the credits start rolling – that’s part of the fun! Tickets are $5, and can be purchased at the door, or in advance online at https://redfordtheatre.com/events/3rd-annual-holiday-mystery-movie/
COMMUNION VISITS FOR SHUT INS: Father Teodor is visiting shut-ins to give them communion for the Christmas holiday. Please contact the church office to let us know if you or a loved one would like to be added to Father’s schedule for a visit to receive communion.
NO BIBLE STUDY: Adult Bible Study will resume after the 1st of the year.
IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! Once again this year, we are collecting new gloves, mittens, hats and scarves for children and adults to be distributed via the Dorsey Center to needy Westland families. Please bring your donations and hang on the tree in the area outside the church office. Final day for drop is Sunday, December 22 – please help our neighbors stay warm.
ST CONS CHRISTMAS CARD: TODAY is the final day to turn in names to be included in the Saints Constantine and Helen Christmas Card, which is mailed out to all of our parishioners. Forms are available in the church office, or see Melinda Lazaros after church.
TREE OF LIGHTS: We are still taking donations for the 25th annual Mary Drakos Christmas Tree of Lights, in memory of those that are deceased or honoring the living. The Tree of lights ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 22nd. For more information, see Diane Plungis after church, or contact the church office.
SAVE THE DATE
- December 22nd – CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, CHRISTMAS TREE OF LIGHTS
- December 22nd – MOMS’ GROUP CHRISTMAS “MYSTERY MOVIE”
- December 24th – CHRISTMAS EVE, VESPERAL DIVINE LITURGY (5:30 pm)
- December 25th – CHRISTMAS DAY DIVINE LITURGY (10:00 am)
- January 5th – VASILOPITA/STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
- January 9th – TLC LUNCHEON
- February 9th – STS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN GREEK FESTIVAL
DID YOU KNOW?
LITURGICAL COLORS IN THE CHURCH: The Orthodox Church traditionally uses different colors to mark the seasons of the liturgical year, certain feast days and other observances. The colors of clergy vestments, altar coverings and cloths on icon stands (proskynetaria) will often change to offer a visual clue of the season or the feast day. The rubrics for which color to use on what day initially provided only two distinct categories: bright and dark.
Today, these categories have expanded, you can see some of the variations and how the principle of “dark” or “bright” is being applied. Symbolic meanings are attached to the colors being used. White is a paschal color, associated with themes of baptism, light and joy. This joy is present in all the feasts of Christ. In icons, the Theotokos is usually dressed in blue. Thus, blue vestments are usually worn on her feasts. Blue is also often worn on Theophany, reminding us of the blessing of the waters.
- Gold or white for feast days of the Lord (red may be worn for the resurrection)
- Blue for feast days of the Theotokos
- Red or gold for feast days of the martyrs
- Green or gold for Palm Sunday, Pentecost, Monday of the Holy Spirit, the Elevation of the Holy Cross and the Veneration of the Holy Cross
- Purple for Lenten services (purple should not be worn on Sundays of Great Lent)
Non Orthodox Visitors Please Note: Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves. Visitors are welcome to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread), which is distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.