UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
FRIDAY SALUTATIONS: This Friday April 2, there will be a Salutations to the Theotokos service at 6:15 pm. Those interested in being a reader for the Friday night service, or in donating the flowers to decorate the icon of the Theotokos, please contact the church office.
UPCOMING SUNDAY SCHOOL ZOOMS: Listed below are upcoming Zoom meeting times for each grade level:
- SENIOR DISCUSSION GROUP: Sunday, April 4; 2:00 pm
- GRADES 5 – 7: Wednesday, 4/7/21 and 4/22/21; 7:00 pm
- GRADES 2 – 4: Thursday 4/8/21, 5:30 pm
ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789 If you have trouble connecting, or are in need of more information, contact: stcons2@gmail.com Whether you are physically attending church right now or not, please make every effort, especially during this Lenten period to involve your children in church activities!
FRIDAY FISH FRYS: Friday April 2nd will be our final Friday Fish Fry at the Hellenic Cultural Center will be serving fish and chips dinners for CARRY-OUT ONLY. Chicken tenders and Calamari are also available. Pick up will be between 4:00 and 7:00 each Friday. Place advance orders by phone to the church office, 734.525.6789 or on the Hellenic Cultural Center website.
NO ADULT BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK. Bible Study will resume on Tuesday April 6th. ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789 All adults are welcome to join the group. If you are in need of more information, contact: stcons2@gmail.com
YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY: All of our young adults (ages 18 - 35) are invited to join the Metropolis of Detroit for “ Average Joe's Young Adult Bible Study”. The group will meet each Monday during Lent, 8:30 pm Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83453584533 Meeting ID: 834 5358 4533 The Assistant to the Metropolitan, Nick Lionas, and Fr. Niko Tzetzis, the assistant priest from Holy Trinity - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, OH will be leading a discussion and study of Genesis.
NEWS AND NOTICES
FATHER OUT OF TOWN: Father Teodor will be out of town until Friday, April 2nd. If you are in need of clergy or have any questions or concerns, please contact the church office. The church office will be open all week, and messages will be checked periodically during non-business hours.
ICONOGRAPHY UPDATE: Many thanks to our Parish Council members who carried the new icons in last week’s procession. It truly brought home the meaning of the Sunday of Orthodoxy! Icon installation on our Iconostasis is continuing. There are still icons available for sponsorship, and we are still in need of general donations of any amount to complete our fundraising on Phase One: East and Dome. For those who are interested in sponsoring an icon, please talk to Father Teodor or contact the church office for more information.
TEDDY BEAR FUND: Put a Teddy Bear in the arms of a child when they need a hug the most! During the period of Great Lent we will be collecting donations for the “Teddy Bear Fund” of the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. When you donate $15 to pay for a new Teddy Bear, we will place a small paper bear with your name on it in the church entrance. Checks can be made payable to Saints Constantine and Helen and left in the donation box in the Narthex, or the church office.
HELLENIC ART EXHIBITION: The Hellenic Museum, Detroit is presenting the inaugural “Hellenic Art Exhibition”, celebrating artists of Greek Heritage. Running on Saturdays and Sundays through July 25th, this juried show of contemporary work includes national and local artists from area parishes, along with artists from Greece. For more information, https://www.hellenicmi.org/
SEATING FOR SERVICES: We are so pleased that church attendance has been increasing! Please be aware that masks and social distancing are still required. There are no exceptions to this. When you attend service, please wait in the Narthex for an usher to seat you according to those in attendance, and be aware that you may not be able to sit in your preferred location. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we look to maintain a safe environment for all our parishioners.
ΚΑΘΙΣΜΑ ΣΤΟ ΝΑΟ: Με ιδιαίτερη ευχαρίστηση σας ανακοινώνουμε ότι αυξήθηκε ο αριθμός των πιστών που μπορούν να παρευρεθούν στη Θεία Λειτουργία και τις ακολουθίες. Λάβετε υπόψιν ότι παραμένει υποχρεωτική η χρήση μάσκας και η τήρηση των απαραίτητων κοινωνικών αποστάσεων. Δεν υπάρχουν εξαιρέσεις σε αυτό. Κατά την προσέλευσή σας στο ναό, παρακαλούμε περιμένετε στο νάρθηκα για τον επίτροπο να σας οδηγήσει στο κάθισμά σας ανάλογα με τον αριθμό των
παρευρισκομένων. Ενδέχεται να μην μπορείτε να καθίσετε στην προτιμώμενη θέση σας. Σας ευχαριστούμε για την κατανόηση και την υπομονή σας καθώς προσπαθούμε να διατηρήσουμε ένα ασφαλές περιβάλλον για όλους τους ενορίτες μας.
Memorial Service Information - UPDATE
Koliva that has been prepared for memorial services can now be distributed to parishioners. The koliva will be put in small baggies and distributed with antidoron at the end of the service. We are not currently allowed to have coffee hour, or distribute any cookies, paximadia or koulourakia. Please call the church office to schedule memorials in a timely manner so we can include the information in the bulletin. On the day of the service, please bring a list of family names you would like Father to remember in prayer.
DID YOU KNOW? GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THE CHURCH
March 25th is Greek Independence Day, and this year, 2021, marked the Bicentennial year of independence for modern Greece. Greece’s revolution began on March 25, 1921, with a declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire and subjugation since 1453. The Archdiocese of North and South America mandates a short Doxology service in recognition of the church’s vital role in preserving the Greek religion, culture, and language during the four hundred years of occupation. The close relationship between church and state continues today. Orthodoxy is the state religion in Greece, and a cross graces the modern Greek flag.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY AS A CHILD?
- DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR POEM FROM GREEK SCHOOL?
- DID YOU MARCH IN A GREEK PARADE?
- DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE DRESSED AS AN EVZONE?
THE EVZONE UNIFORM
The Greek Presidential Guard or Evzones are a group of elite Greek soldiers who are trained to perform various ceremonial duties. They stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown and the Presidential Palace and also raise and lower the flag at the Acropolis every Sunday. The Evzones uniform is handmade with intricate detail, taking many months to complete and is a symbol of the country’s nationalistic pride, representing the significant battles fought throughout Greece’s modern history.
- The red FARION cap features a long silk tassel. The front of the caps have the Greek coat of arms with the officers rank displayed underneath.
- The FERMELI, or waistcoat, is the most intricate part of the Evzone’s uniform. Hand embroidered entirely from wool, the waistcoat can take a period of months to complete. The stripes placed at the back tail of the coat distinguish the rank of the Evzone.
- The YPODETES is the extremely wide sleeved white shirt worn by the Evzones which flare as they march to symbolize the purity of the national purpose.
- The FOUSTANELLA is made from over 30 yards of fabric and features 400 pleats to represent the liberation of Greece from the 400 years of Ottoman occupation. The Krossia (braided fringes), are blue and white after the colors of the Greek Flag.
- The TSAROUCHIA shoes of the Evzones feature at least 60 nails on the base of the shoe which simulate the sound of battle during the movement of the Evzone. The toe of the Tsarouchia is pointed upwards and covered by a black silk pom pom. The Evzones wear two pairs of Periskelides (woolen stockings) on each leg which are held up by the Epiknemides (silk garters) with tassel.
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.