Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

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!"

Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

Services and Sacraments

SUNDAY APRIL 4, 2021 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS

40 Day Blessing: JULIANA GRACE TRIPP, Parents: Steven and Denise Tripp

Congratulations!

Memorial: ALEXANDER ANDREWS - 1 Year

May his memory be eternal!

Father Teodor will conclude his series today on the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

SERVICES THIS WEEK:

Saints Constantine and Helen services are open for parishioners and we encourage those who are not in high-risk categories to attend services. Parish guidelines regarding capacity limits and safety restrictions are posted on the home page of our church website, https://www.stcons.org

The church building is professionally cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized weekly.

We strongly encourage those who will not be attending church to participate in services through our website, at https://www.stcons.org/video-streaming

Wednesday, April 7 – PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 5:30 pm

Following the Presanctified Liturgy, Fr. Teodor will present an explanation of the Icon of the Theotokos, recently installed on the church Iconostasis.

Friday, April 9 – SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 6:00 pm

All services, Saints Constantine and Helen, Westland

LIGHT A CANDLE AND SAY A PRAYER: When you are not able to attend church, you can purchase a candle from our church website (home page or video-streaming page), which Father Teodor will light before the following service or a service that you specify. Please give specific names, living or deceased, that you would like Father to remember in prayer. Father will light candles one hour before each service. For Sunday services, please place candle orders prior to 8:00 am Sunday morning.

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.

Please Pray For: Rene, Irene, Michael, Barbara, Lisa, Pat, Christopher, Jonathan, Alexandra, Tracy, Dianna, Lazarus, Henry, Betty, Catherine, Susan, Evelyn, Gregg, Peter, Stella, Ann Marie, Vasilios, Carol, George, Demetri, Steve, Molly, Maria, Elizabeth, Carol, Evans, Katherine, Mike, Connie, Mary, Margaret, Angela, Connie, Bill, Carrie, Vito, Pete, Amalia, Stephanie, Lisa, Connie, Jacob, Anastasia, Rima, Kylie, Effie, Nicholas, and Maria. (Names may be added by request. Please contact the church office)

Saints and Feasts

April 04

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6.

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

Parish News and Updates

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

FRIDAY SALUTATIONS: This Friday April , there will be a Salutations to the Theotokos service at 6:00 pm. Father Teodor will be available for one hour after the service to take confessions. 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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ZOOMS: Listed below are upcoming Zoom meeting times for each grade level:

GRADES 2 – 4: Thursday 4/8/21, 5:30 pm
GRADES 5 – 7: Wednesday, 4/7/21 and 4/22/21; 7:00 pm
GRADES 8 – 9: Monday, April 19^th; 7:00 pm
SENIOR DISCUSSION GROUP: TODAY, Sunday, April 4; 2:00 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!

ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Adult Bible Study will resume on Tuesday April 6^th. ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789 All adults are welcome to join the group. If you have trouble connecting, or 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

FRIDAY SALUTATIONS/CONFESSION: This Friday April 9, there will be a Salutations to the Theotokos service at 6:00 pm. Father will be available for one hour following the Friday service to take confession; or you can call the church office to schedule an appointment time. 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.

NEWS AND NOTICES

ICONOGRAPHY UPDATE: 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 25^th, 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/

MEMORIAL SERVICES - 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.

WHEN YOU SEE A CROSS, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF?

Excerpt taken from Fr. Father Luke Veronis’ sermon, “Sunday of the Precious and Life-giving Cross” (Lenten Resources, goarch.org)

In ancient times, people would have thought about pain, suffering, and death. The Cross was a sign of the worst torture one could suffer. It was a cursed sign. And yet, when Jesus willingly accepted the Cross, when he willingly accepted to die a criminal's death, when he willingly accepted to be ridiculed, hated, and killed, he changed the Cross from a symbol of death and despair into a symbol of life and hope!

Why do we Christians place the Cross in our Church, in our homes, in our cars? Why do we continually make the sign of the Cross, and wear a Cross around our neck? Because for Christians, the Cross has become a symbol of love, joy, hope, power and victory.

First of all, the Cross reminds us of LOVE, the love God the Father had for the world. God loved the world so much that he allowed his son to be cruelly killed on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sins! What greater love is there than to allow your own child to be killed in order to save someone else?

The Cross reminds us of JOY, the joy of paradise. Many hymns of our church today recall how Adam and Eve were sent out of paradise because of a tree. They ate fruit from the forbidden tree. And yet it is also a tree that has opened the doors of paradise once again for all believers, the tree of the Cross.

The Cross reminds us of HOPE, a hope that is greater than the darkest despair. When Jesus was crucified, his disciples and followers all despaired. They had abandoned Jesus. They had betrayed him. They had denied him. They had placed all their hope in him, and now he was dead. And yet, after the Resurrection, they understood the Cross in a new way. It was no longer a symbol of despair, but it was now a sign of hope for all people, a hope for new life.

The Cross is a symbol of POWER. Often in the world, and especially today, it appears that evil conquers good; sin is greater than virtue. Yet the Cross reminds us that sin will not have the last say. Evil will not last forever. We Orthodox can never think of the Cross, without thinking of the resurrection. They cannot be separated. Evil and suffering appear to win at first, but then comes the resurrection. The evil that abounds in this country appears great, and yet, be assured the evil will not last. The resurrection is coming.

Finally, the Cross is a symbol of VICTORY. Through the death of Jesus on the Cross, the greatest evil, death itself, was destroyed.

During our dark days, we must not forget the meaning of the Cross. Although events and logic tell us to despair, the Cross says something else -- to hope. In the end, the Cross will prevail!

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.

Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.