Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Dormition of St. Anna in the Fourth Mode

O Godly-minded Anna, thou didst give birth unto God's pure Mother who conceived Him Who is our Life. Wherefore, thou hast now passed with joy to thy heavenly rest, wherein is the abode of them that rejoice in glory; and thou askest forgiveness of sins for them that honour thee with love, O ever-blessed one.

Ζωήν τήν κυήσασαν, εκυοφόρησας, αγνήν Θεομήτορα, θεόφρον Άννα, διό πρός λήξιν ουράνιον, ένθα ευφραινομένων, κατοικία εν δόξη, χαίρουσα νύν μετέστης, τοίς τιμώσί σε πόθω, πταισμάτων αιτουμένη, ιλασμόν αειμακάριστε.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

We celebrate now the mem'ry of Christ's ancestors, while asking their help with faith, that we may all be saved from all manner of tribulation as we fervently cry aloud: Be thou with us, O Lord our God, Whose pleasure it was to glorify them both.

Προγόνων Χριστού, τήν μνήμην εορτάζομεν, τήν τούτων πιστώς, αιτούμενοι βοήθειαν, τού ρυσθήναι άπαντας, από πάσης θλίψεως, τούς κραυγάζοντας, ο Θεός γενού μεθ' ημών, ο τούτους δοξάσας ως ηυδόκησας.

Services and Sacraments

SUNDAY JULY 25, 2021 - 5^th Sunday of Matthew

Artoclasia: There will be an Artoclasia offered today by Elias and Eleni Mareskas in honor of the Feast day of the Prophet Elijah (Elias.)

Memorials: PETER STAVROPOULOS – 40 Days

Coffee Hour sponsored by Toni Psaila and Annie Berrenger.

CALLIOPE MUZITHRAS – 1 Year

PERICLES MUZITHRAS – 5 Years

May their memory be eternal!

SERVICES THIS WEEK:

Effective July 1, 2021, all previous COVID restrictions for the Metropolis of Detroit are rescinded. Parishes may return to complete normality. It is a personal prerogative for anyone to wear a mask or take other precautions as he/she sees fit.

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

Sunday, July 25th – 5^TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW, Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am If you wish to follow along with the text, please use the link listedbelow: https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/p/s/2021/07/25/li/gr-en/se.m08.d30.li.pdf

No additional services this week.

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 be lit 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.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Ryan, Anna, Charles, Patricia, Juliana, John, Lou, Paul, Zacharias, Connie, Vanessa (Vasiliki), Jake, Maegan, Rene, Irene, Michael, Barbara, Lisa, Pat, Christopher, Jonathan, Alexandra, Tracy, Dianna, Lazarus, 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 to the prayer list by request. If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, or if someone should be removed from the list, please contact the church office at stcons2@gmail.com

Saints and Feasts

July 25

Olympias the Deaconess

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 67.35,26.
Θαυμαστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἐν τοῖς Ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Ἐν Ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Θεὸν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:22-27.

Ἀδελφοί, Ἀβραὰμ δύο υἱοὺς ἔσχεν· ἕνα ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης, καὶ ἕνα ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας. Ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης κατὰ σάρκα γεγέννηται, ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας διὰ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἅτινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα· αὗται γάρ εἰσιν δύο διαθῆκαι· μία μὲν ἀπὸ ὄρους Σινᾶ, εἰς δουλείαν γεννῶσα, ἥτις ἐστὶν Ἅγαρ. Τὸ γὰρ Ἅγαρ Σινᾶ ὄρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ, συστοιχεῖ δὲ τῇ νῦν Ἱερουσαλήμ, δουλεύει δὲ μετὰ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς. Ἡ δὲ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐλευθέρα ἐστίν, ἥτις ἐστὶν μήτηρ πάντων ἡμῶν· γέγραπται γάρ, Εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα, ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα· ῥῆξον καὶ βόησον, ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα· ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμου μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα.

Gospel Reading

5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1

At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

5th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 8:28-34, 9:1

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντος τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὸ πέραν εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γεργεσηνῶν ὑπήντησαν αὐτῷ δύο δαιμονιζόμενοι ἐκ τῶν μνημείων ἐξερχόμενοι, χαλεποὶ λίαν, ὥστε μὴ ἰσχύειν τινὰ παρελθεῖν διὰ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐκείνης. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔκραξαν λέγοντες· τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, ᾿Ιησοῦ υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ; ἦλθες ὧδε πρὸ καιροῦ βασανίσαι ἡμᾶς; ἦν δὲ μακρὰν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀγέλη χοίρων πολλῶν βοσκομένη. οἱ δὲ δαίμονες παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· εἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς, ἐπίτρεψον ἡμῖν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ὑπάγετε. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὥρμησε πᾶσα ἡ ἀγέλη τῶν χοίρων κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ ἀπέθανον ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν. οἱ δὲ βόσκοντες ἔφυγον, καὶ ἀπελθόντες εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀπήγγειλαν πάντα καὶ τὰ τῶν δαιμονιζομένων. καὶ ἰδοὺ πᾶσα ἡ πόλις ἐξῆλθεν εἰς συνάντησιν τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ, καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν παρεκάλεσαν ὅπως μεταβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν.

Parish News and Updates

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

CHOIR REHEARSAL: There will be a Choir rehearsal this Wednesday, July 28^th at 7:00 pm.

On August 1^st, our parish will host MEFGOX (Mid Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians) members, as they conclude their virtual 2021 annual convention. St Cons Choir members who are available to sing on August 1^st should contact Maritsa Kalasz at madiaskalasz@gmail.com. Our choir will return to a regular schedule of singing for the Divine Liturgy, and Wednesday evening rehearsals after Labor Day.

MEN’S CLUB MEETING: Our next Men's Club Meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 5 at George's Senate in Northville. We will cover plans for our September 11 Golf Outing, as well as our Feed the Needy Program. I hope you can attend.

PARAKLESIS SERVICES: We will hold Paraklesis to the Theotokos services during the Lent for the Dormition of the Theotokos on the evenings of August 4,6,11, and 13 at 6:30 pm. During this beautiful service, we pray for the health, salvation, and well-being of the living. The prayer list for submitting names of the living will be provided next Sunday, and only needs to be submitted once for all 4 services.

VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL: Our vacation church school enrollment is outstanding this year! Thanks to all the families that have pre-registered. We are looking forward to a great week with the kids, August 2 – 6.

MEN’S CLUB GOLF OUTING: Please join the St. Cons. Men’s Club for their 9^th Annual John Koinis Feed the Needy Golf Outing. The Outing and Banquet will be held at 9:00 A.M. on September 11, 2021 at Fellows Creek Golf Club in Canton. Last year the Feed the Needy Program provided Thanksgiving dinners to 118 needy families and 314 individuals in Westland and Livonia. Funds also help support several St. Cons. Church related events. If you need sponsorship or registration information contact Jeff Zeh at (484) 868-8736 or at jzeh@comcast.net. Registration and sponsor forms are also available at the Church Office.

NEWS AND NOTICES

SUMMER SURVIVAL BOARD: Many thanks to those who have already contributed to our Summer Survival board! As of July 22nd, Saints Constantine and Helen has received $14,350 in donations and pledges. Even though attendance generally decreases during the summer months, regular building and property maintenance, utilities, and other expenses continue. That is why, again this year, we are asking for your help by making an additional donation to our “Summer Survival” campaign. You may make a pledge by signing onto one of the boxes on the sign in our Narthex, and send a check to the church office, or make a donation via our website. Your help will make a big difference!

COMMUNION VISITS: Father Teodor will be making home and facility visits over the next few weeks, in advance of the Dormition of the Theotokos, to give communion to those who are not able to make it into church. If you would like to receive communion or know of a shut-in who is in need of communion, please contact the church office to schedule time in Father’s schedule.

ST CONS GREEK FESTIVAL COMMITTEE: Our indoor Greek Festival will be back in February of 2022 – bigger and better than ever! We are putting together the event planning committee now, and we need you! If you are interested in helping to plan and organize the Saints Constantine and Helen GREEKFEST 2022, please contact Mark Chuey at markchuey@aol.com

PHILOPTOCHOS RAFFLE: Carol Bozadzis has raffle tickets available for sale for the National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund to be drawn on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The raffle includes a wonderful collection of prizes and 100% of the raffle’s income will go to the Medical Fund, which assists children with medical, surgical, or mental health needs as well as financially supports innovative programs and services benefitting our precious children. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.00. Please contact Carol at 248-471-4369 if you are interested and would like to support this worthy cause.

HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER BOOKING: We are having parties and events in the HCC again! Consider booking your next event at the Hellenic Cultural Center, and help the church get our HCC back into business! The HCC also has staff positions available. If you would like to discuss future bookings, employment, or other issues with the HCC staff, please contact Kathy at 734.525.3550 or 313.303.6350 or helleniccc@gmail.com

ICONOGRAPHY UPDATE: The icons of St. Nicholas and St. Anthony, and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel were installed on the Iconostasis this week! Once the Iconostasis is complete, icon installation will begin in the church altar. Those interested in sponsoring an icon, please talk to Father Teodor or contact the church office for more information. We are still in need of donations of any amount to complete our Iconography Phase One fundraising.

MEMORIAL SERVICES: Koliva that has been prepared for memorial services can now be distributed to parishioners at the end of service. The koliva will be put in small baggies and distributed at the coffee hour. We are also again able to accept Coffee Hour Sponsors, for those having a memorial or other special day in church. Requested sponsorship donation is $150, and the HCC will set up a table with cloth and coffee, etc. for your family. Paximadia and koulourakia may also be distributed at the coffee hour. Please call the church office to schedule memorials and coffee hour sponsorships 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.

REMEMBER THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL: You’ve supported the church your whole life, remembering us in your estate plan will help the church when you’re gone. Consult your estate planner or contact the Church office for information. We are grateful to our parishioners who have left bequests to the church in the last few years: Thomas Goffas, Irene Barbas, Anthony Keros, Kris Merikas, John and Alice Koinis, Joan Keker, Katherine Socol, Ted and Demetra Monolidis, Zoe Kokenakes, Peter and Eileen Lekas. Their loving legacy made a big difference! May their memory be eternal.

SERVICES AND SACRAMENTS

Funerals:

7/23/21 GEORGE TSALLIS

LAURA BURKHART KITHAS

Visitation: Sunday, July 25 begins at 4:00 pm, Trisagion at 7:00 pm

Funeral: Monday, July 26, 10:30 am

All services at Saints Constantine and Helen

May their memory be eternal!

DID YOU KNOW? Dormition of the Theotokos, August 15^th

The Orthodox revere the Mother of God (Theotokos) above any other saint in the church. Through her, the Virgin Mary, Christ proves his humanity. Four of the church’s twelve great feast days are devoted to her, of which The Dormition is the most significant. Two weeks of fasting and special prayer services precede August 15 when the faithful honor her and remember her feast day. People commonly refer to the day as “Tis Panayias.” August 15 may be the most popular name day of the year. Many names for both men and women come from the Virgin Mary or Panayia such as Mary, Maria, Despina, Panayiota, Mario, and Panayiotis.

The feast day celebrates the death of the Virgin Mary, but the focus goes beyond her passing from the earth. Mary is the mother of all humanity, and, through her, mankind also reaches heaven. He special death in which her body did not become corrupted in a tomb but was carried to heaven glorifies her unique nature. This glorification of her soul and body is the true celebration of the feast day.

A Paraklesis is a service of supplication and prayer, asking the Theotokos for assistance in praying to God for strength healing, and guidance. During this beautiful service, submit names and we pray for the health, salvation, and well-being of the living. (We will hold Paraklesis services at Saints Constantine and Helen on the evenings of August 4,6,11, and 13 at 6:30 pm.)

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

Now, should any one say, "And wherefore did Christ fulfill the devils' request, suffering them to depart into the herd of swine?" this would be our reply, that He did so, not as yielding to them, but as providing for many objects thereby.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 28 on Matthew 8, 4th Century

One, to teach them that are delivered from those wicked tyrants, how great the malice of their insidious enemies: another, that all might learn, how not even against swine are they bold, except He allow them; a third, that they would have treated those men more grievously than the swine, unless even in their calamity they had enjoyed much of God's providential care. For that they hate us more than the brutes is surely evident to every man.