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Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-02-13
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Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (734) 525-6789
  • Fax:
  • (734) 525-3989
  • Street Address:

  • 36375 Joy Rd.

  • Westland, MI 48185


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Orthos

Sunday & Weekdays: 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. Weekdays: 10:00 a.m.

Vespers

None


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."
Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.
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Services and Sacraments

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 - Sunday  of the Publican and Pharisee

TODAY IS GODPARENTS’ SUNDAY AT ST. CONS - Thank you to all who sent in Baptismal photos! Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the display in our exo-narthex.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Today’s coffee hour is sponsored by the Kisabeth family in honor of Lena’s 6th birthday.

Memorials:    

EVANGELOS TSAKONOPOULOS - 3 months

EVANGELIA TATARI - 3 years

MARINA VAMVOUKA - 6 years

MICHAEL VAMVOUKAS - 16 years

MAKRINA VAMVOUKA

MARIA NICKY CORDEN  - 13 years

Chocolate hearts have been provided in loving memory by the Corden family.

May their memory be eternal!

SERVICES THIS WEEK:

We strongly encourage those who will not be attending church to participate in services through our website at https://www.stcons.org/video-streaming  If you wish to follow along with the text, please use the link listed below: https://dcs.goarch.org/

Wednesday, February 16 – HOLY UNCTION SERVICE, 7:00 pm; Saints Constantine and Helen Church

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.

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PLEASE PRAY FOR:  

Marti, Suzanne, Marty, Janet, Patricia, Juliana, John, Paul, Zacharias, Connie, Vanessa (Vasiliki), Jake, Maegan, Irene, Lisa, Pat, Christopher, Jonathan, Alexandra, Tracy, Dianna, Lazarus, Betty, Catherine, Susan, Evelyn, Gregg, Peter, Ann Marie, Vasilios, Carol, George, Demetri, Steve, Molly, Elizabeth, Evans, Katherine, Mary, Margaret, Angela, Connie, Bill, Carrie, Vito, Pete, Amalia, Stephanie, Lisa, Anastasia, Rima, Kylie, Effie, Nicholas, and Maria. 

Names may be added to the prayer list by request. If you would like to add or remove someone to the prayer list, please contact the church office at stcons2@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 13

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.


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Parish News and Updates

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

GREEKFEST 2022!

IT’S ALMOST HERE!  Our GreekFest 2022 will be held on Saturday, February 19th in the Hellenic Cultural Center, from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm. We will have delicious food and Greek sweets, live Greek music and dance, Taverna and Café, Marketplace, and Kids’ crafts and activities. Support our church by coming to the festival with your family! If you missed our appearance on TV2 news on Friday, here is the link:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1034031?fbclid=IwAR24vCWnexMX1dgUfCHVZLRNz52QtvdH9n2i4_2MVmRvGyX3akv49SVwz6c

And catch us on FOX TV2 again next Thursday morning, 2/17 between 9:30 and 10:00 for a live segment promoting our Greekfest!

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDEDWe are still in need of volunteers to work the late afternoon and evening shifts.  If you haven’t already, please sign up after church today, or online at:: https://www.stcons.org/projects-7   All of the volunteers work hard, but have a lot of fun, too! (And you get a cool Greek Fest t-shirt as a thank you!)

DRIVE-THRU DELICIOUSNESS!  We know that some people are choosing to limit their public activities right now, but still want to support our parish and the GreekFest event. we are also offering drive-thru pick up, with advance purchase online.  ONLINE FOOD ORDERS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED THROUGH FEBRUARY 16TH. To order your meals, or for more information, go to the GreekFest tab on our parish website, www.stcons.org.

HOPE AND JOY AT GREEKFEST: If you have children between the ages of 4 and 12, meet at the GreekFest Kid’s area from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm on February 19th.  We will have fun kids crafts and activities, a special Olympic parade, and Greek Dance lessons for the whole family! Mom and Dad, plan to come early or stay after to purchase delicious food!

HOLY UNCTION SERVICE: The next scheduled Holy Unction service will be held at St Cons on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 pm.   Adults and children will be anointed with Holy oil for physical health, well-being and forgiveness. Our sister churches Holy Cross and Nativity have joined with Sts. Cons to offer Holy Unction services on a rotating schedule once a month.

SATURDAY OF SOULS:  Saturday, February 26, March 5th, and March 12th are designated as Saturday of Souls, where we commemorate our deceased family members.  There will be a Divine Liturgy service each of those days.  Please attend and bring koliva if you are able.  If you cannot come and would like the name of your departed to be commemorated, fill the sheet at the Pangari and give it to Father or leave it in the church office.  You only need to submit the names one time to be read all 3 Saturdays.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Our Adult Bible Study group meetings will continue on Tuesday February 15th, at 7:00 pm on the ZOOM platform. Reading and discussion of the Gospel of Matthew.  ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789  All adults are welcome to join, no pre-registration needed.

GOYA MEETING: The next GOYA meeting will be held on Sunday, February 27th in the Board room immediately following the church service.  All young people ages 12 – 18 are welcome to join.

ATTENTION ST. CONS’ “GALS”!  Join us for a “Galentine’s Day” Celebration: An Evening of Pampering and Fun!  The event, hosted by our Moms’ Group, will be held on Sunday, February 27, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm in the library.  For more information, contact Corrin Stamatakos at 312.961.8615, or cstamatakos@gmail.com.

KOULOUMA LENTEN LUNCHEON: The St. Helen Philoptochos will host their annual Koulouma Lenten luncheon on Monday, March 7th, immediately following the Great Compline Service for the first day of Lent. In addition to the delicious luncheon, there will be a variety of Lenten foods prepared by our Philoptochos members for sale to take home.  Tickets will be on sale by Philoptochos members, or call the church office. 

LENTEN SEAFOOD BUFFETEach Friday evening, from March 4th through April 15th, the HCC will be serving a delicious Lenten Seafood Buffet Supper from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Adults: $16, Children $11).  They will also offer carry out fish and chips dinners for those who would prefer not to dine in (Adults $13, Children $10).  Please invite your friends and neighbors to join you for supper, no reservations are required. We will also be needing volunteers to work the door on those Friday evenings.  If you’d like to help, contact Annette in the church office.

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: Our parish Oratorical Festival will be held on Sunday, March 20th, immediately following the Divine Liturgy service. Young people,  grades 7 – 12, are invited to participate in the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, write a paper and give a speech about our faith.  Competition finalists receive cash prizes.  For more information about participation, contact Angie Colovas at  734.207.3980 or angiecolovas@yahoo.com.

VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL: SAVE THE DATES!  As you are planning your summer vacations and summer camp schedules, be sure to save these dates - Our Vacation Church school will be held the week of August 8th – 12th. If you have a young person between the ages of 4 and 12, save this week for learning about our faith, making new friends, and big fun! Teens ages 13 – 18 are needed to work as volunteers, teacher’s aids, etc. We also need adult help that week with teaching, crafts, and outside play.  If you can help, contact Frances Marinos at fmarinos@comcast.net  or the church office.

NEWS AND NOTICES:

HOME BLESSINGS: Father will continue home blessings until the beginning of Lent (March 7th).  If you wish to have your home blessed for the New Year, please contact the church office to be added to Father Teodor’s schedule.  Father will wear a mask in the home for those who prefer. Due to safety precautions, Father will keep the visit short (approx.. 15 minutes) and would prefer not to be served any food and drink.

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE: If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to submit your 2022 Stewardship Pledge card today, indicating the time, talent and treasure that you will offer as a member of the Church, the Body of Christ on earth. You ae not considered a member in good standing at the parish, unless this card is completed each year.  Stewardship Pledge cards we sent out to home, and are available at the Pangari or the church office. Parishioners can also complete the 2022 Stewardship Pledge Card online from our website, or at this direct link: https://form.jotform.com/220062911610138

MEMORIAL SERVICESKoliva that has been prepared for memorial services can now be distributed to parishioners at the end of service. Requested Coffee Hour 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.

DID YOU KNOW?  GODPARENTS IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

The institution of godparents (sponsors) is one that dates back to the first century of the Christian Church. Anyone approaching baptism, be they infant or adult, was required to have a godparent. In the case of an infant, it is the godparent that speaks for the child, answering the questions posed by the priest during the baptismal service. But it doesn’t stop there! The godparent is charged by the Church with the duty to make sure the newly baptized is instructed in the teachings of the Church, remains a frequent communicant within the Church and remains active in the Church. In the case of a child, it is to the godparents that the parents entrust their child, knowing that the godparent will remain actively supporting the child within the life of the Church. Should something happen to the parents, it is traditionally the godparent who will make sure the child continues to be taken to church, and remains Orthodox.

Because of the awesome responsibility of godparents, it is important that great care be taken when choosing someone who will take on this role. The Church does not allow anyone to become a godparent who is not Orthodox, for how can one who is not himself a pious, active Orthodox Christian give witness to living a life immersed in the Orthodox faith? The godparent should be a person of high moral character, and able to inspire the newly baptized to fulfill their baptismal vows.

The person chosen to act as a godparent must be someone willing to honor their commitment to the newly baptized for a lifetime, and willing to help nourish the spiritual life and development of the child throughout their life. Thus, it is a very bad idea to pick someone as a godparent simply because they are a good friend. Godparents are duty-bound to continue giving support to their godchild, even into adulthood. They must be someone who will remember to honor their godson or goddaughter on special occasions, such as a birthday or namesday. They should be a part of the godchild’s life during the great feasts of the Church, such as Pascha or Nativity.

Everything should be done to strengthen the bond between the godparent and the godchild throughout the ensuing years. They can take each other out to a restaurant for dinner, or receive communion together when possible (if living in different cities). Time should be allotted to cultivate a unique spiritual bond, and the godparent should assist the godchild’s parents whenever possible – especially when doing so enhances the godchild’s commitment to their Orthodox faith.

Because baptism has been called Illumination, and brings us out of the darkness of sin and into the light of Christ, the role of the godparent is critical. The godparent must ensure that the Light of Christ continues to shine in the soul of the godchild. Thus, this role as godparent is an awesome responsibility, and is not to be considered a one-day event. If you’ve been asked to be a godparent, but are unwilling to see this as a lifelong vocation, please decline the honor.

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.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.
St. John Chrysostom
CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

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