Worship Guidelines

We enter the temple of God with reverence, humbly and quietly so as not to disturb those who are in prayer and as an expression of faith and awareness of the presence of the Lord, his saints and angels. No loud talking, irrelevant conversations, joking, etc. should take place in the Narthex or in the Sanctuary at anytime. To stand during worship is to affirm that we are in the presence of the Almighty God. The elderly, the sick and children may be seated as needed. There are specific parts of the service during which no one should be moving about. These parts of the service are:

The Small Entrance, the Epistle and Gospel; the Cherubic Hymn, Great Entrance, Nicene Creed, the hymn Se Ymnoumen, the prayers: "Take, eat, this is my Body..." and, "we offer to you these gifts...", the prayer of institution: "And make this bread the precious Body of your Christ...", the Lord's Prayer, Holy Communion, the sermon, dismissal prayer, any special services, e.g, memorial services. Whenever the Priest is facing the people or outside of the altar, everyone should stand wherever they are.

Dressing for God: The church is not just any ordinary place. We dress as modestly and respectfully as we can, because we are in the presence of God Himself. If invited by any earthly king or queen, we would dress in our finest clothes. Therefore, we should dress similarly when accepting an invitation from the Lord of Heaven. The way Orthodox Christians dress, both in and outside the temple, reflects their way of life and dedication to and fear of God. We dress modestly at all times, not in a flashy or provocative way that brings attention to ourselves.

GENTLEMEN: Collared, button-up shirts, clean dress pants, sweaters or vests, ties and coats. Avoid jeans and shorts.

LADIES: Modest dresses and blouses, knee-length skirts or longer, clean dress pants. Avoid jeans or shorts, short skirts, skin-tight clothing, and strapless or sleeveless tops, high-heels shoes as they make noise on our floors. Head coverings may be worn, according to the biblical tradition and are available in the narthex.

Only Orthodox Christians may participate in Holy Communion. Please be in church at the beginning, say the pre-communion prayers the previous evening or in the morning, fasting from food this morning (unless there is a medical reason) and had a recent confession. Allow the altar boys to place the red cloth under your chin. Do not wipe your mouth with it but consume everything that may be on your lips. Ladies please avoid wearing lipstick or lip-gloss when receiving Holy Communion.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 6th Tone

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, the soldiers guarding it became as dead men, and Mary stood at your grave seeking, seeking your most pure body. But you made hell a captive; you were untouched by its might. You came to the virgin and granted life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to you.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the 8th Tone

O light of Orthodoxy, O pillar of strength and teacher of the Church! Glory of monks and nuns, and of theologians the protector invincible! O wonderworker Gregory, pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, intercede without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 8th Tone

Victorious Lady, mighty champion, defending us, we, your servants, now inscribe to you this hymn of thanks, for you rescued us from suff'ring and tribulation. Theotokos, with your power that can never fail, keep us safe from ev'ry danger our whole life long, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 6th Tone. 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 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Saints and Feasts

March 20

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

For though in the beginning He Himself went about, and did not require so much faith of them that came unto Him; yet in this case they both approached Him, and had faith required on their part. For, "Seeing," it is said, "their faith;" that is, the faith of them that had let the man down.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

News and Announcements

Prayer List - Email StsCaH@gmail.com to add

Please keep in your prayers the servants of God: Zander, Rommel, Stephanie, Samir, Demetria, Alina, Katerina, Roula, Harriet, Pauline, Dale, Russell, George, Andreas, Nitsa, Rosa, Alberto, Brandon, Georgia Nickolatos, Rasa Alberto Cortez, Brandon, Anastasia, George, Stefanos, Pat, Bill, Michael, Dorothy, Irvin

Catechumens: Jorge Manzo, Dan Keller, Irma, Ishmael and Ermon Harris, Arthur Pena, Jason Cortez, Margaret Wen, Marco Antonio

Liturgy of St. Basil

As we have entered into Great Lent, you may have noticed the Liturgy is longer and there are different hymns. This is because, for Great Lent, the Church prescribes the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great. Therefore, please follow the chanters throughout the fast for the correct hymns of the day.

Father Ninos available for Confession

As we continue our journey through Great Lent, Father Ninos is available for confession by appointment. Please reach out to schedule one for this season of repentance.

IOCC Ukraine Relief

In the narthex, you can find a flyer from the Archdiocese in partnership with the International Orthodox Christian Charities in effort to raise money for the refugees from Ukraine coming into Moldova and Romania. You may donate directly online by visiting IOCC.org/Ukraine22

Project Mexico

Project Mexico is an amazing service project to build houses in Mexico that will become lifetime homes. Please contact Danielle if you are interested in this great ministry. You can contact her at DanielleMarieTorres@gmail.com or call at (510) 695-0485.

Coffee Hour Changes

We previously sent out an email detailing the new Fellowship Meal & Coffee Hour schedule. First Sunday of the Month will be a community potluck. Second Sunday will be a family-hosted meal. Third Sunday will be hosted by the Parish Council. The Fourth Sunday will be provided by the Ministries of the parish.

We hope this will continue to be a community building effort. All donations will go to the continuation of this ministry.

Parish Membership Form

Please check the Sts Constantine & Helen website for the parish membership form, listed under the "Stewardship" drop-down menu. We encourage all new & existing members of the parish to fill it out to ensure we have updated contact information for everyone & a place for any suggestion you may or any ministries you may want to be a part of going forward!

This Week's Events

Upcoming Events

March 20 to April 3, 2022

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

20

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

8:30AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

21

5:00PM Great Compline

7:00PM Man of God movie

22

5:00PM Vespers

23

5:00PM 9th Hour & Presanctified Liturgy

7:00PM Orthodox Faith and Life Class

24

5:00PM Vespers

25

8:30AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

5:00PM Akathist Hymn

26

4:00PM Byz Chant Practice

5:00PM Great Vespers

27

Sunday of the Holy Cross

8:30AM Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

28

5:00PM Great Compline

29

5:00PM Vespers

30

5:00PM 9th Hour & Presanctified Liturgy

7:00PM Orthodox Faith and Life Class

31

5:00PM Vespers

1
APR

9:00AM 3rd Hour Prayers & Presanctified Liturgy

6:00PM Akathist Hymn

2

4:00PM Byz Chant Practice

5:00PM Great Vespers

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.” -Matthew 18:20

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