Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-04-10
Bulletin Contents
Worship Guidelines
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
News and Announcements
This Week's Events
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Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 7076426916
  • Street Address:

  • 1224 Alabama Street

  • Vallejo, CA 94590

Contact Information

Fr. Ninos Oshaana
Priest

fatherninos@gmail.com | 408-910-1144

Services Schedule

A full listing of all our services and events is provided in this bulletin.  

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

 

Since the time of the Apostles, the Divine Liturgy has offered us communion with our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ through hymns, prayers, the hearing of the Scriptures and the great miracle of the Holy Eucharist for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Upon entering this holy church, you are entering into worship with the angels and saints who continually worship God in heaven and are sanctified by His presence. Through your prayerful and heartfelt participation, through your sincere repentance and desire for union with Christ, the Divine Liturgy we celebrate today can be for you a powerful experience of "the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit" (2 Corinthians 13:14). Join in this holy and grace-filled work by following the service in the Divine Liturgy book in your pew or by simply being present, praying in your heart, “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

 

Past Bulletins


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.

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Although your tomb was sealed with a stone, O Savior, and your most pure body was guarded by the soldiers, you rose on the third day giving life to all the world. Therefore O giver of life, the powers of heaven praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ. Glory to your kingdom. Glory to your saving wisdom. O only lover of mankind.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the 8th Tone

In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Mary, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.

Apolytikion for the Church in the 1st Tone

Tou stavrou sou ton typon en ourano theasamenos, ke os o Pavlos tin klisin, ouk exanthropon dexamenos, o en vasilefsin Apostolos sou, Kyrie, Vasilefousan polin, ti kheeree sou paretheto, een perisoze dia pantos en irini, presvies tis Theotokou, moni Philanthrope. 

Constantine saw the image of your Cross in the heavens and like Paul he received the call that does not come from humans. Then your apostle among the kings, O Lord, our God, entrusted the whole commonwealth to your care. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, keep us always in peace, for you alone are the loving God.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 1st Tone. 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 Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

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Saints and Feasts

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April 10

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But let no man be troubled at the apostles being in such an imperfect state. For not yet was the cross accomplished, not yet the grace of the Spirit given. But if thou wouldest learn their virtue, notice them after these things, and thou wilt see them superior to every passion.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

For with this object He reveals their deficiencies, that after these things thou mightest know what manner of men they became by grace. ... No one shall sit on His right hand nor on His left.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

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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, Brandon, Anastasia, George, Stefanos, Pat, Bill, Michael, Dorothy, Irvin, Amy

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.


Reading of the Life of St. Mary of Egypt

After Liturgy today, we will read the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt. We hope everyone enjoys her incredible story of repentance and dedication to Christ.


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.


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.


Easter Bake Sale

If you would like to place an order for Easter breads and cookies for pickup on Palm Sunday (April 17th), please contact Magda at (707) 425-5165 or Deme at (707) 208-4605 to place your orders!


Palm Sunday Breakfast

The Philoptchos Ladies will prepare a hearty Palm Sunday (April 17th) breakfast.  All contributions will be donated to the Holy Cross College.

Save the Date- Pascha Picnic

On Pascha Day, we will be having a picnic in the Platia where everyone can bring whatever they'd like to share. We will also be firing up the pizza oven. Afterwards, we hope everyone joins us in the church for the Pascha Agape Vespers.


Save the Date - Parish Feast Day

Save the date! Our parish feast day falls on Saturday, May 21st this year. We hope to see everyone there! We are planning to fire up the newly installed pizza oven that day and fundraise for the Project Mexico ministry that day.  


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This Week's Events

  • Upcoming Events

    April 10 to April 25, 2022

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    10
    Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
    8:30AM Matins
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11
    5:00PM Great Compline
    12
    5:00PM Vespers
    13
    5:00PM 9th Hour & Presanctified Liturgy
    7:00PM Orthodox Faith and Life Class
    14
    5:00PM Vespers
    15
    9:00AM 3rd Hour Prayers & Presanctified Liturgy
    5:00PM Vespers
    16
    8:30AM Matins
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    12:00PM Palm Cross Folding
    4:00PM Byz Chant Practice
    5:00PM Great Vespers
    17
    Palm Sunday
    8:30AM Matins
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    3:00PM Great Vespers
    18
    9:00AM Bridegroom Matins
    6:00PM Presanctified Liturgy
    19
    9:00AM Bridegroom Matins
    6:00PM Presanctified Liturgy
    20
    9:00AM Bridegroom Matins
    3:00PM Holy Unction
    6:00PM Presanctified Liturgy
    21
    9:00AM Bridegroom Matins
    5:00PM Vesperal Liturgy
    7:00PM Passion Gospel Matins
    22
    Great and Holy Friday
    10:00AM Royal Hours
    3:00PM Taking Down from the Cross
    7:00PM Lamentations
    23
    Holy Saturday
    10:00AM Vesperal Liturgy with Baptisms
    11:30PM Resurrectional Matins & Liturgy
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