Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2026-11-01
Bulletin Contents
Links
Memorials & Prayers
Updates
Church Calendar
Save the Date
Flyers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
Diakonia Newsletter

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Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (760) 942-0920
  • Fax:
  • (760) 942-3603
  • Street Address:

  • 3459 Manchester Ave. #32

  • Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA 92007

Contact Information

Proistamenos: Rev. Fr. Michael Sitaras


[email protected] | 760-942-0920

2nd Priest: Rev. Fr. Angelo Maginas


[email protected] | 760-942-0920

Parish Council President: Spiro Kailas


858-699-5953

Services Schedule

SUNDAYS

8:30AM  Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

 

WEEKDAYS/SATURDAYS

8:30AM  Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

 

Past Bulletins


Links

Participate in services online via our Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@schcardiff/live

Also available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stsconstantinehelenCardiff/?ref=bookmarks

Links are available from our website: https://www.stsconstantinehelen.com or search for us on social media using @schcardiff.



Memorials & Prayers

Memorials

40-day memorial for Besse Demos Maragos. Survived by: son Dean Maragos & daughter Rene’ (John) Grevas.

Prayers

Father Michael Sitaras, Patricia Karetas, Vasil Karounos, Litsa Mitchell, Marianne McDonald, Becky Stathes Parks Snell, Mary Garbis, Katherine Rovos, Nora Paltadakis, Aphrodite Sacorafas, Cynthia Sacorafas, Susan Comitas, Helen Theofan, Alexandra Tzatzalos,  Nasia Ampelas, Connie Moulios, Chris Panagos, Harry Chris Karnazes, Mary Karnazes, Peter Stacy, Angela Guarino, Shelby Shinkle, James Conigliaro, Michael Horgan, Despina Perakis, Yianni Perakis, George Theodosiou, Rosemarie  De Rosa, Evie Johnston, Mary Bruscella, Helen Y, Hanna Sado,  Peter Fellios, Francesca Moyer,  Nicholas Poniros, Chris Elia, Elena Sward, Margaret Romiti, Jennifer Perez, Robert Davis, Bernie Miller, Amalia Wadsworth, John Carvaines, Bill Carvaines, Pam Potts, Erik Kollgaard, Hiroshi McDonald Mori.  If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please contact the office.



Updates

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EPISTLE READERS: Justin Karras in Greek. Pela Manassakis in English.

PROSFORON OFFERED BY: Prosforo Workshop Volunteers.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Students (with their families) and teachers should come forward first for Communion, then proceed downstairs for classes. Register for class: 26-27 Sunday School Registration Form

COMMUNION: The newly baptized/chrismated should come forward first.  Everyone else please wait until your row is called by the Parish Council.  If you wish to receive a blessing only, please come forward when your row is called for Communion and ask for a blessing when you approach the Priest.  Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who are baptized/chrismated in the Orthodox faith, who are in good standing, and who are prepared to receive the Holy Gifts.  

FELLOWSHIP HOSTED BY:  Loss and Bereavement Ministry Please join us in Pappas hall after church.

2027 STEWARDSHIP: Renew or begin your 2027 parish stewardship today. Complete your pledge form, make a monetary contribution, or set up recurring giving. Contact our stewardship lead, Jeff for more info: [email protected] 📋 Pledge Form 💛 Give Online

CONSTRUCTION & PARKING UPDATE: For additional parking: on Sunday's and scheduled services ONLY, please park on the Mira Costa Community College SAN 7 Lot *closest lot facing the church.

NOVEMBER 8, 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Click here for the Notice and Agenda email that went out 10-28-2026 | Click here for the Notice of GA  | Click here for the Agenda of GA

PHILOPTOCHOS SUNDAY: Today, we celebrate the vital role of our Philoptochos Chapter in our parish community - women of faith who serve with love, compassion, and dedication throughout the year. On this special day, chapters across the nation join together to honor our Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and to support her sacred ministries. It celebrates the mission of Philoptochos, “friends of the poor” , serving those in need through compassion and faith.

BLESSING OF THE CATECHUMENS: This Sunday, November 1 · At the end of Liturgy. Please join us in welcoming those beginning the program today. Contact Jeff for more info: (760) 521-7087

 




Church Calendar

  • This Week

    November 1 to November 15, 2026

    Sunday, November 1

    YOUTH SUNDAY

    Philoptochos Sunday

    8:30AM Orthros - Sts. Cosmas & Damianos

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy -Sts. Cosmas & Damianos

    11:00AM FOCUS SCH Volunteer Work

    11:15AM Memorials

    11:30AM Blessing of the Catechumens - End of Liturgy

    11:45AM Choir Rehearsal

    12:15PM Dance Practice: Filia (ages 5-8)

    1:30PM Dance Practice: Armonia (high school) - Phillips Ctr

    5:00PM Dance Practice: Thalassini (young adults) - Phillips Ctr

    Monday, November 2

    3:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    6:30PM Pacific Coast Harmony - Rehearsal

    Tuesday, November 3

    9:00AM Silent Prayer

    4:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    7:00PM Dance Practice: Thalassini (young adults) - Phillips Ctr

    Wednesday, November 4

    12:00PM FOCUS SCH Meal Prep

    4:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    7:00PM Scout Troop 2000 - Pappas Hall

    Thursday, November 5

    9:00AM Baking Group - Phillips Ctr

    6:30PM DOP/AHEPA Meetings

    7:00PM Greek School: Adult Class

    7:30PM Dance Board Mtg (Zoom)

    Friday, November 6

    5:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    Saturday, November 7

    Men's Group BBQ

    12:00PM Double Baptism

    Sunday, November 8

    Veteran’s Sunday

    Parish Fall General Assembly - Pappas Hall - After Liturgy

    8:30AM Orthros: Synaxis of the Archangels

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy: Synaxis of the Archangels

    11:15AM 40-Day Blessing (Churching)

    11:45AM Choir Rehearsal

    12:15PM Dance Practice: Filia (ages 5-8)

    1:30PM Dance Practice: Armonia (high school) - Phillips Ctr

    5:00PM Dance Practice: Thalassini (young adults) - Phillips Ctr

    Monday, November 9

    10:00AM Prosforo Workshop - Phillips Ctr

    3:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    6:30PM Pacific Coast Harmony - Rehearsal

    Tuesday, November 10

    9:00AM Silent Prayer

    10:30AM Bible Study (via Zoom)

    11:30AM Weekly Calendar Meeting

    12:30PM Prime Timers Potluck - Pappas Hall

    4:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    6:30PM Philoptochos Board Meeting

    7:00PM Dance Practice: Thalassini (young adults) - Phillips Ctr

    Wednesday, November 11

    Veterans Day - office closed

    4:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    7:00PM Scout Troop 2000 - Pappas Hall

    Thursday, November 12

    9:00AM Baking Group - Phillips Ctr

    4:00PM Philoptochos Gala Prep - Pappas Halls

    6:00PM Young Adults Group: Orthodoxy on Tap

    7:00PM Greek School: Adult Class

    Friday, November 13

    5:00PM Greek School: Children & Adult Classes

    Saturday, November 14

    5:30PM GOYA Friendsgiving @ the Bozonelos house

    Sunday, November 15

    Nativity Fast Begins

    8:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:45AM Choir Rehearsal

    12:15PM Loss and Bereavement Grief Support Group - Conference Room

    12:15PM Dance Practice: Filia (ages 5-8)

    1:30PM Dance Practice: Armonia (high school) - Phillips Ctr

    2:00PM Light the Path - Lakewood, CA

    5:00PM Dance Practice: Thalassini (young adults) - Phillips Ctr



Save the Date

  • 2027 Parish Council Elections Are you called to serve our parish family? Applications for candidacy for election to the 2027 Parish Council Board are now open. DUE: Friday, November 20, 2026, by 4pm. Click here to apply online OR Scan the QR Code on the flyer included in the flyers insert page of the bulletin.
  • 🎄 Parish Christmas Cards: deadline to submit by Dec 11, 2026! donate online and submit your name(s) exactly as you'd like it to appear on the cards: 👉 Submit Your Name & Donate Online
  • Thu Oct 29 + Nov 5, 12 &19 Thursday Baking Group meets again! Join us in the Phillips Center for Faith, Flour, & Fellowship - 9am contact Toni for info: (619) 985-5509
  • Sun Nov 1 Blessing of the Catechumens - Program begins! Contact Jeff L for more info: (760) 521-7087
  • Sun Nov 1 🍕 Acolyte Training and Pizza Party - after Church - 12pm. Please meet upstairs.
    If you have any questions, contact John Fellios at (760)855-3243
  • Sun Nov 8 Veteran's Sunday
  • Sun Nov 8 Parish Fall General Assembly: Pappas Hall - After Liturgy
  • Mon Nov 9 Prosforo Workshop: Learn how to make Prosforo Lunch will be provided - Phillips Ctr Kitchen - 10am
  • Tue Nov 10 Prime Timers Potluck - Pappas Hall - 12:30pm Contact Eleni T for info:(760) 822-2634
  • Wed Nov 11 Veteran's day - office closed
  • Sat Nov 14 GOYA Friendsgiving @ the Bozonelos house - 5:30pm Friendsgiving Sign Up
  • Sun Nov 15 Light the Path - The Centre - Event Venue, 5000 Clark Ave, Lakewood, CA 90712 - 2pm
  • Sat Nov 21 Entrance of the Theotokos - Orthros; 8:30am Liturgy; 9:30am
  • Sat Nov 21 Philoptochos Fundraiser: “The Grand Illusion” - Pappas Hall - 6pm
  • Sun Nov 22 Archons Sunday: There will be a Trisagion for the departed Archons during service. At the end of Liturgy, our Parish Council President and Archon, Spiro Kailas will offer a presentation. Please prayerfully consider what you can do to support and defend the global sacred mission of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
  • Thu Nov 26 & Fri Nov 27 Thanksgiving - office closed
  • Fri Dec 4 Men's Group BBQ: 📍 Faraje home - 3840 Rancho Summit Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024 - 5pm
  • Fri Dec 4 AHEPA Christmas Party - Pappas Hall
  • Sat Dec 5 Masters of Harmony Christmas Performance - Church Grounds & Sanctuary Reserved - Concert begins at 2pm
  • Sat Dec 5 St. Nicholas Festival - Phillips Ctr - more details to come - contact Claudia for info: (760) 521-7180
  • Sun Dec 6 Parish Council Elections - Pappas Hall - After Divine Liturgy 
  • Sat Dec 12 Goya Gingerbread Decorating Competition & Pizza Party - Phillips Ctr - 1pm
  • Sun Dec 13 Parish Christmas Party - Pappas Hall - After Church
  • Wed Dec 16 Prime Timers: Christmas Lunch - Pappas Hall - 12pm contact Eleni for more:(760) 822-2634
  • Thu Dec 24 Christmas Eve: Office closed - Royal Hours; 9am Vespers; 5pm
  • Fri Dec 25 Christmas Day: Office closed - Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Orthros; 8:30am Litugry; 9:30am
  • Mon Dec 28 Office closed  (Christmas extended)

SOME RECURING MINISTRY MEETINGS & EVENTS:

  • GREEK DANCE: Register your dancer for the 2025-26 Greek Dance Season! https://qrco.de/bgMDoR
  • GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL: Contact Directors, Andreas or Dina for class and level options: (760)331-7955 | (203)988-6835
  • SILENT PRAYER: Every Tuesday in church - 9:30am Contact John B for info (858) 480-6363
  • BIBLE STUDY (Zoom): Tuesday's on Zoom - 10:30am  (Unless canceled for a service or on break)
  • SPROUTS (ages 0-4): If you or someone you know is pregnant and wants to receive meals once baby is here,  or if you are interested in preparing meals for postparum families, please contact Jolie M. (805) 886-2539.
  • GRIEF SUPPORT: Every third Sunday of the month - After Liturgy Contact George K. for info (760) 936-3042
  • PRIME TIMERS CHAIR YOGA: On the last Wednesday of every month - 11am - Phillips Center - Contact Eleni T for more info: (760) 822-2634
  • FOCUS OUTREACH: Prep on the Sunday prior to the first Wednesday of every month -  Meal prep, packing, & delivery on the First Wednesday of the month. Contact Paulette A for how you can help (858) 333-1647
  • THURSDAY BAKING GROUP : Phillips Center Kitchen - 9:00 am Contact Toni for exact dates (619) 985-5509
  • YOUNG ADULT (YAL) *Ages 21-35: Contact Hanna K or Eva Marie for info (858) 253-3527 | (858) 353-5737 
  • ACOLYTES & MYRRHBEARERS: Young men and young woman ministries (ages 8-18) contact John F for Acolytes: (760) 855-3243 [email protected] contact Claudia L for Myrrhbearers: (760) 521-7180 [email protected]


Flyers



Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 15.3,8.
Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous.
Verse: I see the Lord before me continually.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8.

Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Gospel Reading

5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"



Saints and Feasts

November 01

5th Sunday of Luke

November 01

Cosmas and Damian the Holy Unmercenaries of Asia, and their mother Theodota

These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace.

November 01

David the Righteous of Evia



Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian in the Third Mode

O Holy Unmercenaries and wonderworkers, visit our infirmities; freely ye received, freely give to us.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

He beheld the image of your Cross in the Heavens, and as Paul, he too did not receive the call from men.  Your apostle among Kings placed the care of the Royal City in Your hands.  Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Loving Lord, keep it ever in peace.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.


Wisdom of the Fathers

The things that have come into being have received from the Creator their proper place, their beginning and, in some cases, their end. But there is no boundary to virtue. The psalmist says, 'I have seen the end the end of all perfection, but Your commandment is very broad and is without limit' (Ps. 118:96). Now if it is true...that love never fails (I Cor. 13:8),... then love has no boundary, and both in the present age and in the future age we will never cease to progress in it, as we add light to light.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 26: On Discernment; Paulist Press pgs. 250-251, 6th century

...every tree is known by its own fruit. So also is love known by its own fruit and the love of which Christianity speaks is known by its own fruit - revealing that it has in itself the truth of the eternal. All other love, whether humanly speaking it withers early and is altered or lovingly preserves itself for a round of time - such love is still transient; it merely blossoms. This is precisely its weakness and tragedy, whether it blossoms for an hour or for seventy years - it merely blossoms; but Christian love is eternal.
Soren Kierkegaard
Works of Love, Chapter 1; Harper Torchbooks pg. 25, 19th century

The man who has once chosen pleasure in this life, and has not cured his inconsiderateness by repentance, places the land of the good beyond his own reach; for he has dug against himself the yawning impassable abyss of a necessity that nothing can break through.
St. Gregory of Nyssa

By these words it is surely shown that in his [the rich man] daily feasting he had frequently sinned by his tongue, seeing that, while burning all over, he demanded to be cooled especially in his tongue. Again, that levity of conduct follows closely upon gluttony sacred authority testifies ... For the most part also edacity leads us even to lechery, because, when the belly is distended by repletion, the stings of lust are excited.
St. Gregory the Dialogist
The Book of Pastoral Rule, Chapter XIX, 6th century

For if any one becomes wholly and thoroughly carnal in thought, such as one with every motion and energy of the soul absorbed in fleshly desires, is not parted from such attachments, even in the disembodied state; just as those who have lingered long in noisome places do not part with the unpleasantness contracted by that lengthened stay, even when they pass into a sweet atmosphere.
St. Gregory of Nyssa

A modern monk heard it said, and taught his brothers, that money is like manure. Unless it is quickly spread around, it does no good, but scorches and defiles what it covers.
Evergetinos

Seest thou how by the place, by the things that waste there, He draws men off from this desire that is here, and rivets them to Heaven, where all things are impregnable? For if ye transfer your wealth there where neither rust nor moth corrupts, nor thieves break through and steal, ye will both expel this disease, and establish your soul in the greatest abundance.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century

And together with what we have said, He brings forward an example also to teach thee moderation. And like as the physician, to alarm the sick man ... He also bring in the rich man, laboring indeed, and longing for life and health, but not able to attain thereto, because of having set his heart on covetousness, but going away empty ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century

How then is it possible for the rich man to be saved. By possessing his goods in common with them that are in need, being such as Job was, and exterminating out of his soul the desire of more, and in no points going beyond real need ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 74 on Matthew 23; Homily 78 on Matthew 6, 20, 25, 4th Century



Diakonia Newsletter

Diakonia Newsletter

Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-11-01?source=bulletin_web

November 1, 2026

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