September 13
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2026-09-13
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
PARISH EVENTS AND NEWS
Diakonia Newsletter
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (734) 525-6789
- Fax:
- (734) 525-3989
- Email:
- [email protected]
- 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
- Publish Date:
- 2026-09-06
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-30
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-23
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-16
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-09
- Publish Date:
- 2026-08-02
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary, who was seeking Your immaculate body. Unassailed by Hades, You divested it of spoils. Then You met the Virgin. You granted life. O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.
Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Exaltation in the Second Mode
We offer Thee in mediation the life-giving Cross which, of Thy goodness, Thou hast given unto us, the unworthy, O Lord. Save Thy hierarchs and Thy flock, and grant Thou peace through the Theotokos, O only friend of man.
Τόν ζωοποιόν Σταυρόν τής σής αγαθότητος, όν εδωρήσω ημίν τοίς αναξίοις Κύριε, σοί προσάγομεν εις πρεσβείαν, Σώζε τούς βασιλείς καί τήν πόλιν σου, ειρηνεύοντας διά τής Θεοτόκου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε.
Apolytikion for Temple of the Resurrection in the Fourth Mode
Thou hast shown the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Thy glory to be like unto the splendour of the heavenly firmament, O Lord. Strengthen it for ever and ever, and accept our prayers which we unceasingly offer therein unto Thee, through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the Life and Resurrection of all.
Ως τού άνω στερεώματος τήν ευπρέπειαν, καί τήν κάτω συναπέδειξας ωραιότητα, τού αγίου σκηνώματος τής δόξης σου Κύριε, Κραταίωσον αυτό εις αιώνα αιώνος, καί πρόσδεξαι ημών, τάς εν αυτώ απαύστως προσαγομένας σοι δεήσεις, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, η πάντων ζωή καί ανάστασις.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
The Church is shown to be a many-lighted heaven that doth shine a guiding light upon all them that do believe; wherein while standing we cry aloud: Do Thou Thyself now establish this house, O Lord.
Ουρανός πολύφωτος η Εκκλησία, ανεδείχθη άπαντας, φωταγωγούσα τούς πιστούς, εν ώ εστώτες κραυγάζομεν, Τούτον τόν οίκον, στερέωσον Κύριε.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. 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 Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18.
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Our Redeemer and Maker, Who was Son of God before the ages, became Son of Man at the end of ages. Thus the One Who, through the power of His divinity, had created us to enjoy the happiness of everlasting life, might Himself restore us, through the weakness of our humanity, to recover the life we had lost.
Homilies on the Gospels, 2.18. 7th Century. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 126.
For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century
Saints and Feasts
PARISH EVENTS AND NEWS
Sunday, September 13, 2026 - Sunday Before Holy Cross
THERE WILL BE A PROCESSION AT THE END OF TODAY’S SERVICE FOR THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS.
Memorial: MILTON CARFES – 40 Days
Coffee Hour Sponsor
May his memory be eternal!
SERVICES THIS WEEK:
Sunday, September 13 - GREAT VESPERS, ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, 7:00 pm
Monday, September 14 - FEAST DAY, ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, Orthros 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Services at Holy Cross Church, Farmington Hills
Wednesday, September 16 – HOLY UNCTION, 7:00 pm - at Nativity Church, Plymouth
VIDEO ARCHIVE: Previously recorded Sunday Divine Liturgy services are archived and available on our website! Go to https://www.stcons.org/video-streaming and you can click on the service you would like to view.
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 will 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: Marlon, Christine, Eleftheria, Lauren, Adam, Alex, Andrea, Tony, Cynthia, Molly, Tammy, Christos, Joseph, Krisanne, Barry, Louis, Jim, Nicole, Tommy, Stella, Natasha, Anastasia, Katherine, Zissi, Theadora, Stacy, Stavroula, Jacob, Eleanor, Bill, Jaime, Lynn, Al, Joe, Glenna, Alexsa, Frank, Pamela, Michele, Fania, Diana, George, Theodore, Anastasia, Constantinos, Phyllis, Joe, Dina, Pamela, Mia, Michael, Tracy, Anna, Sue, Nicole, Amalia, Nydia, Ann, John, Janek, Frank, George, Patrick, Joanne, Betty, Deana, Gloria, Jeannette, Michael, Niko, Maria, Sevasti, Mariam, George, Gene, Pete, Lazaros, John, Christopher, George, David, Marcos, Lela, Dawn, Panagioti, Joanna, Suzanne, Nick, Fotini, Niki, George, Matthew, Stefanos, Georgia, Leonidas, Gus, Connie, Maria, Brenda, Panagiota, Vicki, Susan, Tom, Thomas, Jim, Gloria, Evans, Phyllis, Marti, Janet, Zacharias, Vanessa (Vasiliki), Jake, Maegan, Irene, Lisa, Pat, Jonathan, Tracy, Dianna, Betty, Catherine, Evelyn, Gregg, Peter, Angela, Bill, Carrie, Vito, Stephanie, Lisa, Kylie, Nicholas, and Maria. If you would like to add a name to the prayer list, or if there is a name that should be removed, please contact the church office.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
TODAY IS A BIG DAY! Today, Sunday, September 13th, please plan to stay after church for a complimentary luncheon in the HCC, celebrating the start of the Ecclesiastical year and the first day of Sunday School. We will also have a “Blessing of the Backpacks” and will commemorate the Elevation of the Holy Cross with a procession and distribution of flowers and basil.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY – Our Adult Bible Study group will meet this week, Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00 pm on the ZOOM platform. We will begin studying the Book of Acts. Bible Study meets on Tuesday evenings, no need to register to participate. Zoom link: ZOOM link: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789
TLC LUNCHEON: Our first TLC luncheon will be held this Tuesday, September 15th at 12:00 noon at the Hellenic Cultural Center. All ages are welcome to join us for good food and good company. RSVP to Lynne Vasiliades at 734.674.8943 or [email protected]
HOLY UNCTION: Once again this year, in cooperation with the Holy Cross and Nativity of the Virgin Mary churches, Saints Constantine and Helen Church is offering a rotating monthly Holy Unction service with prayers for healing and forgiveness. The first one will be held this Wednesday, September 16th at Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church, Plymouth.
GREEK DRUMMING CLASS: Our Greek Drumming classes for youth will be starting this Saturday, September 19th. Please arrive at 11:00 am to register for class. Classes will be held at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm on Saturdays at the Vlahadamis warehouse, located at 32408 W. Eight Mile Rd. in Farmington Hills. The groups will be separated by age, according to those who have registered. Drums will be provided. For more information, contact Dena Raptis at [email protected] or the church office, 734.525.6789.
WINE PAIRINGS DINNER: Join our St. Helen Philoptochos for an interactive Wine Pairing Dinner on Saturday, September 26th at 6:00 pm, and taste your way through exquisite wines expertly matched with a 5-course meal at our Hellenic Cultural Center. The cost is $80/person (Dinner and wine pairings), or $95/person (includes additional flight of 4 wines.) To make reservations, please use QR code on flyer (on the back of this bulletin) or contact the church office at 734.525.6789.
HOPE AND JOY AT THE FARM: Our HOPE and JOY groups, ages 4 – 12, will get together for some fun at the Real Life Farm in Canton on Saturday, September 26th from 2 pm – 5 pm. Activities include: Camp fire site, horseback riding, hand and bottle feeding animals, cow milking, hayride, playground. The cost is $8/child and $15/adult. Venmo payment to @Lisa-Madias, RSVP by 9/13/26 [email protected]
CHOIR REHEARSAL Our Choir has started rehearsals! They meet every other Wednesday evening to rehearse, and come to church at 9:45 am on Sundays to warm up before services. If you are interested in joining the Choir, please contact Maritsa Madias-Kalasz at [email protected] or 734.516.8548.
WESTLAND PARADE: St Cons’ will be participating in the City of Westland “Multicultural Celebration” parade, to be held on Saturday, September 26th, at noon. Plan to join us and represent our parish pride for the ½ mile walk, starting at the Westland City Hall. Wear your Greek (or Romanian, Albanian, Bulgarian) colors or costumes, carry flags, etc. Kids and adults are welcome! Let’s have some fun!
GREEK SCHOOL: The Three Hierarchs Greek School for youth and adults will be started classes on October 1st. This program is presented in cooperation with the Nativity Church in Plymouth, and classes are held at Nativity. For more information, contact Anna Liakou-Hentnik at [email protected]
SAVE THE DATES:
· OCTOBER 16 – Fall Festival/Pastitsio Cook Off
· NOVEMBER 8 – “Putting on the Glitz” with Ellen Karis Comedy Show
FOCUS DETROIT GALA: FOCUS Detroit will be presenting their annual “Evening of Gratitude” Gala on Saturday, October 17th, at the Assumption GOC in Saint Clair Shores. Come celebrate the transformative work of FOCUS Detroit in our community and hear about their exciting plans for the future. Dinner and dancing. RSVP and more information at www.focusdetroit.org/gala
NEWS AND NOTICES:
SIGN UP FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL (And other youth programs)! Today is the first day of Sunday School, but it’s not too late to sign your kids up. If you haven’t already, please register your young people, ages 4 – 18, TODAY for Sunday School and other youth programs, including dance, drumming, and basketball.
FALL FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Our annual Fall Festival will be held on Friday, October 16th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. We need volunteers to work all areas of the event, from food and drink, to kids games and crafts, costume parade, and many other responsibilities. Sign up to volunteer at coffee hour today!
…AND PASTITSIO MAKERS! Is your pastitsio the best? Enter our St Cons’ Pastitsio Cook Off, taking place at the Fall Festival 10/16! Each contestant must bring a pan of pastitsio to the event to be judged. Extra pieces will be sold to raise funds for our Moms Group. Winner gets an apron and a year’s-worth of bragging rights! Sign up outside the church office, at today’s luncheon in the HCC, or online to join the friendly competition.
LIVE AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED FOR “GLITZ”: We are looking for donations of live auction items for our “Putting on the Glitz” event, to be held on November 8th. All types of “big ticket” items are needed. If you have any items to donate, or any leads on where we might solicit donations, talk to Pam Avdoulos, Mark Chuey, or Annette in the office.
CANDY DONATIONS: Our Hellenic Cultural Center will be hosting a “Trunk or Treat” event on Thursday, October 15th. If your family or business would like to sponsor a car, please let Krissee in the HCC know. If you would like to help in a smaller way, they are also looking for donations of wrapped candy to give away on that day.
MEMORIAL SERVICES AND TRIBUTES: Please call the church office to schedule all memorials and coffee hour sponsorships at least two weeks in advance. On the day of the service, please bring a list of family names you would like Father to remember in prayer. Koliva will be distributed at the coffee hour; if you wish to bring in paximadia, koulourakia, or other dry cookie it may also be distributed. Coffee Hour sponsorship is not required, however the church is grateful to those who wish to make a sponsorship donation of $200, and the HCC will set up a table with cloth and coffee, etc. for your family. Family members may also choose to have flowers placed on the Altar table for a donation of $75 (two large vases), or to purchase a bottle of communion wine from our parish bookstore for $30 for the service.
Diakonia Newsletter
Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday
https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-09-13?source=bulletin_web
September 13, 2026