Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral
Publish Date: 2024-04-14
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Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (216) 932-3300
  • Street Address:

  • 3352 Mayfield Road

  • Cleveland Heights, OH 44118


Contact Information




Services Schedule

SUNDAY SCHEDULE:

MATINS: 8:15 am
LITURGY: 9:30 am

SATURDAYS (subject to change):

VESPERS: 5:00 p.m.


Past Bulletins


Today

April 14, 2024

04/14/2024

SUNDAY OF  ST. JOHN CLIMACUS / FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
MATINS:      8:15 a.m.
LITURGY:     9:30 a.m. 
EPISTLE:      Hebrews 6:13-20
GOSPEL:       Mark 9:17-31  
GREEK TEXT: p. 192 (black book)
ACOLYTES:   Team A
PROSFORA:  Keith Cramer
PANGARI:    Team C: Bill Chevako, Tom Parras, Marguarite Stephanopoulos 
ORTHODOX ED: Classroom Learning; Clergy: Grades PK-1, 4-6
COFFEE HOSTS: St. Makrina Bible Study Group
There will be an extra basket passed  by Philoptochos this Sunday (April 14) for the Hellenic College Holy Cross Lenten Fund


STREAMING SERVICE:   youtube.com/stsconstantine


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

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This Week

THIS COMING WEEK

Mon, Apr. 15th          6:00 p.m. - Greek School - adult
                                - 7:00 p.m. - Compline
                                - 7:30 p.m. - Gamblers Anonymous
Tues, Apr. 16th       - 6:30 p.m. - OPA Dance
                                - 7:30 p.m. - OCF Meeting (Offsite)
Weds, Apr. 17th       -  9:30 a.m. - St. Makrina Bible study
                                - 6:00 p.m. - Presantified Litury (& Potluck)
                                - 6:00 p.m. - Greek School - adult
                                - 7:00 p.m. - Choir Practice
Thurs, Apr. 18th      - 5:00 p.m. - Greek School – Youth
                                - 7:30 p.m. - Zoom Book Discussion
Fri, Apr. 19th           - 7:00 p.m. - Salutations Service
Sat, Apr. 20th          - 9:00 a.m. - Easter baking
                                 
- 9:30 a.m. - Greek School - Youth
                                - 3:00 p.m. - Karakasis Baptism 
                                - 4:00 p.m. - GOYA Visit to St. Herman House
                                - 4:00 p.m. - Confessions
                                 - 5:00 p.m. - Vespers
(& Confessions)
Sun, Apr. 21st          - 8:15 a.m. - Matins
                                - 9:30 a.m. - Liturgy
                                - 9:30 a.m. - Orthodox Ed.: Classroom Learning; Clergy: Grades 2-3, 7-8
                                - 11:30 a.m. - Parish General Assembly


WELCOME VISITORS!

We’re happy you’ve joined us today. Please sign our guestbook and introduce yourself to one of our greeters or anyone wearing a nametag. We’re here to answer your questions and make your visit to our church meaningful and enjoyable.


ONLINE TEXTS OF SERVICES

Those wishing to follow the livestreamed services with a written text may do so using the links below.
Electronic Version of Orthros (Matins) on Apr. 14th:

Electronic Version of Divine Liturgy on Apr. 14th:


VISITORS & SACRAMENTS

Everyone is welcome in the Orthodox Church & may receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the end of the service, but only practicing Orthodox Christians may receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.


ORTHODOX FORUM

Please join us in the conference room at 11:30 am this Sunday. Our speaker will be Dean Peters, who will speak on the topic of St. Mary of Egypt: Desert Mother.  See you at the Forum!


GENERAL ASSEMBLY

A Parish (General) Assembly has been scheduled for Sunday, April 21, at 11:30 AM.


WANTED

We need 20 dozen Easter eggs, dyed in the traditional color, red. The family that has been doing this for the past few years is unable to do it again. If preferred, arrangements can be made to dye the eggs in the church kitchen. In this case, others could be invited to help. Please contact Fr Stephen ([email protected]; 216-932-3300 x6) if you are willing to help.  


PILGRIMAGE

The annual pilgrimage to St Gregory Palamas Monastery will take place on Wednesday, April 24th. The group travels in carpools; after the Presanctified Liturgy it has lunch with the monks.

To join the carpool, please contact Fr. Stephen by April 22 at (216-932-3300 x6) or [email protected]. In any case, if you plan to attend please let Fr. Stephen know, because we need to inform the monastery as to how many will be in attendance.


LUMINARIES

We are preparing the 2024 Luminaries which will be used to line the Holy Friday Epitaphios procession route. Orders will be accepted this Sunday through Palm Sunday.  All the proceeds will go towards Camp Nazareth Scholarships for our students. Your support is greatly appreciated. Scholarship requests should be directed to Fr. Stephen. For information about the luminaries please contact Anna Warren (216-287-6890).


DONORS WANTED

  • Palms for Palm Sunday - $100
  • Floral wreath for the Bridegroom icon - $100
  • Floral wreath for the Stavromeno (Crucified Christ) - $250
  • Floral wreath for Resurrection icons (2) - $100 each
  • Epitaphios flowers - any amount

PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON

The annual Palm Sunday Luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 28. There will be a choice of fish or pasta.   The cost of the food is underwritten, therefore, all proceeds benefit the Church.  Please plan to attend immediately following the Divine Liturgy.


ST. MAKRINA ZOOM BIBLE STUDY

Please join St. Makrina Bible Study as we begin a new book- Bread and Water, Wine and Oil by Father Meletios Webber. We meet every Wednesday from 9:30-11am over Zoom. You do not have to attend every session and can contribute to the discussions as much or as little as you wish. The book can be purchased through Amazon.  Please contact Toni Madden at [email protected] for the Zoom link. We encourage you to join us!


SUNSHINE GROUP

Sunshine Group, our next lunch is May 9 at Pickles and Pints in Willoughby.  We will meet at 1 pm.  Address:  36200 Euclid Ave.  Please call, text or email Maria Cashy at 216-390-2294 or [email protected] if you can attend.  Everyone is welcome to join us!


PHILOPTOCHOS

Philoptochos is sponsoring a Memorial Service for Mother's Day to honor our Mothers, Grandmothers and Godmothers who have departed. Everyone is invited to submit the names of their loved ones who are no longer with us. Father will be reading the names during a service on Sunday May 19, 2024 (Memorial services are not conducted the week after Easter). If you would like to make a donation to Philoptohos, it would be greatly appreciated.


Please mail names to: Sts. Constantine & Helen Philoptochos c/o Kathy Cramer 3352 Mayfield Rd. Cleve Hts. OH 44118; or email names to [email protected]. Please put Mother's Day in the subject line, and  submit names before May 12, 2024


GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY RETREAT

The Sts. Constantine and Helen Great and Holy Friday Retreat will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Families are invited, but not required, to join their children for the Royal Hours Service at 9:30 a.m. and the Vespers Service at 3:00 p.m. Students and volunteers may register by visiting https://forms.gle/p78ijn4N2NsGhH9n8 before Sunday, April 28, 2024. Please contact Ted Cherpas at [email protected] with any questions.


ST PHOTIOS AWARD

We are pleased to announce that Heidi Peters and Clay White have been selected to receive the St. Photios Award. This award is granted annually by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh to two people from each parish, nominated by the Parish Council. Nominees are parishioners who have voluntarily served the parish in exemplary fashion- "men and women who have served your community in previously unsung ways..."

The St. Photios Awards Banquet will be held at the DoubleTree Pittsburgh Cranberry in Mars, PA, on Saturday, May 18. Hors d'oeuvres at 4:00 PM,    Dinner and Awards at 5:00 PM. More information: https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/st-photios-awards-banquet.  You are invited to join in the celebration, and may purchase tickets at the link above. Deadline: April 28. 

 


PHILOPTOCHOS BAKERS

Help needed on April 20 for baking for Easter. We start at 9:00 a.m. Any amount of time you can spare is appreciated.


EASTER CHOCOLATES

Stop by Mitchell's Fine Chocolates, receive 15% off Easter candy and Mitchell's will donate 25% of parish sales to Philoptochos. Mitchell's Fine Chocolates is located just down the street at 2285 Lee Road Cleveland Heights 44118. They are open M-Th 10am-7pm, Fri and Sat 10am-8pm and Sundays until Easter 12-5pm. 216 932-3200.


GOYA / YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES

1) Sts. Constantine & Helen will provide $600 scholarships for all youth going to Camp Nazareth this summer. You will need a scholarship code prior to signing up to qualify. Contact either Fr. Stephen or Ted Cherpas for more information. Summer Camp registration is now live at  https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/summercamp. Half of all spots are currently filled, so please act fast! 

2) GOYA will host the potluck supper after the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday, April 17th. Each family is asked to bring a Lenten item to share. Sub-Deacon Sam Harmon will visit to teach us about the structure of Orthodox Churches compared to other traditions. Contact Ted with any questions.

3) GOYA will visit St. Herman House for its Lenten service project on Saturday, April 20th. This will be our participation in the Metropolis "Weekend of Service." All youth families are encouraged to participate and help serve the meal. Send RSVPs and questions to [email protected].

4) The annual GOYA Palm Folding Night will take place on Friday, April 26th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Pizza and drinks will be provided, and each family is asked to bring a Lenten item to share. The sacrament of Holy Confession will also be available for your Lenten journey. See Ted with any questions.

5) Our young adult group (ages 21 - 35ish) will have its next event on Bright Wednesday, May 8th. We will meet at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Elmwood Park (6363 Selig Dr, Independence, 44131) @ 6:00 p.m. Participants are each asked to each bring something. RSVP by Pascha Sunday to [email protected], and come and celebrate your Paschal joy with your Orthodox friends!


2024 EASTER BAKE SALE

The Sts. Constantine Helen Philoptochos Easter Bake Sale is now underway. Orders are due by April 21st. Pickup date is Sunday April 28th after Divine Liturgy. Make checks payable to Sts. Constantine & Helen Philoptochos; write ‘bake sale’ on the envelope and mail to Philoptochos Bake Sale, 3352 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118. Please note only pre-paid orders will be filled. Thank you for supporting the charitable work of Philoptochos!


AFRICA & BYZANTIUM

This long-awaited exhibit will open at the Cleveland Museum of Art on April 14. It contains some items from the Monastery of St Catherine in the Sinai. A free lecture discussing the exhibit will be given by Dr. Kristen Windmuller-Luna April 17, at 5 pm in Gartner Auditorium. The speaker will be introduced by CWRU doctoral student and our choir member Luke Hester. For more information and to reserve tickets visit www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/africa-byzantium.


2024 COFFEE HOSTS

Thank you to those who have responded to our request for coffee hosts. We now have a SignUp Genius page that shows available dates and allows you to directly choose your day. Visit it here to help fill the calendar: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A5AD23A4F58-48824692-sunday#/


MEMORY ETERNAL PROJECT

The Memory Eternal Bereavement Discussion Group would like to invite everyone to meet and brainstorm ideas about developing a bereavement group. We would like to determine the needs of our community, what functions such a group might provide, and how these needs might be met. We invite you to share your ideas!

If interested, please contact Sade at the Church office with your name and email. If there is enough interest and participation, a summary of our brainstorming meetings can be brought to Fr Stephen and the Church Board for further discussion.


HELLENIC DANCERS

The Senior Hellenic Dancers began Sunday practices on March 3rd. Practice sessions will begin after OE classes and will last one hour. Young people who turn thirteen in 2024 are welcome to join the group. See Pres. Christina Callos or Ted with any questions.


JUNIOR HELLENIC DANCERS

The Junior Hellenic Dancers began Sunday practices on March 10th.  Practices will begin after OE classes and will last one hour.  Young people who turn seven in 2024 are welcome to join the group.  Please call Elena Willis with any questions (216-225-7469).


OPA DANCE

OPA Dance is back! We invite all to join us for dancing and parea. OPA meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Tone

The joyful news of your resurrection was told to the women disciples of the Lord by the angel. Having thrown off the ancestral curse, and boasting, they told the apostles: death has been vanquished, Christ our God. is risen, bestowing on the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal 4th Tone

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
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