Ss Constantine & Helena, Equal-to-the-Apostles & Outdoor Shrine

On May 21st in the Life of the Church, we commemorate Ss Constantine & Helena (Emperor and his Mother).  These two saints of the Orthodox Faith are extremely important due to their great influence of spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire in the 4th century.  Great "mythology" follows their lasting legacy upon the Christian Church and impact of Roman society.

Ss Constantine & Helena

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Constantine the Great is a polarizing figure in history; there are many questions regarding his status as a political leader, influencial personality, and Christian.  Many historians question his Christianity, especially due to the fact that that he was only baptized on his deathbed (although this was common practice during this time), as well as his stance during the great theological debates of his time.

During his struggle to gain power of the Empire as its sole ruler, he prayed to God to give him a sign which would inspire his army to fight valiantly, and the Lord showed him a radiant Sign of the Cross in the heavens with the inscription "In this Sign, conquer."

After Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. In 323, when he became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire, he extended the provisions of the Edict of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire. After three hundred years of persecution, Christians could finally practice their Faith without fear.

Renouncing paganism, the Emperor did not let his capital remain in ancient Rome, the former center of the pagan realm. He transferred his capital to the East, to the city of Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople.  The new emperor was deeply convinced that only Christianity could unify the immense Roman Empire with its diverse peoples. He supported the Church in every way, recalling Christian confessors from banishment, building churches, and showing concern for the clergy.

His mother, Helena provided great influence over her son as he became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire and its transition from paganism into a Christian Empire.  She traveled to Palestine in search of the Holy & Live-Giving Cross of our Lord.  While in Palestine, the holy empress did much to benefit the Church. She ordered that all places connected with the earthly life of the Lord and His All-Pure Mother, should be freed of all traces of paganism, and she commanded that churches be built at these sites.

Because of their great service to the Church and efforts in converting the masses to Christianity, the emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena are called "the Equal-to-the-Apostles."

At St George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, TX, we are blessed to have an Outdoor Shrine dedicated to Ss Constantine & Helena.  This Shrine with a large size icon, as well as surrounding beautiful landscape and large water fountain is a wonderful addition to the parish community.

Outdoor Shrine of Ss Constantine & Helena

Icon of Ss Constantine & Helena

Last year on their feastday, OCF of Greater Houston held a Supplication Service led by Rev. Fr. Joseph Huneycutt.  It was a unique experience to worship God and ask intercessions of Ss Constantine & Helena in an outside setting.  Please join us again this year on Friday evening (May 20th) at 7:00p for services at the Outdoor Shrine of Ss Constantine & Helena.

Enjoy some pictures from last year's service:

Rev. Fr. Joseph Huneycutt leading our service





Who let that guy chant?

Big smiles!





- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

St Christopher, the Dog-Headed Traveler?

In the Life of the Church, on May 9th we commemorate St Christopher (lit. Christ-bearer).  He is the patron saint of travelers due to one of the many legends associated with his life.  Besides the popular medallions of St Christopher, there are two famous types of icons: one as a strong, tall man, but with the head of a dog (some historians believe that he was descended from the Canaanites, while others say from the "Cynoscephalai" [literally "dog-heads"] of Thessaly); the other as a strong, tall man carrying a Child across water. 

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He lived in Lycia during the third century and suffered martyrdom about the year 250, during the reign of the emperor Decius (249-251). Although little is known of his actual life, there are a great many legends and traditions associated with this Saint. 

Christopher once made a vow to serve the greatest king in the world, so he first offered to serve the local king. Seeing that the king feared the devil, Christopher thought he would leave the king to serve Satan. Learning that the devil feared Christ, Christopher went in search of Him. St Babylas of Antioch told him that he could best serve Christ by doing well the task for which he was best suited. Therefore, he became a ferryman, carrying people across a river on his shoulders. 

Christopher carried a Child Who insisted on being taken across at that very moment. With every step Christopher took, the Child seemed to become heavier. Halfway across the stream, Christopher felt that his strength would give out, and that he and the Child would be drowned in the river. As they reached the other side, the Child told him that he had just carried all the sins of the world on his shoulders. Then he recognized Christ, the King Whom he had vowed to serve.

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I particularily enjoy the story of Christopher carrying the Christ-child across the water.  Its a story of intrigue, that compels us to think of our own relationship with Christ.  His story should encourage us as Christians to use our God-given talents to offer service to mankind in whatever capacity available to us.

O Holy Martyr Christopher, pray unto God for us!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Kids Say the Darndest Things - Blessed Pascha!

As kids are concerned, you couldn't find a cuter pair than the "Fuller twins" (I'm not biased - if ya don't believe me, just ask our Mama)!

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I have a very distinct memory from my childhood, and luckily its an experience of my youth while in Church.  In line during the Dismissal, we kept seeing and hearing a dialogue between each person with our priest - the same dialogue.  We turned to ask our mom what they were saying.  She expained that the priest was saying, "Christ is Risen" and we should respond back with, "Truly He is Risen."

Obviously, as children we didn't know what those sayings meant, but everyone was doing it and what kid wants to be left out of all the fun?  It was our turn in line, and much to our delight, he was handing out a gift to everyone in line - a red egg (real egg)!

He handed us each an egg, as he proclaimed, "Christ is Risen!"  And our reply, apparently not what everyone else was saying (Truly He is Risen), but something much more to our liking as a child.  My sister and I loudly exclaimed:  "Truly He eats raisins!"

Everyone had a nice laugh.  My sister and I continued to say to one another and others:
"Christ eats raisins!" "Truly He eats raisins!"

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Cute kids, right??

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Bioethics Conference in HOUSTON, TX

Houston is playing host to a wonderful Bioethics Conference entitled "Health Care in a Secular Culture:  The Conscience of Physicians & Nurses at Risk" during Bright Weekend (Friday-Saturday, April 29-30) at Houston Baptist University.

Keynote Speakers include Dr. H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr., Dr. Grattan Brown, and Dr. C. Ben Mitchell. 

Those in any field of law, science, medicine, etc. are strongly encouraged to attend.  All student registrations are FREE!

For a detailed description of the Conference, its speakers and schedule of events, including Lectures, Commentators, Small Group Discussions, and Baquet information, please visit HERE.


Christ as the Great Physician

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In order to attend the Bioethics Conference, you must register (but its FREE for ALL students); go HERE to register.

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Who is the King of Glory? Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

On Paschal Night, during Matins after the Great Procession outside around the Church, the clergy and congregation arrives at the outside doors.  The following dialogue with the Door-Keeper takes place outside of the Church:

Priest: (Knocks 3 times with a cross) Lift up ye gates, O ye princes! And be lifted up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may enter!"

Door-Keeper: Who is the King of Glory?

Priest: The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle!
 
Priest: (Knocks 3 times with a cross) Lift up ye gates, O ye princes! And be lifted up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may enter!"
 
Door-Keeper: Who is the King of Glory?
 
Priest: (Knocks 3 times with a cross) Lift up ye gates, O ye princes! And be lifted up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may enter!"

The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory!

English: Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Arabic: Al Maseeh Qam! Haqan Qam!

Greek: Kristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

Albanian: Kristi Unjhal! Vertet Unjhal!

Romanian: Kristos A Inviat! Adeverat a Inviat!

Russian: Kristos Voskrese! Voyistino Voskrese!
 
We are a "People of the Resurrection;" let us live a life worthy of our Risen Lord!

Be sure to read the words of the Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom, recited at EVERY Paschal Liturgy in EVERY Orthodox Christian Church across the whole world, visit HERE.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life!

Wishing you and your families a blessed Paschal season!
 
- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

It Always Starts With Desire - Holy Apostle Zacchaeus

Holy Apostle Zacchaeus, whose feastday is April 20th in the Life of the Church, is the same "short" man who desired to see Christ on the road through Jericho, thus climbing a sycamore tree.  After the Ascension of the Lord, St. Zacchaeus accompanied St. Peter on his travels. Tradition says he became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, where he died in peace.

Icon by the hand of Nicholas Papas

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The Gospel according to St. Luke (19:1-10) describing Zacchaeus' encounter with Christ is proclaimed on the Sunday before the TRIODION begins, and reads as follows:

"Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, 'Zaccheaus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, 'He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.'

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; abd uf I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.'  And Jesus said to him, 'Today, salvation has come to this house, becaose he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.'"

In Fr. Alexander Schmemann's Great Lent: Journey to Pascha, he describes the importance of the initial step in our Lenten journey - that of, "desire for God and His righteousness, for the true life."  Fr. Alexander writes: "Zacchaeus desired the 'right thing;' he wanted to see and approach Christ.  He [Zacchaeus] is the first symbol of repentance, for repentance begins at the rediscovery of the deep nature of all desire:  the desire for God and His righteousness, for the true life.  Zaccheaus is 'short' -petty, sinful, and limited- yet his desire overcomes all this.  It 'forces' Christ's attention; it brings Christ to his home.  [Like Zacchaeus] if we desire deeply enough, strongly enough, Christ will respond."

During my Lenten journey, I make it a point to read this book.  It gives me a greater appreciation for the "wisdom of the Church."  My father used to joke that he couldn't understand why the same Gospel lessons were repeated every year on the same Sunday - stating that there is so much knowledge to be gained throughout the Bible, so why limit and repeat (thinking repetition as a negative thing) the same Gospel lessons.  However, when you learn the ultimate teaching behind each Gospel lesson chosen, you start to see how it fits into the greater "puzzle," especially during Great Lent.  I pray our desire, emulates that of Zacchaeus, during this Holy Week to see our Risen Lord as we celebrate Pascha!

O Holy Father Zacchaeus, pray unto God for us!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Ten Tips for Holy Week & Pascha

As Holy Week approaches in the Orthodox Church, may we all strive to find reconcilation with our brethren, as we follows our Lord's steps towards His saving Crucifixion, Burial, and Glorious Resurrection.  The following article is stolen from Fr. Peter Preble’s blogsite. 


Resurrection of our Lord - Orthodox Paschal Icon

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1. Make participation at the Services a priority. This is especially crucial for those families with children. They must experience as much of Holy Week and Pascha as possible with their parents.

2. In our homes we should strive to “keep out the world” and enter into the peace, solemnity, and theology of the events of the last days of our Lord.

3. Be sure to read the last chapters of the Holy Gospels that speak of the Passion, Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

4. If you are visiting another parish and wish to receive Communion, make sure that the priest knows who you are and that you are prepared. This should be done in advance by phone, email, or any other way.

5. Last year’s palms (and/or pussy willows) should be placed outside in an area to decay where they will not be disturbed. They are holy and should not be simply thrown out with the garbage.

6. Before venerating Holy Objects, such as the Cross, the Chalice, Icons, or the Winding-Sheet, make sure to wipe off your lipstick or chapstick. Reminder: we do not kiss the face of our Lord, His Mother, or the Saints; instead kiss the hands or feet.

7. If you haven’t yet made your Confession during Great Lent, try to make it before the end of Holy Week. Speak with your priest to arrange a time.

8. Make an attempt to make amends with those we may be upset with or those who are upset with us, so that on Pascha we can joyfully sing, “Let us call brothers, even those that hate us, and forgive all by the Resurrection!”

9. Stay after the “Midnight Service” on Pascha morning for the blessing of baskets and festive meal. Let us share in the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection with fellowship and love.

10. During Bright Week, sing or read the Paschal Hours instead of your “normal” morning and evening prayers. Let the joy of praising the Lord’s Resurrection accompany you throughout Bright Week, the Paschal season, and your whole life.

May your Lenten journey and Holy Week be blessed and fruitful!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director