The Consecration of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church

READING, Pa. - A four-day visit by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos to the congregation of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church left a lifetime of memories for parishioners and renewed the spiritual life of the community.

The occasion was the Consecration of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church - which was established in Reading in 1914 - but it was not until May 20, 2001, that the congregation was prepared to participate in the awesome service of Consecration.

Rev. Father Thomas Pappalas noted that three criteria must be met before a church is ready to be Consecrated: The location of the church must be permanent; All improvements to the building must be completed; and Harmony must exist among the congregation. Having met all three, Sts. Constantine & Helen Church was ready to host the Service of Consecration, which is intended to change a physical structure into a House of God.


ARRIVAL OF HIS EMINENCE

Consecration activities kicked off Friday evening, May 18, 2001, with the arrival of Metropolitan Maximos after a five-hour drive from Pittsburgh. The weariness of the road soon departed as His Eminence had an opportunity to dine and greet the Parish Council and their spouses. Father Tom introduced each of the council members to His Eminence and spoke proudly of their many professional, civic and church activities. Two of the council members are Archons of the church. Metropolitan Maximos commended the group for its dedication to the community and their church, calling the Council "a powerhouse" in the Diocese. His Eminence then spoke about his recent trips abroad and church matters, apologizing for his failing voice with so many activities planned for the weekend.


SERVICES

A special Divine Liturgy for the youth of Sts. Constantine & Helen Church was celebrated Saturday morning, May 19, 2001. The children, led by Presbytera Anne Pappalas, chanted the responses during the Liturgy. The service was followed by the Tonsuring of 25 Altar Boys, with Metropolitan Maximos saying special prayers on behalf of the Altar Boys and removing locks of their hair. His Eminence said it was the largest group of Altar Boys he has ever Tonsured at any single blessing.

The children of the Sunday School then presented His Eminence with gifts to welcome him to the community. The youth were then invited to the church's newly built social hall for breakfast and a Dialogue with His Eminence. The children asked many questions, ranging from why His Eminence wears black garments, the significance of his miter (crown) to why he chose to become a Metropolitan. To the last question, His Eminence smiled and answered that he "did not choose the path ... it was chosen for him ... it was a calling from God." Another young person asked if the Metropolitan had ever witnessed or experienced a miracles His Eminence said, "miracles happen all the time when prayers are answered by God." He added that he prayed Friday night that his voice would regain its strength in preparation for the duties awaiting him during the Consecration weekend and his voice had returned clear and strong when he woke up Saturday morning.

His Eminence began the Consecration of the Church later that afternoon with a short prayer service honoring the memory of the Martyrs of the Church. That was followed by evening Vespers attended by dozens of visiting clergy. A dinner was held following the Vespers.

After the meal, Metropolitan Maximos presented certificates to parishioners who have contributed to the success of Sts. Constantine & Helen Church over its long history. Among those recognized were George Baxewanis, who has been Choir Director for 63 years; Anastasis Phyrillas, the Chanter for the past 31 years; and Donald Bankes, financial secretary for 24 years. Also honored were Nicholas and Irene Orphanos for their many years of supervising fellowship hour events; and Christopher Carley, who assists in the Altar. PROCESSIONS


The morning of the Consecration - Sunday, May 20, 2001 - began with the Service of Matins (morning Prayer), followed immediately by the Service of Consecration. The Consecration service began with three processions around the exterior of the Church structure.

Immediately following an opening prayer, His Eminence, invited Reverend Clergy and all the faithful exited the Church building, leaving it completely empty. The procession was led by Stamatis Zervanos, president of the community, and Steve Lecatsas, vice president, followed by the Altar Boys, the Choir, the Cantors, Clergy, led by Rev. Thomas Pappalas, and His Eminence.

Metropolitan Maximos carried a Paten (dish) containing the Holy Relics that he will use to consecrate the Altar. Immediately behind His Eminence, the community's children, all dressed in white to symbolize purity, joined the procession, followed by the parishioners.

Approximately 600 parishioners and guests, all wearing ribbons and carrying white candles, participated in the procession three times around the church building. Each procession stopped in front of the church doors, where Epistle and Gospel readings took place. The three processions symbolize setting aside of an area separate and sacred from all others.


OPENING OF THE DOORS

After the third procession was completed, His Eminence recited a prayer asking God to protect His new House of Worship. Upon completion of the prayer, Metropolitan Maximos rapped on the doors with his staff and commanded: "Open, Open the gates and let them remain open forever and let the King of Glory enter." A response was made from inside the Church by the Rev. Father Spyridon Papademetriou, who represented an Angel.

The priest, the only one inside the building, asked "Who is the King of Glory?" The question was answered, "The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory." This dialogue was repeated three times. The dialogue represented Christ the King entering and taking over the Church building by defeating the power of the devil. The words of the dialogue are taken from Psalm 24 and are also recited at the Resurrection Service on Easter morning, reminding the faithful of Christ's breaking down the doors of Hades with His glorious resurrection.

Upon completing this dialogue, Metropolitan Maximos blessed the doors by making the sign of the cross over them using the Paten containing the Holy Relics. All 600 parishioners placed hands on each other's shoulders and symbolically unlocked the doors together. His Eminence, carrying the relics, entered the Church, followed by the Clergy and the entire congregation.


PLACING OF THE RELICS

His Eminence entered the Sanctuary, carrying the Paten containing the Relics selected for this Consecration - St. George The Great Martyr, St. Kyrikos and the Holy Fathers martyred at Sinai at Raitho. Prior to placing the Relics in the Altar, His Eminence placed more than 100 sheets of paper containing names of departed loved ones submitted by the congregation.

Consecration Co-Chairman Gust Kraras compiled a list of all the departed past presidents and founding members of the parish for inclusion in the Altar. The names were commemorated during a special Memorial Service the previous Sunday. Uncovering the Paten, His Eminence placed the Relics in a small silver box. He then poured Holy Chrism over the relics, symbolizing the union between our Lord and His Martyrs.

After prayers were read, His Eminence placed the silver box into a special cavity in the middle of the altar table. His Eminence then permanently sealed the relics into place by pouring wax/mastic over them. The wax/mastic contains sweet smelling and fragrant spices similar to those used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus when they anointed Christ's Body in preparation for His burial. The practice of entombing relics into the altars of Orthodox Churches dates back to the early days of the Christian Church when the Christians were often persecuted and killed for their faith. As a result of this persecution, early Christian worship was driven into underground cemeteries known as catacombs. The early Christians would celebrate the Eucharist on the graves of the martyred Saints. Today, the Orthodox altars are consecrated with the relics of the martyred saints as a way of honoring the memory of those who died in the persecutions.


WASHING AND ANNOINTING THE ALTAR TABLE

After the relics have been sealed into the Altar Table, Metropolitan Maximos put on a white linen garment called the "Savanon." The faithful kneeled and His Eminence read the prayer of Consecration asking God to send down His Holy Spirit to bless, sanctify, protect and consecrate the Church into His Service and for His Glory.

Following the prayer of Consecration, a pitcher of water was brought to His Eminence. After blessing it, he poured the water on the Altar three times invoking the name of the Trinity. He then washed the Altar table. Washing the Altar table is symbolic of the sacrament of Baptism. After the Altar was dried, the Metropolitan, while reciting Psalm 51, sprinkled rosewater on the Altar table that was used to anoint the Body of Christ for burial. Psalm 51 is a psalm of repentance and a prophecy about salvation through baptism.

The Altar was then dried again, using Amtimens (liturgical cloths). Finally, His Eminence anointed the Altar table with Holy Chrism, spreading it over the entire Altar table. The anointing is similar to the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation, which takes place immediately following the Sacrament of Baptism. The newly baptized, who is purified and cleansed, is ready to receive the "seal of the Holy Spirit" through anointing with Holy Oil of Chrism. Similarly, the Altar having been purified and cleansed is now seated with the same Holy Chrism.


VESTING THE ALTAR

The consecration of the Altar was completed by fastening icons of the four Evangelists to the four comers of the Altar top. The completed Altar thus represents the entire Church, which from the four corners is held together by the Lord and is Him through the preaching of the Gospel. Metropolitan Maximos covered the Altar with a white linen cloth known as the "Katasarkion" representing the linen shroud used to wrap the Body of our Lord at His burial. Psalm 132 is read during the covering with the "Katasarkion." The Altar Table was then covered with a brighter, more elaborate covering symbolizing the Glory of God. The Altar table was now ready to receive the other Holy Articles such as the Antimens, Holy Gospel, Tabernacle or Artoforion, Candlesticks, etc. His Eminence placed these objects on top of the altar table and then the Altar and the entire church was censed.


ANNOINTING THE CHURCH

His Eminence anointed the rest of the Church, its walls and all of its Icons, making the sign of the Cross with the Holy Chrism on top of each Icon. It was no small feat for His Eminence to consecrate all of the Icons at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, which recently completed a major renovation of the inside of the church, featuring dozens of new Byzantine Icons painted on its walls. Commenting on the length of the time it took him to Consecrate each Icon, His Eminence said he felt obligated to stop in front of each Saint to make the sign of the cross. "These Saints have been waiting for a long time," His Eminence stated.


LIGHTING THE VIGIL LIGHT

After anointing the walls, His Eminence offered additional prayers for the Altar, asking God to fill this Altar with His Grace so the Eucharist can be offered upon it. An Epistle and Gospel reading followed these prayers. Metropolitan Maximos then invited the faithful to come forward and offer a few drops of oil in a Vigil Light, which His Eminence later lit and placed on the Altar Table in front of the Tabernacle.


CUTTING THE SAVANON

His Eminence removed the Savanon, which was cut up and distributed to everyone in attendance to be used as a "Phylacton," or protectorate against evil. The ladies of the St. Xenia Society of Philoptochos at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church meticulously attached pieces of the Savanon to some 600 silver icons depicting the church's patron saints. The icons were attached to a keepsake folder and distributed to all in attendance at the Consecration.


FIRST DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATED

Immediately following the Consecration Service, the Church, having been dedicated to God for eternity as an Orthodox Christian House of Worship, was ready for the first Divine Liturgy to be celebrated on its consecrated Altar. His Eminence celebrated the Liturgy and gave Communion to the faithful. Following the Divine Liturgy, a physically exhausted but spiritually renewed congregation went downstairs to the social hall for a light luncheon. The meal was prepared, as all meals served in the church are, by the all-male Kitchen Crew, and served by the ladies of the Philoptochos Society.


GRAND BANQUET/DANCE

The festivities adjourned to the Riveredge Inn Sunday afternoon for the start of the Grand Banquet and Dance to celebrate the momentous occasion. The Banquet featured the return of two former clergy who served Sts. Constantine & Helen Church - Rev. Father Peter N. Murtos, who served from 1963 through the opening of the new church in 1970; and Rev. Father George Giannaris, who served from 1970 to 1985. Two other former church pastors, Rev. Father James Aloupis and Rev. Father George Hiotis, could not attend because of health, but sent greetings.

Other honored guests included Gust Kraras, co-chairman of the entire event along with Rev. Father Thomas Pappalas. The students of the church's Afternoon Greek School, under the direction of Mrs. Anastasia Mavreles, sang songs and presented gifts to His Eminence. Another highlight of the evening's festivities was the debut of a video chronicling the history of Sts. Constantine & Helen Church in historic photos and liturgical music. The film was edited by Angel Cammarano and Ann Kraras using photos submitted by the congregation. Many of the photos used in the video are on permanent display in the Heritage Room established as part of the Consecration Celebration.

A special proclamation signed by all members of the Parish Council was read in honor of Gust Kraras, who worked tirelessly for much of the past year organizing the Consecration. In one of the few disappointing moments of the weekend, Banquet Toastmaster Christ Kraras announced that Rev. Father Anthony Ugolnick, assistant pastor at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church since 1995, was unable to participate in the Consecration because of emergency surgery.

Christ Kraras then introduced the main Banquet speakers - Stamatis Zervanos, council president, who spoke on the theme "What Christ Has Done at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church Yesterday" and Rev. Father Thomas Pappalas, church pastor, who spoke about "What Christ is Doing at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church Today."

The emotional highlight of the evening was the address by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos. The introduction of His Eminence was greeted with thunderous applause and a standing ovation as the congregation attempted in a small way to show its appreciation and love for Metropolitan Maximos, who spoke on the theme "What Christ Can Do at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church Tomorrow." His Eminence reflecting on the events of the weekend reminded the audience that "Salvation is a gift from God and God alone." He stated that the consecration is not just a spiritual renewal of the church community as a whole but a recommitment to Christ for each individual member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church. His Eminence concluded his remarks by reminding the congregation that the Consecration of the Church is not the end of a journey, but the beginning. "My admonition to you as a church is to persevere for an even greater future. Seek new and creative ways of ministry to bring the message of the Gospel to the people in your city who are in need of it."

On behalf of the Sts. Constantine & Helen Church community, Parish Council President Stamatis Zervanos presented His Eminence with a check for $2,000 toward the development of the Diocese Youth Camp/Retreat project, known as Mt. Tabor. Capping the celebration, The Glendi Dancers, a troupe from neighboring Lancaster, demonstrated popular Greek dances. The evening concluded with dancing to live music by all those gathered.


FEAST DAY LITURGY

The Metropolitan's visit to Reading concluded on Monday, May 21, 2001. The morning began with a Divine Liturgy in honor of the Feast Day of Sts. Constantine & Helen Church. His Eminence than presided over a tree-planting ceremony outside the church. The tree was dedicated in honor of Rev. Father Thomas Pappalas for his 15 years of service at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church. Those attending were invited to the church hall for a luncheon.

It was an exhausting but miraculous weekend for all involved. It was four short days in the lives of the parishioners of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, but the impact of the Consecration will live forever in the hearts and minds of all who witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime event.