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Welcome to the Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific Website

"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." - Romans 15:7

Through this web site, we are pleased to be able to introduce you to that same worship and fellowship as it is expressed in the life of our Parish. If you are a new member of our parish, or are considering membership, these web pages will acquaint you with what our parish offers to those who give it support and sustenance; to those who already belong to the church, we hope they will provide you with the assurance that your sacrificial offerings are received with profound respect, and are utilized to maximum effectiveness. They will, in any case, enable you to make the informed decisions that are necessary for a meaningful relationship with your church.

Parish Project Lenten Study Course

How do I participate?

• Watch the video
• Read the related article
• Say the prayers
• Join the conversation on Facebook

Week 1 Topic - Forgiveness

Videos

Gospel: Matthew 6:14-21

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thoughts About Forgiveness

This lesson on forgiveness comes the day before Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent. As Christians, we must forgive others and seek their forgiveness. We reaffirm this every time we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." In His ministry, Jesus makes it clear that God forgives us only if we forgive others. This Gospel passage additionally draws our attention to how we should approach the Lenten period and where our focus should be - on laying up treasures in heaven. On this Sunday, we also commemorate all the saints who excelled in ascetic living (living a spiritually disciplined life). We look to these holy ascetics as examples to inspire us toward fasting, praying, and doing acts of mercy. Today is the last day dairy products are permitted before the fast.

 For Discussion & Reflections

• What happens if we do not forgive people who do us wrong?
• Why do we forgive other?
• Do we forgive only to make ourselves feel better?
• Do we also forget or do we bring up past wrongs?
• How should we fast? What are ways we can "lay up" for ourselves treasures in heaven?
• What does this Gospel passage mean to our lives?

Final Thought

There once lived a holy archbishop who was sought out by pilgrims because of his great spiritual insight. As his popularity and the demands on his time grew, he wished to retreat into a life of noetic prayer - ceaseless prayer of the mind and the heart. He was granted permission to move back to his native island where he lived more fully a monastic life. One day, a man desperately knocked at the monastery door; he had committed a murder and was trying to flee from the villagers seeking revenge. The man confessed his sins to the holy archbishop, now the abbot of the monastery. As he listened, the abbot realized that the person who the man had murdered was the abbot's own brother. God helped the abbot see into the heart of this man and see how sorry he was. He forgave the man who murdered his brother and read the confessional prayer of absolution. The abbot then helped the man to escape the authorities so that he could live the rest of his life in prayer and repentance at a monastery. This holy abbot is St. Dionysios of Zakynthos. He exemplifies true forgiveness.

A Closing Prayer

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever. Amen.

The season of the virtues now has come, and the Judge is at the door. Let us not hold back with darkened face, but let us keep the fast, offering tears, repentance, and almsgiving; and let us cry: our sins are more in number than the sands of the sea; Deliverer of all, forgive each one of us, that we may receive an incorruptible crown.

Congratulations - FDF Winners

Congratulations to Ss. Constantine & Helen's Nisiotopoula Dancers and Aloha Youth Choir!  The  Nisiotopoula Dancers won the Founders Award in the Senior Division.  Aloha Choir placed 2nd in Division II and director Stelio Scordilis won Choral Director of the Year.

Orthodox Book Club:

Wounded by Love: The Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios

The Life and Wisdom of ELDER PORPHYRIOS. Elder Porhyrios, a Greek monk and priest who died in 1991, stands in the long tradition of charismatic spiritual guides in the Eastern Church which continues from the apostolic age down to figures such as Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Staretz Silouan in modern times. In this book he tells the story of his life and, in simple, deeply reflected and profoundly wise words, he expounds the Christian faith of today. This book was compiled after his death from an archive of notes and recordings of his reminiscences, conversations and words of guidance, and was first published in Greek in 2003.

Our tentative upcoming date for the Book Club are as follows:

• Tuesday, February 17th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Confirmation of the dates will appear in your weekly bulletin.

For Information call the church office at 521-7220

In Support 

In support of parishioner Jean Stavue Peahi.  Here is her fundraising plea.

We are trying to raise money for Kaimana's medical bills and general support for his care. Our minimum goal is $5,000, but we hope to be able to raise more if possible. Kaimana was born premature at 33 weeks (6.5 weeks early) and was low birth weight at 3 pounds 8 ounces. Kaimana is considered to be below the 3rd percentile in weight, height and head circumference.

Kaimana was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect and a Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM) on his lung. His failure to thrive is due to his heart condition. Kaimana will undergo two surgeries this year. He is scheduled to have his first surgery in August, when the pediatric heart surgeon comes to Hawai'i for "heart week." If an emergency happens before that date, we will have to fly to San Diego for the procedure as there is no pediatric heart surgeon in Hawai'i. At this time we are trying to raise money to help pay for the rising hospital bills from his 5.5 week NICU stay, for the two upcoming surgeries, and for his general health care. We greatly appreciate any donation amount and are truly thankful for your love and support. You may also contribute by sharing this campaign, sending positive thoughts, prayers, and well wishes.  We would not have made it this far without your love and support.  Mahalo and much love!  Kaimana, Lilinoe (sister), Jean (mommy) and Curtis (daddy)

Liberation through Great Lent 

The leader of a Makiki church says fasting is not about obsessing over rules By Pat Gee

Honolulu Advertiser March 8, 2014

"The danger of fasting is you can become too focused on the rules" and the temptation to "show off," he said, noting that fasting should be quietly personal and dependent on one's health.

Great Lent is "filled with many beautiful services," which are longer, held more frequently and stress incorporating substance and solemnity.

During the lenten season, each Sunday service follows a theme focusing on messages to pray more, give extra to charity and forgive one another, he said. Every Friday evening, the Akathist Hymn is sung while "you're standing for one hour. People love that service" because it praises the Virgin Mary, who "holds a special place in our hearts."

Prodded on by a jam-packed schedule, Leong said, "the 40 days seems to go too fast. It's a joyful celebration. I kinda miss all those services when it's over."

Leong first experienced Pascha, the church's term for Easter, as a 15-year-old and found the elaborate two-hour service enchanting.

"What struck me about the Greek Orthodox Church was the richness of the worship. All the five senses are used, and your whole being is involved in worship."

Leong continued, "What really impressed me was how we greet each other with the words, ‘Christ the Lord is risen,' and then, ‘Truly is risen' is the response," he said. The congregation also sings the hymn "Christ the Lord Is Risen," and "everybody has lit candles and we proclaim Christ's victory over death."

Leong added that so much of Orthodox liturgy language is put in the present tense, instead of the past tense, so congregation members feel like they are part of an event that is actually happening.

A favorite Easter custom shared by Western and Orthodox churches is the dyeing of eggs, the symbol of new life. But Orthodox churches dye their eggs red rather than a pastel color to recall the bloodshed of Christ on the cross. As the priest hands each person a red egg, he proclaims, "Christ is risen!" in the first hour of Easter Sunday, after the midnight service, he said. A red egg is also placed in the center of specially prepared bread.

Leong's congregation of 150 consists of members with varied roots — Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Asian and others.

He is one of few Asian priests in the Greek Orthodox Church. Before coming to Hawaii with wife Nicole and three children, Leong served at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Vallejo, Calif., for 10 years.

Epiphany 2014 Hale Koa

Christmas Play 2013
Thanks to Greg Malick for this great video.

Nisiotopoules Dancers & Aloha Choir

Welcome back home, Nisiotopoules Dancers and Aloha Choir!  We heard and read that you had a wonderful experience at FDF in Anaheim last week!  Congratulations to our Aloha Choir who won “1st Place” in the Choral Competition! Well done!

Photos From FDF - Click Here

Ionian Village: Are You Ready?

Click Here to Apply Online 
Click Here for Scholarship Info

Stewardship: We Are Family

Stewardship is our response to God’s grace and it moves us from grace to gratitude. Just as we love because God first loved us from 1 John 4:14, we give because God first gave to us.

Click here to go to the stewardship page

How to Schedule a Memorial Service

If you are interested in scheduling a Memorial Service for a loved one, please contact Father Alexander at the office so that he can schedule a date on the calendar.

Youth Ministry Guidelines Qualifying for Travel Funding 

Please review the attached document to find out about the guidelines for children to qualify for funding from the parish to attend youth events.
If you have any questions please see Father Alexander or a member of the Parish Council.

Youth Ministry Guidelines

Orthodox Study Center:  Orthodoxy 101

Click here to jump Orthodoxy 101

Wedding in Hawaii?

Orthodox couples from around the world have chosen to be married at Saints Constantine & Helen, the ‘Cathedral in Paradise.’ It’s easier than you think! 
Begin your wedding plans by contacting our Priest early.  

Voice: (808) 521-7220
Email: (Click Here)  Rev. Fr. Alexander Leong, Dean 
             (Or Copy) fralexanderleong@yahoo.com

Services Schedule

Sundays: Orthros (Matins):8:15 AM | Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM (Fellowship follows in our Social Hall)

FeastDays: Divine Liturgy: 9:00 AM (as announced on Calendar)

For information please contact the Church office at (808) 521-7220 between the hours of 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.