The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Chicago held celebrations over the last few days. The patron saints were specially commemorated in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Cathedral’s founding date.
The feast began on Friday evening, May 19th, with a Te Deum service officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae and the Cathedral priests. Guests included hierarchs, priests, faithful and friends of the Cathedral of the Romanian community of the Chicago metropolis, from the academic and cultural world. Among them were His Eminence Archbishop Peter (ROCOR - Diocese of Mid-America), His Grace Timothy, Vicar Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, Tiberiu Trifan, Consul General of Romania in Chicago with his wife, priests of various Orthodox communities in Chicago, Protos. Andrei Jilcu, Abbot of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Aldeia de Santa Margarida, Portugal, together with two monks, former clergy of the Cathedral, members of the Board of Directors of the new Orthodox High School, and other members of the academical and cultural community of the American metropolis. The service was followed by an agape meal in honor of the guests and a magnificent cultural program was performed by Michael Ronnet, on the piano, Roxana Iacob, singing soprano and Monica Demeter, mezzo-soprano.
The program of the celebration continued Saturday, May 20th, with the arrival of the delegation of Putna Monastery with the bringing of the relics of St. Jacob of Putna for veneration. The Great Vespers and Litia were served by the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, Ioan Casian, Archim. Melchisedec, Abbot of Putna Monastery with the accompanying fathers, Protos. Joseph and Archdeacon Agatanghel, Protos. Andrei Jilcu, Protos. Daniel (Portugal), Protos. Gavriil Marin, Protos. Andrei Aioanei, Fr. David Hudson, former priests of the Cathedral, Fr. Vasile Mureșan and Fr. Nicolae Cărbune (both Fr. Nicolae and Vasile are current priests). His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae was present in this beautiful service. The teaching was given by Father Abbot Melchisedec, who spoke about honoring of saints and holy relics in the Orthodox Church, and also about the life of St. Jacob of Putna, the second founder of Putna Monastery, after St. Stephen the Great.
On Sunday May 21st, the sixth Sunday after Pascha, and the day of the feast of Ss. Emperors, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy took place under the auspices of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, with the participation of the clergy who served during on the preceding evening. At the appointed time, after the Axion, young Alexandru Lazăr, chanter of the Cathedral and assistant at the Metropolitan Center in Chicago, was ordained deacon by Metropolitan Nicolae. After the reading of the Holy Gospel, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian gave a homily on the miracle of the healing of the blind man from birth. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae spoke about the mission of St. Emperors Constantine and Helen, named after the Apostles: "The beauty of St. Constantine's life, his nobility and openness to Christianity is due first of all to his mother, Empress Helen, who raised him according to all Christian and moral principles... He was a true strategist, seeking to fulfil the ideal of a united and pacified empire through the freedom offered to Christians...
Saint Empress Helen, a Christ-loving Christian, set out in the footsteps of the Saviour, being the first Christian pilgrim and archaeologist, discovering the cross on which Christ was crucified... Sts. Emperors Constantine and Helen are models first and foremost for all Christians, for us, the servants of Christ's Church, for God's people, as well as inspiring models for dignitaries and leaders. They are promoters of religious life and defenders of the right faith."
After this teaching, Father Abbot Melchisedec spoke again about the life of St. Jacob of Putna and offered several gifts to His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae and Bishop Ioan Casian. Bishop Ioan Casian presented a beautiful Holy Gospel to the Cathedral and several volumes to Metropolitan Nicolae. At the end of the celebration, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae announced the establishment of the Order of Ss. Constantine and Helen for clergy and laity and presented the first copies: the grammata, the cross and the encolpion to Bishop Ioan Casian, the grammata and the pectoral cross of the Order to the three abbots present as well as to the former priests of the Cathedral, Protos. Gavriil, Protos. Andrei and Fr. David. To the two current priests, Fr. Vasile and Fr. Nicolae, Metropolitan Nicolae presented the American Metropolitan Cross, the highest clerical award of the Metropolia.
After the service, there was a festive meal and an artistic moment organized by the Sunday school students on the occasion of the Year of the Elderly Pastoral Care, a moment appreciated by all who were present. The winners of the Metropolitan stage of the Religious Olympiad were awarded. Metropolitan Nicolae then presented the Order of St. Stephen the Great (the grammata and a medal) to 31 families who have been actively involved in the mission of the Cathedral for the past 20 years, a Diploma of Merit, and an icon of Ss. Constantine and Helen to other faithful who have participated in Sunday School, choir and kitchen activities. Finally, special thanks were given to all Cathedral supporters for preparing this beautiful celebration.
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