These days Ss. Constantine and Helen Cathedral of Chicago was adorned with joy for the feast of its heavenly protectors. The patron saints of the Cathedral were honored with great reverence this year. The feast started on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 with Vespers service officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae and the priests of the Cathedral.
The Feast day of the Cathedral continued on Sunday, May 19th, the 4th Sunday after Pascha, with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. In his sermon, HE Nicolae first interpreted the Gospel of the Day about the healing of the Paralytic Man: the Fathers of the Church see in the situation of this 38-year-sick man the humanity who, after Adam's sin, is sick, weakened, departed from God and waiting salvation. At the time when mankind was ready to receive the Savior, God Himself came to earth. When the paralytic repentance was complete, He met God-man who had healed Himself in body and soul. Then HE Nicolae spoke about the patron saints of the Cathedral: about the consciousness of his election from above of the Emperor Constantine to lead peace and unity in the Empire, the freedom granted to Christians by the Edict of Milano and the many laws favorable to Christianity, laws by which he established the beginning of a Christian Empire. All this was accomplished with the advice of his mother, St. Helen, which brought them the honor "Equal to the Apostles."
Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive lunch was served which also included a special program offered by the children of the Cathedral with the theme of the homage year 2019, the Romanian Village. The children prepared a play inspired by Amintiri din copilărie of Ion Creangă, the famous Romanian storyteller. Several of the boys interpreted Nica's role moving the joy and admiration of those present. It followed the Armonia girls' program and the folk dances of Spicuşorul.
HE Nicolae then handed the diplomas to the Cathedral Prize-winners at the 2019 Religion Olympics, the Metropolitan Phase: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th and 6th for ages 8 to 12, respectively the 1st Prize, two 3rd Prizes, and 6th and 7th for ages 13 to 18. In conclusion, Metropolitan Nicolae thanked all the volunteers who had prepared this celebration of the Cathedral: the Sunday School teachers, the Armonia choir group, the Titu family, who is training the folk group Spicuşorul, the kitchen team, and the donors. Then he congratulated all those who bear the name of the Holy Emperors, Constantine or Helen. At the feast also participated Mr. Tiberiu Trifan, Consul General of Romania in Chicago, together with his wife and Mrs. Consul Georgiana Iacobuţă. The Feast of Ss. Constantine and Helen continued on Tuesday, May 21st, on the day of their celebration, with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the sermon about the mission of the Holy Emperors.
