NURSERY
A staffed nursery is open every Sunday during services. It is located on the lower level of the building. There is no charge for using the nursery on Sundays.
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ORTHODOX EDUCATION
In Orthodox School our children learn the teachings and beliefs of our Orthodox faith. Children are present in church at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, and then Orthodox School classes begin after Communion for pre-school through 12th grade. Our teachers are parishioner volunteers.
Contact: Caryn Cherpas (216-932-3300)
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THE HELLENIC DANCERS
The Hellenic Dancers strive to perform authentic dances using authentic costumes and authentic folk music. Much care is taken to preserve our Greek heritage. Dancers range in age from 7 - 18, and are divided into two groups, the Senior Dancers (ages 13 & up) and the Junior Dancers (ages 7-12). They practice and perform throughout the year with the highlight being the parish Greek Festival in August. Prior dance experience is not necessary.
Contacts: Senior Dancers- Christina Callos (216-291-0185), christina@callosconsulting.com, Olympia Christides (216-741-2546), Bill Mavrakis; Junior Dancers- Sally Davros (216-921-6621)
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HOPE - “Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education” includes all children between pre-school and 2nd grade. HOPE is an Outreach Orthodox Christian youth group experience for your child/children and is a means for them to explore their faith, to enjoy fellowship and to have fun in a friendly, Christian atmosphere. We have monthly activities that incorporate Orthodox principles through relaxed, enjoyable and age appropriate programs.
Contact: Angelique Berry (jaberry@roadrunner.com or 330-342-0202) and Debbie Kellis (dmkellis@gmail.com or 440-708-2404)
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GOYA
Our 13-18 year-olds join together for many social, religious, athletic and service events of our church, including basketball practices and tournaments, camp and retreat at the local and diocesan levels.
Contact: Demetri Sintsirmas, President or Susan Trumbull, Advisor (440-834-1650)
The GOYA Basketball program is very popular. There are girls’ and boys’ teams that practice once or twice weekly from October thru April and participate in diocesan tournaments with other Greek Orthodox youth of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Contacts: John Sevastos, Girls’ Coach; James Harper, Sr. Boys’ Coach; Peter Zohos, Jr. Boys’ Coach
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GREEK SCHOOL
In Greek School, our children (ages 7 and up) learn the language and rich traditions of our Greek culture. Classes are held at the church on Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, from the second Saturday in September through the third Saturday in May.
Contact: Nellie Baltazzi (330-467-1750)
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ACOLYTES (ALTAR BOYS)
Young men ten years of age and older assist the Priest in the altar during the Divine Liturgy and other Services. New acolytes are received into the Altar every fall following the completeion of the annual Acolyte workshop.
Contact: Fr. Stephen Callos (216-932-3300) frstephen@stsconstantine.com
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YOUTH RETREATS
The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh has an excellent program of youth retreats and summer camp for children ages 8-18 and for young adults. Details are announced periodically. Sts. Constantine & Helen hosts two overnight Lenten Retreats for youth--one for children 7-12 years of age on the fourth Friday of Great Lent and one for youth ages 13-18 on the sixth Friday, immediately preceding before Orthodox Palm Sunday.
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ST. MAKRINA BIBLE STUDY
Every Wednesday the St. Makrina Bible Study group meets from 10:00 – 11:30 am. The group studys the Bible and various other religious books.
Contact: Irene Theodore (216-486-5473)
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PHILOPTOCHOS
"Friends of the Poor." Funds are raised to help national and local charities; “hand-on” ministries to individuals and groups such as women’s shelters and homes for the poor are organized, emergeny assistance to the poor is funded. There are four committees or task groups in Philoptochos.
Outreach – service outside the parish community – chairmen Maria Misthos Cashy and Maria Kallergis.
Inreach – service to parishioners such as the elderly and ill – chairmen Heidi Peters and Cynthia Asimakopoulos.
Bereavement- service to parishioners during and after the death of a loved one – chairmen Maria Sikoutris and Sia Papouras.
Fundraising – chairmen Barbara Sapharas and Christina Callos.
Contact: Maria Kallergis, President (216-751-0221)
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LIBRARY COMMITTEE
This group oversees the Church Library, stocked with over 1,000 books in Greek and English, videos and cassettes. They also have a collection of handmade costumes representing different areas of Greece.
Contact: Minerva Ward (216-531-2183)
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CHOIR
Each Sunday the choir sings the beautiful hymns of our faith. They also sing for weddings and other special events. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays.
Contacts: Dennis Bell Choir Director (440-352-0194) or Spiro Paravalos, President (440-442-3969).
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ORTHODOX FORUM
This adult education program meets for a series of 6-8 weeks in the fall and again in the spring, following the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
Contacts: Dr. John Collis (440-247-5057) or Irene Theodore (216-486-5473).
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SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Throughout the year our Church offers several spiritual programs that meet once a week for a four-twelve week period. Please watch the weekly bulletin and Koinonia for details of the courses and meeting times. Also, the following programs are available: Lenten Retreat for Adults - one Saturday of Great Lent a retreat for adults is held and the JOY Retreat, a sleepover during Lent for children of ages 7 – 12 years. The speakers and dates are announced in January.
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KOINONIA
Our monthly newsletter is published and sent to our parishioners to inform them about what is happening in our community. If you have information to contribute to the Koinonia, please submit it before the 15th of each month. Volunteers to serve on the staff are always welcome. Opinion pieces on church-related topics are accepted.
Contact: Mike Vasilakes (216-226-3796 or mpvas@yahoo.com)
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BOOK CART
The book cart sells a variety of books about the Orthodox Christian religion and Greek traditions, as well as icons, martyrika, stephana, candles and various other religious items. The book cart is open Sundays after the Divine Liturgy.
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CHANTERS
Church chanter Pericles Corfias welcomes individuals to learn Byzantine chant experientially. Musical knowledge is not required, but a “musical ear” is. The is no special registration; those interested are asked to report to the church lecturn on Sunday mornings at 8:15 AM.
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GREEK FESTIVAL
The Festival, held on the third or fourth weekend of August, as announced, is a community celebration of Greek heritage and a fundraiser for the church. A planning committee works from April to August to prepare and volunteers are welcome to attend. Volunteer workers are especially needed for the Festival weekend and the week prior.
Chairman: Pete Moissis (440-338-8375)
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OPA
The “Opa” group is a Tuesday evening exercise program (6:30 – 8:30 PM) using vigorous Greek dancing as a means to attain physical fitness.
Leader: Bill Mavrakis (440- 449-6758)