Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church - Annapolis, Maryland

06/05/2026

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s 35 Year Anniversary to be observed by the Metropolis of New Jersey and Archons, June 25

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are jointly hosting a joyful evening of celebration, inspiration, and legacy honoring His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as he marks 35 years of ministry as Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome — the longest-serving Ecumenical Patriarch in the history of Christianity.

The evening will open with Hierarchical Vespers presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, commemorating his Name Day.

The featured presentation will be offered by Archon George E. Demacopoulos, PhD, Historian and National Council Member of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who will present on the many historic initiatives and accomplishments of His All-Holiness during his remarkable tenure.

Special remarks regarding the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation will be offered by its Chair, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Archon Grand Aktouarios, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The evening will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian, 353 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, New Jersey, on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Hierarchical Vespers will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by the lecture, special remarks, and a complimentary dinner.

The evening is chaired by Regional Commanders Archon Michael D. Camarinos, Esq. and Archon George A. Tsougarakis, Esq. The Metropolis of New Jersey and the Archons warmly invite the faithful to share in this joyful evening of fellowship.

RSVP and donations are welcome at bit.ly/35years-nj

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is a devoted group of passionate leaders, relentlessly focused on protecting religious freedom for everyone and ensuring the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the historical spiritual center of the world’s 300+ million Orthodox Christians.

RSVP for the event: https://archons-of-the-ecumenical-patriarchate.visitlink.me/EqVIDy

06/02/2026

https://orthodoxobserver.org/eastern-oriental-orthodox-churches-move-toward-unity-after-1600-years-of-separation/?fbclid=IwZnRzaASL13BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEecRLMyOG33gouXqN1M6UQDUh28SzL2Xq8cKpnNK3Paxj-fmkHl6U-ar5zN94_aem_dRE76suWQTfxRS2yD3zJNw

Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox leaders took a major step toward healing a 1,600‑year division when Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the Phanar for a celebration of […]

06/01/2026

Camp Good Shepherd is filling up fast.

CGS Virginia Dates: July 5-11 Ages: Entering 6th- just graduated 12th grade Location: Camp Piankatank 1586 Stampers Bay Rd Box 435, Hartfield, VA 23071

05/31/2026

Dinner plans? We’re here cooking for you until 7pm. Huge thank you to all our patrons, vendors, sponsors and volunteers.

05/30/2026

Final day 11am- 7pm or until the food runs out.
Fun for the whole family. Greek food, drinks, music, dancing vendors and so much more. Free parking on site and shuttle from the high school.

05/26/2026

https://www.gofevo.com/event/Baltimoreorioles7

6/9/26 @ 6:35 PM - Baltimore Orioles Greek Heritage Night

05/21/2026

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord and the Name Day of Saints Constantine and Helen, Equal to the Apostles.

Χρόνια πολλά /Many years to all those who celebrate.

05/20/2026

Great Vespers of Saints Constantine & Helen

05/14/2026

What Does It Mean That the Patriarch of Constantinople Is ‘Ecumenical’?

The Church of the first millennium was centered around five Patriarchs, that is, Bishops of large regions that were frequently characterized by their own particular traditions of liturgical worship and the expression of our Holy Orthodox Faith. These Patriarchs oversaw the Churches of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. In the Holy Orthodox Church today, there are nine Patriarchs: those of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Only one of these is known as the “Ecumenical Patriarch”: the Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome, who since 1991 has been His All-Holiness Bartholomew, the longest-serving and one of the most consequential of all Ecumenical Patriarchs in the history of the Church. As the Archbishop of Constantinople, His All-Holiness is the 269th successor of Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle to lead the Church in what has come to be known as “the queen of cities.”

The Archbishop of Constantinople has been known as the Ecumenical Patriarch ever since the year 586, when the Roman Emperor Maurice conferred the title “Ecumenical” on the Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint John the Faster. The Emperor conferred this title in view of the fact that the Archbishop of Constantinople was Patriarch of the Church in the city that was the capital of the great empire, the superpower of its day.

This was, however, much more than just a ceremonial title or a recognition that the Patriarch of Constantinople would be honored first in prayers and at gatherings of the worldwide Church. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople had certain responsibilities that were unique in the Church.

Canon 9 of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which was held in Chalcedon in 451, stated: “If a bishop or cleric has a disagreement with the metropolitan of the province, let him appeal to the Exarch of the Metropolis, or to the throne of the Imperial City of Constantinople, and let him be tried there.” Canon 17 added: “And if any one be wronged by his metropolitan, let the matter be decided by the exarch of the diocese or by the throne of Constantinople, as aforesaid.” Canon 28 spoke of how the Church of Constantinople had “equal privileges” to those of the Church of Rome.

Although these particular ecclesiastical responsibilities of the Church of Constantinople were known and established by the time the Patriarch of Constantinople was granted the title “Ecumenical Patriarch,” the Pope of Rome, Saint Gregory Dialogos, was alarmed. Saint Gregory understood the title to meaning that Saint John was being proclaimed the universal bishop of the entire Church, in the sense that the Church now had only one bishop, and all the others had been dethroned.

Saint Gregory wrote in strong terms to Saint John: “Whoever calls himself universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor to the Antichrist…. May all Christians reject this blasphemous title – this title which takes the sacerdotal honor from every priest the moment it is insanely usurped by one.”

That was not, however, what the title “Ecumenical Patriarch” really meant. It did not establish the Patriarch of Constantinople as a super-bishop at the expense of all the others. It did not mean that the Patriarch of Constantinople had any authority beyond the limits of his own ecclesiastical jurisdiction except that which the Council of Chalcedon and other Ecumenical Councils had granted.

Read more here: https://archons-of-the-ecumenical-patriarchate.visitlink.me/2XCQUs

05/12/2026

Greek Heritage Night at the Yard. Metropolitan Apostolos will be throwing out the first pitch and more including giveaways! Call 410-633-5020 for tickets.

SAVE THE DATE: GREEK HERITAGE NIGHT AT CAMDEN YARDS!

Dear Parishioners,

We are pleased to announce that the Baltimore Orioles will be hosting a Greek Heritage Night on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 6:35 pm.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our St. Nicholas parishioners and the entire Baltimore Omogeneia to come together for a night of fellowship at Camden Yards.

Our church has a block of tickets at $30 per ticket ($32 if paying by credit card), which will include a Greek flag baseball cap giveaway.

Anyone interested in attending, please contact the Church office at 410-633-5020. Besides providing your name with the number of tickets, we will also need a phone number and email address as the tickets are only distributed electronically.

Tickets are going fast! You must let the church office know by Monday, May 4th if you are interested!!

Opa Orioles!
Opa for Greek Heritage Night at Camden Yards!!