BROOKLYN – The Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Brooklyn marked the feast day of its patron saints with reverent Festal Vespers on May 20, drawing clergy, parishioners, and community members to commemorate the legacy of two of Christianity’s most influential figures.
Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, Dean of the Cathedral, delivered a sermon reflecting on the lives and enduring impact of Saints Constantine and Helen. He highlighted their pivotal role in the Christianization of the Roman Empire, noting that they were among the first Roman rulers to recognize Christianity’s unique spiritual value and to publicly embrace and defend it.
“Though not baptized until the end of his life, Saint Constantine fought for the triumph of religious truth and for the freedom of belief across the empire,” said Fr. Evagoras. “His efforts led to the cessation of Christian persecution and significantly strengthened the Church.” He added that Saint Helen, Constantine’s mother, played a crucial role in the faith’s expansion by building churches and supporting religious instruction for new converts.
Fr. Evagoras further underscored Saint Helen’s historic discovery of the True Cross and her establishment of key Christian pilgrimage sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity, landmarks that continue to draw veneration from the faithful around the world.
The evening also featured the presence of the Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral Parish Council. Among those in attendance were Council President Constantine Paravalos and members Stavros Plangetis, Anastasios Varelis, Harry Karamitropoulos, Gregory Poulon, Haralambos Paloumbis, Stavros Giannakouros, Gerasimos Matiatos, and Nikos Neonakis.
Paravalos, who received name day greetings from attendees, extended his own blessings to all those celebrating the feast. He expressed hope that Saints Constantine and Helen would continue to protect and guide the faithful, and invited the Greek-American community to the Cathedral’s upcoming festival, scheduled for June 2–8.
Lambrini Gementzopoulos, president of the Philoptochos Society, also shared her wishes for the feast day. She encouraged the community to draw inspiration from the saints’ faith and service, emphasizing the importance of love, solidarity, and outreach. Gementzopoulos also expressed gratitude to the Society’s members for preparing the refreshments served in the community hall following the Vespers and Divine Liturgy.
The celebration continued on Wednesday, May 21, with the Orthros and Divine Liturgy officiated by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos. A communal meal followed, bringing the congregation together in fellowship to honor the saints’ spiritual legacy.
