Directives Regarding the Re-Opening of our Parish
To the faithful members of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church:
A limited members of laity may attend Divine Liturgy on Sundays (9:30 AM - 10:30 AM) with appropriate physical distancing.
- Please call our church secretary on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM to make a reservation.
HOLY DAY LITURGIES will be celebrated on June 29, July 20, July 27, August 6, August 15 and August 29.
- Under no circumstances is any member to appear on a Church Service unless he/she has made a reservation.
-Further, if you are scheduled to attend and become ill, please do not come to liturgy.
-Please enter and exit the Church using the Main door only.All doors will remain open during Liturgy.
-Tape or other markings on the ground outside of the church will be placed to encourage social distancing of at least 6 feet.
-When entering the Church, you are to only sit in the pews that have been reserved for your family. Do not sit in any other pews. An usher will be present, please follow his/her direction. Attendees who are not part of the same immediate household must be seated at least 6 feet apart. Members of the same immediate household are permitted to sit together and less than 6 feet apart.
-A post sign will indicate the maximum number of persons permitted per row.
-There will be no access for any reason to the hall area, church offices and/or the kitchen. Children under 12 years of age are to be escorted to the bathroom by an adult.
-You must have a mask or face covering. If you arrive without a mask or face covering, you will not be permitted to remain. You need to provide your own masks; the church will not have masks. For children between age 2 and 5, the wearing of a face covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask.
Hand sanitizer will be provided (or you may bring your own).
-Holy Communion and the Antidoron (holy bread) will be handed to you by Father Vassilios according to the Orthodox Church’s historical practice adopted in the situation of an epidemic. In offering communion to laity, the kerchiefs should be used only to safeguard the Holy Mysteries from possible falling down and to dry the spoon. Do not wipe your mouth with the communion cloth after receiving communion. The kerchiefs should be boiled and washed with due reverence after each liturgical usage.
-Father Vassilios will be wearing a face mask during the distribution of communion and during the distribution of the Antidoron (church bread) for his protection and the protection of others.
-There will be no hugging, handshakes or kissing, including kissing of icons, the cross, gospel and/or Father’s hand. To appropriately venerate the gospel, cross or icon, please bow your head.
-Tape will be placed on the carpet to provide for spacing for social distancing.
-Church ushers should direct successive, row-by-row exiting.
-We will not have communal gathering pre or post service (e.g., coffee hours or other food services).
-There will be no money handlings or giving change at the entrance. All contributions should be deposited in a designated box through a slot. We are also encouraging contributions through mail or electronic means.
-The Church shall be cleaned and disinfected between each service, including disinfection of heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, bathrooms, microphones, shared instruments).
-The Church’s main door will remain open during services to allow airflow.
Our services will continue to be available by live stream. People over the age of 65 and people who have underlying health conditions – who are at high risk for COVID-19 – are advised by the state authorities to stay home except for essential errands.
We ask for your patience and that you respect these directives and strictly comply. These directives and restrictions are necessary to protect the health and safety of all.
Welcome to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
