Your Eminence, beloved brother in Christ,
Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Your Grace, beloved brother in Christ Bishop Iakovos of Chicago,
Beloved children in the Lord,

From the depths of our heart, we glorify our Lord, the Master Builder of the Church, who has counted us worthy to be in your midst — the venerable presbytery — here in this all-venerable Church, dedicated to the glory of the Equals-to-the-Apostles, Saints Constantine and Helen.  We consider this gathering a cause for much spiritual joy, for we find ourselves in the venerable presence of the clergy, accompanied by their honored and respected presvyteres.  Indeed, throughout the whole Diocese of Chicago, we feel as a spiritual father among his beloved children in the Lord.  We feel as an elder brother, who though he may live in a place far removed by space, is spiritually close to his much loved brothers in Christ.   For we are now welcomed so hospitably into the house of the father of our See, Saint Constantine.
As you all know, Saint Constantine founded the Queen of cities by divine inspiration and empowerment.  He made her the homeland of a universal civilization and the lighthouse of Christianity. He brought the Christian faith up out of the catacombs and set it upon the lampstand of the seven hills of the Bosporus, where the peoples of East and West, North and South, come together.
Our boasting is one of spiritual pride, for we come from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, so that we may share, even if for a brief time, in spiritual fellowship with our brethren of like faith.  For you are the ones who have held fast the traditions of our Orthodox Faith “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15).  Unfortunately, we are in a declining age of apostasy from God,  and unrestrained, often destructive heretical movements.   Indeed, “you shine as lights in the world,” in this country which knows to respect our values and to be receptive to the fruits of our radiant Orthodox Faith.
However, in our gathering of worship this evening, here in the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, the presence of the Presvyteres underscores, among others, the contribution of the Christian women, to the confirmation and spreading of the Gospel.  Standing by the side of their spouses, sons, brothers or fathers, women’s faith in Christ has ministered to the Church with self-denial and great success, from the time when our Lord Jesus Christ walked on earth until the present.
A crowning instance which adorns the world of women was the presence of Saint Helen in the life of her glorious son.  She nurtured him from the well-springs of the faith and guided him successfully, until she had brought him back from the maze-filled caverns of the demonic Imperial idolatry, to the light of the Gospel.  And it was this light which he set ablaze on the lofty lampstand of Constantinople throughout the world ruled by his empire.
Surely, Saint Helen’s conduct was enhanced by much affection, modesty, and self-sacrifice, which served to mollify her husband, who was grateful for her faith.  He conceded to her enlightened education and the turning to the Christian faith of his son and successor.  Indeed, Constantios Chloros decided to live apart from her.
Saint Helen triumphed by her faith, by her love, by her devotion to God, unto the [accomplishment] of His all-holy will.  And it was granted to her to see the son of her love become the first Christian Emperor of the world.  It was granted to her to find the Precious Cross.  She became a trailblazer in that august line of holy women.  And she offers this most useful counsel to all the Presvyteres of Orthodox clergymen: “Stand fast and hold to the traditions” (II Thessalonians 2:15).  The Church of Christ trusts in your faith and in the holy provision you make for Her messengers to the contemporary world, our Orthodox priests.
There are so many things that a loving and wise woman can offer, such that they are beyond imagination: through her meekness, her peacefulness, her sweet manners, through her foresight, her disposition.  The power of a woman is contained in her goodness.  (Even though goodness is power for all Christians.)  But men seem to have the need or feel compelled to use immediate force, more often than women, to accomplish their goals.  And whatever men fail to accomplish through force, like the air in the children’s myth, many times women succeed through their goodness, as does the sun in that same myth.  The wise Solomon, astounded before the antithesis of a wise and foolish woman, cries out: “Wise women have built up their houses, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands” (Proverbs 14:1).  Indeed, the Book of Proverbs, in the Septuagint which we use in the Orthodox Church, closes with the following praise of a man for his wife:
“Who can find a virtuous wife?  She is more valuable than precious gems.  The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She works for the good of her husband all her life . . . .  She has tasted that her work is good, and her lamp is not extinguished throughout the night . . . .  She opens her hands to the poor, she offers of her fruits to the needy.  Her husband is not concerned over the affairs of the house, when he is long delayed; for all are clothed by her.  She has made twin cloaks for her husband, garments of fine linen and purple.  Her husband is well known in the gates, whenever he sits in the council of the elders who dwell in the land . . . .   She is clothed with power and beauty and she rejoices in the days to come.   Her mouth opens with all propriety and uprightness, and she measures the words of her tongue.  The ways of her house are strict, she eats not the bread of idleness.  She opens her mouth with wisdom and moderation.  Her mercy rises upon her children and they are enriched, and her husband sings her praises.”
Such is the wise wife, and even more important, the wise mother.  For the work of forming of character is more important, than the work of guiding a household.  This is certainly good, but the other is incomparably better.
The entire secret of a good, wise, virtuous woman who lives according to Christ, whether spouse or mother, consists in finding that the offering suits the woman, that the challenge meets the demands.  The wise woman has the assurance in practical experience that truly, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  The love that she offers in turn receives the love of her husband, the affection of her children, the friendship of her neighbors.  Indeed, she is challenged to confront closed doors and even bitterness.  But rightly she chooses rather to offer of herself and thus she opens these same doors and by demanding nothing, receive all things.
You are all Christians and all people who understand the beauty and the obligations of your offering.
We pray with all of our heart for all of you in every circumstance, that you might taste of the blessedness of the giver.  For then, you will have in your hearts the Same Lord, Who has given everything to us.
May His grace and infinite mercy be with you all. Amen.