The Imperial & Charitable Order of Constantine the Great & Saint Helen
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Volume 6, Issue 1 — June 2012
The Imperial & Charitable Order of Constantine the Great & Saint Helen
Looking to the future…
As we resume the important works and business of our Order following the sad and untimely passing of
His Grace Michael Schmickrath, I want to take this opportunity to assure each and every member of the
Order that together we shall build and grow our Order to unprecedented prominence.
The charitable works, which we have supported world-wide with more than $100,000, continue to need
our help. The policy of our Grand Council has been to provide smaller grants to worthy causes and needy
individuals who might otherwise be overlooked by the larger national and international charities. Charity
is one of the cornerstones of the “Knightly Renaissance” that each of us in the Order is an integral part of.
The funding comes, in part, from our annual financial obligation to the Order – the dues. Additional funds
are generated by individual donations from our members and from the proceeds generated by our
Investitures and fundraising events. Keeping that in mind, please do your best to participate in as many of
our Order events as possible.
As is the case with most organizations, 10% of the membership provides 90% of the effort necessary to run
the organization. We are hopeful that our knights and dames will step forward and assist us with the
various offices and the myriad activities of the Order.
)
We have a number of exciting opportunities in the planning stages, including commemoration events for
the Feast of Saint Helen, a Fall Investiture in Beverly Hills, an Investiture in Hawaii and our late October
visit to Rome for the ceremonies commemorating the 1700th anniversary of Emperor Constantine’s victory
over the Roman pagans in the year 312 AD.
Working closely with our International Priories, we plan to offer overseas adventures for our members to
two fascinating countries each year, where we will participate in Investitures, tours, major local cultural
and entertainment events and more. We are also in discussions with other International Orders of
Knighthood around the globe to participate with them in a variety of activities.
As you will note from reading through the various articles in this edition of “The Constantinian”, our Order
is active and involved with our communities. Together we can do much. Please step forward and join us.
Yours in Chivalry,
Michael Teilmann, KGCl
Duke of Aswan
Grand Prior General
Imperial and Charitable Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen
Feast of Saint Helen She often forgot her high dignity and position.
She was often found assisting at the Divine
Office amid the poor, and by her deeds
showed herself a mother and friend to the
indigent and distressed.
At the fine age of 80, she made a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. It was her heart’s desire to
discover the cross on which Jesus Christ was
crucified. After many labors, three crosses
were found on Mount Calvary along with the
nails and the inscription recorded by the
Evangelists. It still remained to identify the
Helena was reputed to have been born in Asia true cross of Our Lord. Taking the advice of
Minor, however Some people believe that she Bishop Macarius, the three were applied
came from Colchester in Essex; this being the successively to a woman afflicted with an
Roman capital in Britain at the time. She was incurable disease. No sooner had the third
considered a Briton by the British. touched her than she arose, perfectly healed.
It was suggested that Constantius, could have Helen, filled with joy, built a glorious church
met her while stationed in Asia Minor for the on Mount Calvary to receive the precious
campaign against Zenobia while serving under relic. She also sent portions of it to Rome and
Emperor Aurelian. It is said that upon meeting Constantinople, where they were solemnly
they were wearing identical silver bracelets; exposed to the adoration of the faithful.
Constantius saw her as his soul-mate sent by In the year 312, Constantine found himself
God. The precise legal nature of the attacked by Maxentius with vastly superior
relationship between Helena and Constantius forces, and the very existence of his empire
is also unknown, sometimes calling Helena was threatened. In this crisis he thought of
Constantius' "wife", and sometimes calling her the crucified Christian God whom his mother
his "concubine". Some scholars assert that worshiped, and kneeling down, prayed for
Constantius and Helena were joined in a God to reveal Himself and give him the
common-law marriage, a cohabitation victory. The story continues that at noon of
recognized in fact but not in law. While others, that day, a cross of fire was seen by his army
assert that Constantius and Helena were joined in the calm and cloudless sky, and beneath it
in an official marriage. Constantius divorced the words, In hoc signo vinces—"Through
Helena some time before 289, in order for him this sign thou shalt conquer." By divine
to marry a woman closer to his stature in the command, Constantine made a standard like
Royal house. Helena and her son were the cross he had seen, which was carried at
dispatched to the court of Diocletian at the head of his troops; and under this
Nicomedia, where Constantine grew to be a Christian ensign they marched against the
member of the inner circle. Helena never enemy. Constantine and his troops won the
remarried and lived for a time in obscurity, battle of the Milvian Bridge along with a
though close to her only son, who had a deep complete victory. Shortly after this battle,
regard and affection for her. Helena returned to Rome, where she died in
She embraced Christianity late in life; but her 328.
incomparable faith and piety greatly influenced In celebration of Saint Helen, her devotion to
her son Constantine, the first Christian spirituality and her service to people of all
emperor, and served to kindle a holy zeal in the statures in life, August 18th is celebrated
hearts of the Roman people. worldwide as St Helen’s Feast Day.
2
Annual Visit to Finland February 2012
Article submitted by Anneli Rajaniemi; Photos: Susanna Honkasalo
Each year, new eminent knights and ladies are
invested into the Order and knighted in
Finland. The Finnish Division has organized
these events, where in recent years more than
a hundred people were witness to the solemn
ceremony. This year, the members enjoyed
the evening´s program. The last investiture
took place in the beginning of February 2012.
Another highlight of the evening’s celebration
is to grant scholarships to students. In the past
few years, young leaders, who have shown
honor, established ethical morals and actively
engaged in service, have been chosen. This New knights and ladies in Helsinki.
year scholarships were granted to five
exceptional young leaders.
In Finland, the division of the Imperial and Charitable
Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen is active.
During the past year, member participated in organized
events which included lectures on heraldry and
knighthood, and interesting topics related to
international affairs. Also planned excursions to
culturally and historically interesting places have kept
members, their families and friends very active.
Grand Prior Pertti Jalasvirta grants a scholarship
to Cadet Staff Sergeant Antti Pajuranta.
The division in Finland and the ScanBaltic area
was established less than 10 years ago and has
grown from a small group of twenty Knights
Knights of the Order – Finland & ScanBaltic Division
and Ladies to many times larger. The division
acts and keeps in contact with members
according to its operational and informational This year, there is an excursion to Rome planned to visit
plan. This plan was recently edited and the Milvian Bridge, where Constantine the Great won the
released in brochure format. Squires and forces of Maxentius 1700 years ago.
Ladies-in-Waiting are also active within the
division. 3
News from Around the Globe
Armenia
In the autumn of 2011, the Order of Constantine and
Saint Helen was created in Armenia, Eastern Europe.
The Prior is Sir Edward Cook. Members include Ray
Reader, Jivon Vardanyan, Lusine Mkrtchyan and Pacific Northwest
Ruzan Mkrtchyan . After many attempts to have a get together,
Sir Ray Reeder is an American, a former Peace Corps only to cancel due to inclement weather, the
Volunteer, who married there. Living in Armenia in Pacific Northwest Priory finally met in Hood
the dark days of the middle 90s, Sir Ray has worked River. The day was full of sun, surprises, and
there to further education. great fellowship.
Sir Jivon, a chess master, teaches chess and works in The gathering started with a prayer from Exarch
the community. H.E. Matyas Clark, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance. Luncheon of Ham, Beans and Salad
Lady Lusine works for the US Embassy in Yerevan,
was served, after which cake was shared.
organizes seminars in the region. She earned her
MA from the American University of Armenia, and is
fluent in English. Lusine Lady Ruzan is a graduate of
Linguistic University of Armenia. Recently she was
sent to Germany and the Russian Federation by the
Council of Europe. In Nalchik, the topic was mutual
understanding of the Caucasus’s.
H.E. John Quiroz promoted Sir Robert Keller to
Prior for the Pacific Northwest Priory, Sir Aaron
Jubitz was presented with his certificate
assigning him Sargent at Arms for the Order.
Finally, Cameron Methvin was inducted as a
Squire for the Order and assigned Sir Aaron
Jubitz for training, guidance and chivalric
direction.
Burning Star, NGO, whose mission is community
service, information, and education, is supported by
the Order. They have produced films in Armenian
and English. Burning Star works with the mentally
challenged and presents classes in health to 20,000
community students.
4
.
Upcoming Events:
Meet & Greet California – June 23, 2012
Investiture Hawaii
Feast of St Helen
California Investiture
Rome Celebration – October 2012
Annual Toys for Tots – Winter 2012
Promotions:
Sir Robert Keller – Prior for the Pacific Northwest Priory
Sir Bradley Niederhauser – Prior for California
H.E. William Wenger - Commander for The Republic of Georgia
Sir Ron Dunn – Commander for Virginia
Sir Aaron Jubitz – Sergeant at Arms for the Order
Sir Shafiq Hasan - Chancellor for Administration
Celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Victorious
Battle of Milvian Bridge in ROME
Travel with members of the Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen to a Grand Event
in Rome 2012. Members from Belgium, Finland, United States, and other countries will be
gathering for the Festival of Constantine. Set your calendars and plan to join us in Rome
during the last week of October 2012.
Contact your local Prior for more information about this momentous once in a lifetime
adventure.
5
Columbia The great preaching of Orthodoxy is the "love"
(1 John 4:20, Rom. 13:8, John 3:16)
Our Church, in its religious significance and in its
secular connotation, has faithfully preserved, not This community CHURCH OF THE EAST SANTA
only Orthodox Catholicism and the consciousness FE CHRISTIAN (ISAFEOCRI - ORTHODOX
of the original Christian faith, but also the ethos, CHURCH IN COLOMBIA) attempts to comply
the substance of Christ's teaching, this is: the with FACTS. Thus Orthodoxy please the
ethics of love. enemies of humanity to avoid the struggle
between men, in order not to destroy the
"masterpiece" of the Creator, as our Church
knows and has experienced persecution, the
brutality of man, and the terrible
consequences leading hatred. She strives for
support among men, harnesses for material
and spiritual development in order to achieve
a mature and happy life on earth and reach
the deification and holiness by the grace and
help of God, through Christ.
The unity and solidarity among men, involves
applying the words of the Apostle Peter: "Let
us love one another from the heart ... having
purified our souls by obedience to the truth ...
the Word of God living and abides forever "(1
Pet. 1:22-23).
So everything is possible through Christ who
strengthens us ... We will have 5,800 Children
The Gospel of our Church is resurrection, triumph Happy.
and victory. In Orthodoxy, the man is not alone.
The system of Christian teaching is based on God
as a Supreme Being, in man as the image and
likeness of God’s masterpiece, and Christ, who
united the divine and human. Christian Doctrine is
guidance and counseling for men, showing the Meet & Greet in California
true way. And it shows that we are not alone, it is
precisely with love, effort and dedication each
Saturday, 23 June, 2012
time we begin a project. With Love and the Power
of Christ, we honor it! We are filled with love in
10 AM to 3 PM
the wonders of Christ our Lord and Savior, the
Church, especially from the Parish of St. George, Doubletree Hotel by Hilton
this year we decided to benefit more children 6161 West Centinela Avenue,
than last year (2011) with school supplies and of Culver City, CA 90230
course, this Once a kit will cover 5,800 for each
child.
Is Great and Wonderful God? IMMENSELY BIG
AND WONDERFUL!
6
Article translated
Armenia This means each of us had the opportunity to
find people from different places and cultures
who were doing the same work or at least were
interested in the work we did.
After the “market”, we found many wonderful
motivated people who were only glad to share
with the work, experiences, good-practices,
challenges they had in their organization and
community.
After the forum, we still keep in touch and have
become good friends. At the end of the
conference,, we met the president of Kabardino-
On September 8, 2011, 4 young Armenians and I Balkaria Arsen Kanokov who warmly welcomed
participated in the International Youth forum “For the participants and wished success in the work
Mutual Understanding Caucasus 2011” in Nalchik, they did or were trying to develop in their
Kabardino-Balkaria, Russian Federation. The countries. I came back to Armenia rich with
forum was organized by the Directorate of Youth unforgettable memories and great ideas to bring
and Sport of the Council of Europe and the to life in my own community and organization.
Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the After the forum, we still keep in touch and have
Russian Federation. This being the first time I was become good friends.
travelling to Russia, I was filled with expectations.
At the end of the conference,, we met the
At the Russian airport, a man and a woman from president of Kabardino-Balkaria, Arsen Kanokov,
the Conference greeted us with placards, our who warmly welcomed the participants and
names in their hands. They welcomed us to their wished success in the work they did or were
country and took us to the hotel where we met trying to develop in their countries. I came back
150 active participants from different parts of the to Armenia rich with unforgettable memories
world: Britain, Georgia, Armenia, Russia, and great ideas to bring to life in my own
Azerbaijan, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, community and organization.
Poland, Latvia, Serbia and Litva.
After a short break, the conference started. The
main discussion topics were youth policy in peace-
building, intercultural dialogue, promoting
democracy, human rights and rule of law through
activities based on non-formal education.
The most significant part of the conference for me
was the “organization market”. In this exercise,
each participant presented his/her organization
and attempted to “sell” its projects and activities.
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