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→The establishment of the Ss. Constantine and Helen parish in Galveston, Texas
==The establishment of the Ss. Constantine and Helen parish in Galveston, Texas==
[[Image:ssconstantine_helen.jpg|left|frame|Ss. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church]]
It is known that with the outset of the American Civil War, a group of multi-ethnic Orthodox Christians were having regular prayer meetings in Galveston, as early as 1861, and they called themselves “the Parish of S.S. Constantine and Helen”. Galveston is a seaport, and prior to 1900, it was the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Texas, and was referred to as the Manhattan of the Gulf Coast.
In Galveston, all properties faced either North-west or South-east, so they had chosen property that left the Church unusually facing South-east. And, although the Icon of Saint Nicholas was placed in the Iconostas to Honor Tzar Nicholas II as the Patron of the Church; it was Fr. Theoclitos’ decision to use the name S. S. Constantine and Helen Church, because the congregation that started on its own should be remembered. Bishop Nicholas was invited and he accepted; and the Consecration of our church occurred on June 3rd 1896, the feast day of S.S. Constantine and Helen. Fr. Theoclitos’ decision on the name of the Church, was not unusual with him. He was known to have baptized children with names other than their parents had asked for. But his guidance and decisions were always accepted by his congregation. He had services in the Slavonic, Greek and Arabic languages.
In 1897, Fr. Theoclitos purchased a 36 plot track in the Lake View Cemetery as a gift to his Congregation. He buried his flock in the next consecutive plot, without regard to couples or children or any relationship, because he saw them as one congregational family. [[Image:ssconstantine_helen2.jpg|left|frame|Ss. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church]]
==Missionary Activity and Continued Ministry in Galveston==
