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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2017-09-17
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Fliers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Sophia
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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (619) 297-4165
  • Fax:
  • (619) 297-4181
  • Street Address:

  • 3655 Park Boulevard

  • San Diego, CA 92103

Contact Information

Parish Priest Fr. Andrew S.

frandrew@stspyridon.org | 619-297-4165

Parish Office For General Office Information

office@stspyridon.org | 619-297-4165

Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros/Matins: 8:30am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

This Sunday's Memorial

Stella Angeles - 40 days
George Mastorakos - 1 year
Demetrius Capatanos - 16 years

Hellenic Fairways Golf Classic is Now Open for Registration

The Hellenic Fairways Golf Classic is scheduled for Friday, October 27, 2017 at Willowbrook Golf Course. You can now register online for the Hellenic Golf Classic today at http://brownrhad.wixsite.com/hellenicfairways  Also, for more information contact Rhad Brown at
brownrhad@gmail.com or by phone at 619-573-2304
See the "Inserts and Fliers" section below

The Stewardship Committee Thanks YOU

The Stewardship Committee thanks all of our faithful stewards for their commitment in supporting the services and activities offered to our parishioners and their families. Every week, our church community is energized with volunteers giving of their precious Time,Talent and Treasure to support our church, our ministries, our seniors and our youth. Our parish continually works to increase the financial support needed by our varied and many parish ministries.  The upcoming expansion of our church parking lot is a tremendous blessing that will hopefully encourage more of you to come and share the Love of Christ in prayer and fellowship.  Please remember that these improvements are only possible through your generous gifts of stewardship. Please continue help us through consistent monthly giving so that we can respond to the needs of your parish. We have much to accomplish in the years ahead and your generosity and sacrifice are needed.

May God Great continue to bless your families as faithful stewards of our community in Christ.

The Stewardship Committee of Saint Spyridon GOC

John Kalas, Stewardship Chair              Fr. Andrew Scordalakis                                                    

Jim Gilpin, Greg Kostas, Bill Navrides, Ben De La Riva, Stephen Thiros and Spero Tzathas

Altar Server Team for This Sunday, September 17th

St. John:  Captain: John Navrides, Justin (Niko) Davis, Michael Defelippi, Luke Georggin, Theo Huntalas, Andrew Kaitson, Matei Popa, Alexios Savvides, John Savvides. 

The Women of the Word (W.O.W.)

The Women of the Word (W.O.W.) study group will meet weekly on Wednesdays at noon in the lower Education Building next to the office. We are looking forward to this year’s shared journey with the book, Thirty Steps to Heaven written by Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassliou.

GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Greek School began Wednesday, September 6th and classes are filling up. For information contact Athena Georges at 619 992-4452 or athenakotinopoulos@gmail.com.

Sunday School

Sunday School has resumed as of last Sunday Sunday, September 10th.

THE ORDER OF PROCESSION WHEN RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION - When Sunday School is in Session

Please allow our Sunday School children and their teachers to be the first to receive so they can depart for their lessons. Specifically, 5th grade and up should come on the right side (without parents or grandparents) before the choir and proceed to class immediately. Then, allow the choir to approach also from the right side. Then, quietly, row by row, at the direction of the Parish Council members, those remaining in the pews are asked to move into the center aisle, receive Holy Communion and return to their pew for the remaining Thanksgiving Prayers using the side aisles.

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

Sunday School class for adults (taught by Michael Kallas, MA, MDiv).  Please join us as we follow the bible readings from Pascha to Pentecost to study the gospel according to St. John (Sunday, September 17th). We meet in the lounge immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Coffee and tea is provided. Bring your bible.

SAVE THE DATE! - The Pan Arcadians - "Destiny of Distinction"

The Pan Arcadians are busily making plans for their annual fund raiser “Destiny of Distinction”.  The gala will be held September 30 at 5:00 PM in the Cypress Room of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.

The event will feature a social hour with appetizers and a full Greek dinner complete with wine, music and dancing.  Tickets are $75 for adults $25 children under twelve.  Reservations: Sam Tzathas (619)917-9534 or Angie Georggin (619)972-6410. 

This year’s “Destiny of Distinction” recipients are Father Simeon Corona, Father Andrew Scordalakis, and Father Michael Sitaras.  They will be honored for their services to our communities and their unfailing support of our organization and its charities.  Our scholarship recipient, Mary Kathryn Fellios, will also be recognized that night.

Please support our scholarship fund by placing messages in our program book.  Consider offering your greetings to the honorees or family members.  You may also memorialize your loved ones.  We request that the messages be in the form of a word document and attached to the email.  For further information, please email Fred Georggin at freggo@aol.com or Sam Tzathas at sotiros@n2.net.  More information to follow.  See you at the  gala!

Adrienne Robas Bell, President Tegea 101

SAVE THE DATE! - GOYANS

GOYANS join us on Saturday, October 14th at Ultrazone for Laser Tag. PLEASE meet at Ultrazone – 3146 Sports Arena Blvd., SD 92110 at 4:30 SHARP as the first race begins at 4:45. After two rounds we will head go to the GOYA room for Sloopy Joe’s. RSVP by Oct 9th at navridesfamily@gmail.com or 619-825-6750.

SAVE THE DATE - 

Anthousa Chapter of Philoptochos invites you to….

Membership, Munchies and Mimosas

Sunday, October 15th 

Join us in the Hall after the Divine Liturgy – we can’t wait to share with you what we have planned for this coming Fall & Holiday season and the New Year! You will have an opportunity to join a committee, learn more about Philoptochos and our Ministries, become a member, and enjoy the sisterhood of your fellow Ladies of Philoptochos. We believe the good works of our Anthousa Philoptochos “Friends of the Poor” Chapter are vital and noble – to aid the needy and the poor, to promote the charitable, benevolent and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and much more. Our work will provide you with many gratifying opportunities to serve your parish and community. 

Please join us as we continue to put our faith into action through our ministry.  We welcome your participation in Philoptochos, no matter how much time you can commit.  We look forward to seeing on October 15th  – please bring a friend.

Philoptochos Membership for 2017

As we gear up for another fall season of serving those in need, we would like to remind you to renew your Philoptochos membership for 2017. Your support truly makes the work of Philoptochos possible! Also, we are always looking for new members, so if you are thinking of joining our dynamic chapter, now is a great time to do so! Contact Soula De La Riva, 760-521-0471 or soula.delariva@cox.net for more information. Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE! - Philoptochos Thanksgiving Luncheon

Sunday, November 12th. More information to follow.

SAVE THE DATE! - Hellenic Fairways Golf Classic

Save The Date! Hellenic Fairways Golf Classic. Friday, October 27, 2017 at Willowbrook Golf Course. For more information cotact Rhad Brown: brownrhad@gmail.com or 619-573-2304. Please see the "Inserts and Fliers" section below

Body Basics Parking Spaces

Please be reminded that one of our tenants, Body Basics, has been given permission to use two parking spaces off the alley near Park Blvd. on Sunday mornings.  Please be respectful of that agreement and do not park in these two marked spaces on Sunday mornings. Please know that we are working diligently and moving forward to provide more parking for our church members.  In the meantime, please pay attention to the signs marking the two spaces for Body Basics and do not block their customers from using those two designated spaces. Thank you.

Your Legacy and Your Church

...to whom much is given; from them much more is required (Luke 12:48).   Please remember to include your Saint Spyridon parish in your estate plan and bequest.

Philoptochos and Coffee Hour

We hope you continue to enjoy the long standing tradition of coffee hour over the summer. Philoptochos is thankful for the continued support from all the families and organizations that offer every week. We kindly ask that you consider offering at least once per year, so think of name days, celebrations, memorials, fundraisers, etc. Offering fellowship is easy and can be shared with another family if you like. Please contact Christina Vassos at 619-818-6882 or cmvassos@gmail.com to see which dates are available. There is also a calendar in the hall. Thank you! 

Decorated Feast Day Icons

Philoptochos invites you and your family to commemorate a special Feast Day by sponsoring a beautifully decorated icon which will be displayed in the church Narthex for all to venerate. This offering,  a floral adornment around the blessed icon, is a perfect way to honor both your family member(s) as well as an important day in the life of the Church.  Throughout the liturgical year there are many opportunities to sponsor a decorated icon, so please reserve your dates now. 

The following Saints and Feast Days will be celebrated during September and October and have icons available to sponsor:
 
Sun, Sept. 17:    St. Sophia and her 3 Daughters: Faith, Hope and Love
 
Tues, Sept. 26:   Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian
 
Wed, Oct. 18:     St. Luke the Evangelist
 
Mon, Oct. 23:     St. James the Apostle
 
Thus, Oct. 26:     St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer 
 
The suggested donation for each icon is $75; please contact Stella Weil at 4weils@sbcglobal.net or(858)694-0570 to reserve your icon/date or if you have any questions.  Thank you.

Youth & Young Adults Social Media

Program Description: Connect with the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries through social media to stay current with all the most recent news & events. We are all living and working in the mobile age, and the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is committed to building its presence on the internet. These sites serve as a unified place to connect our youth, young adults, clergy, youth workers, and parents throughout our very geographically diverse Metropolis. It will also be a place for everyone to share their ideas. Please be sure to check out these sites! 

Receive Back 0.5% From “Amazon Smile” Foundation

We are pleased to announce, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego now participates in AmazonSmile.  AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets you enjoy the same wide selection of millions of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.  The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.  That’s right, every eligible purchase you or someone else makes at AmazonSmile 0.5% will be donated back to our parish!!!

Register by visiting AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) and select “St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church” before you make your first purchase (be sure to select St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church - San Diego, California).  Amazon will remember your selection and each time a purchase is made AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% back to our parish.  

For more information about AmazonSmile, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about 

We hope you’ll consider this easy way to support your beloved parish.  Everyone is eligible to participate so tell your friends and relatives and spread the word about this wonderful program.  It takes little effort and with our collective participation and God’s continued blessings, our parish can benefit from this program. 

A short video will be available on the parish website demonstrating how to select St. Spyridon GOC as your charity in your Amazon user account.

Live Stream Broadcast  

If you know someone who may be in the hospital or home bound or for whatever reason just cannot get to church, don’t forget about the Live Stream Broadcast of our Divine Services.  You can watch our Live Broadcast by going to our parish website and clicking on the “Live Broadcast” tab on the top tool bar.  Remember, our Live Stream Broadcast is for those who absolutely cannot physically make the divine services of the church and is not a substitute for being present.  Also, please be aware that conversations, crying babies, etc. can be heard on the broadcast.  We have a wonderful cry room facility, which is located off the Narthex behind the candle stand, and is comfortable and provided for your convenience. 

The Live Stream divine services of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego, CA may not be recorded, retransmitted or reproduced without the express written consent of the Parish Council of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego, CA. Thank you for your consideration.

Donations toward the digital ministries of the parish are warmly welcomed.  If you would like to help support the ministries of Saint Spyridon please contact the church office.  Again, thank you.

 

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Inserts and Fliers

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

The key to knowledge is the humility of Christ. The door of the Kingdom of Heaven is open, not to those who only know in their learned minds the mysteries of faith and the commandments of their Creator, but to those who have progressed far enough to live by them.
St. Bede the Venerable
Unknown, 8th century

To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

A Christian's . . . duty is to "take up his cross." The word cross means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To take up one's cross means to bear without grumblings everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that ay happen to us in life. . .without expecting any earthly reward in return, but bear it all with love, with joy and with courageous strength.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Sophia
September 17

Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.

Allsaint
September 18

Eumenius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Gortynia

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and later became Bishop of Gortynia in Crete. He travelled to Rome, and to Thebes in Upper Egypt, where through his prayers he ended a drought; there also, after working many miracles, he reposed in deep old age. His holy relics were returned to Gortynia and buried at the place called Raxos.

Allsaint
September 19

Trophimus, Sabbatius, & Dorymedon the Martyrs

In 278, during the reign of Probus, Saints Trophimus and Sabbatius came to Antioch, and seeing the city celebrating the festival of Apollo at Daphne lamented the blindness of the people, and presented themselves as Christians to Atticus the Governor. Saint Trophimus was stripped of his clothing, and was stretched out and beaten until the earth was red with his blood. Then he was hung up, scraped on his sides, and imprisoned in torments. Saint Sabbatius was tortured so savagely that he gave up his spirit in his sufferings. Trophimus was sent to Synnada, wearing iron shoes fitted with sharp iron nails within; he was further tormented without mercy, then cast into prison. Dorymedon, a counsellor, and a pagan, came to the prison and cared for Trophimus. When a certain feast came, Dorymedon was asked why he did not sacrifice to the idols; he proclaimed himself a Christian, for which he was imprisoned, pierced with heated spits, frightfully punished, and finally beheaded with Saint Trophimus.

Eustathi
September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.

Jonah2
September 21

Jonah the Prophet

The Prophet Jonah, the son of Amathi, of the town of Geth-hopher (IV Kings 14:25), was of the tribe of Zabulon; he prophesied during the years 838-810 before Christ. God commanded him to go to Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrians, and to proclaim that its destruction was nigh at hand because of the sins of its people. But he, as a Prophet who knew the great compassion of God, feared that at his preaching the Ninevites would repent; that God, accepting their repentance in His love for man, would not fulfill Jonah' threats; and that he would be branded a false prophet. So he disobeyed the divine command, and boarded a ship and departed elsewhere. Yet, the sudden and fearful sea-storm and the revelation of Jonah' disbedience caused the sailors to cast him into the sea. A great sea-monster appeared straightway by divine providence, and swallowed him up. For three days and nights he was found in its belly and he prayed, saying the words, "I cried aloud in my affliction unto the Lord my God..." (Jonah 2:3, the Sixth ode of the Holy Psalter). The sea-monster then vomited him up on dry land and he again heard God's command. Wherefore, he went and preached, saying, "In three days, Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people became terrified and all repented. The great, the small, babes at the breast, and even the irrational beasts themselves fasted, and thus, having found mercy from God, they were spared His wrath. Jonah' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters, and is placed fifth in order among the twelve minor Prophets. His three-day sojourn in the sea-monster's belly is an image of our Saviour's three-day burial and His life-bringing Resurrection (Matt. 12:39-40). His name means "dove."

Phocas
September 22

Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope

This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.

Nativitybaptist
September 23

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, and those guarding it became as dead. Mary stood at your grave seeking your pure body. But you stripped the power of Hades, yet were not touched by corruption. You met the virgin and granted her life. O Lord, who

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archbishop Demetrios Announces Resignation of Jerry Dimitriou

09/08/2017

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America announced that with regret, he has accepted the resignation of Mr. Jerry Dimitriou, the Executive Director of Administration, effective today, September 8, 2017.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-demetrios-announces-resignation-of-jerry-dimitriou

Αnnouncement of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

09/02/2017

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces that information published in a daily Greek-American newspaper stating that His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America was asked by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to resign, is false and baseless.
https://www.goarch.org/-/announcement-of-the-greek-orthodox-archdiocese
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