St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-27
Bulletin Contents

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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






Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros/Matins: 9:00am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am


Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

This Sunday's Memorials

Christine Valasakos - 2 years
Denise Apostol - 4 years
Katherine Navrides - 4 years
Florence (Efrosini) Apostol - 39 years
Mike (Emmanuel) Apostol - 42 years
 
 
Paraklesis Service Schedule for the "Fifteen Days of August"
 
Keeping with the Holy Tradition of the Church, seeking divine help through the intercession of the Theotokos, we will once again gather for communal prayer as we lift up our voices to her for our health and well-being through the Paraklesis service. 
 
The Paraklesis services will be offered at 6:00 pm on Friday evening, August 1st and Friday evening, August 8th.  The Paraklesis service will also be offered at 10:00 am on Monday morning, August 4th and on Wednesday morning, August 13th. 
 
Also, the feast day services during the month of August are as follows -
The Great Vespers Service for the Transfiguration of the Lord will be offered on the evening of Tuesday, August 5th at 6:00 pm.  The Orthros/Preparatory Service will be offered on Wednesday, August 6th at 9:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.  
 
The Great Vespers Service for the Falling Asleep of the Holy Theotokos  will be offered on the evening of Thursday, August 14th at 6:00 pm. The Orthros/Preparatory Service will be offered on Friday, August 15th at 9:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.  
 
Please make every effort to be present to help pray for the sick, the suffering and for those held in captivity during the Paraklesis services throughout the Fifteen Days of August.  

You may receive a form to write/offer the names of your loved ones who need prayer for health and well-being from the narthex of the church.  Please return your names to Fr. Andrew before each Paraklesis Service and more importantly, make every effort to be present for the services to be part of the prayers for our loved ones.

 

Nursery and Cry Room is Available

A nursery and cry room is located in the Narthex behind the candle box, offering a quiet space (with toys and books) for parents with young children. There is also a rocking chair and a changing table. The room is equipped with a monitor providing both video and audio, allowing you to follow the Divine Liturgy. For assistance or more information, please speak with a member of the Narthex Duty team.

 

 
Project Mexico 2025 Slideshow This Sunday, July 27th
 
Please join us in the hall during Fellowship this Sunday, July 27th for a short slideshow and presentation by the participants of our homebuilding trip to Project Mexico. We thank all of our donors and supporters for making this trip possible!
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
 
 

Kids’ Corner

Will be open this Sunday, July 27th in the Lower Education Building.

 

Greek School

Get ready for the new school year! Greek School registrations open with early bird pricing from July 28th to August 30th - don’t miss the chance to enroll at a discount. Join us for our Open House event, “Meet & Greek,” on August 24th right after the Divine Liturgy, to explore our program, meet the teachers and enjoy a Greek style brunch. Whether you're a new student or returning, we can’t wait to welcome you!

 

Faith, Family & Fellowship

Join Philoptochos on Sunday, August 3rd for our first - Faith, Family & Fellowship. Bring your favorite brownies, cookies or any item to share with our community during fellowship. Think of it as a Potluck fellowship! Please drop off your items in the kitchen before the Divine Liturgy. Questions? Gina B. 858-204-1016.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.

 

Little Angels Playgroup

Will meet this Monday, July 28th, 9:45 - 11:00 am and siblings are welcome over the summer! 

 

Meraki Service Project

On August 9th, we will be joining the San Diego River Park Foundation for a river clean-up service project in Mission Valley! The time for this project is from 8am-11am (please note the earlier start time). RSVPs for this Meraki Project are appreciated. Meraki Service Project Group is open to elementary aged children and their families (preschool children welcome with parents). Text Julie Dennis to RSVP 619-618-5116.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.

 

GOYA New School Year Kick-Off Party

Save the Date on August 24th at 4:30pm for a beach/bay party and bonfire! 

 

Metropolis YAL Conference

The YAL (Young Adult League) Conference hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco is coming up soon! Join us in Seattle, WA from August 28 – September 1, 2025 for an immersive weekend of Fellowship, Service, Worship and Witness. Young adults ages 18 – 35 will engage in a wide array of workshops that expand on the Conference theme, “RENEW,” giving them the opportunity to spiritually recharge, re-engage with their Orthodox identity, and recommit to life in the Church. Visit www.sanfran.goarch.org/YAL2025 to register today!

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.

 

Sunday School Resumes September 7th

Register today for the upcoming school year! We ask that all families complete the registration form for their children and teens every year. https://forms.gle/DuJXPFQ4Xc1UCCQ8A

Registration form is also available on our website: https://sites.google.com/stspyridon.org/stspyridonyouthministries

Need more information? Email the Youth Ministries Director at [email protected] or call at 619-618-5116.

 

Philoptochos Decorated Icons

Commemorate a Feast Day by offering a decorated icon to be displayed in the Narthex for veneration. The suggested donation is $85 to: Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Call the church office at 619-297-4165 to reserve your decorated icon.

Icons available for decoration:

8/15 – The Falling Asleep of the Theotokos

8/27 – St. Phanourios the Great Martyr

8/29 – The Beheading of St. John the Baptist

 

Fellowship and Coffee Hour

Please consider sponsoring a Sunday Fellowship Hour with your friends and family by providing simple refreshments (donuts or bagels, fruit, and juice).  This is a beautiful way to honor family members or celebrate special occasions. To sign up, please contact Olympia (Debbie) Kyriakidis at 619-807-1051.
 
With appreciation, 
 
Anthousa Chapter of Philoptochos
 
Available Sundays:
August 17th
August 24th
September 21st
October 12th
 
 

Greek Dance and Choral School 

We are resting our dance shoes for the summer before we restart our classes in the fall. If you are interested in joining a Greek dance group or would like to volunteer, please email [email protected] or call 714-931-2431.

 
 
Church Parking Lot

We kindly ask that you please follow these parking guidelines when using the church lot:

  • To ensure Emergency Vehicle access, please do not park in the exit driveway onto Indiana Street.
  • Double-parking must be avoided so as not to inconvenience other parishioners.
  • Please ensure that no exits are blocked and that no vehicles are blocked in.
  • Please park only in marked spaces to help us maintain a smooth flow of traffic when entering and exiting the lot.

Thank you for your consideration and for helping to keep our parking area safe and accessible for all parishioners.

 

Agape Meals

 Our Philoptochos Agape Meal program provides meals to our St. Spyridon community members who may need help with a meal(s) during a time of need. If you are interested in preparing a home-cooked meal for our parishioners, please reach out to Marian Dougenis at [email protected] or mobile 619-520-3660. Thank you.
 
 
The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Ancient Greece Exhibit
 
Encounter the latest discoveries from Messenia, an epicenter of Mycenaean civilization in Late Bronze Age Greece, displayed for the first time outside Europe. Archaeology and cutting-edge science reveal the world of the Griffin Warrior, whose grave held offerings of incomparable artistry. Princely burials in monumental tombs reflect a society that came to be ruled by the Palace of Nestor in ancient Pylos. Carved sealstones, goldwork, elaborate weapons, and wall paintings accompany inscribed tablets that document the final year of a powerful kingdom.
 
Getty Villa Museum 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (Villa Museum Galleries) from June 27, 2025 - January 12, 2026. Free Admission.
 

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. 

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Inserts and Flyers

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying and the napkin, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10.

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.


Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35

At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

And then at last He for His part lays His hand upon them, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you." And this He does to confirm their faith, and to show that they are participators in the good work ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 32 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

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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 Great Martyr Panteleimon in the Third Mode

Panteleimon, saintly champion and healer, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of sins.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
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Saints and Feasts

July 27

Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer

This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.


July 28

Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, & Parmenas the Apostles of the 70

These Apostles of the Seventy are mentioned in Acts 6:5. Saint Prochoros became Bishop of Nicomedia and reposed in peace. Saint Nicanor was stoned to death in Jerusalem. Saint Timon became Bishop of Bostra in Arabia and ended his life in martyrdom by fire at the hands of the pagans. Saint Parmenas died in peace in Jerusalem.


July 29

Kallinikos the Martyr of Asia Minor

Saint Callinicus was from Cilicia. Because he preached Christ and turned many pagans away from the idols, he was seized by Sacerdon the Governor, who subjected him to many tortures, then had him shod with shoes in which nails had been fixed upright, and compelled him to run to the city of Gangra, where he was burned alive in a furnace.


July 30

Silas & Silvanos the Apostles of the 70

Saint Silas was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. Saint Silvanos became Bishop of Thessalonica, and also reposed in peace. Saint Crescents, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Second Epistle to Timothy(4:10), became Bishop of Chalcedon, and brought many to the Faith. As for him whom the Apostle of the Nations praises as "my well-beloved Epenetus, the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Roman 16:5), he became Bishop of Carthage, and after enduring many afflictions from the idolators, and bringing many of them to Christ, he departed to the Lord.


July 31

Joseph the Righteous of Arimathea

Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent Jewish leader during the time of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned in the Gospels as being a rich man from Arimathea who was a secret disciple of Christ due to his status in the Sanhedrin. After the crucifixion and death of our Lord, Joseph approached Pontius Pilate out of piety and asked for the body of Jesus so that he might bury it honorably. He, together with Saint Nicodemus, removed the body of Christ from the cross in the presence of the Theotokos and the Myrrh-Bearing Women, wrapped it in a linen shroud, anointed it with spices, and laid it in a new tomb that he owned. This disciple later traveled the world proclaiming the Gospel until he reposed in peace in England. The Church commemorates him individually on July 31st and along with the Myrrh-Bearing Women and Nicodemus on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha (the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers).


August 01

The Holy Seven Maccabees, Eleazar the Martyr

The names of the Holy Maccabees are Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus. They were Jews by race and exact keepers of the Laws of the Fathers. They lived during the reign of Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes ("Illustrious"), the King of Syria and an implacable enemy of the Jews. Having subjugated their whole nation and done many evil things to them, not sparing to assail the most sacred matters of their Faith, he constrained them, among other things, to partake of swine's flesh, which was forbidden by the Law. Then these pious youths, on being apprehended together with their mother and their teacher, were constrained to set at nought the Law, and were subjected to unspeakable tortures: wrackings, the breaking of their bones, the flaying of their flesh, fire, dismemberment, and such things as only a tyrant's mind and a bestial soul is able to contrive. But when they had endured all things courageously and showed in deed that the mind is sovereign over the passions and is able to conquer them if it so desires, they gloriously ended their lives in torments, surrendering their life for the sake of the observance of the divine Law. The first to die was their teacher Eleazar, then all the brethren in the order of their age. As for their wondrous mother Solomone, "filled with a courageous spirit, and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly wrath" (II Macc. 7:21), she was present at her children's triumph over the tyrant, strengthening them in their struggle for the sake of their Faith, and enduring stout-heartedly their sufferings for the sake of their hope in the Lord. After her last and youngest son had been perfected in martyrdom, when she was about to be seized to be put to death, she cast herself into the fire that they might not touch her, and was thus deemed worthy of a blessed end together with her sons, in the year 168 before Christ.


August 02

Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr

After the First Martyr had been stoned to death (see Dec. 27), Gamaliel, his teacher, encouraged certain of the Christians to go by night and take up the Saint's body and bury it in his field, which was at a distance of some twenty miles from Jerusalem and was called by his name, "Kaphar-gamala," that is, "the field of Gamala," where Gamaliel himself was later buried. About the year 427, a certain pious man called Lucian, who was the parish priest of a church near to that field, received from God a revelation in a dream concerning the place where the First Martyr was buried. He immediately made this known to John, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Thus, coming to the place indicated, and digging there, they found a box with the word "Stephen" in Aramaic letters. On opening it, they took these most sacred relics and transferred them to Jerusalem with great honor and in the company of a very great multitude of the faithful.


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