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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2017-03-12
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
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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 Memorials 

Katherine Scordalakis - 40 days 
Haralambos Panayiotou - 6 months
Angeliki Georggin - 1 year
Pauline (Panayiota) Kallas - 15 years 

Lenten Services for the Month of March

This Friday evening, March 10th - 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 15th - Pre Sanctified Gifts - 6:00 PM

Friday, March 17th - 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos - 7:00 PM 

Wednesday morning, March 22nd - Pre Sanctified Gifts - 10:00 AM 

Friday, March 24th - 4th Salutations to the Theotokos - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 29th - Pre Sanctified Gifts - 6:00 PM

Friday, March 31st - Akathistos/Hymn Without Sitting - 6:30 PM

NEW PARISH DIRECTORY - PHOTOS UNDERWAY NOW!!! 

Individual or family photos for the new parish directory are being taken NOW! Please make sure your family info is current with the church office and have your individual or family photo taken at one of the scheduled photo sessions.  There are only 6 days left to chose from, so please select one that is convenient for you and your family and make your reservations NOW!
 
Each individual or family that has their photo taken will receive a complimentary copy of the new directory PLUS one complimentary 8x10 portrait, along with the opportunity to purchase additional photos if desired.
 
Reservations can be made at our church website (www.stspyridon.org), after church during fellowship, or by contacting Stella directly at (858)694-0570 or email at 4weils@sbcglobal.net.
 
Don't be left out! We hope to have every parishioner be a part of this new directory, so please submit your information and book your appointment now! Please see the "Inserts and Fliers" section below

Icons Left in the Holy Altar for a Blessing

Please reflect upon if you have left/forgotten your icons in the Holy Altar to be blessed.  If you have please let Fr. Andrew know and he will offer the blessing over them and return them to you.  

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. 

MOCHAS for MISSIONS

Be a STAR this Great Lent and Offer your BUCKS to Missions! 

Help support new and growing mission parishes in our Metropolis! Curb your coffee purchases during Great Lent and give just $20 towards Mochas for Missions. If every parish family gives only $20, we can easily reach our $2,000 goal by Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017! Kindly place your donation in the canisters on Sundays or mail to the church office. Our collection will run from March 5th to June 4th. 

God bless you for your generosity in helping to bring Orthodox Churches to cities that don’t have local parishes! 

With Love in Christ, 

Soula De La Riva

Soula.delariva@cox.net – (760) 521-0471

Please see the "Inserts and Fliers" section below

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 March 12, March 19th, April 2nd, April 23rd, April 30th, and May 7th).  We meet in the lounge immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Coffee and tea is provided.Bring your bible.

Seniors Gathering

The Seniors will be providing a delicious lunch at our next gathering Tuesday, February 14th at 11 a.m. in the church hall. Our guest speaker is Mr. Maxwell Anastopulos, Attorney at Law. In order to plan for the luncheon we must know if you are able to attend. Please contact CYNTHIA SAMARKOS at 619-582-4109 or email her at tedcynsam@cox.net by Sunday, March 12th.

Greek Festival Meeting

The next Greek Festival meeting is THIS Wednesday, March 15th at 7:00 p.m.

Bookstore

Please visit us and pick up you new 2017 Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar.

Philoptochos (The Monarch School)

Philoptochos will once again host a dinner for 200 homeless children and families attending The Monarch School, 1625 Newton Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113, and we are meeting at our church hall between 3 and 3:30 pm on Monday, March 20th. Please respond to Marian Dougenis mkdougenis@prodigy.net or call 619-520-3660 to sign up. We will also start a clothing drive of gently used or new clothing for these children. They are running low on shirts for girls and boys (S, M, L, XL) and t-shirts for teen girls and boys for PE class (S,M,L,XL).  Please drop off your donations to the church hall. There will be a box marked Monarch School. Thank you.

Greek School

St. Spyridon Greek School Invites you to The 2017 Annual Greek Independence Day Program & Fundraiser, Sunday March 26th following the Divine Liturgy. Our Greek School students are working hard to present a wonderful program that will include poems, songs, skits and dances dedicated to our Greek heroes! $20 for Adults • $8 for Children Under 12 • Greek School Students Free. SEATING IS LIMITED! TICKETS WILL BE SOLD IN THE CHURCH HALL FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY. For credit card payments and reservations please contact Candice Kotinopoulos @ 619-663-7653 or email Candice at  candice@candicenasco.com. 

GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon

Join us on Sunday, April 9th for the GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon in the Church Hall following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.  Luncheon tickets are $20 for Adults and $8 for children under 12.  Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.  If payment is received by March 28th you will be entered in an opportunity drawing.  Please see the GOYA table in the Church hall today to purchase tickets and write your check to St. Spyridon GOYA.  For more information please contact Bill Navrides at 619-992-6775 or bill.navrides@sharp.com.  Thank you for always supporting the GOYA ministry at St. Spyridon GOC!

The St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church / George & Rose Papanicolaou Scholarship Fund

Attention: 2017 High School graduating Seniors. The applications are now available on the Church’s website located at : http://www.stspyridon.org/scholarships.html. The deadline for submittal of all applications is: March 31, 2017. Any questions please contact: Mrs. Helen Mellos at 619-298-2070, HMM@mellos.org OR Mrs. Christine Cremidan at 619-588-7844, cremidanac@cox.net.

Zathas Foundation Scholarships

One of the primary purposes of the Zathas Foundation is to provide financial assistance to high school graduating seniors, community college students transferring to a 4-year college and to full-time undergraduate college/university students. Completed applications must be received before May 1st. If you would like an application, please contact Spero Tzathas at spe1@cox.net.

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

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

The Philoptochos would like to extend a huge thank you to all the families and organizations of the St. Spyridon community that have offered the coffee hour over the past several years. This has been a beautiful tradition for many years where the community has time to visit with their family and friends after liturgy. We thank you for your continued participation and would like to ask if you are interested in offering for an upcoming name day, birthday. anniversary, memorial, etc, please email Marian Dougenis at mkdougenis@prodigy.net to check the available dates. There will be a fellowship calendar in the hall so please pick a date that works for you. Thank you for your participation. 

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.

Decorated Feast Day Icons

Philoptochos invites you and your family to commemorate a special Feast Day by sponsoring the floral adornments around the blessed icons.  Throughout the liturgical year there are many opportunities to offer a decorated feast day icon on any scheduled feast day.  Please consider honoring the saint or event of the liturgical year, ie Epiphany, The Nativity of our Lord, St. Nicholas, etc.  This offering is a perfect way to not only honor a feast Day and a family member as well.  Suggested donation for each decorated feast day icon is $75.00, and the donation needs to be mailed to the church office three (3) weeks prior to the feast/saints day.   If you are interested please contact the church office for available scheduled feast day opportunities.

 

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Inserts and Fliers

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

For though in the beginning He Himself went about, and did not require so much faith of them that came unto Him; yet in this case they both approached Him, and had faith required on their part. For, "Seeing," it is said, "their faith;" that is, the faith of them that had let the man down.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
St. Peter Chrysologus
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

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Saints and Feasts

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March 12

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Allsaint
March 13

Removal of the relics of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

The main feast day of this Saint is June 2. The translation of his holy relics took place in 846, when Saint Methodius (see June 14) was Ecumenical Patriarch.

Benedict
March 14

Benedict the Righteous of Nursia

This Saint, whose name means "blessed," was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.

Allsaint
March 15

Agapius the Martyr & His Companions

The holy Martyrs contested for piety's sake during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Urban was Governor of Caesarea of Palestine. When Urban had commanded that together with a heathen festival, certain condemned Christians be publicly cast to wild beasts, Timolaus, a native of Pontus, Dionysius of Tripolis in Phoenicia, Romulus of Diospolis, Plesius (or Paisius) and Alexander from Egypt, and another Alexander from Gaza, tied their own hands and presented themselves to Urban when the exhibition was about to begin, professing their faith in Christ; they were immediately cast into prison. A few days later Agapios and Dionysius also presented themselves. All were beheaded together at Caesarea. Their martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius (Eccl. Hist.,Book VIII, ch.3, called The Martyrs of Palestine).

Allsaint
March 16

Sabine the Martyr of Egypt

The holy Martyr Sabine was from Hermopolis in Egypt, and was known for his zeal and piety. During the persecution of Diocletian, he concealed himself with other Christians in a small dwelling outside the city. But when he was discovered, and professed his faith in Christ, he was taken before Arian the Governor, and after he had been tortured he was drowned in the river. Concerning Arian the Governor, See also December 14.

Alexismanofgod
March 17

Alexios the Man of God

Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.

Allsaint
March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us, the faithful, give praise and worship to the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit and born of the Virgin for our salvation. Of his own will he mounted the cross in the flesh, suffered death, and raised the dead by his glorious resurrecti

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
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