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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2017-03-19
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

Lenten Services for the Month of March

This 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

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.

Special Tray Passing

This Sunday, March 19th, on the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, the Ladies of Philoptochos will pass a special collection tray. Donations will benefit the operational expenses of Hellenic College Holy Cross. Your generosity is most appreciated.

Paschal Tsoureki Bread Sales!

This Sunday, March 19th, you can order your paschal bread (Tsoureki) that will be made by the loving hands of the Ladies of Philoptochos, and will be available for pickup on Palm Sunday. See Sofia Samouris and Francesca Captain following Divine Liturgy to place your PAID orders of Tsoureki for $15 each. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit our Philoptochos Chapter and the Kids ’n’ Cancer ministry. Thank you for your support! please see the "Inserts and Fliers" section below for a "Tsoureki Reservation Form"

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

Philoptochos (The Monarch School)

Philoptochos will once again host a dinner for 200 homeless children and families attending The Monarch School in San Diego Monday, March 20th. Thanks to your generosity we have enough volunteers. For more information contact Marian Dougenis at mkdougenis@prodigy.net or call 619-520-3660. We will continue to collect 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.

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 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.

Bookstore

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

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

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

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 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 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

Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near, but is given only to those who seek and work, and only to those seekers who, after putting all their powers to the test, then cry out with their whole heart: "Lord, help us."
St. Theophan the Recluse
19th Century

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Saints and Feasts

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March 19

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Allsaint
March 20

Righteous Fathers slain at the Monastery of St. Savas

The Righteous Martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).

Allsaint
March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).

Allsaint
March 22

Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra

Saint Basil strove in martyrdom during the short reign of Julian the Apostate, from 361-363. The Saint was denounced as a Christian to Saturninus, Governor of Ancyra, who, when Basil would not deny Christ, had him hanged from a post and scraped on his sides, then beaten, and cast into prison. A few days later, when Julian himself came through Ancyra, the Saint was brought before him and was asked to deny Christ, Whom he rather confessed the more. Julian then had strips cut in his flesh, so that they were left hanging from his body in front and in back. The valiant Martyr tore one of these strips off of his body and cast it into Julian's face. At this Julian commanded that iron spits be heated fiery hot; Saint Basil's belly, his back, and all his joints were pierced with them, and he received the crown of martyrdom.

Allsaint
March 23

The Holy Righteous Martyr Nicon and His 199 Disciples

Saint Nicon was from Neapolis (Naples) in Italy. His father was an idolater and his mother a Christian. At first he was a soldier, but later he went to the East, where he was baptized and in time became a bishop. After some years, he returned to the West and came to Sicily, where he and many of his disciples were put to death by beheading because they would not worship the idols.

Allsaint
March 24

Artemon the Presbyter

Blessed Artemon came from Seleucia of Pisidia, where he was born and brought up at the time of the holy Apostles. When blessed Apostle Paul was walking and preaching the Gospel around those places, he found St. Artemon and consecrated him Bishop, shepherd and teacher of that city, because the lamp ought not to be hidden under the bushel. St. Artemon ministered his flock well. He became a harbour that saved all those who were in need, he cared for the widows and the orphans, he helped the poor and cured the diseases of both the spirit and the flesh. Having led a life of such God- pleasing works, the thrice-blessed man departed to the Lord full of years. 

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Annuncia
March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

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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 Sun. 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 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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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archdiocese Takes Active Role during International Women’s Commission

03/10/2017

NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is greatly involved in the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, continuing its decades-long work in promoting women’s rights. The functional commission is held annually in New York City at U.N. headquarters, and is generally aimed at advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. During the two-week commission, the Archdiocese is co-sponsoring three parallel events that will focus on various topics related to women’s economic empowerment. All three events are open to the public. See more at: https://www.goarch.org/-/archdiocese-takes-active-role-during-international-women-s-commission
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