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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2017-09-10
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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: 8:30am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am


Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

Hurricane Harvey Relief Update

On Sunday, September 3rd our faith community passed a tray to collect monies for Hurricane Harvey Relief.  Thanks to your generosity our community raised over $2,000 from that collection. All funds collected will be sent directly to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities).  If you would still like to make an offering please go to the link provided and follow the prompts at www.iocc.org

Weekly Services

Thursday, September 14th --  The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Orthros 9:00 AM & Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM and the Procession with the Holy Cross to follow.

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 10th

St. Basil: Captain: Demetri Gilpin, Manolis Andronikos, Michael Angeles, John Burell, Eric Dahl, Demetri Giannousopoulos, Panos Kaperonis, Philipa Trakas, John Woodworth, Nicholas Woodworth, Alexander Vasiliou.

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 will resume this 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 10th). We meet in the lounge immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Coffee and tea is provided. Bring your bible.

Dance & Choral School Board Meeting

Dance & Choral School Board Meeting will be held this Sunday, September 10th following the Divine Liturgy.

Please Welcome

Dn. Stephanos, Dkn. Alexandria Ritsi and their son Moses this Sunday, September 10th. The Ritsi Family, together with local leadership and other Orthodox missionaries, are working to share the message of the Gospel in the country of Albania. Through the prayers and support of parishes all over the country they are working to inspire and train disciples and leaders to serve our Lord in Albania.  Deacon Stephanos will be serving this Sunday's services with Fr. Andrew.

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 - 

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! - GOYA

Join us on Saturday, September 16th at La Jolla Shores Beach at 4:00 pm for a Beach party as we kick off the New Ecclesiastical year.  GOYA will provide the pizzas for everyone.  We are asking families to bring something (please see Sign Up-Genius) OR make a donation to Project Mexico (all donations will be collected that night). Your whole family is invited so please tell your parents and siblings.   RSVP at marianafrangos@gmail.com questions call Michael Defelippi at 858-442-3266.

Dance & Choral School All Parent Meeting

Dance & Choral School All Parent Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 17th following the Divine Liturgy. We hope all that are interested will attend. If you are interested in becoming a director, please attend the meeting.

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 619-573-2304Please 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:
 
Thur, Sept. 14:   Exaltation of the Holy Cross
 
Sat, Sept. 16:     St. Euphemia the Great Martyr
 
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

Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.


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 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

For not in heaven only is He, but everywhere, and He fills all things; but yet He speaks according to the infirmity of His hearer, desiring to lead him up little by little ... For after having spoken of the very great benefaction that had come to man by Baptism, He proceeds to mention another benefaction, which was the cause of this, and not inferior to it; namely, that by the Cross ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

Here Christ speaks concisely, because His discourse was directed to Nicodemus, but still in a more significant manner ... He shows the great strength of His love ... He, the immortal, who is without beginning, the Infinite Majesty, they but dust and ashes, full of ten thousand sins, who, ungrateful, have at all times offended Him; and these He "loved."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

"He gave His Only-begotten Son," not a servant, not an Angel, not an Archangel. And yet no one would show such anxiety for his own child, as God did for His ungrateful servants ... He who giveth life to others, much more to Himself doth He well forth life ... For He calls the Cross the fountain of life; which reason cannot easily allow, as the heathens now by their mocking testify. But faith which goes beyond the weakness of reasoning, may easily receive and retain it.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
September 10

Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs

These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.


Theodoraalexandria
September 11

Theodora of Alexandria

This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.


Allsaint
September 12

Autonomos the Martyr

This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.


Allsaint
September 13

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.


Exaltation
September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


Nikitas
September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.


Euthemia
September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.


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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 Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

The Hymn of Saint Spyridon

At the first of the Synods, you appeared as a champion, * and Wonderworker, our God-bearing Father Spyridon. *  Wherefore, you addressed the dead one in the grave, * and a serpent you changed to gold. *  And while chanting * in service your sacred prayers, * you joined the angels concelebrating, most holy one.*  Glory to Christ who glorified you, * glory to Him who crowned you, * glory to the One who works through You, * healings for everyone.

                                                                                  

Τής Συνόδου τής πρώτης ανεδείχθης υπέρμαχος, * καί Θαυματουργός Θεοφόρε Σπυρίδων πατήρ ημών. *  διό νεκρά σύ έν τάφω προσφωνείς, * καί όφιν είς χρυσούν μετέβαλες. * καί έν τώ μέλπειν τάς αγίας σου ευχάς, *  Αγγέλους έσχες συλλειτουργούντας σοι Ιερώτατε, * Δόξα τώ σέ δοξάσαντι Χριστώ * δόξα τώ σέ στεφανώσαντι. * δόξα τώ ενεργόυντι, διά σου πάσιν ιάματα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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New Composition of the Holy and Great Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

09/01/2017

The Holy and Great Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate announced today the new composition of the Synod for the period Sept.1, 2017 to Feb. 2, 2018 under the chairmanship of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis Release Joint Message on the Environment

09/01/2017

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis released today the following joint message for prayer for the environment and God’s creation that includes an appeal for the healing of our wounded creation.
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