A Warm Welcome to Our Visitors

It is our hope that we will help you learn more about our parish and the Orthodox Christian faith that we confess. At St. Gregory of Nyssa, you will discover an ancient, yet dynamic faith, a warm Church family and even perhaps a spiritual home where you can grow roots and a deep relationship with Christ in the Holy Spirit. Please know that in the Holy Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is given only to those Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and recent Confession. You are welcome to come forward at the end of the Liturgy to be given the Blessed Bread(Antidoron), of which all are blessed to partake, & a blessing from the Priest.

Welcome to our Church Home! We would like to meet you! Please join us at Coffee Hour following the service.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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

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

Gospel Reading

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

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

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Sixth Tone

When the angelic powers appeared at your tomb and those who guarded You became as though dead, and standing by Your sepulchre was Mary seeking Your pure and sacred body. For You did vanquish Hades and uncorrupted by its touch You came unto the virgin woman, bestowing the gift of life O You who rose from the dead. Lord we give glory to You.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Tone

Save O Lord, O Lord Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Grant victory to the faithful against the adversaries of the Faith, and protect Your people through Your Holy Cross, Your Holy Cross.

Kontakion for the Church in the Third Tone

You were shown to have holy vigilance. And your piety was manifest in your teachings, O Hierarch Gregory. For the wisdom of your sacred dogmas gives joy to the fullness of the Church. Righteous Father, to Christ our God do intercede to grant our souls His great redeeming mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Do Thou, who of thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow thy bounties upon the new nation which is called by thy name. Make glad in thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.

Saints and Feasts

September 17

Sunday after Holy Cross

September 17

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

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

September 17

Afterfeast of the Holy Cross

September 17

Herakleides & Myron, Bishops of Crete

September 18

Eumenius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Gortynia

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

Prayer List

HEALTH & WELFARE:
George Koulaxes, Harry Harrison (God's Extended Hands), Pete Shenas Sr., , the Angeles Family, Arseny Lane, Olympia and the Peters Family, Penny and the Duncan Family, Abducted Metropolitan Paul & Archbishop John; Garland, Pierre, Michael Paschalydis, Ken and , Jethmark, Helen and the Eveland Family, Vernon and Kathern Rogers, Alex, Patty, Lin, Jimmy, Honey, Elias, Richie, Margie, Paul Lane, Alexi, Ralph Bradley, Dr. Minerva, Sarah, Richard, Michael, Carl Anthony, Stan, James, Kyriakos, Dora, Julia, Alexandra, Sebastian, Queentina, Diana, Nico, Janet Burgess, Dionysios, Haralambos, Lillian Ana Grace, George(Marc's Uncle), Samantha(Marc's friend), Bonnie-Father's mother, Sarah-Betsy's mother, MaryAnn, Gabrielle, Kiki, Michael; Father John Pilafas & family;Virginia, Corey and family;Adrienne & Josef in Thessolonika; George, Maria Hazlaris, Sarah Oftedal and her family, Darin Williams, Marika Stantcheva, Athina Cavelaris, James, Dionisios & Eftixia Diakoumeas, Nicky, Michael and Cathy Jean Alexander, Dionysios, Haralambos.

DEPARTED: Darla Gliptis (1 year), Warren Cormier (4 year), Ruth Guilliland, Nick Koucoumaris, Eric Cochran, Wendell Duncan, Stella Angeles, John Peters, Nell Thornblad, Katherine Eveland, Carole, Steve Kosic, Effie Matsolis, George, Arety, Manny, Archimandrite Paul, Eleni (Kyriako's Sister), Gregory Galanis, Deacon Michael; George and Iris Pilafas, Manuel Dragan, Elizabeth Zogob, Darla Gliptis, George Mastorakos and Fr. Theodore and Pres. Mary Phillips, Sophia Vourexis, Jason Hyde, Peter Kanelos, Mary Giana, Katherine Armatas; Lana Piliaris; William Piliaris, Katherine Kladouras, Heather Grinnell and Danny Ranglos

FOR OUR CHURCH LEADERS:
Patriarch Bartholomew; Archbishop Demetrios; Metropolitan Gerasimos; Bishop Apostolos; Father Simeon Corona, Presbytera Joy & family; Chris Psillas & the members of the Parish Council; Philoptochos; Pete Shenas and our Building Committee; Chris Kotitsa & our Stewardship Committee; Chanters & our Sunday School teachers, Mothers Victoria, Melania & the Mothers & Sisters of St. Barbara's & Holy Assumption Monasteries. Frs. Dionisie & Neonil of Holy Resurrectuion Monastery in Temecula.

If you would like our community to pray for you or a loved one or have a name removed, please call the Church office 619-593-0707.

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

Nay, the nature of the thing is alone sufficient to attract you." ... For thou oughtest not, O Peter, because thou hast confessed me Son of God, therefore only to expect crowns, and to suppose this enough for thy salvation, and for the future to enjoy security, as having done all. ..."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"... For although it be in my power, as Son of God, to hinder thee from having any trial at all of those hardships; yet such is not my will, for thy sake, that thou mayest thyself too contribute something, and be more approved."

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

Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything. All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.

St. Innocent of Alaska

The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century

When, on this day, we look at the precious Cross of Christ, in faith let us adore it, let us rejoice, and embrace it ardently, beseeching our Lord, who of His own choice gave Himself to be crucified on it, to make us worthy of adoring His most precious Cross so that, free from all defilement, we may attain the day of Resurrection.

Orthros for the Adoration of the Holy Cross

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

If you would be victorious, taste the suffering of Christ in your person, that you may be chosen to taste His glory. For if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. Blessed are you if you suffer for righteousness' sake. Behold, for years and generations the way of God has been made smooth through the Cross and by death. The way of God is a daily Cross. The Cross is the gate of mysteries.

St. Isaac the Syrian

The Orthodox Way: Revised Edition, SVS Press, p. 129

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Calendar

Calendar

September 17 to October 15, 2017

Sunday, September 17

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Darla Gliptis 1 year Memorial

Monday, September 18

Fr. Simeon at Bishop's meeting in LA today

Tuesday, September 19

Office Closed

6:30PM Parish Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 20

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

Thursday, September 21

6:30PM Orthodoxy 101 - Prayer and Bible Study

Friday, September 22

6:30PM Vesperal Liturgy for the Conception of St. John the Baptist

Saturday, September 23

4:00PM 9th Hour and Mini-Retreat

5:00PM Great Vespers

6:00PM Soup Supper/Retreat roundup

Sunday, September 24

Sts. Thekla and Silouan

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, September 25

11:00AM Office Hours 11am-3pm

6:30PM Vesperal Liturgy for the Falling Asleep of St. John the Beloved Apostle and Theologian

Tuesday, September 26

Office Closed

Wednesday, September 27

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

Thursday, September 28

10:00AM Ladies' Bible Study

6:30PM Orthodoxy 101 - Prayer and Bible Study

Saturday, September 30

4:00PM Great Vespers

6:00PM Destiny of Distinction Pan-Arcadian Dinner at the Cypress Room, St. Spyridon's

Sunday, October 1

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, October 2

11:00AM Office Hours 11am-3pm

Tuesday, October 3

Office Closed

Wednesday, October 4

3:00PM St. Gregory's Particular Night God's Extended Hand Ministry

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

Thursday, October 5

6:30PM Vesperal Liturgy for St. Thomas/Orthodoxy 101 - Prayer and Bible Study

Saturday, October 7

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, October 8

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

12:00PM Philoptochos Meeting

Monday, October 9

11:00AM Office Hours 11am-3pm

Tuesday, October 10

Office Closed

Wednesday, October 11

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

Thursday, October 12

10:00AM Ladies' Bible Study

6:30PM Orthodoxy 101 - Prayer and Bible Study

Saturday, October 14

3:30PM Mini-Retreat

5:00PM Great Vespers

6:00PM Retreat Recap Meal/Church Family Night and Compline

Sunday, October 15

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

A Warm Welcome to Our Visitors

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Sixth Tone

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Tone

Kontakion for the Church in the Third Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Saints and Feasts

Sunday after Holy Cross

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

Afterfeast of the Holy Cross

Herakleides & Myron, Bishops of Crete

Eumenius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Gortynia

Prayer List

Wisdom of the Fathers

Join Us On Facebook

Calendar

Calendar

September 17 to October 15, 2017