This Sunday's Memorial
Evdokia Reece - 6 months
Pete Gatzolis - 3 years
Joni Gatzolis - 5 years
Nick Gatzolis - 22 years
Altar Server Team for Sunday, September 2, 2018
St. Gregory: Captain: George Fratian, Elias Andruchow, George Gonis, Demetri Maude, Luka Maude, Xaris Moskos, Demetri Zouvas
Seniors Gathering
Please mark your calendars - the Seniors will gather on Tuesday, September 11th at 11:00 am in the Cypress Room. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Sunday School
Dear Parents, Teachers and Sunday School Students,
Alina Kleinhenz - Sunday School Director
Greek School Fall Registration
Fall semester begins Wednesday, September 6th. We offer Beginner I, Intermediate I and Advanced classes for children and adults. Registration will take place in the church hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy today and September 2nd. For more info you may visit our website and register on line at http://www.stspyridongreekschool.org/. Should you have any questions please contact Athena Kotinopoulos Georges at athenakotinopoulos@gmail.com.
Philoptochos and Fellowship
We hope you continue to enjoy the long standing tradition of fellowship 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 should be kept simple (bagels, cream cheese, fruit and cookies) as it is a light snack to enjoy with family and friends following the Divine Liturgy. Therefore, the cost of fellowship should be approximately $100-$150 . You are also more than welcome to share your fellowship hour with another family or friend. Lastly, the donations collected from the coffee hour support our many ministries so please consider this when offering your donation
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!
GOYA - Save the Date
GOYANS join us on Saturday, September 15th 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 to Dimitri Gilpin at Dimitri.igilpin@gmail.com questions please call William Gilpin at 858-525-5649.
Save The Date - Philoptochos
Sunday September 23rd following the the Divine Liturgy please join us at the Philoptochos "Munchies, Mimosas and More" gathering. We are excited to share with you our Chapter calendar and important information so please plan on staying for this fun filled afternoon. Thank you.
Pan Arcadians Event Rescheduled
Due to unforeseen developments, the Arcadian Glendi, that was scheduled for September 29th, will have to be rescheduled. We will keep the community informed at the appropriate time. Thank you everyone for your continued support. It is greatly appreciated.
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Gala
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Gala Saturday, October 13, 2018.
WHEN
Saturday, October 13, 2018
6:00 p.m. to Midnight
WHERE
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa
21500 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Buy Tickets Online Now at - https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eflyd6ile11e5512&oseq=&c=e81c3b90-08c6-11e6-8c94-d4ae528ed502&ch=ea056df0-08c6-11e6-8ca2-d4ae528ed502.
Hotel Reservations
Book Your Room Online Now at - https://book.passkey.com/gt/216369761?gtid=ec2afeb9ec8afe5f56a072fb1a005e3f.
A room block has been secured at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach for the Gala weekend. The hotel reservation deadline is September 12 - reserve your room today!
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Gala -
Honoring Extraordinary Leadership and Celebrating our Ministries - will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa in Huntington Beach, California.
At this Gala we will present the Theofanis Economidis Award to two distinguished stewards - Dr. James and Virginia Kallins - who have continually demonstrated their commitment to the church through their vision, generosity, and leadership.
Proceeds from the Gala will support the ongoing development and expansion of the Metropolis ministries which provide for the meaningful spiritual development of our clergy and faithful. This includes visionary programs in Family Wellness, Missions and Evangelism, Clergy Continuing Education, Church Music, and Youth Ministry among others.
For more information on the Gala or for assistance with purchasing tickets or making a donation, please call 415.753.3075 or email metropolis@sanfran.goarch.org.
Thank you for your support!
Please see the "Insert and Fliers" Section below for more information.
Save The Date
Saturday, October 27th “OXI” Dinner/Dance. AHEPA is Sponsoring our Greek school and other church ministries with this event. Enjoy the appetizers, cash bar, full dinner and dessert with table wine, auction, raffle and LIVE GREEK MUSIC! Tickets are $40 per person. There will be child care available for children 4 years old and up in the educational building with games and food at no cost. Children 12 years of age or older are welcomed to the event.
Save The Date!
Friday, November 2nd Hellenic Fairways Golf Tournament. Willowbrook Golf Course in Lakeside. Contact Rhad Brown for details or if you would like to volunteer. hellenicfairways@gmail.com.
Decorated Feast Day Icons
Philoptochos invites you and your family to commemorate a special Feast Day by offering a donation towards the cost of 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 select a decorated icon, so please reserve your dates now. A suggested donation of $75 is much appreciated. 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.
Fri 9/14: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sun 9/16: St. Euphemia the Great Martyr
Mon 9/17: St. Sophia & Her 3 Daughters: Hope, Faith & Love
Wed 9/26: Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian
Thurs 10/18: Luke the Evangelist
Tues 10/23: James the Apostle
Fri 10/26: St. Demetrios
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.
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.
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Gala Saturday, October 13, 2018 Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa
WeShare Online Giving
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.
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 Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4.
Brethren, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
14th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 22:2-14
The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."
Saint Mammas was from Gangra of Paphlagonia. He was born in prison, where his parents were suffering for Christ's sake and ended their lives. He was named Mammas because, after he had long remained without speaking, he addressed his foster mother Ammia as "mamma." He contested for Christ about the year 275.
After the death of the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia, their Bishop Anthimus fled to a certain village to care for his remaining flock. The Emperor Maximian sent men in search of him. When they found him, he promised to show Anthimus to them, but first took them in as guests, fed them, and only then made himself known to them. Amazed at his kindness, the soldiers promised him to tell Maximian that they had not found him. But Anthimus went willingly with them, and converting them by his admonitions, baptized them on the way. He boldly confessed his Faith before Maximian, and after frightful tortures was beheaded in the year 303 or 304.
Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch, being the successor of Zebinus (or Zebinas); he was beheaded during the reign of Decius, in the year 250, and at his own request was buried in the chains with which he was bound. The Emperor Gallus (reigned 351-354) built a church in his honour at Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, to put an end to the demonic oracles at the nearby temple of Apollo. When Julian the Apostate came in 362 to consult the oracle about his campaign against the Persians, the oracle (that is, the demon within it) remained dumb until at last, answering Julian's many sacrifices and supplications, it told him, "The dead prevent me from speaking." It told Julian to dig up the bones and move them. Julian, then, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, "leaving all the other dead, moved only that Martyr." He commanded the Christians to take away Saint Babylas' bones, which they did with great solemnity and triumph. When this had been done, a thunderbolt fell from heaven destroying with fire the shrine of Apollo, which Julian did not dare rebuild. Saint John Chrysostom preached a sermon on this within a generation after.
According to the opinion of many Fathers of the Church, based on an ancient tradition, this is the Zacharias whom, as our Lord said, the Jews slew between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:35), first, because even after the Virgin Mary gave birth, he continued to refer to her as virgin and number her among the virgins; second, because Zacharias' son John was not found during the slaughter of the Innocents, since the elderly Elizabeth had taken him and carefully hid him while he was yet an infant, in an unnamed place somewhere in the desert, where, according to the Evangelist, "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel" (Luke 1:80). When the child was not found, his father was slain by Herod's command.
The feast today in honour of the Archangel Michael commemorates the great miracle he wrought when he delivered from destruction a church and holy spring named for him. The pagans, moved by malice, sought to destroy the aforesaid church and holy spring by turning the course of two rivers against them. But the Archangel appeared and, by means of the Cross and a great earthquake that shook the entire area, diverted the waters into an underground course. Henceforth, the name of that place changed from Colossae to Chonae, which means "funnels" in Greek.
This holy Martyr was a shepherd in Lycaonia. Born a pagan, named Tarasius, he received holy Baptism and was renamed Sozon. Filled with zeal for the truth, he taught his countrymen to desist from the worship of idols. Once he entered the temple of Artemis in Pompeiopolis of Cilicia, cut off the golden hand of the idol, and breaking it in pieces, distributed it among the poor. When he saw that many were being unjustly punished for the theft, of his own accord he gave himself up to Maximian the Governor. He was beaten with rods until his bones were broken. According to some, he suffered martyrdom in 288; according to others, in 304.
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.