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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2018-11-25
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Fliers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Saints and Feasts
Katherin
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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

Konstantina Zervas - 40 days 

Vasilis Anastasiou - 5 years

Anastasios Anastasiou - 8 years

Georgios Anastasiou - 9 years

Anastasia Anastasiou - 17 years

Nicholas Anastasiou - 44 years 

Altar Server Team for Sunday, November 25, 2018

St. Gregory: Captain: George Fratian, Elias Andruchow, George Capetanakis, George Gonis, Demetri Maude, Luka Maude, Xaris Moskos, Demetri Zouvas 

Make Your Vow/Pledge to the Lord and Fulfill it

                                                                          (Psalm 76:11)

The Stewardship Committee thanks you for signing your 2018 Orthodox Christian stewardship pledge card at the beginning of the 2018 calendar year.  Your pledge and dedication helps support the many and varied ministries of St. Spyridon GOC – Home of the Miracle Worker! 

With the new 2019 calendar year upon us we take this opportunity to remind and encourage you to make every effort to fulfill your 2018 pledge commitment by the end of the 2018 calendar year. 

Fulfilling your 2018 pledge commitment is crucial to the continued success of your parish, which enables your church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth its faithful members entrusted to its care. Therefore, we respectively ask you to make vey effort to fulfill your 2018 pledged amount. 

We thank you in advance for doing so.

Saint Spyridon GOC Stewardship Committee:                   

John T. Kalas: Stewardship Chair                 Fr. Andrew Scordalakis      

Ben De La Riva, Jim Gilpin, Greg Kostas, Bill Navrides, Stephen Thiros and Spero Tzathas

Community Christmas Card

Please be a part of this year’s Community Christmas Card. The information has already been sent to your home.  Please note the deadline for submitting your name(s) is Wednesday, December 5th.

Philoptochos and Fellowship

We hope you continue to enjoy the long standing tradition of fellowship throughout the year. 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!

Be The Bee BEETREAT!

Be the Bee Registration is OPEN for March 9, 2019 retreat in San Diego please sign up today

Here is the registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MH52n5N-u78OrKkaBzSrvBtP6FqHrF3w8g02mgat7FU/edit 

And on the website, it can be found here: https://www.y2am.org/beetreats

Please see the "Insert and Fliers" Section below for more information. 

Calling All Military Veterans!

One of our parishioners will be hand-stitching a new military service banner to honor Post-WWII veterans. If you, or a loved one, would like to be included in this banner, please submit your full name, branch of service, phone number or email address to Soula De La Riva at (760) 521-0471 or soula.delariva@cox.net.

Pan Arcadians

The Pan Arcadians cordially invite you to their annual Christmas party to be held Wed,  Dec 5th at the Admiral Baker Field Officers Club, from 7 pm to 11 pm. This event is jointly sponsored with the Hellenic Cultural Society, the Choir and the Greek School. It will feature appetizers, a dinner buffet  with a choice of a beef or fish entree  and dessert. We  will also be collecting new or gently used men’s clothing for the homeless at Gods Extended Hand. The price is $45.00 per person prepaid. No money can be accepted at the door. For reservations and further information please contact Pam Limneos at (858)344-4138.

St. Spyridon Adult and Youth Choirs

St. Spyridon Adult and Youth Choirs present "A Festive Christmas Flourish!" Friday, December 14th at 7:00 PM in the Cypress Room. Complimentary admission. Opportunity Drawing for a live decorated Christmas tree. Shop by Chance. Dessert reception.

Please see the "Insert and Fliers" Section below for more information.

Attention GOYANS!

Please join us for the GOYA Christmas Party on Sat, Dec 15th at the home of William and Dimitri Gilpin (6677 Maycrest Ln San Diego, 92121 858-457-2723), from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. We will share a potluck dinner so please keep an eye out for the email with a sign-up sheet. This year we will again be stuffing Christmas stockings for the Philoptochos Angels Christmas dinner. Please RSVP by December 12th to Navridesfamily@gmail.com or (619) 825-6750 to let us know you’re coming and bring your families!

Philoptochos Angels Christmas Party!

Philoptochos is once again hosting a holiday party for needy families at the San Diego Rescue Mission on Monday evening, December 17th. If you would like to volunteer to help or make a donation towards this wonderful event, please contact Stella Weil at (858)694-0570 or 4weils@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for your continued generosity!

SAVE THE DATE! - 2019 Annual Epiphany Cross Dive

2019 Annual Epiphany Cross Dive– Sunday, January 6th – join your fellow parishioners at the 41st Annual Epiphany Cross-Dive Luncheon taking place at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. 2019 Leon Balaban Volunteer of the year honorees are Patricia Kouris and Maria Terris. Please purchase your tickets today (adults $35 and children under twelve $10) as this event sells out EARLY every year. Paid reservations must be received in the Church office no later than Monday December 31st. DIVERS NEEDED: Please contact Bill Navrides 619-992-6775 or bill.navrides@sharp.com to participate (divers MUST be GOYA age and stay for the luncheon) diver confirmations must be made by Wednesday, December 12th.

Please see the "Insert and Fliers" Section below for more information.

Dance & Choral News

Practice continues! Providing lunch did not prove to be productive with the different food preferences and allergies so we ask that parents please provide something for your children if they are hungry after choir from 1:10-1:30 pm. Youth Choir (3rd-12th grades) - 12:20-1:10 pm; Limani (3rd-5th grades) - 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Goya Room; Ionians (6th-8th grades) - 2:30-4 p.m. in the Goya Room; Aegeans (9th-12th grades) - 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. in the Church Hall;We hope to see everyone there! 

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. 

The following Saints and Feast Days will be celebrated during December and January and have icons that can be displayed:

 

  

12/4                 St. Barbara

12/6                 St. Nicholas

12/12               St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

12/25               The Holy Nativity of the Lord

1/1                  St. Basil the Great

1/6                  Holy Theophany

1/17                 St. Anthony the Great

1/18                 Saints Athanasios (and Cyril)

1/20                 St. Euthymios

1/25                 St. Gregory the Theologian

1/30                 The Three Hierarchs 

COLLEGE CONNECTION

Attending college or university is something a lot of young adults look forward to. Here at St. Spyridon Philoptochos we want to make sure that our college students, whether staying here in San Diego or going away, don’t lose their connection to St. Spyridon. With that in mind, we have created “College Connection”. College Connection will reach out to our college students a couple of times per year with inspiring notes, care packages, etc. to let those students know that we are cheering them on from home. If your son or daughter will be attending college in the fall (including community college, undergraduate or graduate school), we would like to reach out to them with some love from their St. Spyridon Philoptochos family. Please send their postal mailing address and email address while they are in college, as well as the name of the school they are attending to Michelle Defelippi at mdefelippi@san.rr.com. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Michelle at the above email or (858) 695-9772. 

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. 

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

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5.

Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.
St. John Climacus
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer ...
St. John Climacus
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown , 7th century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Though the tomb was sealed by a stone and soldiers guarded your pure body, you arose, O Savior, on the third day, giving life to the world. Therefore, O giver of life, the heavenly powers praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ, glory to your kin

Apolytikion for Apodosis of the Entry in the Fourth Mode

Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Catherine in the Plagal First Mode

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2018

11/16/2018

We give thanks to God on this blessed day as we do and should on every day for His gift of life. This is a day to reflect on the many aspects and experiences of our lives for which we are grateful; but at the foundation of all of this is life we have been given by God and our gratitude to Him for what He has done for us. As we offer all honor and glory, we praise the name of God with a song, and we magnify Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).
https://www.goarch.org/-/encyclical-of-archbishop-demetrios-for-thanksgiving-day-november-22-2018
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Saints and Feasts

Katherin
November 25

Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.

Allsaint
November 26

Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis

Saint Alypius was from Adrianople of Bithynia; having lived upon a pillar for fifty-three years, he reposed about the year 607, at the age of one hundred.

Allsaint
November 27

James the Great Martyr of Persia

This Saint was from the city of Bythlaba and was of noble birth; he was the closest and most honoured friend of Isdiger (or Yazdegerd) I, King of Persia (reigned 399-420). Though a Christian from his youth, James renounced Christ because he was allured by the King's friendship and flatteries. When his mother and his wife learned of this, they declared to him by letter that they would have nothing more to do with him, since he had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love of Christ. Wounded in soul by these words and coming to himself, the Saint wept over his error, and repudiated the worship of the idols. Therefore, becoming exceedingly wroth, the King - this was Bahram (or Varahran) V (reigned 421-438), Isdiger's son and successor - condemned him to a most bitter death, the likes of which not even a brute beast was ever condemned to: that is, his body was dismembered at every joint of his arms and legs. And so, when he had been cut asunder limb by limb to his very hips and shoulders, the courageous Martyr was finally beheaded, in the year 421.

Stephennew
November 28

Stephen the New

The righteous Stephen was born in Constantinople in 715 to pious parents named John and Anna. His mother had prayed often to the most holy Theotokos in her church at Blachernae to be granted a son, and one day received a revelation from our Lady that she would conceive the son she desired. When Anna had conceived, she asked the newly-elected Patriarch Germanus (see May 12) to bless the babe in her womb. He said, "May God bless him through the prayers of the holy First Martyr Stephen." At that moment Anna saw a flame of fire issue from the mouth of the holy Patriarch. When the child was born, she named him Stephen, according to the prophecy of Saint Germanus.

Stephen struggled in asceticism from his youth in Bithynia at the Monastery of Saint Auxentius, which was located at a lofty place called Mount Auxentius (see Feb. 14). Because of his extreme labours and great goodness, he was chosen by the hermits of Mount Auxentius to be their leader. The fame of his spiritual struggles reached the ears of all, and the fragrance of his virtue drew many to himself.

During the reign of Constantine V (741-775), Stephen showed his love of Orthodoxy in contending for the Faith. This Constantine was called Copronymus, that is, "namesake of dung," because while being baptized he had soiled the waters of regeneration, giving a fitting token of what manner of impiety he would later embrace. Besides being a fierce Iconoclast, Constantine raised up a ruthless persecution of monasticism. He held a council in 754 that anathematized the holy icons. Because Saint Stephen rejected this council, the Emperor framed false accusations against him and exiled him. But while in exile Saint Stephen performed healings with holy icons and turned many away from Iconoclasm. When he was brought before the Emperor again, he showed him a coin and asked whose image the coin bore. "Mine," said the tyrant. "If any man trample upon thine image, is he liable to punishment?" asked the Saint. When they that stood by answered yes, the Saint groaned because of their blindness, and said if they thought dishonouring the image of a corruptible king worthy of punishment, what torment would they receive who trampled upon the image of the Master Christ and of the Mother of God? Then he threw the coin to the ground and trampled on it. He was condemned to eleven months in bonds and imprisonment. Later, he was dragged over the earth and was stoned, like Stephen the First Martyr; wherefore he is called Stephen the New. Finally, he was struck with a wooden club on the temple and his head was shattered, and thus he gave up his spirit in the year 767.

Allsaint
November 29

Paramonus, Philumenus, and their 370 Companion Martyrs in Bithynia

Saint Paramonus contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. A ruler named Aquilinus, seeking relief from a bodily malady, visited a certain therapeutic hot spring. He brought with him captive Christians from Nicomedia, and commanded them to offer sacrifice in the temple of Isis. When they refused, he had them all slaughtered, to the number of 370. Saint Paramonus, beholding their murder, boldly cried out against such an act of ungodliness. When Aquilinus heard this, he sent men to take the Saint. Some smote him with spears, others pierced his tongue and body with sharp reeds, until he died.

Saint Philumenus' contest in martyrdom took place during the reign of Aurelian, in the year 270. Coming from Lycaonia, he was conveying a load of wheat into Galatia when he was denounced as a Christian to Felix, Governor of Ancyra. Nails were driven into his hands, feet, and head, and he was commanded to run. While running in the road, he fell and gave up his holy soul into the hands of God.

Andrewap
November 30

Andrew the First- Called Apostle

This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist's witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X," the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew.

Allsaint
December 01

Nahum the Prophet

The Prophet Nahum had Elkesaeus (Elkosh) as his homeland, and was from the tribe of Symeon; he is seventh in order among the twelve Minor Prophets He prophesied during the time of Hezekias, after the destruction of Samaria (721 years before Christ), but before the ten tribes were taken into captivity; he prophesied against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. His name means "comforter." His book of prophecy is divided into three chapters.

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