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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-02
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
Habbakuk
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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 Memorial

All Reposed Pan Arcadians 

Altar Server Team for Sunday, December 2, 2018

St. Demetrios: Captain: William (Vasilios) Gilpin, Theo Couris, Kosta Kalamaras, Will Kalas, Nikos Kapetanios, Petros Kapetanios, Tasos Kapetanios, Milton Kromydas, Dean Lahanas 

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 THIS Wednesday, December 5th.

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

Sunday School class for adults (taught by Dn. 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 (this Sunday, December 2nd). We meet in the lounge following the Divine Liturgy. Please bring your bible.

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.
 
To see which dates are available and sign up online visit our SignUp Genius page. To sign up over the phone, by email, or in person, contact Christina Vassosat cmvassos@gmail.com or 619-818-6882. Available dates can also be viewed using the fellowship calendar on the Philoptochos table 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. 

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.

Bookstore

For your Christmas giving gifts: books, icons, music, small stocking stuffers such as prayer rope bracelets, Orthodox prayer books, lovely icon tree ornaments and more! Come browse!

Seniors Gathering

On Tue, Dec 11th a catered luncheon will be offered, paid for with the senior citizens treasury. Donations will be gladly accepted. We welcome all paid up senior members. Non members are welcome, but will have to pay $5. You must RSVP to CYNTHIA SAMARKOS AT (619) 582 - 4109 OR E-MAIL AT tedcynsam@cox.net. Also, don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy for a child under the age of 10. 

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 the San Diego Rescue Mission on Monday, December 17th. They will be sharing some great food, a few gifts, lots love and support from our most blessed St. Spyridon community. If you would like to donate a gift card or dessert towards this wonderful event or come and help that evening, please contact Stella Weil at (858)694-0570 or 4weils@sbcglobal.net – she’ll give you all the details. Thank you for your continued support.

Calling All Military Veterans!

One of our parishioners will be hand-stitching a new military service banner for Post-WWII veterans. If you, or a loved one, would like to be included, please submit your full name, branch of service, and phone number or email address to Soula De La Riva at (760) 521-0471 or soula.delariva@cox.net - no later than March 31, 2019.

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. 

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                  Epiphany/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 

ATTENTION PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS!

We are happy to report that Philoptochos’ College Connection ministry is in full swing, make sure your children don’t miss out!!  Philoptochos will reach out to our college students a couple of times per year to let our students know that we are cheering them on from home.  If your son or daughter is attending college, either in San Diego or away, including community college, undergraduate or graduate school, we want to reach out to them with some love from their St. Spyridon Philoptochos family. 

Please send your students 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, please 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

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17.

Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Gospel Reading

14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43

At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The Savior Himself is He Whom we are asked to put on. It is one and the same thing to say, 'Put on the whole armor of God,' and 'Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.' Our belt is truth and our breastplate is righteousness. The Savior is also called both 'truth' and 'righteousness.' On this principle He is also to be understood as the 'Gospel of peace.' He is Himself the 'shield of faith' and the helmet of salvation. He is the 'sword of the Spirit,' because He is the Word of God, living and efficacious, the utterance of which is stronger than any helmet and sharp on both sides.
St. Jerome
Unknown, 5th century

The mind of a heedful man is as it were a watchman on duty, or an unsleeping guard of the inner Jerusalem. Standing at the height of spiritual contemplation, he looks with an eye of purity upon the enemy powers who go around and attack his soul, in accordance with the Psalmist: 'And my eye hath looked down upon my enemies' (Ps. 53:9). From his eye the devil is not hidden, who 'as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour' (I Pet. 5:8), nor are they who bend their bow 'to shoot in the dark the upright of heart (Ps. 10:2). And thus such a man, following the teaching of the divine Paul, receives 'the whole armor of God, that [he] may be able to withstand in the evil day (Eph. 6:13), and with this armor and with the cooperating grace of God, he repels visible attacks and vanquishes invisible warriors.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
Spiritual Instructions no. 30, Little Russian Philokalia Vol. 1; Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood pgs. 48-49, 19th century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When you descended into death, O life immortal, you destroyed Hades with the splendor of your divinity, and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers shouted: O giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.

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 Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
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Saints and Feasts

Habbakuk
December 02

Habakkuk the Prophet

This Prophet, whose name means "loving embrace," is eighth in order of the minor Prophets. His homeland and tribe are not recorded in the Divine Scriptures; according to some, he was of the tribe of Symeon. He prophesied in the years of Joachim, who is also called Jechonias, before the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish People, which took place 599 years before Christ. When Nabuchodonosor came to take the Israelites captive, Habakkuk fled to Ostrakine, and after Jerusalem was destroyed and the Chaldeans departed, Habakkuk returned and cultivated his field. Once he made some pottage and was about to take it to the reapers in the field. An Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and carried him with the pottage to Babylon to feed Daniel in the lions' den, then brought him back to Judea (Bel and the Dragon, 33-39): His book of prophecy is divided into three chapters; the third chapter is also used as the Fourth Ode of the Psalter. His holy relics were found in Palestine during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great, through a revelation to Zebennus, Bishop of Eleutheropolis (Sozomen, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 29).

Zephania
December 03

The Holy Prophet Sophonias (Zephaniah)

This Prophet, who is ninth in order among the minor Prophets, was the son of Chusi (Cushi), from the tribe of Levi, or according to some, the great-grandson of King Hezekias. He prophesied in the years of Josias, who reigned in the years 641-610 before Christ. His book of prophecy is divided into three chapters. His name means "Yah is darkness."

Barbara1
December 04

Barbara the Great Martyr

Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia and lived during the reign of Maximian.

She was the daughter of a certain idolater named Dioscorus. When Barbara came of age, she was enlightened in her pure heart and secretly believed in the Holy Trinity. About this time Dioscorus began building a bath-house; before it was finished he was required to go away to attend to certain matters, and in his absence Barbara directed the workmen to build a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed the sign of the Cross with her finger upon the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the marble as if it had been done with an iron tool. (When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.) When Dioscorus returned, he asked why the third window had been added; Barbara began to declare to him the mystery of the Trinity. Because she refused to renounce her faith, Dioscorus tortured Barbara inhumanely, and after subjecting her to many sufferings he beheaded her with his own hands, in the year 290.

Savas
December 05

Sabbas the Sanctified

This Saint was born in 439 in Moutalaska, a small village of Cappadocia. He entered the arena of the monastic life from childhood and was under that master trainer of monastics, Euthymius, the Great, the teacher of the desert. He became the spiritual Father of many monks and an instructor for the monasteries in Palestine, and was appointed leader (archimandrite) of the desert-dwellers of Palestine by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. In his old age he went to Constantinople, to the Emperors Anastasius and Saint Justinian the Great, in behalf of the Orthodox Faith and the dogmas of the Council of Chalcedon. Having lived ninety-four years, he reposed in 533. The Typicon for the ecclesiastical services had its beginning in the monastery established by this righteous one.

Nicholas
December 06

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra

This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

Ambrose
December 07

Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

This Saint was born in Gaul in 340, and was a member of the Roman Senate. After the death of Auxentius, the Arian Bishop of Milan, a violent dispute arose among the Orthodox and Arians about who would succeed him. Ambrose, desiring as Governor of the province to restore the peace, attempted to mediate between them. As he spoke to the people, eloquently persuading them to elect a new bishop without tumult and disorder, a young child, inspired from on high, suddenly cried out "Ambrose, bishop!" To his astonishment and dismay, the people immediately took up this cry themselves, and over his many protests, he was raised to the episcopal throne of Milan on December 7, 374. A great Father of the Church, he wrote many works in Latin, and was both an unwearying opponent of Arianism, and a fearless accuser of emperors when they transgressed the law of God. Having lived fifty-seven years, he reposed on April 4, on the eve of Pascha, in the year 397.

Patapios
December 08

Patapius the Righteous of Thebes

This Saint was from the Thebaid of Egypt and struggled many years in the wilderness. He departed for Constantinople, and having performed many miracles and healings, he reposed in peace in a mountain cave on the Gulf of Corinth, where his holy relics are found incorrupt to the present day.

Allsaint
December 09

Hannah the Righteous, mother of Samuel the Prophet

The Holy Prophetess Hannah dwelt in marriage with Elkanah, but she was childless. Elkanah took to himself another wife, Phennena, who bore him children. Hannah grieved strongly over her misfortune, and every day she prayed for an end to her barrenness, vowing to dedicate her child to God.

She went to the Temple and prayed fervently, but the priest Heli thought that she was drunk and began to reproach her. But Hannah poured out her grief, and after she received a blessing, she returned home. After this, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel (which means “Asked from God”).
When the child reached the age of boyhood, his mother presented him to the priest Heli, and Samuel remained with him to serve before the Tabernacle.

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