St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

This Sunday's Memorials

Sarantos Christakos - 1 year

Marika Kaisarlis - 25 years

Konstantine Kaisarlis - 31 years

March Lenten Service Schedule

The PreSanctified Gifts - Wednesday evening, March 13th - 6:00pm

The First Salutations to the holy Theotokos - this Friday evening, March 15th - 7:00pm

The PreSanctified Gifts - Wednesday morning, March 20th - 10:00am

The Second Salutations to the holy Theotokos - Friday evening, March 22nd - 7:00pm

The Annunciation - Orthros: 9:00am followed by the Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

The PreSanctified Gifts - Wednesday evening, March 27th - 6:00pm

The Third Salutations to the holy Theotokos - Friday evening, March 29th - 7:00pm

The Sunday of Orthodoxy - this Sunday, March 17th

Please remember to bring your child's favorite icon to church this for the Sunday School icon proccession as an expression of thier/your Orthodox faith.

The Stewardship Committee Thanks You!

The Stewardship Committee once again thanks you for all your stewardship efforts. As we enter the third month of the new year we also respectfully ask that if you have not yet completed your 2019 stewardship pledge card please do so at your earliest convenience. If you have misplaced your 2019 pledge card please call the church office and they will send one out to your home.

We thank you in advance for doing so.

This Sunday's Altar Servers

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

Another Successful Festival Kick-Off

We had a wonderfully successful Festival Kick-Off on Sunday, March 3rd.

Thank you to all who supported the event and to everyone who sponsored a booth, food item or just made a general donation. During the event and to date the parish has raised over $10,000 towards a successful Festival.

Please attend the next Festival meeting on Wednesday, March 20th at 7:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Please keep an eye out for the Festival cooking schedule in the Monthly Newsletter and see below and mark your calendars. Again, thank you!

Greek Festival 2019 Cooking & Baking Schedule

This Sunday, March 17th - Prep for Dolmathes; Monday, March 18th at 9 am - Assemble Dolmathes; Sunday, April 7th - Prep for Galaktoboureko; Monday, April 8th at 9 am - Assemble Galaktoboureko; Monday, May 13th at 9 am - Koulourakia & Paximadia; Monday, May 20th at 9 am - Kourambiethes & Melomakarona; Tuesday, May 28th at 9 am - Baklava; Wednesday, June 5th at 9 am - Melomata (syrup); Wednesday, June 5th at 9am - Packaging.

Come join in the fun as we prepare the delicious food and pastries that our church festival is famous for. Lunch will be provided, along with opportunity to participate in drawings for prizes! Questions? Contact Gina Balourdas 858-204-1016 or Christine Tradas 619-253-4153.

Festival Volunteer Sign-ups

Sign-up to work your favorite booth: sdgreekfestival.com/volunteer. Questions? Contact Greg Balourdas at greg@thehanddoctor.com.

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. If a ministry from the church offers fellowship then they can keep the donations for their group. 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 Vassos at 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!

Philoptochos

Your continued support of our Chapter has kept the mission of Philoptochos alive in San Diego for over 80 years. We invite you to become a new or renewed member for 2019. Anything over $30 is kept in our chapter to help us continue to do good work with our parish.

Bookstore

What to cook during Lent? A sacred journey to better health. Come check out our lenten fasting cookbooks in the bookstore!

Agape Meals

Philoptochos has started a new outreach program and is looking for parishioners who are able to either cook or deliver (or both) a meal to fellow parishioners who are facing a difficult or stressful time in their life (illness, new baby, etc). If you would like more information on how you can participate, please contact Stella Weil at (858)694-0570 or 4weils@sbcglobal.net. Please join us as we come together as a community to help one another. Thank you.

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

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 (March 17th & 24th, April 7th & 14th, May 19th). We meet in the lounge following the Divine Liturgy. Please bring your bible.

Faith, Hope & Love - The Movie

Faith, Hope & Love, A Movie by Greek Filmmaker Robert Krantz. Movie Opens: this Friday, March 15, 2019, AMC Fashion Valley 18, San Diego.

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

Greek Independence Celebration/Luncheon

You are all invited on Sunday, March 31st immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Pre-paid reservations only and no tickets will be sold at the door. Adults $25, Children under 12 - Special menu $10. For more info please contact Candice Kotinopoulos at 619 663-7653 or sales@stspyridongreekschool.org or call the church office at 619 297-4165. Seating is limited!

GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon

Join us on Sunday, April 21st in the Church Hall following the Divine Liturgy. Tickets are $25 for Adults and $10 for children under 12. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. Payments received by April 16th will be entered in an opportunity drawing. Please see any GOYA member in the Church hall to purchase tickets on Sunday. For more information please contact Bill Navrides at 619-992-6775 or bill.navrides@sharp.com. Thank you for always supporting the GOYA ministry at St. Spyridon GOC!

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 is a perfect way to honor both your family member(s) as well as an important day in the life of the Church. 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 March, April, and May and have icons that can be displayed:

3/24 ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

3/25 ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS

3/31 SUNDAY OF THE ADORATION THE HOLY CROSS

4/7 SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN CLIMACUS

4/14 ST. MARY OF EGYPT

4/20 SATURDAY OF LAZARUS

4/21 PALM SUNDAY

4/21-4/23 ICON OF THE BRIDEGROOM

4/24 MYSTICAL SUPPER

4/25 THE CRUCIFIXION

4/26 DESCENT FROM THE CROSS

4/27-4/28 GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA/RESURRECTION

BRIGHT WEEK ST. GEORGE AND/OR THEOTOKOS OF THE LIFE-GIVING SPRING

4/30 ST MARK THE APOSTLE

5/5 SUNDAY OF THOMAS

5/5 ST. IRENE OF THESES

5/12 SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN

5/21 STS. CONSTANTINE AND HELEN

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.

Receive Back 0.5% From “Amazon Smile” Foundation

We are pleased to announce that St. Spyridon GOCnow participates in AmazonSmile. 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).

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.

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.

Inserts and Fliers

Faith, Hope & Love

Faith, Hope & Love A Movie By Greek Filmmaker Robert Krantz Movie Opens: Friday, March 15, 2019 AMC Fashion Valley 18 San Diego, CA

Parish Pay Is Now WeShare

WeShare Online Giving

Wisdom of the Fathers

Moses... was himself saved by means of wood and water before the Law was given, when he was exposed to the Nile's currents, hidden away in an Ark (Exod. 2:3-10). And by means of wood and water he saved the people of Israel, revealing the Cross by the wood, Holy Baptism by water (Exod. 14:15-31). Paul, who had looked upon the mysteries, says openly, 'They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud' (I Cor. 10:2). He also bears witness that, even before the events concerning the sea and his staff, Moses willingly endured Christ's Cross, 'Esteeming', he says, 'the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt' (Heb. 11:26). For the Cross is the reproach of Christ from the standpoint of foolish men. As Paul himself says of Christ, 'He endured the cross, despising the shame' (Heb. 12:2).

St. Gregory Palamas

Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Eleven para. 14; Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press pg. 123, 14th century

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

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 Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

O Christ our God, begging forgiveness of our sins, we venerate Your Pure Image, O Good One. Of your own will you condescended to ascend upon the Cross in the flesh and deliver those You created from the bondage of the enemy. Wherefore, thankfully, we cry out, "When You came to save the world, Your filled all things with joy, O Our Savior."

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Saints and Feasts

March 17

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.

March 20

Righteous Fathers slain at the Monastery of St. Savas

The Righteous Martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).

March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).

March 22

Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra

Saint Basil strove in martyrdom during the short reign of Julian the Apostate, from 361-363. The Saint was denounced as a Christian to Saturninus, Governor of Ancyra, who, when Basil would not deny Christ, had him hanged from a post and scraped on his sides, then beaten, and cast into prison. A few days later, when Julian himself came through Ancyra, the Saint was brought before him and was asked to deny Christ, Whom he rather confessed the more. Julian then had strips cut in his flesh, so that they were left hanging from his body in front and in back. The valiant Martyr tore one of these strips off of his body and cast it into Julian's face. At this Julian commanded that iron spits be heated fiery hot; Saint Basil's belly, his back, and all his joints were pierced with them, and he received the crown of martyrdom.

March 23

The Holy Righteous Martyr Nicon and His 199 Disciples

Saint Nicon was from Neapolis (Naples) in Italy. His father was an idolater and his mother a Christian. At first he was a soldier, but later he went to the East, where he was baptized and in time became a bishop. After some years, he returned to the West and came to Sicily, where he and many of his disciples were put to death by beheading because they would not worship the idols.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Patriarchal Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent

03/07/2019

With the grace of God, the giver of all gifts, we have once again arrived at Holy and Great Lent, the arena of ascetical struggle, in order to purify ourselves with the Lord’s assistance through prayer, fasting and humility, as well as to prepare ourselves for a spiritual experience of the venerable Passion and the celebration of the splendid Resurrection of Christ the Savior.

https://www.goarch.org/-/patriarchal-catechetical-homily-at-the-opening-of-holy-and-great-lent

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Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros/Matins: 8:30am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

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