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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2019-09-29
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Symeonstyliteskiriakos
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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






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

Theodore Papas - 1 year

This Sunday's Acolyte Serving Team

St. Gregory: Captain: John Burrell, George Burrell, James Burrell, George Capetanakis, Andrew Georggin, George Gonis, Andrew Kaitson, Xaris Moskos 

Come Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center - Saturday October 26th

This year we are blessed to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of our Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center at the Annunciation Cathedral in Oakland, CA. The Ranch has been an integral part of our Metropolis and our parishes, as well as for the many faithful who have participated in the many and varied programs and ministries during the past four decades. 

It is important that all our communities come together to support this event. It cannot be emphasized enough the important role the Ranch has had in fostering the faith and culture of our people in our parishes throughout our Metropolis. The ministries have found a home in the Ranch which have benefited the faithful of all ages from our parishes. These past four decades have been blessed to have this sacred space where spiritual growth and edification have been realized by the youth and seniors of our communities.

Please make your online reservations through the link provided below:  http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=59fkehxab&oeidk=a07egjnovlq175ff0af 

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

Parish Youth Safety

Recently, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America issued new Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth in parishes. The policies are designed to ensure that all of our youth ministry environments are physically and spiritually safe and healthy. Covered programs and events include everything from youth groups (like HOPE, JOY, and GOYA) to educational programs (like Sunday School) to athletic programs, to cultural programs (like Parish Greek school or Greek dance programs), in addition to youth retreats and camping programs.

Under the policies, all Youth Workers, anyone who participates in Youth Ministry Programs and Events, will be required to register with the Parish, complete annual training, and pass a background screen. We are working with our youth lay leaders to help them comply with the Policies.

On behalf of our Parish Council along with Fr. Andrew, we thank you for your participation and support.

Dance & Choral News

Registration is currently taking place for Dance & Choral - an email was sent with a link to register. Please contact Christina Frangos at christinafrangos1@gmail.com for more information. Also, dance and choral practices have resumed. Please see below for practice times and locations for each group:

Youth Choir (3rd-12th grade) - 12:20-1:00 p.m.

Young Adult Choir (8th-12th grade) - 1:00-1:30 p.m.

Ionians (3rd-6th grade) - 1:00-2:15 in GOYA room

Aegeans (7th-12th grade) - 1:30-3:00 p.m. in church hall

Pelagos (18 and up) - 4:00-5:30 p.m.in church hall.

We are still searching for a director for the K-2nd grade group. If you are interested, please contact Maria Terris at mterris@qti.qualcomm.com.

The Pan Arcadians

The Pan Arcadians will be hosting a Greek Glendi Saturday, October 5th at Sts. Constantine and Helen at 5:30 PM. It will feature appetizers , chicken and hilopites(noodles), salad vegetables and dessert. Music and dancing provided by Takis Gryparis  combo. Arcadian of the year Alex Rigopoulos and our scholarship winners to be honored. Tickets are $45.00. For reservations please  call Angie Georggin at (858)748-9188. 

SAVE THE DATE - GOYA

GOYANS join us on Saturday, October 12th at the UTC Mall for Amazing Race GOYA Style. Meet us at Starbucks in the UTC Mall at 4:00, ready to solve clues, complete roadblocks and race to the finish line. Bring money for dinner during the race. Parents pick your kids up at 8:00 pm at the mall. Please RSVP by October 8 at navridesfamily@gmail.com or 619-825-6750.

OXI Dinner Dance

Saturday, October 19th 6:00 PM in the Cypress Room. Live music and a four course dinner. For more information contact John Georges at sdgreekevents@yahoo.com or call 951-536-1217.

SAVE THE DATE!  Hellenic Fairways Golf Tournament 2019

Hellenic Fairways Golf Tournament 2019 is Friday, October 25th at Willowbrook Golf Club in Lakeside.  A portion of this year's proceeds will go to benefit the Senior Group of St. Spyridon and The Center for Community Solutions.  Please see Rhad Brown, Maria Platis, Christina Frangos or Spero Tzathas if you would like to register, volunteer, or be a sponsor.

Military Appreciation Sunday

Calling all active-duty military and veterans for Military Appreciation Sunday on November 3, 2019. To submit your name and branch of service or to make an offering for fellowship, contact Soula De La Riva at soula.delariva@cox.net or (760) 521-0471.

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

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 loose 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, email address while they are in college, cell phone, 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. 

Philoptochos Table in the Cypress Room

Please come by our table to pick up latest information about Philoptochos. We also ask that you please do not remove the table but if you need to move it for an event, please return back as it was. Thank you! 

Philoptochos and Fellowship

We hope you continue to enjoy the long standing tradition of gathering for fellowship in the hall following the Divine Liturgy throughout the year. Philoptochos is thankful for the continued support from all the families and organizations that offer every week. We kindly ask others to consider offering fellowship 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.  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.  Thank you!

Agape Meals 

Philoptochos has an outreach program where people can cook or deliver (or both) a meal to one of their fellow parishioners who may facing a difficult or stressful time in their life (illness, new baby, etc). If you would like more information on how you can participate, or know of someone in our community who could use a meal or two, 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.

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 October, November and December and have icons that can be displayed: 

10/26 - St. Demetrios 

11/1 - Sts. Cosmas and Damianos 

11/8 - Synaxis/Gathering of the Archangels 

11/9 - St. Nektarios 

11/13 - St. John Chrysostom

11/21 - Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

11/25 - St. Katherine the Great

11/30 - St. Andrew the First Called Apostle 

12/4 - St. Barbara 

12/6 - St. Nicholas 

12/12 - St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

12/25 - Holy Nativity of the Lord

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.

 

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Inserts and Fliers

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.

Why do we judge our neighbors? Because we shun knowing ourselves. Someone busy trying to understand himself has no time to notice the shortcomings of others. Judge yourself ... and you will stop judging others. Judge a poor deed, but do not judge the doer. It is necessary to consider yourself the most sinful of all, and to forgive your neighbor every poor deed.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
Unknown, 19th century

Christians should strive in all things and ought not to pass judgment of any kind on anyone, not on the prostitute nor on sinners nor on disorderly persons. But they should look upon all persons with a single mind and a pure eye so that it may be for such a person almost a natural and fixed attitude never to despise or judge or abhor anyone or to divide people and put them into boxes for this is purity of heart, that, when you see the sinner and the weak, you have compassion and show mercy to them.
St. Makarios the Great
Homilies 5.8, 4th century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Meeting of the Archbishop with the President of Turkey

09/26/2019

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America had a previously unscheduled meeting, late yesterday evening, with the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Manhattan’s Cipriani Hotel. Accompanying President Edogan was his close advisor Mr. Ömer Çelik, former Minister of European Affairs.

First Ever Monastic Assembly Convened in America Concludes

09/22/2019

NEW YORK – The first ever Monastic Assembly of the Sacred Monasteries of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened on the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, September 21-22 at the Sacred Monastery of Saint Nektarios in Roscoe, NY concluded today.

Archbishop Elpidophoros Convenes First Ever Monastic Assembly

09/21/2019

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America today convened the first ever Monastic Assembly in the United States to promote the value and importance of monasticism in our Orthodox Christian tradition and the spiritual life of the faithful. The abbots and abbesses of 18 monasteries are attending the Assembly, which is taking place at the Holy Monastery of Saint Nektarios in Roscoe, NY.‬

Archbishop Elpidophoros Offers Agiasmos for the New School Year at St. Demetrios School in Astoria

09/20/2019

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, celebrated the Service of Agiasmos for the new academic year at Saint Demetrios Greek American Day School in Astoria, NY.
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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. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.


Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, and those guarding it became as dead. Mary stood at your grave seeking your pure body. But you stripped the power of Hades, yet were not touched by corruption. You met the virgin and granted her life. O Lord, who

Apolytikion for Cyriacus the Anchorite in the First Mode

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Cyriacus, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, please reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.
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Saints and Feasts

Symeonstyliteskiriakos
September 29

Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine

This Saint was born in Corinth in 448. He went to Palestine to the Lavra of Euthymius the Great, but because of his youth was sent by Saint Euthymius to Saint Gerasimus; after the death of Saint Gerasimus he returned to the Lavra of Saint Euthymius. Later he took on a more rigorous life of asceticism in the wilderness of Natoufa, where there was nothing to eat except the exceedingly bitter wild herb called squills, which, however, through his prayers, God made sweet for him and his disciple. He lived 107 years and reposed in the year 555.


Allsaint
September 30

Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia

This Saint, a Parthian by race, was the son of Anak. He was born about the year 240 and was taught the Faith of Christ in Caesarea of Cappadocia. He entered the service of Tiridates, King of Armenia, but when discovered to be a Christian, he was subjected to many horrible torments at the King's hands, then was cast into a pit of mire with poisonous serpents and left to die. By the power of God, however, he abode there unharmed for fourteen years, his needs provided by a certain widow, until he was made known by revelation and set free. He converted to piety innumerable multitudes of Armenians, including Tiridates himself, and was consecrated bishop by Leontius, Archbishop of Caesarea, to shepherd the vast flock he had gained for Christ. He spent the last part of his life in retirement in the ascetical discipline, and reposed in peace about the year 325. Saint Gregory is honoured as the Illuminator of Armenia.


Pokrov
October 01

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.

In the Greek tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 28, while in the Slavic tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 1.


Cyprianjustine
October 02

The Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virgin Martyr Justina

Saint Justina who was from Damascus, lived in virginity for the sake of Christ. Saint Cyprian, who was from Antioch, began as an initiate of magic and worshipper of the demons. A certain foolish young man who had been smitten with Justina's beauty hired Cyprian to draw her to love him; when Cyprian had wed every demonic device he knew, and had failed, being repulsed by the power of Christ Whom Justina invoked, he understood the weakness of the demons and came to know the truth. Delivered from demonic delusion, he came to Christ and burned all his books of magic, was baptized, and later ascended the episcopal throne in his country. Later, he and Justina were arrested by the Count of Damascus, and having endured many torments at his hands, they were sent finally to Diocletian in Nicomedia, where they were beheaded about the year 304.


03_dionysios
October 03

Dionysios the Areopagite

This Saint was from Athens, a learned man, and a member of the famous judicial court of Mars Hill (in Greek Aeros Pagos, hence the name Areopagite (see Acts 17:19-34). When Saint Paul preached in Athens, he was one of the first there to believe in Christ, and, according to some, became the first bishop of that city. Others say -- and this may be more probable--that he was the second Bishop of Athens, after Saint Hierotheus, whom Dionysios calls his friend and teacher "after Paul" (On the Divine Names, 3:2). With Saint Hierotheus he was also present at the Dormition of the most holy Theotokos; the Doxasticon of the Aposticha for the service of the Dormition is partly taken from a passage in Chapter III of On the Divine Names. According to ancient tradition, he received a martyr's end (according to some, in Athens itself) about the year 96.


Hierotheos
October 04

Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens

According to some, Hierotheus, like Saint Dionysius, was a member of the court of Mars Hill. Having first been instructed in the Faith of Christ by Paul, he became Bishop of Athens. He, in turn, initiated the divine Dionysius more perfectly into the mysteries of Christ; the latter, on his part, elaborated more clearly and distinctly Hierotheus' concise and summary teachings concerning the Faith. He too was brought miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit to be present at the Dormition of the Theotokos, when, together with the sacred Apostles, he became a leader of the divine hymnody. "He was wholly transported, wholly outside himself and was so deeply absorbed in communion with the sacred things he celebrated in hymnology, that to all who heard him and saw him and knew him, and yet knew him not, he seemed to be inspired of God, a divine hymnographer," as Dionysius says (On the Divine Names, 3:2). Having lived in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord.


Petermoscow
October 05

Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Hermogenes & Tikhon, Metropolitans of Moscow

The feast of the Hierarchs of Moscow was established during the reign of Tsar Theodore Ioannovich and Patriarch Job in the year 1596. Their individual feasts are: Saint Peter (+1326), December 21, and August 24, translation of holy relics; Saint Alexis (+14th cent.), February 12, and May 20, recovery of holy relics; Saint Jonah (+1461), March 31 and June 15, with the recovery of his holy relics celebrated on May 27. In 1875, at the proposal of Metropolitan Innocent of Moscow, to this feast was joined the commemoration of Saint Philip of Moscow (+1569), whose feast is kept on January 9, and the recovery of his holy relics on July 3. In more recent times, the holy Patriarchs Hermogenes (+1612) and Tikhon (+1925) have been added to the Synaxis. Saint Hermogenes, who was starved to death by the Poles, is also celebrated on February 17 and May 12, and Saint Tikhon, a confessor under the atheist yoke, on March 25. the Menaion service itself makes reference only to Saints Peter, Alexis, Jonah, and Philip.


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