Dedication of the Temple of the Holy Great Martyr George in Lydda
The consecration of the Church of Saint George in Lydda of Palestine took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great. See also April 23.
This Sunday's Memorials
John Psyhogios - 1 year
Philoptochos Thanksgiving Luncheon - Sunday, November 10th in the Cypress Room, following the Divine Liturgy
Please join us at this annual major fundraising event - our Philoptochos Ladies will prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal for our community to enjoy in support of our many and varied ministries. This luncheon sells out every year so make your reservations now.
Prices are $25 for adults and $15 for children (ages 12 and under). Make your reservations online at www.anthousa.org, or submit a reservation form with payment to the church office. We appreciate your support!
Please see the "Insert and Flier" section below for more information.
This Sunday's Acolyte Serving Team
St. Demetrios: Captain: William (Vasilios) Gilpin, Theo Couris, Will Kalas, Nikos Kapetanios, Petros Kapetanios, Tasos Kapetanios, Milton Kromydas, Dean Lahanas, Dimitri Salim
Fall Acolyte Retreat - Saturday, November 19th
Our Fall Acolyte Retreat is scheduled for November 16th from 12:00-2:30 p.m. The retreat will begin in our church temple with instruction/training reminders followed by a light lunch in the hall and will include a service project as well.
Thank you,
Angel Gilpin,
Acolyte Coordinator
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.
Ta Pedakia (K-2nd grade) - 12:30 - 1:00 pm in GOYA room
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.
Military Appreciation this Sunday
Calling all active-duty military and veterans for Military Appreciation this Sunday 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.
Next GOYA Gathering
Saturday, November 9th – please join us in the GOYA room for dinner/discussion with San Francisco Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Christos Pappademos, M.Div.. The topic will be “Love One Another.” After dinner, Christos will be with the high schoolers and Mrs. Navrides will lead an activity for the middle schoolers (7th and 8th grades). Meet at the GOYA room at 5pm and PLEASE RSVP by November 1st at navridesfamily@gmail.com or 619-992-6775.
Seniors Gathering
Please join us Tuesday, November 12th at 11:00 am. Lunch will be provided, but you must call Cynthia Samarkos at (619) 582-4109 OR email at tedcynsam@cox.net so we can plan accordingly.
Dance & Choral Presents See's Candies Holiday Fundraiser
Get your holiday shopping done early and help us raise funds for our Dance & Choral ministry at the same time.
Selling from Nov 4th to Dec 1st
For more information please contact Kathy Meck at spirnodiva@aol.com
Please see the "Insert and Fliers" section below for more information.
Light The Path
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos joyfully invite you to attend Light The Path. Saturday, November 23, 2019. St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, Irvine, California.
Please see the "Insert and Fliers" section below for more information.
Save The Date!
Philoptochos Membership Luncheon Saturday, January 25 , 2020. Details to follow.
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!
College Connection
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.
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.
11/8 - Synaxis/Gathering of the Archangels
11/9 - St. Nektarios the Wonderworker
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 the Great Martyr
12/6 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
12/12 - St. Spyridon the Wonderworker
12/25 - Holy Nativity/Birth of the Lord
1/1 - St. Basil The Great
1/6 - Holy Theophany / Epiphany
1/17 - St. Anthony The Great
1/18 - Sts. Athanasios (And Cyril)
1/20 - St. Euthymios the Great
1/25 - St. Gregory The Theologian
1/30 - Three Hierarchs
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.
Military Appreciation Sunday Sunday, November 3, 2019
Philoptochos Thanksgiving Luncheon Sunday, November 10, 2019
Dance & Choral Presents See's Candies Holiday Fundraiser Get your holiday shopping done early and help us raise funds for our Dance & Choral ministry at the same time. Selling from Nov 4th to Dec 1st For more information please contact Kathy Meck at spirnodiva@aol.com
Light The Path Saturday, November 23, 2019 St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church Irvine, California
WeShare Online Giving
Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.
Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31
The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
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.
The consecration of the Church of Saint George in Lydda of Palestine took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great. See also April 23.
Saint Joannicius was born in Bithynia about the year 740. His father was named Myritrikes and his mother Anastaso When he had reached maturity, he excelled in soldiery and was counted worthy of royal honours for his bravery. He had been brought up an iconoclast, but while yet a soldier, he was converted to Orthodoxy by a certain holy elder. He later forsook all things and departed for Mount Olympus, where he spent the remainder of his life in asceticism. Becoming great in virtue, he reposed in the Lord in the year 834, having lived some ninety-four years. To this Saint is ascribed the brief prayer, "My hope is the Father . . . ."
Saint Galaktion was from Emesa, the son of Cleitophon and Leucippe, pagans who had been instructed in piety by a certain Christian named Onuphrius and received holy Baptism. Saint Episteme, born of unbelieving parents, was baptized before she was wedded to Galaktion. After their marriage they remained in virginity and lived in separate monastic houses. Betrayed as Christians, they suffered martyrdom during the reign of Decius, about the year 250.
Saint Paul was from Thessalonica. He became the secretary of Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople (see Aug. 30), a deacon, and then the successor of Saint Alexander in about 337. Because of his virtue, his eloquence in teaching, and his zeal for Orthodoxy, the Arians hated and feared him. When the Arian Emperor Constantius, who was in Antioch, learned of Paul's election, he exiled Paul and proclaimed the Arian Eusebius Patriarch. Saint Paul went to Rome, where he found Saint Athanasius the Great also in exile. Provided with letters by Pope Julius, Paul returned to Constantinople, and after the death of Eusebius in 342, ascended again his rightful throne; the Arians meanwhile elected Macedonius, because he rejected the Son's con-substantiality with the Father (and the divinity of the Holy Spirit besides). When Constantius, yet at Antioch, learned of Paul's return, he sent troops to Constantinople to drive Paul out. The Saint returned to Rome, where Saint Athanasius also was again in exile. Constans, Emperor of the West, Constantius' brother, but Orthodox, wrote to Constantius that if Athanasius and Paul were not allowed to return to their sees, he would come with troops to restore them him-self. So Paul again returned to his throne. After the death of Constans, however, Constantius had Paul deposed. Because of the love of the people for Saint Paul, Philip the Prefect, who was sent for him, was compelled to arrest him secretly to avoid a sedition. Paul was banished to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia; a town through which his most illustrious successor, Saint John Chrysostom would also pass on his way to Comana in his last exile. In Cucusus, about the year 350, as Saint Paul was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the little house where he was a prisoner, the Arians strangled him with his own omophorion, so much did they fear him even in exile. His holy relics were brought back to Constantinople with honour by the Emperor Theodosius the Great.
These holy Martyrs confessed during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian in the year 290. Of them, Saint Hieron was from Tyana in Cappadocia, a husbandman, of great bodily strength and high nobility of soul. As he was at work digging in his field, certain soldiers came to impress him into military service. He, however, not wishing to keep company with the impious, refused, and with his wooden tool alone drove away the armed soldiers, who fled in fear because of his strength. Later, however, he went of his own free will, and confessed Christ before the governor. His right hand was cut off, and he was imprisoned with thirty-two others, whom he strengthened in the Faith of Christ. Together they were all beheaded outside the city of Melitene in Armenia.
All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
During the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian, about the year 290, Saints Onesiphorus and Porphyrius were betrayed as Christians to the persecutors. After many torments through which they stood fast in confessing their faith, they were bound by the feet to wild horses and dragged to death.