Until Further Notice and due to the unprecedented health concerns, there is still no public attendance allowed in the church sanctuary. You can participate and join in prayer the Lenten and Sunday services by viewing our LiveStream and going to our parish website: www.stspyridon.org
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Please know that tonight's Fourth Salutation to the holy Theotokos will be offered at 6:30 pm.
Through the words of St. Paul we are reminded - Our faith comes by (is strengthened through) Hearing... (Romans 10:13-18; 2-5).
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
the divine services of the Church are created to be heard. Those created for parish use are about one hour in length. Tonight's beautiful service (the Third Salutation to the Theotokos) is no different. The service is a beautiful poem and is offered up through metered chant.
Thus, I encourage you to listen attentively for your "nugget" of inspiration for faith comes by hearing. An hour can seem like a long time in today's world but given our extraordinary circumstances, I pray that you will find great comfort and consolation through this wonderful hymn offered for exactly this moment in time; that the holy Theotokos will intercede on our behalf to Christ our God to protect each and every one of us from this current awful plague that confronts us - so that we may rejoice one day again, O unwedded Bride.
I look very much forward to being with you and to pray with you all tonight!
Be safe and stay healthy,
Fr. Andrew
Unless Circumstances Change here is the Lenten Service Schedule for March and April
Tonight, Friday evening, March 27th - The Fourth Salutations to the Theotokos - 6:30 pm
Sunday morning, March 29th - Orthros - 8:30 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am
Friday evening, April 3rd - The Hymn Without Sitting/Akathistos Hymnos - 6:30 pm
Sunday morning, April 5th - Orthros - 8:30 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am
Sunday morning, April 12th - Orthros - 8:30 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am
Festival Committee News
Dearest St. Spyridon Family,
As we continue to navigate the many challenges presented by COVID-19, we find ourselves making difficult choices for the benefit and protection of our community, our friends, and our families. We do so in good faith, because it is the right thing to do, and pray with humility that our decisions will serve the greater good.
Given the nature of this pandemic and the uncertainty that we face at this time, the Parish Council has soberly decided to cancel this year’s Greek Festival. The decision was made after much thought and deliberation and did not come easily. Even if the pandemic were to pass in the coming weeks, the challenges facing the successful execution of our festival were many and too difficult to ignore.
The Festival Steering Committee would like to thank you all for your understanding and we pray that God grants us all continued health and protection. Any of you who made donations toward the 2020 Festival will be receiving a refund in the coming weeks. Our Greek Festival is a very special event that shares our culture, heritage, and faith with the San Diego community and rest assured, we will be back in 2021!
In Christ,
Ben De La Riva, Festival Chair
Administrative Assistant Position Opening
Our Parish Staffing Committee is searching for applicants for an Administrative Assistant position in our church office. This is a part-time position offering about 30 hours per week and 2 weeks of vacation each year. Applicants should have recent experience supporting an office administrative staff, managing calendars, setting appointments, and using both office reception and computer software skills. Anyone interested in the position should send a copy of their updated resume to office@stspyridon.org<mailto:office@stspyridon.org> for consideration.
Given the Circumstances, Philoptochos will not be baking Tsourekia for Pashca
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 be 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
Sunday's divine services and the Lenten services will continue via our LiveStream.
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, May and June and have icons that can be displayed:
3/29 - Sunday of St. John Climacus
4/5 - St. Mary of Egypt
4/10 - St. Miltiadies
4/12 - Palm Sunday
4/12-4/14 - Icon of the Bridegroom for Holy and Great Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings
4/15 - The Mystical Supper
4/16 - The Crucifixion
4/17 - The Descent from the Cross
4/18-4/19 - Great and Holy Pascha/Resurrection
4/25 - St. Mark the Apostle
4/26 - St. George
4/26 - Theotokos of the Life-Giving Spring
4/26 - Sunday of St. Thomas
5/3 - Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
5/5 - St. Irene of Thesis
5/9 - The Holy Martyr Christopher
5/21 - Sts. Constantine and Helen
5/28 - Holy Ascension of our Lord
6/7 - Holy Pentecost - the Descent of the Holy Spirit
6/24 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist
6/29 - Apostles Peter and Paul
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.