My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tonight's Hymn Without Sitting/ Akathistos 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).
Thus, the divine services of the Church were created to be heard. Those created for parish use are about one hour in length. Tonight's beautiful service (the Hymn without Sitting/Akathistos) to the Theotokos) is no different. The service is a beautiful poem offered up through metered chant.
Thus, I encourage you to listen attentively for your "nugget" of inspiration for faith comes by hearing. 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 until Palm Sunday
Tonight, Friday evening, April 3rd - The Hymn Without Sitting to the Theotokos - 6:30 pm
Sunday morning, April 5th - Orthros - 8:30 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am
Palm Sunday morning, April 12th - Orthros - 9:00 am w/the Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am
We are anticipating a full Liturgical Service Schedule for Great and Holy Week via our LiveStream but we are going to wait one more week to see how things develop with regard to the CoronaVirus.
This Sunday's Memorial
Spyridon Lolis (father of Vasiliki Kaju) - 9 days
Chryssostomos Sarantopoulos (brother of Jannie Gallanis) - 40 days
Staying Strong Together in Prayer
Please join us every day at noon as we pray as a community for strength and courage during this Corona Virus crisis. The prayer is brief and very easy to join - just dial 605-313-6214 code 845590.
Please see the "Inserts and Fliers" section below for more information.
Stewardship Corner
As Vasilios and I are sitting and reading on the back patio, I am reminded of this past Sunday’s sermon given by Father Andrew and his opening comment, “…there is nothing is new, my brothers and sisters, nothing is new except for the Incarnation of Christ!”
As we confront this current crisis I remind you that as a community we will persist and eventually conquer this “silent enemy.” Our way of life may change and our church may also change a bit, but, eventually, we will flourish and grow as a community once again.
The church office is open as Vicky and Tina are answering the phones and responding to emails etc. but we ask that you continue to practice “social distancing” of at least six feet and to not visit them at this time.
The Parish Council and our Philoptochos remain active as well. We have launched our new parish website from which you can “light a candle” and view the divine services via our parish LiveStream. There is also a Prayer Group that you can join that meets at 12:00 pm noon every day for a brief prayer against the CoronaVirus - See the "Inserts and Fliers" section below for more information.
As you can see your parish remains active “from afar.” So, please take a moment and reflect on what you can do to spiritually nourish and physically support your church community. Perhaps call a friend, light a candle or participate in our parish LiveStream services being provided to you.
Also, we take this opportunity to thank those who have kept up with their stewardship giving and encourage every steward to do what they can at this very important and critical time in the life of our parish.
Sincerely,
John T. Kalas, Stewardship Committee Father Andrew Scordalakis, Priest
Ben De La Riva, Jim Gilpin, Greg Kostas, Bill Navrides, Stephen Thiros and Spero Tzathas
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 April, May and June and have icons that can be displayed:
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.