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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-11
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Fliers
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Climicus
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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

Parish Priest Fr. Andrew S.

frandrew@stspyridon.org | 619-297-4165

Parish Office For General Office Information

office@stspyridon.org | 619-297-4165

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 Memorials

Stephanie Navrides - 9 months

Niki Moises - 11 years

This Sunday's Divine Services

The seating capacity inside our Sanctuary for this Sunday's divine services has been met. The good news is we have prepared our fellowship hall to handle any overflow and "walk-ins" with the services being broadcast live on our big screen projector.  This will allow you to be present and then receive Holy Communion afterward if you so desire.  

The Orthros/Preparatory service begins at 9:00 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am.  Please arrive in time to be seated by the start of the Divine Liturgy.

Your seat/slot will be held until 10:10 am on Sunday morning and then released to those waiting.
 
Should you need to cancel your reservation after Friday (noon), please respond to the confirmation email you previously received from Sign-up Genius.  This will allow Sunday's narthex team to be notified so they can then offer your seat/slot to someone else on Sunday morning.
 
Please know that the RSVP link opens at 6:00 pm on Sunday evenings and closes on Friday afternoons at 1:00 pm.

If you need help, please contact Soula in the church office - 619-297-4165.

Thank you for your patience and understanding and your continued support and encouragement. 

Great & Holy Lent - Weekly Lenten Service Schedule

This Friday evening, April 9th - The 4th Salutation to the holy Theotokos - 6:30 pm

Monday evening, April 12th - The Great Compline Service - 6:30 pm 

Wednesday morning, April 14th - The Paraklesis Service to the Theotokos for health - 11:00 am

Next Friday evening, April 16th - The Hymn Without Sitting / The Akathistos Emnos - 6:30 pm

Or, You Can Join in and Pray the Divine Services of the Church via Our Parish LiveStream

Spring General Assembly - Sunday, April 18, 2021

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our Spring General Assembly Sunday, April 18th following the divine services. The agenda was mailed early this week.

This year's Spring General Assembly will be via Zoom.

Please see the Spring General Assembly Agenda in the "Inserts and Fliers" section below for details.

St. Spyridon Sunday School Updates

In-person Sunday School is available for families attending Divine Services in-person! Please follow the direction of the church volunteers for in-person Sunday School. Online Sunday School will continue for the rest of the Sunday School Year. If you would like to lend a hand once or twice per month to help Sunday School, please contact sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com.

Our Holy Friday Retreat will be via Zoom this year on April 30th, 12 pm – 2 pm, TK – 8th grades. Sign up for the retreat by clicking on the following link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfk4Um4KgoRVZHu-4tUtmHaAy8M7AR4RKtXMK-cL-xla6ZlRw/viewform OR email sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com to sign up. We have a fun afternoon planned with Pascha Themed Digital Escape Room Challenges and activities! A big thanks to our Retreat Planning Team: George Dougenis, Zoe Maude, and Andreana Frangos!!

Our last day of Sunday School is May 30, 2021. We will have fun class activities planned!
Parents of graduating seniors, please email Julie Dennis at sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com so that we can properly honor their accomplishments!

Light a Candle “From Afar”

Lighting a candle as we enter the narthex of the church is one real way we express our presence within the Body of Christ as we offer a prayer.  If you would like to light a candle to express your presence “from afar” click on the following link below and follow the directions -

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=J55MJ576K785E&source=url

Then, Fr. Andrew will receive your message, light your candle and offer a prayer. 

Philoptochos Pascha Bake Sale…Order Now!

Order our fragrant and delicious Tsoureki bread and tasty Koulourakia just in time for Pascha!

These delicious treats are handmade with love by our ladies of Philoptochos who are following all the coronavirus protocols.

Koulourakia (1 dozen) $10.00 | Tsoureki Loaf $15.00

Place your prepaid orders online at greekbake.org or mail your order and check to:

St. Spyridon Philoptochos |3655 Park Blvd | San Diego, CA  92103

Orders must be received by Friday, April 16th.  You will pick up your orders after church on Palm Sunday, April 25th from 12-3 pm.

Questions:  Contact Sofia Samouris at 619.518.4537 or greekbake@anthousa.org

We appreciate your support to help fund our philanthropic ministries!

Please see the Pascha Bake Sale form in the "Inserts and Fliers" section for details.

Kids 'n Cancer - Agape Virtual Celebration

Hello St. Spyridon Families,
 
Please join us this Sunday, April 11th at 2 pm on Zoom for our Kids 'n' Cancer virtual celebration. Everyone is welcome to join and as always, this event will touch your heart. Hope you can join us.
 
There is no cost to attend, however, advance registration is required on www.sfphiloptochos.org or call the Metropolis Philoptochos Office at 415-431-2600. After you register, you will receive the Zoom link login information which will be sent to you via email prior to the event. 
 
In Christ,
 
Marian Dougenis, Anthousa President

Please see the Kids 'n' Cancer Flyer in the "Inserts and Fliers" section for details.

Stewardship Corner 

We, the Stewardship Committee, first and foremost, would once again like to say “thank you” for your continuing support of our stewardship ministry. 

The Stewardship Committee respectfully reminds you once again to please take a moment to complete your 2021 pledge card and send it to the office today.  We can also sign up online through “We Share” at stspyridon.org (click the "Stewardship Giving" button) to make a monthly payment toward your pledged amount for the year 2021.

On behalf of the Parish Council, the Stewardship Committee once again says “thank you” and God bless you during this extraordinary time.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

The Stewardship Committee: John Kalas – Chairperson

Zathas Foundation Scholarships

Attention: Graduating High School Seniors and College/University Students! 

Completed applications must be received before May 1, 2021. 

If you would like an application, please contact Spero Tzathas at spe1@cox.net.

Please see the Zathas Foundation Scholarship Information in the "Inserts and Fliers" section for details.

Save the Date for Philoptochos Elections

Philoptochos elections will be held on Sunday, May 23rd. If you are interested in running for a Board position, please reach out to Marian Dougenis, 619-520-3660. More information to follow. 

Upcoming Memorials for April

Sunday, April 18: Milton Kromydas - 15 years

Sunday, April 18: Helen Psaros Kromydas - 6 years

View the April 2021 Shepherd Newsletter

Click http://theshepherdnews.com/issues/0421/index.html

Position Available- Director of Greek School 

  • Paid position
  • Established school and curriculum
  • Accredited with the San Diego Unified School District
  • Ages 4 - High School and Adults
  • 9 active teachers
  • Support staff 

To apply or for more information, please email greekschoolaboard@gmail.com

Sunday School is Seeking Teachers

We are in need of two teachers.  Please email Julie Dennis at sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com if you are interested.  It is a fun and fulfilling way to contribute to our church family!  We will provide training and the curriculum.  Join our Sunday School Team today!   

Agape Meals Program 

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!

Give Back 0.5% From “Amazon Smile” Foundation

We remind you to please participate in the AmazonSmile program.  When you shop on Amazon, the AmazonSmile Foundation will give back 0.5% of your purchase price to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.  That’s right, every eligible/registered purchase you or someone else makes at AmazonSmile 0.5% will be donated back to your parish!!!

It's quick and easy to 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 opportunity. 

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. 

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Inserts and Fliers

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

2021 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival To Be Held Virtually

02/12/2021

Taking inspiration from the many Church programs that have continued during the pandemic with virtual events that build fellowship, the plan is to host a multi-day virtual festival the weekend of June 11-13, 2021 that will include several opportunities for the students to get to know one another, an online prayer service and the junior and senior level speaking sessions.
https://www.goarch.org/-/2021-oratorical

Comfort Food for Families Lenten Series

03/09/2021

Comfort Food for Families from the GOA Center for Family Care is back for Lent! In our first episode, Fr. Alex lays out our Lenten map and previews all of the trail markers we will need on our pilgrimage to Pascha.
https://www.goarch.org/-/comfort-food-series-2021

Stewardship in the Pandemic: 2021

01/25/2021

When the reality of the pandemic became apparent last year, many parishes were thankful to have online giving and video streaming in place to keep people connected and to keep giving somewhat consistent. Many more parishes rushed to put systems in place, learning on the run, encouraging members to tune in and to keep their stewardship current through online giving. Many are still fine-tuning and evaluating systems hurriedly installed.
https://www.goarch.org/-/stewardship-in-pandemic

Live with the Louhs: Coping With Anger

03/08/2021

On this week's episode of "Live with the Louhs," a radio ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, hosts Fr. Nicholas and his wife, Dr. Roxanne, a Clinical Psychologist, discuss one of the greatest struggles we all face from time to time, how to cope with anger.
https://www.goarch.org/-/louhs-coping-anger

Igniting the Flame of True Orthodox Stewards

03/05/2021

Join us this Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 PM for the sixth in a series of six Stewardship Seminars in the Archdiocesan District and New Jersey Metropolis presented by Mr. Bill Marianes. This is a truly worthwhile experience.
https://www.goarch.org/-/ignite-flame

Family Matters Podcast Introduces New Series: Spotlight on Orthodox Families

03/22/2021

Introducing the newest podcast series: Spotlight on Orthodox Families, from the GOA Center for Family Care. Once a month Marianna McMullen and Despina Ellis will be interviewing couples from around the country in order to share the stories and lives of Orthodox families as a source of support and inspiration to others. In this first episode, Mari & Despina interview each other in a "Get to Know Your Hosts" segment.
https://www.goarch.org/-/spotlight-orthodox-families

3 Men and a Bible #35 | Sunday of Orthodoxy

03/22/2021

Join Fr Panagiotis Boznos, Nick Lionas, and Steve Christoforou for their weekly Orthodox Christian Bible Study, "3 Men and a Bible."
https://www.goarch.org/-/3-men-bible-sunday-of-orthodoxy

A Missionary Mindset: How International Missions Benefit the Local Parish

04/02/2021

Overseas missions is an experience that fulfills our calling as Christians, transforms individuals who participate and infects the local parish with a zeal for sharing the faith.Mission-minded parishes instill the importance of mission. Parishioners return from overseas missions forever changed. A missionary mindset can play a key role in revitalizing the faith of active Orthodox Christians and the entire parish.
https://www.goarch.org/-/missionary-mindset
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead, and he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Epistle Reading

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 Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

He that prays with fasting hath his wings double, and lighter than the very winds. ... For nothing is mightier than a man who prays sincerely. ... But if thy body be too weak to fast continually, still it is not too weak for prayer, nor without vigor for contempt of the belly. For although thou canst not fast, yet canst thou avoid luxurious living.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of his reign. He has conquered death by death and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades and has granted the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O John, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.

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!"
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Saints and Feasts

Climicus
April 11

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

Allsaint
April 12

Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium

This Saint lived during the time of the Iconoclasts, and because of his exceptional and virtuous life became Bishop of Parium. He suffered many hardships, afflictions, and persecutions from the heretics his whole life long, and finally reposed in peace.

Allsaint
April 13

Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

Saint Martin was born in Tuscany. He had been the papal delegate at Constantinople; upon the death of Pope Theodore, Saint Martin was elected his successor. At this time the Emperor Constans II, also known as Constantine Pogonatus (reigned 641-668), was seeking support of his confession of faith called the Typos, which espoused the Monothelite heresy, that is, that there is only one will and energy in the Incarnate Son of God. But the newly-consecrated Pope not only did not accept the Typos, but convened the Lateran Council of 649 (attended by 105 of his bishops, and Saint Maximus the Confessor, who was then in Rome), which anathematized the Typos and the Monothelite heresy. Because of this Saint Martin was seized by an imperial force in 653 and brought to Constantinople, where he was charged with sending money to the Saracens and conspiring with them, and blaspheming against the most holy Mother of God. Though innocent of these accusations, he was exiled to Cherson on the Black Sea, where, after many sufferings and privations, he received the crown of his courageous confession in the year 655.

Allsaint
April 14

Aristarchus, Pudens, Trophimus the Apostles of the 70

Saint Aristarchus is mentioned in the Epistle to the Colossians (4:10), and also in the Epistle to Philemon (v. 24). By his ascetical manner of life, this Saint proved to be another Saint John the Baptist. He became Bishop of Apamea in Syria, and brought many to the Faith of Christ. Saints Pudens and Trophimus are mentioned in II Timothy 4:20-21. Also, Acts 21:29 mentions that Trophimus was from Ephesus. According to sources that Saint Dorotheus of Tyre (celebrated on June 5) found written in Latin in Rome, these Apostles were beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero (54-68).

Allsaint
April 15

Crescens the Martyr

This Martyr was from Myra of Lycia, born of an illustrious family. Of his own accord he went amidst the idolaters and admonished them to leave off their futile religion and worship the only true God, Who is worshipped by the Christians; for this he was arrested. When asked by the ruler what his name and lineage were, the Saint would answer only that he was a Christian; counseled to offer sacrifice to the idols, he refused. For this, he was hung up and beaten, was scraped, and then was cast into fire, in which he gave up his holy soul into the hands of God, though not even the hair of his head was harmed by the flames.

Allsaint
April 16

Agape, Chionia, and Irene, the Holy Martyrs

When the Emperor Diocletian was at Aquileia, he learned that these Saints were Christians, and had them brought before him. Because they would not deny Christ, he had them imprisoned, and when he went into Macedonia, he committed them to Dulcitius the Prefect, who, however, lost his understanding and became incapable of doing them any harm. Diocletian then gave Count Sisinius charge over them. He had Saints Agape and Chionia burned; he ordered that Saint Irene be put in a brothel, but by the providence of God this was not accomplished, and she was shot with an arrow. These holy sisters suffered martyrdom in Thessalonica in the year 295.

Allsaint
April 17

Symeon the Holy Martyr and Bishop of Persia

This Martyr was Bishop of the royal cities Seleucia and Ctesiphon in Persia. As the number of Christians increased in Persia, building churches and appointing clergy, the Magi, guardians of the Persian religion, and the Jews, who also envied them, accused Symeon to Sapor II, King of Persia, saying that Symeon was a friend of the Roman Emperor and his spy. Then began Sapor's persecution of the Christians of Persia, about the year 343. The Magi together with the Jews destroyed the churches. Saint Symeon was brought before Sapor, and, refusing to worship the sun, was imprisoned. On Holy and Great Friday of that year, Saint Symeon was brought out of prison with a hundred others, bishops, priests, and deacons. As each was taken to be slain, Saint Symeon exhorted him to be of good courage; he was slain last of all. It is said that 1,150 Martyrs were slain; an innumerable multitude of Christians were slain throughout Persia during this persecution, among them Saints Acepsimas, Joseph, and Aethalas (see Nov. 3).

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