This Sunday's Memorials
Helen Psaros Kromydas - 6 years
Milton Kromydas - 15 years
Fr. Demetrius Dogias – 8 years
Amalia Tsakiris – 14 years
Mary Dogias – 30 years
Elaine Poulos – 31 years
Athanasios Poulos – 55 years
Philoptochos Pascha Bake Sale…Today is the last day to Order!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Last Great & Holy Lenten Service is this Evening
This Friday evening, April 16th - The Hymn Without Sitting / The Akathistos Imnos - 6:30 pm
Our Spring General Assembly is This Sunday, April 18, 2021
Our annual Spring General Assembly will be held this Sunday, April 18, 2021, following the Divine Liturgy. You can attend virtually by joining us on Zoom [Meeting ID: 813 4303 4702; Passcode: 358385] or can join us in the Fellowship Hall. During the meeting, the Parish Council and Ministry Leaders will provide an update on the state of the parish, our ministries, and our finances. We will present the 2021 Financial Budget for consideration and approval and the Audit Committee will present its report. We will also be seeking nominations and selecting three members of the Parish to supervise and count the votes for the 2021 Parish Council Elections in December.
Finally, during this Sunday's Spring General Assembly the Master Planning Committee will provide background information on an unsolicited proposal received seeking to list and solicit proposals from developers to purchase a portion of the property. No action will be taken during this Sunday's Spring General Assembly on this item at this meeting. However, a Special General Assembly will be dedicated to this unsolicited proposal and is scheduled for Sunday, May 23, 2021. This will allow the Parish the full opportunity and time needed to hear more information, ask many questions and then they will be asked to consider and approve the proposal.
You can view the Spring General Assembly Agenda and the Fall General Assembly Meeting Minutes for November 29, 2020 in the "Inserts and Fliers" section below.
Great and Holy Week Schedule Sign up (RSVP)
We are grateful that this year's Great and Holy Week services will be inside our Sanctuary unlike Great and Holy Week of 2020. Since we are still somewhat struggling with the pandemic - the seating capacity inside the Sanctuary will still be limited.
We have created a familiar signup schedule for you to RSVP so that we can continue to exercise the six feet of physical distance required by San Diego county in an effort to keep everyone safe. We are hopeful that we will ALL be together for Great and Holy Week of 2022 but for now, this is the best system that has worked very well for our parish.
Thus, starting this Sunday evening, April 18th the signup RSVP will open at 6:00 pm for two services - 1) the Saturday of Lazarus, and 2) Palm Sunday morning and evening. You can either go directly to the front page of our website to RSVP or continue to use the following link to RSVP -
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EA8A92BA7FF2-stspyridon
Then, following this Sunday's signup RSVP the remaining Great and Holy Week Services will "open" during this coming week for signup RSVP. More information and the signup RSVP link will be sent to you via our parish ListServ.
Below is a complete list of those Great and Holy Week Services.
As a reminder, our fellowship hall is equipped with a wonderful large screen projector and audio, which will be available to you as well.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us be reminded that for Great and Holy Week 2020 the pews of our churches were empty out of uncertainty and out of an abundance of caution - thus, out of necessity. Let us also be mindful that the United States has lost over 565,000 American souls, and here is the important part - and that is with mitigation, i.e. - face coverings and six feet of physical distance.
Currently, as you well know, we find ourselves in a much better position and condition but "we are not out of the woods just yet." Thus, for this Great and Holy Week 2021 inside access to our Sanctuary will still be "limited" and the reason we continue to ask you to RSVP for the divine services. I know that you join me in prayer that we will ALL be together for Great and Holy Week 2022. Until then, your patience and understanding, and your encouragement, support, and love have been and continue to be much needed and much appreciated, +A.
Great and Holy Week Divine Service Schedule 2021
Saturday, April 24th - Saturday of Lazarus - Orthros: 9:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy
Sunday morning, April 25th - Palm Sunday - Orthros: 9:00 am followed by the Divine Liturgy
Sunday evening, April 25th - The first Bridegroom Service: 6:30 pm
Holy and Great Monday evening, April 26th - The second Bridegroom Service: 6:30 pm
Holy and Great Tuesday evening, April 27th - The third Bridegroom Service: 6:30 pm
Holy and Great Wednesday afternoon, April 28th - The Service of Holy Unction - 3:00 pm
Holy and Great Thursday morning, April 29th - The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil - 10:00 am
Holy and Great Thursday evening, April 29th - The Twelve Gospel Readings - 6:30 pm
Holy and Great Friday morning, April 30th - The Reading of the Royal Hours - 10:00 am
Holy and Great Friday afternoon, April 30th - the Un-nailing of the Lord from the Cross - 3:00 pm
Holy and Great Friday evening, April 30th - The Lamentations before the Kouvouklion - 6:30 pm
Holy and Great Saturday morning, May 1st - The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great - 10:00 am
Holy and Great Saturday evening, May 1st - The Services of the Resurrection begin - 11:00 pm
The Sunday of Pascha, May 2nd - The Agape Service (inside our Sanctuary) - 12:00 pm (noon)
Our Sunday School 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!!
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.
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
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.
We are still in need of two teachers. Please email Julie Dennis directly if you are interested at sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com. 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!
Our last day of Sunday School will be 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!
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.
View the April 2021 Shepherd Newsletter
Click http://theshepherdnews.com/issues/0421/index.html
Director of Greek School - Position Available
- 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
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.