Publish-header
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2021-09-05
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Archdiocese News
Inserts and Fliers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Zacharias
Organization Icon
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

Office Update

The church office will be closed on Monday, September 6th in observance of Labor Day. 

Weekly Divine Services

Wednesday, Sept. 8th - Nativity of the Holy Theotokos - Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

CDC and the County of San Diego Covid Mask Wearing Reminder

Just a reminder as the reported cases, etc. of the coronavirus continues to surge - the most updated and current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the county of San Diego recommend that those who are fully vaccinated wear a face covering while indoors. 

For those who have not yet been vaccinated the CDC and County of San Diego still require those who are unvaccinated (for whatever reason) should continue to wear a mask while indoors, i.e. - inside the Sanctuary, in an attempt to help stop the spread of the (very contagious Delta) coronavirus.  We are still following the "honor system" and respectfully ask that if you have not been fully vaccinated to wear your face covering while in the Sanctuary and fellowship hall.    

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, understanding, and patience as we continue to safely navigate our way through this concerning time once again.  

A Message From His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew for the Start of the Ecclesiastical New Year (September 1st)

Protocol  No. 539

† B A R T H O L O M E W

By God’s Mercy Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome

and Ecumenical Patriarch

To the Plenitude of the Church

Grace, Peace and Mercy from the Maker of All Creation

Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

 

Esteemed brethren and beloved children in the Lord,

The Feast of the Indiction, the solemn day of prayers for the natural environment, finds once again humanity confronted with intense weather conditions due to mounting climate change, with devastating floods and fires across the globe, as well as with the Coronavirus pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences...

To read the complete text of the Patriarchal Encyclical please see the Inserts and Fliers section below. 

Come and Join us for Coffee Hour and Fellowship Following Sunday's Services

Weekly Fellowship Hour has resumed, but we need your help in providing the refreshments that we share during this time of fellowship. Please consider sponsoring with your friends and family.  Let's keep it simple by providing cookies or donuts and juice. To sign-up to sponsor Fellowship Hour on a particular Sunday, please contact Sofia Samouris at 619.518.4537. 

Stewardship Corner

As the summer season comes to an end, I am again reminded that this is “God’s Country” - and that all we have is not only inspired by God but given through God to all of us. So, as our community enters into a new season full of God’s Blessings and Favor, the Stewardship Committee would like to remind all of you that there are many new promises of change and improvements on our horizon this coming fall season as we continue to “return,” we ask you, faithful sojourner, to join us in the most honorable and tangible manner in which you may give back to God and His Church: fulfill your monthly pledge and/or make your contribution to your parish, in order to fulfill God’s promise for a fuller and more peaceful Orthodox Christian life.

Please remember to be faithful stewards of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and make your weekly/monthly stewardship contribution to your parish. For your convenience, you may do this online at www.stspyridon.org or pay through ACH or call the office at 619-297-4165. 

As Father Andrew has reminded us over the last 14 years, “everything flows from the Divine Liturgy.” Your support of our Stewardship Program allows us to robustly provide this sacred blessing and all that it entails for our spiritual well-being.

Have a wonderful September and don’t forget to do your part!

With God’s Blessing - The Stewardship Committee thanks you in advance:

John Kalas, Chairperson   

Armatus Youth Protection Training

This is a reminder for all Youth Workers of the (Sunday School, Greek School, GOYA, Dance & Choral) to complete their required annual youth protection training online. An email has been sent to you directly with your login credentials. For any questions, contact the Parish Youth Safety Administrator, Soula De La Riva, at the church office - 619-297-4165 or office@stspyridon.org. Thank you for helping to keep our youth safe!                        

Greek Language Classes (In-Person and via Zoom) Begin Next Week!

It's back-to-school time! Children and Adult Classes begin next week, September 6th.  For registration, class schedule, and tuition payment, please visit the school website at www.stspyridongreekschool.org. For more information, please email Athena Georges at athenakotinopoulos@gmail.com.

Women of the Word Bible Study Group 

Women of the Word (WOW)Study Group SignUps and an Opportunity Drawing for a free, custom-tabbed Orthodox Study Bible have started and will continue until Monday, Sept. 6th. If you are interested in joining us or want to put your name in for the Drawing, please email Susan Miserlis at susanmiserlis@gmail.com. 

Sunday School Starts Next Sunday, September 12th

Register now! https://forms.gle/khpUkYJzyZQmoGd68 or via the Church website stspyridon.org. Sunday School meets immediately after Holy Communion each Sunday in the Education Building. Sunday School classes include: TK – 2nd grade, 3rd – 5th grade, 6th – 8th grade, 9th – 12th grade. Looking to give back to our youth community? Volunteer now! Please email Julie Dennis at sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com for more information.

Please see the Sunday School Registration Form in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

GOYA Family Movie Night - Save the Date

GOYANS join us on Saturday, September 25th at 6:00 pm for GOYA family movie night outside in the Church parking lot.  GOYAns bring your chairs, blankets, and families as we watch a movie outside on the BIG screen.  Dinner will be provided by GOYA for everyone in the Education Building.  Remember we WILL hold elections for officers BEFORE the movie starts on September 25th so if you would like to run for a GOYA office for the 2021-2022 year please plan on attending. RSVP at navridesfamily@gmail.com by September 20th. For questions call Mr. Navrides at 619-825-6750.

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. 

BACK TO TOP

Archdiocese News

Archbishop Ellpidophoros Participates in Signing of New Indiction

09/02/2021

On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joined together with Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne from across the globe in order to co-preside with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Divine Liturgy in the Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George in commemoration of the feast of Indiction — the proclamation of the New Ecclesiastical Year.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-elpidophoros-indiction-signing

“How-to” Green Your Parish, Episode 20: Creation and Stewardship

09/02/2021

This week’s “How-to” Green Your Parish episode features Rev. Jim Kordaris “Creation and Stewardship”
https://www.goarch.org/-/green-your-parish-20

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Acquires Popular Byzantine Chant Resource “AGES Initiatives”

08/31/2021

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has acquired certain assets of the respected AGES Initiatives organization, which has provided digital music for Byzantine Chant utilizing both Byzantine and Western notations and translations of liturgical texts for Orthodox churches around the world since 2012. In that time, AGES Initiatives has developed a full suite of digital texts designed to facilitate the study of Byzantine chant in a variety of languages for those at church, at home, or in the classroom.
https://www.goarch.org/-/2021-08-31-ages-goa-digital-chant-stand

Archbishop Elpidophoros Meets With Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

08/31/2021

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew today, August 31, 2021 at the Phanar in order to offer his greetings and receive the blessing of His All-Holiness.
https://www.goarch.org/-/ecumenical-patriarch-archbishop-elpidophoros-2021
BACK TO TOP

Inserts and Fliers

BACK TO TOP

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. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

When then you are minded to be revengeful, consider that against yourself are you revengeful, not against another; that you art binding up your own sins, not your neighbors ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When you descended into death, O life immortal, you destroyed Hades with the splendor of your divinity, and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers shouted: O giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.

Apolytikion for Zacharias the Prophet in the Fourth Mode

In the vesture of a priest, according to the Law of God, thou didst offer unto Him well-pleasing whole-burnt offerings, as it befitted a priest, O wise Zacharias. Thou wast a shining light, a seer of mysteries, bearing in thyself clearly the signs of grace; and in God's temple, O wise Prophet of Christ God, thou wast slain with the sword. Hence, with the Forerunner, make entreaty that our souls find salvation.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Zacharias
September 05

Holy Prophet Zacharias, Father of the Venerable Forerunner

According to the opinion of many Fathers of the Church, based on an ancient tradition, this is the Zacharias whom, as our Lord said, the Jews slew between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:35), first, because even after the Virgin Mary gave birth, he continued to refer to her as virgin and number her among the virgins; second, because Zacharias' son John was not found during the slaughter of the Innocents, since the elderly Elizabeth had taken him and carefully hid him while he was yet an infant, in an unnamed place somewhere in the desert, where, according to the Evangelist, "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel" (Luke 1:80). When the child was not found, his father was slain by Herod's command.

Miracleatchonae
September 06

The Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae (Chonae)

The feast today in honour of the Archangel Michael commemorates the great miracle he wrought when he delivered from destruction a church and holy spring named for him. The pagans, moved by malice, sought to destroy the aforesaid church and holy spring by turning the course of two rivers against them. But the Archangel appeared and, by means of the Cross and a great earthquake that shook the entire area, diverted the waters into an underground course. Henceforth, the name of that place changed from Colossae to Chonae, which means "funnels" in Greek.

Allsaint
September 07

Sozon the Martyr

This holy Martyr was a shepherd in Lycaonia. Born a pagan, named Tarasius, he received holy Baptism and was renamed Sozon. Filled with zeal for the truth, he taught his countrymen to desist from the worship of idols. Once he entered the temple of Artemis in Pompeiopolis of Cilicia, cut off the golden hand of the idol, and breaking it in pieces, distributed it among the poor. When he saw that many were being unjustly punished for the theft, of his own accord he gave himself up to Maximian the Governor. He was beaten with rods until his bones were broken. According to some, he suffered martyrdom in 288; according to others, in 304.

Vmnativt
September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

Joachann
September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.

Allsaint
September 10

Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs

These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.

Theodoraalexandria
September 11

Theodora of Alexandria

This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.

BACK TO TOP