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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2021-10-24
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Fliers
Archdiocese News
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Allsaint
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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

Use These Easy Directions to Arrive at Church for this Sunday's Rock - n- Roll Marathon

Please use the following easy directions to get to church this Sunday, October 24th.

Get to highway 163, and drive Southbound on 163. Then, follow the signs for 5 South, and then exit onto Park Blvd.

At the stop sign turn left onto Park Blvd. and continue North on Park Blvd.  Drive past the San Diego Zoo toward St. Spyridon.  

It's that easy!!!

This Sunday's Memorials

Maria Giannos - 6 months

John Giannos - 15 years

CDC and the County of San Diego Covid Mask Wearing Reminder

As a reminder, we are still following the most updated and current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the county of San Diego recommends 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 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 the pandemic.  

Saint Demetrios Feast Day, Tuesday, October 26th
 
On Tuesday, October 26th we will once again celebrate the feast day of St. Demetrios here at St. Spyridon.  Orthros will begin at 9:00 am and Divine Liturgy to follow at 10:00 am.
 
Philoptochos Beautifully Decorated Icons for Veneration Inside the Church 

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 offering, a floral adornment around the blessed icon, is a perfect way to honor both your family member(s) as well as an important day in the life of the Church. Throughout the liturgical year there are many opportunities to select a decorated icon, so please reserve your dates now. A suggested donation of $75 is much appreciated. To reserve your date, please contact Soula at the office: (619) 297-4165 or office@stspyridon.org. Thank you!

Below is a list of available icons for the month of November.

Sts. Cosmas and Damianos
Synaxis of the Archangels
St. Nektarios
St. John Chrysostom
Entrance of the Theotokos
St. Katherine the Great
St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle

Philoptochos Thanksgiving Luncheon - Now Available for Purchase 

Bring your family and friends to enjoy this delicious holiday meal with all the trimmings. Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM.  Adults $25 | Children 12 & Under $15. Dine-in or Take-out.  Seating is limited to the first 150 reservations and the first 50 take-out orders received. Prepaid reservations only! Please make your check payable to "St. Spyridon Philoptochos" and send it to the church office along with your completed reservation form. Questions? Please call Maria Stokes (619) 992-1500.

Please see the Philoptochos Thanksgiving Reservation Form in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

Sign Up to Sponsor Fellowship and Coffee Hour

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, fruit and juice. You can sign-up online at: https://bit.ly/3CXKbRw or contact Sofia Samouris at (619) 518-4537. Thank you for your support!

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

Mark your calendars for our adult Sunday School classes (taught by Dn. Michael Kallas) that will meet this Sunday, October 24th, and on November 28th, December 5th and 26th.  Please join us as we study the bible readings from the Gospel of Matthew heard on the Sundays during the Pentecost Season. We meet on the first floor of the Educational Building following the Diving Liturgy.

Upcoming Memorials for October & November

Sunday, October 31st - Sesen Medhanie - 32 years

Sunday, October 31st - Dashai Terry - 32 years

Sunday, November 7th - Gregory Gallanis - 5 years

Sunday, November 7th - Ronald Coca - 40 days

Sunday, November 14th - Ted Huntalas - 5 years

Sunday, November 14th - Mary Samios - 26 years

Sunday, November 14th - Panayiotis Limperis - 11 years

Sunday, November 14th - Vasilios (Bill) Xykis - 1 year

Sunday, November 14th - Kalliope Xykis - 3 years

Stewardship Town Hall on Planned Giving

The Metropolis Stewardship Ministry is offering a presentation by Rev. Father James Kordaris on the topic of “Establishing a Planned Giving Program in Your Parish” on Monday, October 25th at 6:30 p.m. PDT via Zoom. Father Jim will speak on the importance of encouraging planned giving and the establishment of a planned giving program. Additional presentations will be offered by development professionals Maria Pappas and our very own, Bill Navrides, both of whom will share knowledge from their vast experiences. Register today!

Please see the Stewardship Town Hall flyer in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

Military Appreciation Sunday - November 7th

We wish to invite all of our military veterans for a special day of appreciation as we reveal our new, hand-stitched, Post-WWII Veterans Banner in the Church Hall on Sunday, November 7, 2021. 

All fellowship proceeds will benefit the Armed Services YMCA. For any questions contact Soula De La Riva at (760) 521-0471 or soula.delariva@cox.net. We hope to see you all there!

Please see the Military Appreciation flyer in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

GOYA Game Night and Handprints on the Wall

On Saturday, November 13th GOYA will meet at Church (upstairs in the GOYA room) for Game Night/Handprints on the Wall.  Game Night is always a big hit so please join us! For those GOYAns that have not placed their handprints on the wall, this will be your chance. The GOYA handprints in the wall have been a wonderful tradition for teens which has taken place for 10 years now.  Please join us and your fellow GOYAns as we break bread together and enjoy fellowship time. We will meet in the GOYA room at 5:15 pm beginning with dinner on November 13th.  Parents, you can pick up the kids at 8 pm.  Please RSVP to Maggie Samouris at (619) 457-3272 or maggiesamouris@gmail.com by November 10th.

College Connection

Attention College Students: St. Spyridon Philoptochos wants to keep you connected with your faith and home church.  Send us your information so that we can stay in touch.  Please email Erika Couris at ecouris70@gmail.com with your name, college address, and year of graduation.

Stewardship Corner

We, the Stewardship Committee of Saint Spyridon, first and foremost, would once again like to say “thank you” for your continuing support of our stewardship ministry.  As we near the end of 2021 we are on strong financial footing because of your generous stewardship giving.

So, again, THANK YOU!

And further, as we enter the month of October 2021, we all face the same political, economic and health issues which can roil us emotionally, spiritually, and physically: but, in this moment, our beloved church, St. Spyridon, continues to be a beacon of hope and an ark which shepherds us to calmer seas every day.

Thus, we are thankful and blessed to have one another communally and spiritually week in and week out. This is a precious and irreplaceable gift to each of us. You know this intuitively when you attend the divine services of the Church: little else provides the sense of peace and encouragement following the celebration of the morning Orthros, the Divine Liturgy, and time in fellowship with fellow members in our church hall.

The Stewardship Committee respectfully reminds you to once again take a moment to fulfill your pledged commitment for 2021 so we can continue to move forward in a strong financial position to meet the new year with all of its challenges and joys.    

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,

John T. Kalas, Stewardship Chair                                  Father Andrew Scordalakis, Parish Priest 

Required Armatus Youth Protection Training

If you are a Youth Worker of Saint Spyridon (Sunday School, Greek School, GOYA, Dance & Choral) you must complete the required annual Archdiocese 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 and protected!                        

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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Archdiocese News

Stewardship 2022 Resources Now Available Online

10/15/2021

The Department of Stewardship, Outreach, and Evangelism has made new Stewardship resources for 2022 available online.
https://www.goarch.org/-/stewardship-resources-2022

Great Vespers with Rassophoria, Stavrophoria, and Tonsure

10/20/2021

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America: Great Vespers with Rassophoria, Stavrophoria, and Tonsure.
https://www.goarch.org/-/hchc-rassophoria-2021

“How-to” Green Your Parish, Episode 27: "How-to" Green Your Parish - Creation and Youth Ministry - Practical Tips

10/21/2021

This week’s “How-to” Green Your Parish episode features Steve Christoforou “Creation and Youth Ministry - Practical Tips”
https://www.goarch.org/-/green-your-parish-27

Interview with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

10/15/2021

Archbishop Elpidophoros sat down with Bill Marianes to discuss this year's meeting of the Assembly of Bishops.
https://www.goarch.org/-/year-of-youth-interview-october-2021

Joint Meeting of the ABC and APC

10/12/2021

On October 11-12, 2021 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met with the Archdiocese Benefits Committee (ABC) and the Archdiocese Presbyters Council (APC) who are holding in-person meetings prior to the National Clergy Retreat in Naples, FL. His Eminence also attended the first ever joint meeting of the ABC and APC.
https://www.goarch.org/-/apc-abc-joint-meeting
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11.

Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:26-39

At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Though the tomb was sealed by a stone and soldiers guarded your pure body, you arose, O Savior, on the third day, giving life to the world. Therefore, O giver of life, the heavenly powers praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ, glory to your kin

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Arethas in the First Mode

The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be constrained by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, as the only One who loves humanity.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, please reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Since he [the demoniac] received the healing of his mind, Christ commanded him to depart from the tombs and the graves and to return to that spiritual home. He who had in him the grave of the mind became a temple of God.
St. Ambrose
Exposition of the Gospel of Luke. 6.53. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture; vol 3: Luke, Downer's Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2003, p. 141.

Some say, 'Why do they [demons] possess people?' I answer those who wish to have this explained that the reason of these things is very deep. Somewhere one of His saints addressed God by saying, 'Your judgments are a vast abyss.' As long as we bear this in mind, we will perhaps not miss the mark.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on Luke, Homily 44. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture; vol 3: Luke, Intervarsity Press)

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
October 24

Arethas the Great Martyr & Syncletiki and her two daughters

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in the year 524 in Najran, a city of Arabia Felix (present-day Yemen). When Dhu Nuwas, ruler of the Himyarite tribe in south Arabia, and a Judaizer, took power, he sought to blot out Christianity, especially at Najran, a Christian city. Against the counsels of Arethas, chief man of Najran, the city surrendered to Dhu Nuwas, who immediately broke the word he had given and sought to compel the city to renounce Christ. Led by Saint Arethas, hundreds of martyrs, including women, children, and babes, valiantly withstood his threats, and were beheaded and burned. After the men had been slain, all the free-born Christian women of Najran were brought before the tyrant and commanded to abjure Christ or die; yet they rebuked the persecutor with such boldness that he said even the men had not insulted him so contemptuously. So great was their faith that not one woman was found to deny Christ in all Najran, although some of them suffered torments more bitter than most of the men. In alliance with Byzantium, the Ethiopian King Elesbaan liberated Najran from Dhu Nuwas soon after and raised up churches in honour of the Martyrs. Najran became a place of pilgrimage until the rise of Islam a century later. At the end of his life King Elesbaan, who was also called Caleb, retired into solitude as a hermit; he sent his crown to Jerusalem as an offering to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. He also is commemorated on this day as a saint. Saint Arethas' name in Arabic, Harith, means "plowman, tiller," much the same as "George" does in Greek.

Allsaint
October 25

The Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries

These Martyrs were disciples of Saint Paul the Confessor (see Nov. 6). Martyrius was a subdeacon, Marcian a chanter and reader. They were beheaded by the Arians in the year 346. Miracles were wrought at their tomb, and demons were cast out; Saint John Chrysostom began the building of the church in their honour in Constantinople, and it was completed by patriarch Sisinius.

Demetrio
October 26

The Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer

Saint Demetrius was a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, aquaintance of Demetrius', came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetrius, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrius was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.

Nestor
October 27

Nestor the Martyr of Thessaloniki

As mentioned in the account concerning Saint Demetrius (October 26), this Saint contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290.

Agiaskepi
October 28

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.

The Feast is celebrated on October 1. In the 1950s, the Church of Greece began to observe the Feast on October 28.

Allsaint
October 29

Anastasia the Martyr of Rome

Saint Anastasia, who was young in age and lived in a convent, was seized by the impious. Confessing Christ openly and with boldness and enduring manifold torments, she was beheaded in the year 256, during the reign of Valerian.

Zenobia
October 30

The Holy Martyrs Zenobius and His Sister Zenobia

These Saints were from Aegae in Cilicia, brought up in piety by their parents. Zenobius was a physician, and healed many freely by the power of God; because of his virtue he was consecrated Bishop of Aegae. With his sister he was taken by Lysias the Governor, and after many tortures they were beheaded, about the year 290, during the reign of Diocletian.

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