Publish-header
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2021-11-21
Bulletin Contents
Vmentrnc
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






Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros/Matins: 8:30am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am


Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

Fall General Assembly this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall

Please join us for our Fall General Assembly this Sunday in the fellowship hall following the divine services.  The agenda for this Sunday's General Assembly has already been sent to your homes.  

Office Update

The office will be closed this Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th, in observance of Thanksgiving.

Our Beautiful Choir has Returned to the Choir Loft

It has been a long while since our dedicated choir has offered the responses to the divine services of the Church.  However, they have returned to the choir loft and still sound great - and you can't even tell they are wearing "singing masks."  
 
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 (see below). A suggested donation of $75 payable to St. Spyridon Philoptochos 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 Icons Available for the Month of December

Saint  Barbara
Saint Nicholas
Saint Spyridon

Parish Council is Seeking Candidates for Nomination to Serve on the Parish Council

The Church is looking for a few good people who would like to serve the Church. By doing this you can know the self-satisfaction of doing everything possible to make St. Spyridon a better community.  Remember, “Don't ask what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church.”

The deadline to submit your application is todayFriday, November 19, 2021.

The elections will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Please see the Parish Council Application for Nomination in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

Community Christmas Card

Once again, the beautiful Christmas season is approaching and you have the chance to include your family names in the community Christmas Card.  Please print your name(s) on the form that was recently mailed to you, clearly and exactly the way you wish it to appear.  Then, mail the form back to the office in the envelope provided. Your form must be received by the office no later than Thursday, December 2, 2021.  Thank you.

Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale

Join us for the 2nd annual A Taste of Greek Christmas! Order your favorite holiday Greek pastries while supporting the many ministries of Philoptochos! Our decorative packages are perfect for gift-giving (and save one for yourself!). Place your pre-paid orders online at greekbake.org by December 10th for pick-up on Sunday, December 19th. Questions? email greekbake@anthousa.org

Please see the A Taste of Greek Christmas flyer in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

Attention St. Spyridon GOYANS

Please join us for the GOYA Christmas Party on Saturday, December 18th at the home of George and Jack Dougenis (3323 Nutmeg St, San Diego, 92104 619-520-3660), beginning at 6 pm. This year we will be stuffing Christmas stockings for Kids 'n' Cancer.  The Dougenis family will provide the main course and GOYA families will bring the rest. Please RSVP by December 12th to navridesfamily@gmail.com or (619) 825-6750 to let us know you're coming and what you can bring!

2022 Epiphany Cross Dive Luncheon

Please join us on Sunday, January 9, 2022 for the 43rd Annual Epiphany Cross Dive and Luncheon at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Leon Balaban Honorees are Spiro and Nancy Chaconas. Tickets MUST be purchased by January 4th – Adults $65 and Children 12 and under $35. Divers needed must be 7-12th grade and attend Divine Liturgy and stay for the luncheon - contact Bill Navrides at navridesfamily@gmail.com or (619) 992-6775 by December 15th.

Philoptochos is Asking for Fellowship Sponsors

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 athttps://bit.ly/3CXKbRw or contact Sofia Samouris at (619) 518-4537. Thank you for your support!

St. Spyridon Bookstore Re-opens 
Welcome back to the Bookstore! Our bookstore has a fresh new look - come in, take a peek and see our improvements! 

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

Mark your calendars for our adult Sunday School classes (taught by Dn. Michael Kallas) that will meet on Sundays, 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.

Hellenic College Holy Cross - CrossRoad is Coming to San Francisco: Summer 2022

Through the leadership of Metropolitan Gerasimos and the generosity of The George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation, CrossRoad will host one of its three sessions in San Francisco, California. The CrossRoad Summer Institute is a 10-day summer program, offered through the Office of Vocation and Ministry at Hellenic College Holy Cross, which invites high school juniors and seniors to “explore their faith like never before.” Applications coming soon – limited availability! For more information, visit www.crossroadinstitute.org

Please see the CrossRoad flyer in the "Inserts & Fliers" section.

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 approach the month of December 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 

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

Inserts and Fliers

BACK TO TOP

Archdiocese News

“How-to” Green Your Parish, Episode 31: "How-to" Green Your Parish – It’s Not Politics!

11/18/2021

This week’s “How-to” Green Your Parish episode features Franchesca Duval “It’s Not Politics!”

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America - Remarks US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ General Assembly

11/16/2021

I greet you with a salutation of hope and peace in our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. I would like to share my heartfelt joy to be with you today, my brother bishops of the USCCB, for the first time in the history of our Sister Churches’ relation in this country; I am very grateful to His Excellency, the Most Reverend José H. Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles, USCCB President, for his fraternal invitation to offer my humble remarks at the end of this session, but also to His Excellency to the Most Reverend David Talley Bishop of Memphis, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, for facilitating our presence tonight.
BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The Reading is from Luke 1:39-49, 56

In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.


Gospel Reading

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The Reading is from Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"


BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us, the faithful, give praise and worship to the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit and born of the Virgin for our salvation. Of his own will he mounted the cross in the flesh, suffered death, and raised the dead by his glorious resurrecti

Apolytikion for Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

What Mary might well have said to Martha, the Lord, anticipating her, replied that she had left everything to sit at the Lord's feet, and bless God all day long. You see, her sitting was for love's sake.
St. Makarios the Great
Homily XII, 4th Century

But that God's word may be made clearer, listen to this. If any one loves Jesus, and attends to Him in earnest, and not in a casual way, but in love abides by Him, God is already devising to make some return to that soul for its love, although the man does not know what he is to receive or what portion God is about to give to the soul.
St. Makarios the Great
Homily XII, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Vmentrnc
November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.


Allsaint
November 22

Holy Martyr Cecilia and those with her

Saint Cecilia was of an illustrious Roman family. On being betrothed to Valerian, she drew him to the Faith of Christ, and he in turn drew his own brother Tiburtius to the same. They contested in martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288.


Amphilochios
November 23

Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium

Saint Amphilochius, who was born in Cappadocia, shone forth in asceticism and divine knowledge even from his youth. He was consecrated Bishop of Iconium in 341, he struggled courageously against the blasphemies of Eunomius, Macedonius the enemy of the Holy Spirit, and the followers of Arius. He was present at the Second Ecumenical Council of the 150 Fathers, which took place in Constantinople, convoked during the reign of Theodosius the Great in the year 381. In 383 Amphilochius wished to persuade the Emperor Theodosius to forbid the Arians from gathering in Constantinople and to commit the churches to the Orthodox, but the Emperor was reluctant to do such a thing. The next time that Amphilochius entered the palace, he addressed Theodosius with proper honour, but slighted his young son Arcadius in his presence. Theodosius was indignant, and said the dishonour shown to his son was equally an insult to himself. To this Saint Amphilochius answered that as he would not suffer an insult to his son, so he ought to believe that God is wroth with those who blaspheme His Only-begotten. Saint Theodosius understood and admired Amphilochius' ingenious device, and he issued the desired edict in September of the same year. Saint Amphilochius, having reached deep old age, reposed in peace about the year 395. Saint Basil the Great wrote many letters to Saint Amphilochius, his friend and Fellow champion of the Faith, and at his request wrote his treatise On the Holy Spirit, which besides demonstrating the divinity of the Holy Spirit and His equality with the Father and the Son, defends the Church's unwritten ancient traditions, such as making the sign of the Cross, turning towards the East in prayer, no kneeling on Sunday, and so forth.


Allsaint
November 24

Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

Saint Peter illustriously occupied the throne of Alexandria for twelve years, and, as Eusebius says, "was a divine example of a bishop on account of the excellence of his life and his study of the sacred Scriptures" (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 3 2; Book VIII 11, 13; and Book IX, 6). He excommunicated Arius for his sympathy with the Meletian schism. When Arius learned that Saint Peter had been imprisoned, he sent many priests and deacons to him, asking that he receive him back into the communion of the Church before his martyrdom. When the ambassadors of Arius, who had not, like Saint Peter, perceived the ruin he would engender, were astonished at the vehemence with which Saint Peter refused to receive Arius again, he revealed to them a dread vision he had seen, in which the Master Christ had appeared to him as a child wearing a garment torn from head to foot. When Saint Peter asked the Lord who rent His garment, the Lord answered that it was Arius, and that he must not be received back into communion. The holy hieromartyr Peter was beheaded during the reign of Maximinus in the year 312; he is called the "Seal of the Martyrs," because he was the last Bishop of Alexandria to suffer martyrdom under the pagan Emperors. His successors to the throne of Alexandria, Saints Alexander and Athanasius the Great, brought to final victory the battle against Arius' heresy which Saint Peter had begun.


Katherin
November 25

Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.


Styliano
November 26

Stylianos the Monk of Paphlagonia

St. Stylianos was from Paphlagonia living in the latter 6th century and early 7th century. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart and lived in strict asceticism. When he fell asleep in the Lord, his face shone like the sun and an angel appeared to take his soul to Glory. His prayers have worked many miracles, both during his earthly life and since. He is of special help to children who are ill and to childless couples. He is known as a protector of orphans.


Allsaint
November 27

James the Great Martyr of Persia

This Saint was from the city of Bythlaba and was of noble birth; he was the closest and most honoured friend of Isdiger (or Yazdegerd) I, King of Persia (reigned 399-420). Though a Christian from his youth, James renounced Christ because he was allured by the King's friendship and flatteries. When his mother and his wife learned of this, they declared to him by letter that they would have nothing more to do with him, since he had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love of Christ. Wounded in soul by these words and coming to himself, the Saint wept over his error, and repudiated the worship of the idols. Therefore, becoming exceedingly wroth, the King - this was Bahram (or Varahran) V (reigned 421-438), Isdiger's son and successor - condemned him to a most bitter death, the likes of which not even a brute beast was ever condemned to: that is, his body was dismembered at every joint of his arms and legs. And so, when he had been cut asunder limb by limb to his very hips and shoulders, the courageous Martyr was finally beheaded, in the year 421.


BACK TO TOP