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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2022-09-11
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Theodoraalexandria
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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






Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros/Matins: 8:30am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am


Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

The Procession of the Holy Cross with the Tray of Basil

This year's procession of the Holy Cross will coincide with the start of our Sunday School Program and the beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year. We will once again process the Holy Cross on Sunday, September 11th so that our Sunday School teachers, students, and all those attending on Sunday, can witness and experience this ancient tradition of the Church. We will celebrate the actual feast day on September 14th, but the procession will take place this Sunday, September 11th. If you haven’t already registered your children for Sunday School, please do so today. You can call or email Julie Dennis or visit the church website. Please join us for this wonderful expression of our Greek Orthodox faith. 

Weekday Divine Services

Wednesday morning, September 14th - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Orthros 9:00 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow.

Sunday School Starts This Sunday, September 11th 

Sunday School will meet immediately after Holy Communion in the Fellowship Hall to prepare for the Procession of the Holy Cross.  If you haven’t registered yet, it is not too late! REGISTER HERE. We are asking that all students (new and old) register each year. Please fill out a separate form for each child or teen. Hard copies of the form will also be available in the classrooms. If you have registered, thank you

Looking to give back to our youth community? Volunteer now! 

Please email Julie Dennis at  youthministries@stspyridon.org for more information. 

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Fliers section below.

Philoptochos Tray Pass This Sunday

Philoptochos requests assistance in their annual commitment to Hellenic College Holy Cross. The Ladies will pass a tray to support the Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition scholarships to worthy Hellenic College (male and female) students and Holy Cross seminarians. Thank you as always for your support! Any monetary donation will be greatly appreciated. Please make your checks payable to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.

Sincerely, Stella Pappas and Francesca Captain

Summer Stewardship Reminder

To ALL the faithful stewards of Saint Spyridon parish,

The Stewardship Committee once again takes this opportunity to thank you and to remind you that the operating expenses of our beloved Saint Spyridon parish do not cease throughout the summer months.  The same payments and bills have got to be paid throughout the summer as they do throughout the entire year.  Because of your generosity and positive response, our 2022 stewardship efforts continue to grow and bear good fruit. 

However, for many and varied reasons meeting the parish’s operational expenses throughout the summer months has always been a challenge, but as a community, we have been getting better.  You can do your part by continuing to fulfill your 2022 pledged stewardship amount throughout the summer months.  Therefore, as you made your 2022 stewardship pledge at the beginning of the year, the Stewardship Committee of the parish is encouraging you to continue to fulfill that pledged amount on a weekly and/or monthly basis throughout the summer months. We THANK YOU in advance for your consideration and encourage you all to keep up the good and most honorable work.

Enjoy your summer, be safe and keep praying, making the Divine Liturgy and everything that flows from it a priority in your life.

Sincerely and Respectfully, 

John T. Kalas, Stewardship Committee Chair 

Seniors Gathering on Tuesday, September 13th

Seniors gatherings are a great place for discussions, socialization, and bonding through our faith. Seniors 65+ meet every second Tuesday of the month in the church hall. Our next gathering will be on Tuesday, September 13th at 11:00 am. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to Cynthia Samarkos (619)582-4109 by Sunday, September 11th. Hope to see you there!

Women of the Word Bible Study Group

The Women of the Word will begin weekly sessions this Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 12:00 Noon. We will be reading and discussing St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews using the Orthodox Study Bible as our main source. We will try this year to combine both in-person meetings (in the classroom next to the office) and online meetings via Zoom.

Calling All Youth Choir Members

Youth Choir will begin on Sunday, September 18th, right after Sunday School in the choir loft.  Any child is welcome from the age of 8 years old to 18.  Please join us for a fun and musically exciting year. For more information, please contact, Kathy Meck at: 760-390-0101 or sprndiva@aol.com
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Fliers section below.
 
GOYA Kick Off Event on September 24th

Calling all GOYANS! Calling all Youth in 7th -12th grades! We hope you will join us for the GOYA 2022 Kick Off Event! Meet us on Saturday, September 24th at 4 pm at La Jolla Shores! For more information, email the Youth Ministries Director: at youthministries@stspyridon.org or call/text 619-940-5167. Be sure to follow us on Instagram! @st.spyridon_goya to stay up to date on all the events for this year!

Philoptochos Save the Date - Sunday, October 2nd

Philoptochos invites you to our annual Munchies, Mimosas, & More on Sunday, October 2nd in the fellowship hall, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We can't wait to share with you what we have planned for the coming year!

Membership Chairs:

Melanie Anastopulos (619)218-9778, melanieanastopulos@gmail.com

Kelly Samouris (619)871-4702, nyckelly@cox.net

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Fliers section below.

Philoptochos Decorated Feast Day Icons

Philoptochos invites you and your family to commemorate a special Feast Day by offering a donation towards a beautifully decorated icon which will be displayed in the Narthex for all to venerate. A suggested donation of $75 payable to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is much appreciated.

To reserve your date, contact the office: (619) 297-4165, office@stspyridon.org.

Icons Currently Available for the Month of September:

September 17th - St. Sophia and her three daughters: Hope, Faith, and Love

September 26th - The Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian 

Icons Currently Available for the Month of October:

October 18th - St. Luke the Evangelist

October 23rd - St. James the Apostle;

October 26th - St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer

Greek Language School Has Begun

We are offering classes of all levels for children (in-person) and adults (in-person and online)!

Fall Semester Dates: September 7, 2022 – January 28, 2023

REGISTER HERE: www.stspyridongreekschool.org 

Need for Greek Teachers!

If you and/or somebody you know is interested in teaching Greek, please contact us at: stspyridongreekschool@gmail.com 

Upcoming Memorials for September

Sunday, September 18th - Christiana Harrison Schildmeyer - 2 years

Read the September 2022 Shepherd Online Version

https://www.theshepherdnews.com/

Kids' Corner for Children Under Age 4 

Located in the Education Building downstairs. Every Sunday after receiving Holy Communion, kids (age 4 and under) and parents can come and play, meet new friends and hang out with old friends! Toys for kids and coffee for parents are provided! 

Philoptochos Needs Sunday 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. To reserve your date contact Anne Zouvas at (619) 248-6644. Thank you for your support!

Give Back 0.5% From the “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. 

downstairs

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Inserts and Fliers

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Archdiocese News

Pittsburgh Metropolis YAL Conference

09/07/2022

Calling all Young Adults 18-35! We're a little over a month out and spots are filling up.

Ionian Village Pilgrimage

09/07/2022

Ionian Village pilgrimage

Chrysostom Academy Opens in Pennsylvania

09/07/2022

On September 1st, 2022 during the inaugural Divine Liturgy at Chrysostom Academy in Bethlehem, a truly rare event occurred.

Continuing Education Retreat from Center for Family Care

08/30/2022

Director of the Archdiocesan Center for Family Care, Fr. Alex Goussetis, meets quarterly with group of Metropolis of Pittsburgh clergyman for fellowship that includes continuing education focused on personal development and refining their pastoral identities and roles as parish priests.

Metropolis of San Francisco to Host Annual Deacons Retreat

08/24/2022

The Clergy Continuing Education Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is hosting a retreat for Deacons and Diaconal candidates from October 28 – 30, 2022 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

The joyful news of your resurrection was told to the women disciples of the Lord by the angel. Having thrown off the ancestral curse, and boasting, they told the apostles: death has been vanquished, Christ our God. is risen, bestowing on the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.

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."
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Our Redeemer and Maker, Who was Son of God before the ages, became Son of Man at the end of ages. Thus the One Who, through the power of His divinity, had created us to enjoy the happiness of everlasting life, might Himself restore us, through the weakness of our humanity, to recover the life we had lost.
St. Bede the Venerable
Homilies on the Gospels, 2.18. 7th Century. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 126.

For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Theodoraalexandria
September 11

Theodora the Martyr 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.


Allsaint
September 12

Autonomos the Martyr

This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.


Allsaint
September 13

Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr

Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.


Allsaint
September 13

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.


Exaltation
September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


Nikitas
September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.


Euthemia
September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.


Sophia
September 17

Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.


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