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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2023-01-08
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Fliers
Archdiocese News
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
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: 9:00am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

This Sunday's Memorials 

Clem Samouris – 7 years

Tesfamichael Semera – 18 years 

2023 Epiphany Cross Dive at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

This Sunday, January 8th, the Cross Dive will take place at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (in the MARINA Tower – the FIRST and bigger hotel), the same as we have done for years. The address is 1380 Harbor Island Drive, SD, 92101. The luncheon portion of the event will take place at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (in the BAY Tower – the smaller one RIGHT around the corner). The Bay Tower address is 1590 Harbor Island Drive, SD 92101. The parking is $14 for self-parking ONLY and will be paid when you arrive. NO valet parking is available this year. For those that are able to walk and are staying for the luncheon, park in the Bay Tower and take the sidewalk path to the Cross Dive area (the dive is in the same location as in years past). The hotel will charge you twice if you move your car. For those that are just coming to the Cross Dive procession and NOT staying for the luncheon, please park in the Marina Tower. Remember there is a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes between towers. Please pick it up in front of the valet area at the Marina Tower.

GOYA Day Ski Trip on January 16th

Breaking News! GOYA Ski Trip just added on Monday, January 16, 2023 

Email youthministries@stspyridon.org or complete this form: https://forms.gle/b4gy5F6zNnCU8a2g9 for more information and to sign up. Youth grades 7 - 12, come skiing or snowboarding with us! Transportation is available if needed. Parent chaperones are needed. Don’t miss this fun trip on 1/16/23 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)! 

See attached flyer in the Inserts & Fliers section.

Sunday School on Christmas Break

Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Oratorical Festival - Students in Grades 3 - 12 

On Sunday, February 26th after Divine Liturgy, we will host our parish’s annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This event is open to St. Spyridon youth grades 3-12 and is divided into Elementary (exhibition), Junior (competition), and Senior (competition) levels. Prepare an original speech, based on topics selected by the Archdiocese (see attached flyer) which sponsors this event. All participants will receive a $20 gift certificate. Those who advance from our parish level will compete at the regional competition and will then have a chance to advance to the Metropolis and beyond where they will qualify for more scholarships. Our Parish winners at the Junior and Senior levels will receive the George M. Platis Oratorical Scholarship Award, offered by Michael and Maria Platis in memory of their son George, who proudly participated in the parish Oratorical Festival. Please see attached flyer for information on topics, deadlines, and where to register. For more information, reach out to Parish Oratorical Festival Chairperson, Timmy Paraskevopoulos at 714-931-2431 or t_nicolaou@hotmail.com

See attached flyer in the Inserts & Fliers section.

Sunday School Update

Sunday School resumes in just one short week and we are expanding our Sunday School Teaching Team. Are you looking for a way to give back in the new year? How about teaching Sunday School? Whether you are a parent, grandparent, godparent, aunt, uncle, or parishioner, we hope you will consider joining our wonderful team! Training and curriculum are provided. Email Julie Dennis at youthministries@stspyridon.org or call/text 619-940-5167.

GOYA Game Night - January 21st 

Join us in the Youth Room for Game Night on Saturday, January 21st at 6:30 pm! Bring your favorite game to play! Dinner and snacks will be provided! See flyer for details.

See attached flyer in the Inserts & Fliers section.

Cases of Diples for Sale

E & J Continental Foods graciously donated several cases of Diples to the church. They are available for purchase at $40 per case.  Sales are first come first served. Contact the office at 619-297-4165 if wish to buy a case. 

Upcoming Memorials for January

Sunday, January 15 – Louis Theodore Dimas – 1 year

Sunday, January 22 – Alexandru Dinescu – 25 years

Sunday, January 22 – Christos Tsopanoglou – 10 years

Sunday, January 22 – Sultana Crosby – 19 years

Sunday, January 22 – Ray (John) Crosby – 46 years

Sunday, January 29 – Bess (Vasiliki) Michas – 3 years

Sunday, January 29 – Mary Chrisos – 3 years

Sunday, January 29 – Rose Georgas – 3 years 

Sunday, January 29 –  Alex Georgas – 41 years

Sunday, January 29 – Katherine Scordalakis – 6 years

Sunday, January 29 – Michael and Sotiri Zulia – 2 years

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

A suggested donation of $75 (cash or check) payable to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is much appreciated.

Icons Available for the Month of January

January 17th - St. Anthony the Great

January 20th - St. Euthymios the Great

January 25th - St. Gregory the Theologian

January 30th - The Holy Three Hierarchs  

Red Covered Divine Liturgy Books are Located in the Narthex

The red-covered Divine Liturgy books are available to you and located on the right side of the Narthex near the candles. 

Agape Meals

Philoptochos provides meals to St. Spyridon community members in need following hospitalizations, the death of a family member, or the birth of a child. Please reach out to Marian Dougenis (619) 520-3660 if you or someone you know is in need.

Sunday Fellowship Sponsors are Needed

Several Sundays in January and February are available. 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 supporting this long-standing tradition of our church!

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, for 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 selecting “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

NATIVITY SERMON SERIES The Theophany Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ January 6

01/06/2023

Find insights about the Apolytikion of the Feast of Epiphany. What does Theophany or Epiphany actually mean? Is the Holy Spirit really a dove? And how is the Holy Trinity manifested on the day of Theophany?
https://www.goarch.org/-/nativity-sermon-january-6

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Presents Donation to Balikli Hospital in Istanbul

01/05/2023

On January 4, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presented a donation of more than $370,000 to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople for the restoration of the Balikli Hospital and Nursing Home, which was devastated by a fire in August 2022.
https://www.goarch.org/-/balikli-donation-2023

Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Addresses the Developing Situation Between Serbia and Kosovo

01/04/2023

In light of the developing situation between Serbia and Kosovo, including the prevention of Patriarch Porfirije on December 26, 2022 by the authorities in Pristina to visit his historic and primatial see of Peć, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, in his capacity as Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops, conveyed an intervention to The Honorable Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the letter, the chairman asks Secretary Blinken:
https://www.goarch.org/-/addressing-the-developing-situation-between-serbia-and-kosovo

Ionian Village Updates Summer 2023 Program Dates

01/04/2023

In response to an overwhelming interest in the Summer 2023 camping ministry programs and in an effort to accommodate as many participants as possible, the Office of Ionian Village is updating its Summer 2023 dates.
https://www.goarch.org/-/ionian-village-updates-2023

New Children’s Book “ OI RIZES MOU” Released by the Department of Greek Education

01/04/2023

The Office of Greek Education, in cooperation with the High Council for Greek Education, is delighted to announce the publication of "H Rizes Mou." The book presents a glimpse into the Greek culture and its traditions. Educational and picturesque, this book teaches by example. Full color illustrations and informative text introduce Greek Orthodox holidays, traditions and cultural events that are observed.
https://www.goarch.org/-/new-book-greek_education-january-2023

2023 Pilgrimage Announced

12/28/2022

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is pleased to announce the 2023 Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to the Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and Mount Sinai.
https://www.goarch.org/-/pilgrimage-2023
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

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 Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13.

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

For as persons not even knowing where to put a step forward, so they sat, overtaken by the darkness.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians Ch. 13, 2nd century

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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 Afterfeast of the Theophany in the First Mode

Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world.

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

You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
January 08

Domnica the Righteous of Constantinople

Saint Domnica was from Carthage. During the reign of the Emperor Theodosius the Great, she came with four other virgins to Constantinople, where she was baptized by Nectarius, the Patriarch of Constantinople. She remained in Constantinople and became known for her extreme asceticism, the miracles that she worked, and the grace of prophecy that adorned her. She lived until the days of the Emperors Leo and Zeno, reposing in peace about the year 474.

Allsaint
January 09

Polyeuctos the Martyr of Meletine in Armenia

Saint Polyeuctus, a soldier in rank, contested during the reign of Valerian, in the year 255. He was from Melitene, a city in Armenia.

Greg_nyssa
January 10

Gregory of Nyssa

Saint Gregory, the younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was encouraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a similar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honor of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Gregory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the journey, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and became very diligent in the service of God.

Gregory became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was of one mind with the Arians. After the death of Valens in 378, Gregory was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarkable writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council call him 'Father of Fathers."

Theodosi
January 11

Theodosios the Great, the Cenobite

This Saint had Cappadocia as his homeland. He lived during the years of Leo of Thrace, who reigned from 457 to 474. The Saint established in the Holy Land a great communal monastery, wherein he was the shepherd of many monks. While Saint Sabbas was the head of the hermits of Palestine, Saint Theodosius was governor of those living the cenobitic life, for which reason he is called the Cenobiarch. Together with Saint Sabbas, towards whom he cherished a deep brotherly love in Christ, he defended the whole land of Palestine from the heresy of the Monophysites, which was championed by the Emperor Anastasius and might very well have triumphed in the Holy Land without the opposition of these two great monastic fathers and their zealous defense of the Holy Council of Chalcedon. Having lived for 103 years, he reposed in peace.

Allsaint
January 12

Tatiana the Martyr of Rome

Saint Tatiana was the daughter of a most distinguished consul of Rome. She became a deaconess of the Church, and for her confession of the Faith of Christ, she endured many torments. As she was suffering, angels punished her tormentors with the same torments they inflicted on her, until they cried out that they could no longer endure the scourges invisibly brought upon them. She was beheaded during the reign of Alexander Severus (111-135).

Allsaint
January 13

Hilary of Poitiers

The holy Hierarch Hilary was born of pagan parents in Gaul, and was trained in philosophy and rhetoric. At a time when paganism was still strong in Gaul, Saint Hilary understood the falsehood of polytheism, and became a Christian, and a great defender of his new Faith. About the year 350 he was ordained Bishop of Poitiers, when Arles and Milan were in the hands of the Arians and the Arian Constantius was sole Emperor. Like his contemporary Saint Athanasius, Saint Hilary's episcopate was one long struggle against the Arians. As bishop of Poitiers, Saint Hilary foresaw the future greatness of Martin (see Nov. 12), and attached him to himself. In 355, when required to agree to the condemnation of Saint Athanasius passed by the Council of Milan, Hilary wrote an epistle to Constantius convicting the wrongs done by the Arians and requesting, among other things, the restoration of the Orthodox bishops, including Athanasius. For this, Hilary was banished to Asia Minor, where he wrote his greatest work, On the Trinity. Saint Hilary returned to his see in 360, where Saint Martin sought him out again. It was this time that Saint Hilary blessed Martin to found a monastery near Poitiers, where Martin remained until being consecrated Bishop of Tours in 371. In his last years, Saint Hilary, strove for the deposition of Auxentius, the Arian Bishop of Milan, but by affecting an Orthodox confession Auxentius retained his see. Saint Hilary reposed in peace about the year 368. Auxentius died in 374 and was succeeded by Saint Ambrose, who continued Saint Hilary's battle against Arianism.
Allsaint
January 14

Savas I, Archbishop of Serbia

Saint Sabbas (Sava), the first Archbishop and teacher of the Serbs, and the most beloved of all the Saints of Serbia, was born in 1169, and was named Rastko by his parents. He was the son of Stephen Nemanja, the ruler of Serbia, who is better known as Saint Symeon the Myrrh-streamer (see Feb. 13). As a young man, Rastko fled secretly to the Holy Mountain, Athos, to the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon. When his father learned of his flight, he sent soldiers after him. Before they could seize him, he was tonsured a monk with the name of Sabbas, after Saint Sabbas the Sanctified (celebrated Dec. 5). Soon after, he entered the Monastery of Vatopedi, where his father joined him in 1197. Together they rebuilt the Monastery of Hilandar and made it a great spiritual center for their countrymen. In 1200 Saint Symeon reposed, and his body became a source of holy myrrh; in 1204 Saint Sabbas was compelled to return to Serbia with his father's relics, that he might restore peace between his two brothers, who were struggling over the rule of the kingdom. The grace of Saint Symeon's relics, and the mediations of Saint Sabbas, healed the division between his brethren. After persuading the Emperor in Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarch to grant autocephaly to the Serbian Church, the Saint against his will was ordained first Archbishop of his native land in 1219, where he labored diligently to establish the Orthodox Faith. In 1221 he crowned his brother Stephen first King of Serbia (the memory of Saint Stephen, First Crowned King of Serbia, is kept on September 24). In 1234, foreseeing by divine grace his coming departure to the Lord, he resigned the archiepiscopal throne, named his disciple Arsenius as his successor, and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Mount Sinai; while returning through Bulgaria, he fell asleep in peace in 1236. Because he has been ever since the national hero of Serbia and an invincible bulwark strengthening the Orthodox Faith, the Moslem Turks burned his incorrupt relics in the year 1594. See also June 28.
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