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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2024-04-07
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Flyers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Archdiocese News
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
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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 Memorial

Niki (Nikitoula) Moises - 14 years 

 

2024 Great and Holy Lent Weekday Service Schedule

I) The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on Wednesday (EVENING) at 6:00 pm 

  • Wednesday evening, April 3rd
  • Wednesday evening, April 17th

The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on Wednesday (MORNING) at 10:00 am

  • Wednesday morning, April 10th

II) The (4) Salutations to the holy Theotokos on Friday evenings at 6:00 pm

  • Friday evening, April 5th - Third Salutation
  • Friday evening, April 12th - Fourth Salutation
  • Friday evening, April 19th at 6:00 pm - The Akathist Hymn (The Hymn Without Sitting)

See the attached PDF version in the Inserts & Flyers section. 

 

Philoptochos Tray Pass

On this third Sunday of Great and Holy Lent, the Ladies of Philoptochos will pass a tray to support Hellenic College / Holy Cross Seminary. Proceeds will be dedicated towards the operating expenses of the school. Any monetary donation is appreciated. Please make checks payable to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. All the funds collected will be sent directly to the College/Seminary.   Thank you for your support! 

Sincerely, Stella Pappas and Francesca Captain

See the attached Flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section for more information.
 

May 2024 Shepherd Monthly Newsletter Deadline

This Monday, April 8th

All submissions should be emailed to Soula at office@stspyridon.org. Thank you!

 

District Oratorical Festival - this Saturday, April 6th, Cypress Room

The District Oratorical Festival will be hosted by St. Spyridon. We hope you will join us tomorrow, Saturday, April 6th at 10:00am for a complimentary brunch and to hear our youth from Southern California Greek Orthodox Churches speak about their faith. The Oratorical Festival will be held in the hall. RSVP to Timmy Paraskevopoulos, t_nicolaou@hotmail.com or 714-931-2431.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Festival Cooking

Come join the fun as we prepare the delicious food and pastries that our Greek Festival is famous for. Any amount of time you contribute is truly appreciated! This Sunday, April 7th after Church for Dolmathes Prep and Monday, April 8th at 9am for Domathes Assembly. Questions? Call Julie Karagianides at 619-846-7635.

See the attached schedule in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon

Join us on Sunday, April 28th for the GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon in the Church Hall following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.  Luncheon tickets are $25 for Adults, and $10 for children under 12.  Tickets will not be sold at the door.  If payment is received by April 21st you will be entered in an opportunity drawing.  Please see any GOYA member in the Church Hall to purchase tickets on any Sunday.  For more information, please contact Bill Navrides at 619-992-6775 or bill.navrides@sharp.com.  Thank you for always supporting the GOYA ministry at St. Spyridon GOC!

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Philoptochos Decorated Holy Week Icons 

We invite you to commemorate a Feast Day or special event in the life of your family by offering a beautifully decorated icon to be displayed in the Narthex for all to venerate. The suggested donation amount is $85. Please make checks payable to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. To reserve an icon, contact the church office: (619) 297-4165. 

Holy Week Icons Available for Decoration: 

04/27 - Saturday of Lazarus
04/29 - Icon of the Bridegroom
05/02 - The Mystical Supper
05/02 - The Crucifixion of Christ
05/03 - The Descent from the Cross
05/04 - Holy Pascha/Resurrection
  

Lenten Spiritual Retreat at Sts. Constantine & Helen GOC

St. Helen Philoptochos will be hosting a spiritual retreat at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church (3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea) tomorrow, Saturday, April 6th from 10:30 - 12:30 in the C. G. Pappas Hall. Our guest speaker will be Presvytera Joy Corona. Kindly RSVP to Diane Truesdell - dtruesdell@me.com - 858-485-7222. 

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Holy Cross Vespers This Sunday

You are invited to Holy Cross Vespers on Sunday, April 7th at 6pm at St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church in El Cajon. We will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the raising of the cross on St. Gregory's. A Lenten potluck will follow Vespers. Please join us!

See attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Young at Heart (Seniors)

Our next fellowship is this Tuesday, April 9th at 11am. AHEPA will sponsor a Lenten lunch prepared by our kitchen crew. After lunch, a Timken Museum’s docent will give a presentation on Russian Iconography from the museum’s extensive collection. Please RSVP with Cynthia Samarkos (619-582-4109) by 5pm, Friday, April 5th.

 

Philoptochos Bake Sale

It's time to order tsourekia and koulourakia for Pascha! Let the Ladies of Philoptochos do the baking for you, while supporting our philanthropic efforts. Visit www.greekbake.org or see Debbie Kyriakidis in the fellowship hall on Sundays to place your order by April 21st. You may pick up your orders on Palm Sunday. We appreciate your support - Kalo Pascha!

See attached order form in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Narthex Volunteers Are Needed 

Please consider volunteering as a Narthex Duty Team Member to support our Sunday Divine services. Our Narthex Volunteers are necessary to ensure that our Sunday Services run smoothly and seamlessly and that the needs of our parishioners are met as they enter to attend services. Narthex Duty Teams only serve once every 4 or 5 weeks and it only takes a week or two to understand how things work. Please reach out to the church office at 619-297-4165 if you are interested in this very important opportunity to serve your community.

 

Senior GOYA Movie Club - April 13th, 1:30pm, 9th - 12th grade youth

Movie, snacks and discussion with Fr. Andrew. Meet in the upstairs Youth Room. Questions, email Julie Dennis youthministries@stspyridon.org.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Save the Dates - Lenten Youth Retreats

Holy Monday Middle and High School Retreat is April 29th, 6pm - 8:30pm for 6th-12th graders.

Holy Friday Youth Retreat is May 3rd, 9am - 3pm for Preschool - 5th graders, and Youth Leaders 6th-12th graders.

 

Orthodox Christian Missions Center (OCMC) Coin Drive - March 24th - April 21st

Donation buckets are in each Sunday School room, the Narthex, and the Hall. One of our fundamental aims during Great and Holy Lent is charity toward others. Please consider donating your extra change each week to help us reach our donation goal of $500! For questions or to make a direct donation, email youthministries@stspyridon.org.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Upcoming Memorials for April

April 14th - Theodoros Georgaris - 10 years

April 14th - Dorothea Georgaris 18 years

April 14th - Panayiota Kallas - 22 years

April 21st - Christos Petroulias - 1 year

 

Pascha Picnic Lunch Fundraiser - Sunday, May 5th 

Back by Popular Demand! Celebrate this Pascha in the Park at Flinn Springs County Park in El Cajon with a delicious lunch catered by the Greek Dance and Choral School. $35.00 includes your choice of Lamb or Ham dinner complete with potatoes, vegetables, salad, feta, olives and bread. Pre-sale only. Beer, wine, and sodas will also be available for purchase. Last day to buy tickets will be April 30th. Follow this link https://pascha-picnic-lunch.square.site/ or scan the QR code on the flyer below to purchase tickets.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Volunteer for Our Greek Festival - June 8th and 9th

Many volunteers are needed for our upcoming Greek Festival! Come support your community by donating your time. Visit sdgreekfestival.com/volunteer to sign up or contact Katherine Anastopulos at (619)846-3989. We appreciate you!

    

Stewardship Reminder

Dear Faithful Steward of Saint Spyridon:

The Stewardship Committee takes this opportunity to remind you that your stewardship pledge helps to support the many and varied ministries of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. Your financial stewardship provides the foundation for our services in the Lord and has a direct effect and impact on encountering the challenges of not only the present but those that will surely follow in the future as well. 

As a valued steward, supporter and praying member of our parish, we need your help. Please take a moment to pray and reflect upon your 2024 financial pledged commitment to your parish community. The Stewardship Committee respectfully reminds you to complete your annual 2024 stewardship pledge commitment card. Through your positive response today you will join hands with all those who are committed to the enhancement of the spiritual (and physical) growth of our parish and its many ministries entrusted to our care. 

May the Lord continue to richly bless you and your family and our wonderful parish in all our/your stewardship endeavors. 

Respectfully, 

The Stewardship Committee:               

John Kalas – Stewardship Chair    

 

AHEPA News

It’s with a great deal of enthusiasm, AHEPA chapter #223 is announcing its new local scholarship awards. Those graduating seniors of AHEPA or of the local Greek Orthodox faith communities are eligible to apply. Extra bonus points will be awarded to those applicants whose parents or extended family members (grandparents) are current members of AHEPA. The deadline is May 31st, 2024.
Please contact the AHEPA chapter #223 local leadership for an application, 619-709-6067.

A reminder,  the regular monthly meeting of AHEPA #223 will be held on Sunday, April 14th following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. All current, past, or new prospective members are heartily invited to join us in our belief and hope in a revitalized AHEPA family, Chapter #223!

 

Zathas Foundation Scholarships

One of the primary purposes of the Zathas Foundation is to provide financial assistance to high school graduating seniors, community college students transferring to a 4-year college and to full-time undergraduate college/university students. The amount of the scholarship awards, to be granted to a few qualifying students, varies from $500.00 to $1,500.00 each.

The requirements are as follows:
1. Completed applications must be received before May 1, 2024.
2. Eligibility is limited to high school graduating seniors, community college students transferring to a 4-year college and to full-time undergraduate 4-year college/university students.
3. Scholarships will be granted only to qualified members of the Greek Orthodox faith residing in the County of San Diego.
4. Scholarships MUST be applied for tuition.
5. Scholarships will be paid directly to the college/university on the student’s behalf.
6. The criteria for granting scholarships will be financial need. Other criteria will be prior academic performance, scores of tests, character, motivation, potential, honors, and activities.

If you would like an application, please contact Spero Tzathas at spe1@cox.net.

 

Church Parking Lot

As a reminder, when you park your car in the church lot, do not double-park or block any of the exits. Please, only park in a marked parking spot.  Also, parking in the alley is not permitted. Your consideration and cooperation are greatly appreciated by your fellow parishioners. 

 

Fellowship and Coffee Hour

Please consider sponsoring a Sunday Fellowship Hour with your friends and family by providing simple refreshments (donuts or bagels, fruit, and juice).  This is a beautiful way to honor family members or celebrate special occasions. See details below in the attached flyer and QR Code to sign up or contact Christina Frangos, 858-220-0071, christinafrangos1@gmail.com.
 
With appreciation, 
 
Anthousa Chapter of Philoptochos

The following Sundays are currently available:

May 26th

June 23rd

July 7th

July 14th

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers Section.

 

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.
 
  
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 Flyers

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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 the 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!" The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to 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. 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 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The key to knowledge is the humility of Christ. The door of the Kingdom of Heaven is open, not to those who only know in their learned minds the mysteries of faith and the commandments of their Creator, but to those who have progressed far enough to live by them.
St. Bede the Venerable
Unknown, 8th century

To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

A Christian's . . . duty is to "take up his cross." The word cross means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To take up one's cross means to bear without grumblings everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that ay happen to us in life. . .without expecting any earthly reward in return, but bear it all with love, with joy and with courageous strength.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near, but is given only to those who seek and work, and only to those seekers who, after putting all their powers to the test, then cry out with their whole heart: "Lord, help us."
St. Theophan the Recluse
19th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of his reign. He has conquered death by death and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades and has granted the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

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 Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
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Saints and Feasts

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April 07

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Allsaint
April 08

Agavos, Rouphos, Asynkritos, Phlegon, Herodion, and Hermes of the 70 Apostles

The Apostle Herodion, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Epistle to the Romans (16:11) and calls his "kinsman," was ordained presbyter and then Bishop of New Patras, where he was slain by Jews and pagans. Saint Agabus is mentioned in Acts 21:10-11, where he prophesied Saint Paul's arrest in Jerusalem at the hands of the Jewish leaders. In Acts 11:27-28 it is mentioned also that this Saint foretold the great famine that would come to pass in the time of Claudius Caesar. Having preached the Gospel throughout various regions, he departed to the Lord. The Apostle Rufus became Bishop of Thebes in Greece. The Apostles Asyncritus and Phlegon preached Christ in many places, suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans and Jews, and departed unto the Lord. The Apostle Hermes is mentioned with them in the Epistle to the Romans (16:13-14).

Allsaint
April 09

Eupsychios the Martyr

This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.

Antipas
April 11

Hieromartyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum

Saint Antipas was a contemporary of the holy Apostles, by whom he was made Bishop of Pergamum. He contested during the reign of Domitian, when he was cast, as it is said, into a bronze bull that had been heated exceedingly. The Evangelist John writes of him in the Book of Revelation, and says (as it were from the mouth of Christ, Who says to the Angel [that is, the Bishop] of the Church of Pergamum): "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast My Name, and hast not denied My Faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Rev. 2:13). The faithful pray to this Saint for ailments of the teeth.

Allsaint
April 10

Miltiades, Pope of Rome

St. Miltiades was the 3nd Pope of Rome, beginning his papacy in 311 AD. His papacy coincided with the end of the persecution in the Roman Empire of Christians following Emperor Galerius' ending of the Diocletian Persecution of Christians through the Edict of Toleration. He was an advocate for peace and unity in the Church. The Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD during Miltiades' papacy. He died in 314 and is commemorated on April 10th in the Orthodox Church for his service to the Church and his defense of the faith. In the Roman Catholic church, he is commemorated on January 10.

Allsaint
April 12

Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parios

This Saint lived during the time of the Iconoclasts, and because of his exceptional and virtuous life became Bishop of Parium. He suffered many hardships, afflictions, and persecutions from the heretics his whole life long, and finally reposed in peace.

Allsaint
April 13

Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

Saint Martin was born in Tuscany. He had been the papal delegate at Constantinople; upon the death of Pope Theodore, Saint Martin was elected his successor. At this time the Emperor Constans II, also known as Constantine Pogonatus (reigned 641-668), was seeking support of his confession of faith called the Typos, which espoused the Monothelite heresy, that is, that there is only one will and energy in the Incarnate Son of God. But the newly-consecrated Pope not only did not accept the Typos, but convened the Lateran Council of 649 (attended by 105 of his bishops, and Saint Maximus the Confessor, who was then in Rome), which anathematized the Typos and the Monothelite heresy. Because of this Saint Martin was seized by an imperial force in 653 and brought to Constantinople, where he was charged with sending money to the Saracens and conspiring with them, and blaspheming against the most holy Mother of God. Though innocent of these accusations, he was exiled to Cherson on the Black Sea, where, after many sufferings and privations, he received the crown of his courageous confession in the year 655.

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