Beloved Parishioners,

I hope and pray all of you and your beloved ones are well.

We have had the providential and incredible blessing the last few weeks, that Father Nebojsa and I have been on our phones in contact with our St. Nicholas Family, more than ever: trying to connect with you and make sure you are well. Because of the size of our parish, we are working to organize new ways to communicate with all of you effectively. if you haven’t received a phone call from us yet, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Do not be or feel alone during this Corona Virus pandemic! We are here 24/7 to serve you, and pray for you. You may call/text us directly: Father Demosthenes 408-784-9364, Father Nebojsa 707-315-7823.

On top of our normal worship schedule, starting this coming Monday, March 30th and until Holy Week, we will add more Services on a weekly basis. This is a great opportunity to all of us to connect with our church and each other. As I have been preaching the last few days, there is only one way we can be connected with each other, especially during this difficult time. And this is through the Person of Jesus Christ, the Theotokos and the Saints. Here is a list of all the Services that we will be offering every week:

1. Monday at 5:30 PM - Great Compline
2. Tuesday at 12:00 PM - Paraklisis to Saint Spyridon (we have his Slipper as a relic)
3. Wednesday at 5:30 PM - Paraklisis to Panagia “Gorgoipikoos (“Quick to Hear”)
4. Thursday at 12:00 PM - Paraklisis to Saint Haralambos 
5. Friday at 7:00 PM - Salutations to the Theotokos
6. Saturday at 5:00 PM - Paraklisis to Saint Nikephoros the Leper (we have his relics)
7. Sunday at 8:30 AM - Orthros and Divine Liturgy 

All Services will be broadcasting live through our Youtube channel (Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church San Jose)  We ask you to please subscribe to our Youtube channel and turn on the notifications, so you will receive an automatic notification every time we are live.

Other than the Services, we are working on the following:

1. SUNDAY SCHOOL. To offer our Sunday School program via video-conference classrooms. We already started it with our Greek School with great success, and starting this Sunday we will do the same with our Sunday School, so our children will not miss any Sunday School time. Our goal is our school programs to remain open. 
2. YOUTH. To connect with our Youth via video-conferences led by the clergy. Father Nebojsa and I are organizing video-conferences with different age groups to keep in touch with all our Youth. Starting tomorrow, specific invitations will be sent out to different age groups.
3. SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION WITH THE PRIESTS. Starting this coming Monday, March 30th, we will offer spiritual consolation time between us, your priests, and families and individuals. This way we will be able to keep in touch with all of you, our beloved parishioners, in a most personal, effective and pastoral way. We are working on a platform to organize individual appointments. Until we have a platform in place, we encourage families and individuals to book appointments with the priests through the church office. Slots will be available on weekdays from 10am to 12pm every 15 minutes. During this time every day we will block our phones to dedicate this time to those of you who will book the appointments. We encourage you to call the office to book your appointment. Please book your appointment one day prior to your desired day. Our goal is to give the opportunity to as many as possible to receive spiritual consolation and guidance from the priests.  We would love to to see you ALL, even just to exchange a few words.

Pray on your knees that God will send His Grace and Mercy upon the world!

I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing you all, and above all, to connecting with you through our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

In Christ,

Father Demosthenes

Please watch the short video message that Fr. Demosthenes prepared for all of you on our Youtube channel:

https://youtu.be/sjvSq2ZyCU4

Father Demosthenes and Father Nebojsa would like to take an opportunity to touch base with the youth of our community, using technology and virtual meeting spaces, while this quarantine is taking place. We will have two 30 minute sessions to establish connection, check in with each other, this upcoming Saturday, March 28th. 

We are scheduling Kindergarten through 5th grade at 10:00 am. 

Immediately after, we will be scheduling 6th grade through 12th grade, at 10:30 am. 

To best facilitate this effort we are asking that anyone who may be interested in these opportunities, to email Fr. Nebojsa privately at frnebojsa@gmail.com, and an invitation will be sent to you via Zoom video conferencing. Please accept the invitation once it is sent to you. 

We are offering vigil candle(s) to be lit by Father Demosthenes and Father Nebojsa along with an opportunity to submit names to be prayed for at the Prothesis (Preparation) and at the Paraklesis services scheduled for the week.  When lit, the vigil candles last for one week.  Please see the online form on our website:

LIGHT A CANDLE: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle

If you would prefer to mail in your request, please write the name(s) for whom the candle(s) will be lit and send to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Light a Candle, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 9126.  For more information, please call the church office.

Be a part of the Saint Nicholas Virtual Parish and subscribe to our Youtube channel under the name SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE:

STREAM & SUBSCRIBE NOW:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Watch our church services livestreamed and see messages from Fr. Demosthenes.

LIGHT A CANDLE: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle

These last few weeks have been a new experience for all of us.  We have also been blessed with the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, our families, and our friends like never before.  Have you taken a family walk? Did you cook something new?  Did you make a phone call when you would have sent a text?  Did you say one more prayer?  Just because we are at home does not mean we are not Together.  

Share what you and your loved ones are doing while sheltering in place! Send photos, videos, stories to: 75ypc@saintnicholas.org, to be shared on our SNC website & media sites. St Nicholas Sheltering in Place to Stay Healthy & Safe!

In empathy and love, St Anna's Philoptochos has been serving the people in our community for over 75 years.  In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis, this site allows  you to donate for those in need, through our Social Services Committee.  If you wish to mail a contribution, please mail to:   

St. Anna’s Philoptochos
COVID-19 – CRISIS
986 Chapman Street
San Jose, CA 95126

Until further notice, all donations are restricted to the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Support Fund. Monies will be disbursed to those who are in need of financial support as a result of the Pandemic. After this challenging time has passed, all remaining money shall be dedicated to our ongoing Philanthropic efforts.

In order to provide ongoing support, National Philoptochos has gathered resources to help cope with the anxiety  brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic. These can be  found at: www.philoptochos.org/whats-happening/.  

We encourage everyone to stay connected during this difficult time! Maintaining connections with friends and family via phone calls, texts, and video meetings during this period of sheltering in place, will help reduce anxiety.

Faith in our mission unites and empowers us to make a difference. Working together, with the love and blessings of God, we will continue our work to lessen the pain, loss and suffering of the most fragile in our society. May God bless you and your loved ones.

At our parish we use an online tool for all of our Liturgical services called Ages Initiatives. Please know that we always encourage participation through the praying of the services, and this online resource is the primary resource we use at the chant stand and the Altar.  To access services please check out the daily calendar available on Ages: 

http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/servicesindex.html

Also, there is an Application that you can use and download on the Apple platform:  

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/digital-chant-stand/id891132857

Please also note that you can use this resource for ALL of the services we have in our church, and that we will be using this resource as well. This is also a great resource that falls within the new guidelines of our Archdiocese with regards to Covid-19 Corona Virus. 

Please consider contributing towards Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha, to offset church expenses.  Please feel free to sponsor a portion or the entire amount towards the needed items listed below.  Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.  In light of current events, if the County mandates to continue to shelter in place through Holy Week and Pascha, the funds collected will be applied to the many, current expenses of the church.

If contributing by check, please write the check to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and mail or deliver to the church office (please list "Pascha Needs" and specify the item you are donating towards from the list below in the memo section).

If contributing by credit card/Paypal, please visit our website at www.saintnicholas.org and click on the "Giving" area.  Also note "Pascha Needs" and specify the item you are donating towards from the list below in the description.  Thank you and Kali Sarakosti!

Due to the (Coronavirus) Covid-19 outbreak in the Bay Area and for everyone's continued safety, please do not visit the Church Office in person.  If you have needs or questions, please call the office at 408-246-2770 or email at churchoffice@saintnicholas.org.  You can also contact Father Demosthenes at 408-784-9364, email: frdemosthenes@aol.com or Father Nebojsa at 707-315-7823, email frnebojsa@gmail.com.  Thank you for your understanding.

The Corona virus pandemic has also hit India, and no doubt will strike some of the children.  Sister Nektaria wrote in an email to us a couple of days ago that she is trying to stock on food for a month, since a 21-day lock down has been implemented by the country.  There is crisis in the market and food is scarce.  Afraid of spreading the virus to the children, she is not allowing staff to come in the campus, so the older girls help to cook.  There are many small children in both hostels so cleaning, washing clothes and cooking will be a challenge in the next couple of months.

As you can imagine, they will depend on us now more than ever to get through these trying times. Now, during Lent, we are encouraged to help the less fortunate.  Jesus said, “Allow the little children to come to me, for such is the kingdom of Heaven.” We urge you to help those little ones, now, during Lent, through checks made to Saints Peter & Paul Missions Ministry and sent to the church or at the Fili-inc.com website.  For more information, please contact Maria Aji at (408) 425-6967.

The scholarship forms for the St. Anna Philoptochos Scholarship can be obtained through the St. Nicholas website.  Once the mandate to "shelter in place" is withdrawn, applications will also be available in the Church Office and Church School Office.  The scholarship recognizes academic achievement, encourages participation in higher education (whether technical or professional), and acknowledges the volunteer/community service work at the parish and in the community at large.  The applicants must be graduating seniors during Mary/June 2020, attending the Church School of St. Nicholas, and whose families are stewards of the parish. All completed applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020 in the Church Office.

The Saint Nicholas Scholarship Program is available and encouraging all seniors to apply.  Applications can be obtained online at www.saintnicholas.org by sending an email to SaintNicholasSundaySchool@gmail.com.  The deadline for submitted applications is Saturday, May 2, 2020, at 5:00 PM.  Completed applications need to be submitted to SaintNicholasSundaySchool@gmail.com.  

Parishioners who would like to donate towards the scholarship program are welcomed.  We want to continue to support our long term education for all of our youth who are furthering their education and/or work experience.  If you are interested in donating, please contact Vicki Ryan at SaintNicholasSundaySchool@gmail.com.

The Greek American Professional Women’s Society (GAPWS) is proud to support and mentor young women who work towards advancing their education and becoming successful members of their communities. The Society announces a scholarship award to be offered to two female college students of Hellenic heritage in 2020.  Eligible applicants must be California residents, full-time, degree-seeking college students, pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university of the USA. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required.  The 2020 GAPWS scholarship award recipients will receive $1,000 each.

Deadline for applications is March 31, 2020. The scholarship award will be announced in early May, 2020.  For information and to apply visit www.gapws.org

We will not accept items for the Bill Wilson Center during the period the Church is mandated to "shelter in place."  We look forward to accepting items as soon as the mandate is withdrawn.  However, if you prefer, we will accept checks made payable to St. Anna Philoptochos with a notation of "Bill Wilson Center" and mailed to the Church.

We will not accept items for RealOptions during the period the Church is mandated to "shelter in place."  We look forward to accepting items as soon as the mandate is withdrawn.  However, if you prefer, we will accept checks made payable to St. Anna Philoptochos with a notation of "RealOptions" and mailed to the Church.  For more information please contact Ruth Duterte ruthrad1@aol.com  or 408-483-3009.

We will not accept items for the Festival Boutique during the period the Church is mandated to "shelter in place."  We look forward to accepting items as soon as the mandate is withdrawn.  For more information, contact Laurie Sahines, Festival Boutique Chairperson, at lsahines@comcast.com.

2020 marks the 75th anniversary year of the establishment of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. 

In light of the  Shelter in Place order, planned events and celebrations have been suspended.   We wish to continue to honor individuals and groups who were important to the development of our community and served selflessly. 

The candidates for the honor should be women and men whose accomplishments are truly outstanding to the St. Nicholas Church community.   A major criterion for selection should be service that enhances and betters the lives of our parish.   Such activities are felt throughout the church community.  These individuals have exercised considerable influence through their service.  The ideal candidate also inspires others to better serve our community. 

If you know someone you wish to nominate for this honor, please e-mail the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee at: 75ypc@saintnicholas.org with that person’s name and a brief paragraph on their contributions to our community.  Groups as well as individuals are eligible for consideration. 

Confessions with Father Demosthenes are available by appointment only.  Please call the church office or Father Demosthenes directly at 408-784-9364.   

In case of a special need and you would like a pastoral visit, the priests would be happy to visit after receiving a call from an immediate family member due to privacy concerns.   Please text or call either Fr. Demosthenes at 408-784-9364 or Father Nebojsa at 707-315-7823 or call the church office at 408-246-2770.

Saint Nicholas is happy to present another option for our parishioners to contribute to Saint Nicholas through our Fidelity brokerage account.  If there are stocks, bonds or funds you wish to contribute, please use the following  information:

Account #: Z40-125155

DTC #: 0226

As stewards of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, God has gifted us with the honor of being the caretakers of our Orthodox faith.   As caretakers, we are responsible for ensuring that there is a safe and welcoming spiritual home in which to come together to worship for the glory of God. 

Your continuing support spiritually, socially and financially are vital to the well being of our parish.  We humbly request if you have not had an opportunity to complete your 2020 stewardship pledge, use the following link to do so online.  When completing this, we ask that you make time to pray and reflect on the many gifts that the Church has given you.  Increasing your stewardship contribution will assist in growing our parish and provide an environment in which our community will flourish.

Stewardship Links:

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/36/responses/new    OR

https://saintnicholas.org/donate

Father Demosthenes and the Stewardship Committee: Mary Ann Devetzis, Jeff Contos, and Peter Panayotopoulos

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:

https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/

To avoid any confusion on our part as we compose and print the Sunday bulletin, we ask that anyone who wishes to include a notice in the Sunday bulletin submit the notice in writing to the office by Tuesday at 5pm.  

In addition, all ongoing (same message) bulletin entries will be in for four weeks, four times a year.  Please review these entries and plan accordingly.

Please note that all information in the weekly bulletin is subject to change.