Special Services

SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

DIMITRIOS LAIOS (ANNUAL), father of Ioannis (Donna) Laios

May his memory be eternal.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by GOYA Ministry in the Small Hall with support from parish families with memorial services. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying and the napkin, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Seventh Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:1-10

Τῇ μιᾷ τῶν Σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης, εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον· καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου. Τρέχει οὖν, καὶ ἔρχεται πρὸς Σίμωνα Πέτρον, καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἄλλον μαθητήν, ὃν ἐφίλει ὁ Ἰησοῦς, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· ᾞραν τὸν Κύριον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητής, καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον. Ἔτρεχον δὲ οἱ δύο ὁμοῦ· καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς προέδραμε τάχιον τοῦ Πέτρου, καὶ ἦλθε πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας, βλέπει κείμενα τὰ ὀθόνια· οὐ μέντοι εἰσῆλθεν. Ἔρχεται οὖν Σίμων Πέτρος ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα· καὶ τὸ σουδάριον, ὃ ἦν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, οὐ μετὰ τῶν ὀθονίων κείμενον, ἀλλὰ χωρὶς ἐντετυλιγμένον εἰς ἕνα τόπον. Τότε οὖν εἰσῆλθε καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς ὁ ἐλθὼν πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εἶδε, καὶ ἐπίστευσεν. Οὐδέπω γὰρ ᾔδεισαν τὴν Γραφήν, ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῆναι. Ἀπῆλθον οὖν πάλιν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ μαθηταί.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. 4th Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3.
Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 8:8-13, 9:1-2.

Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ· οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:31-46

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναχθήσεται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφοριεῖ αὐτοὺς ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ· δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἐξ εὐωνύμων· πορεύεσθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ οἱ κατηραμένοι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ οὐ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με, ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα ἢ διψῶντα ἢ ξένον ἢ γυμνὸν ἢ ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι; τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy.

Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode

An example of the faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of self-control you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds, were exalted by greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining strength. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.

Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε.

Stewardship and Donations

ST. NICHOLAS STEWARDSHIP 2024

Stewardship 2024 as of March 7, 2024:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $237,611
Pledges Paid: $125,185
Average Pledge: $1,200
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $112,426
Number of Stewards Pledging: 198

Stewardship 2023 on March 9, 2023 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $500,000 ($3000 per Stewardship Family, as an average)
Pledged: $309,000
Pledges Paid: $163,255
Average Pledge: $1,246
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $145,745
Number of Stewards Pledging: 248

Please continue to keep our Saint Nicholas Church in your thoughts and prayers throughout 2024.

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas. Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2024 commitment pledge.

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas? Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2024 Stewardship Commitment Card. You may also submit your commitment either online or by mailing it to the Church Office.

To give by mail: Stewardship

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
986 Chapman Street
San Jose, CA 95126

To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship link: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/70/responses/new

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donate

Company Matching Donations: many companies offer some type of philanthropic program in which a company may financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they will request the matching gift from their employer to the specific nonprofit organization. If you are interested to learn more about Company Matching Donations at work, please inquire with your Company's Human Resources Department if it offers a similar program. Please note that Saint Nicholas Church would be identified in a Company Matching Program as "Greek Orthodox Community of Santa Clara County".

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a 501©3 Corporation and our tax ID is 94-1578745.

LIGHT A CANDLE

In our Light A Candle program, vigil candle(s) are lit along with an opportunity to submit names to be prayed for at the Prothesis (Preparation). When lit, the vigil candles last for one week. Please see the online form on our website or use the link below. When filling out the online form, please note that only first names are needed, preferably the baptized names, and it's helpful to designate if prayers will be for health or for repose.

Donate online here: 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.

DONATIONS VIA FACEBOOK

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/

Special Announcements

SATURDAY OF THE SOULS

A Saturday of the Souls (Psychosavato) service will be on Saturday, March 9th with Orthros beginning at 8:30am followed by the Liturgy at 9:30am and Memorial. You can drop the names of deceased Orthodox Christian family members, relatives and friends in a special, marked box in the Narthex and you can bring a small dish of kollyva to the service.

DAYLIGHT SAVING BEGINS

Please remember to turn your clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 10th.

PARAKLESIS SERVICE AND ORTHODOXY 101 - MONDAYS

*Please note: final Paraklesis service is this Monday, March 11th.

Please join us for a Paraklisis to the Most Holy Theotokos on Monday nights at 5:00pm followed by a hybrid Orthodoxy 101 class which will be on the topic of the Kingdom of Heaven, beginning at 6:15pm. You may attend the class in-person (in the church office conference room) or online via Zoom using the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7084362224?omn=82835392316.

Upcoming Events

BASKETBALL LEAGUE GAMES

Basketball League games have a home game on Sunday, March 10th in the Community Center beginning at 2:30pm! Come cheer our teams!

-2:30pm Boys Elementary team
-3:30pm Boys Middle school team
-4:30pm Boys High school team
(No Girls Elementary game scheduled this weekend).

MAKARONADA WITH MIZITHRA

Please join us on Sunday, March 10th where our GOYA Ministry will serve Makaronada with Mizithra as part of our coffee hour, free of charge! Coffee donations are welcome and will benefit our GOYA youth activities.

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL AT SAINT NICHOLAS

The Oratorical Festival will be held at the Saint Nicholas church on April 7th at 12:30pm. Students can participate in the Elementary vision (grades 5-6), Junior Division (grades 7-9) or Senior Division (grades 10-12). Top speakers from the Junior and Senior divisions move on to participate in the district festival. They will also present their speeches to the congregation after liturgy.

An awards ceremony will be held at a later date where the top 3 speakers will be awarded first, second and third place, while all other participants will receive the honorable mention rank. All participants will receive a certificate of participation and a small gift in recognition of their hard work.

For information on how to enter, please contact Maria Daltayanni at mariadal1@gmail.com, (951) 282-7259.

Elementary Division

5th and 6th grade students are invited to present on an elementary division topic. There is no judging. Each elementary division talk should last 30–90 seconds.

LENTEN ALMS PROJECT – ONE DAY OF FOOD FOR AN UNHOUSED PERSON

Our Saint Nicholas Community will be preparing Meal Kits for people who are currently living in unstructured housing (tents, lean-tos, sheds or vehicles) to be distributed by City Team Ministries.

Just what does a One Day Meal Kit for an unhoused person consist of? Two bottles of water, a tube of yogurt, two pouches of tuna fish, a serving of applesauce, a bag of nuts, cheese crackers, a granola bar, a fruit leather and a wet wipe. That is a day’s worth of food if you are living on the street.

Sunday School Students will be accepting donations in front of the Church and during Coffee Hour on March 10^th, 17^th and 31^st. Our goal is to complete 200 Kits. The supplies for each kit cost approximately $10. If you would like purchase supplies or sponsor one of the items, we ask you to select from our Amazon Wish List which takes advantage of Bulk Buying: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/PG8YXHQ0H3YM/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

We invite you to join us on March 31st to help assemble kits in the Small Hall during Coffee Hour! All ages are welcome to help us assemble!

GOLDEN YEARS MEETING - POSTPONED

The Golden Years Seniors meeting originally scheduled on Tuesday, March 12th has been postponed.

HOPE/JOY MEETING

The next JOY/HOPE meeting is scheduled on Tuesday March 19th at 7:00pm in Room 7 of the Educational Building. Please feel free to reach out to Helene Panos if you have any questions: 209.324.4918. We hope you join us for Fun, Fellowship and Faith!

GREEK FLAG RAISING

The annual Greek Flag Raising, in recognition of Greek Independence Day, will be held on Monday, March 25th at 5:00pm at the San Jose City Hall Plaza, 200 E Santa Clara Street. Facilitated by AHEPA Silicon Valley Chapter 251and Daughters of Penelope Daphne #29, the ceremony will be hosted by Councilmember Pam Foley.

There will also be a reception on the City Hall Tower 17th floor immediately following the ceremony compliments of the Order of AHEPA & Daughters of Penelope San Jose Chapters.

Please note that in order to get validated parking, you need to be in the City Hall Garage before 5 pm. After 5pm, it’s locked and you can only exit the parking structure. The garage is located off of 6th Street at 45 S Sixth St., San Jose, 95113.

JOIN THE KENTIMA (NEEDLECRAFT) MINISTRY!

Join the Kentima Ministry this Lent as we meet during coffee hour to build new skills and fellowship. Beginning with embroidery basics the class will look to build up to traditional projects while exploring styles and designs from all over Greece. The first meeting will be held on Sunday, March 31^st in the Seniors Room at the front of the small hall. We will begin about 10 minutes into coffee hour, grab yourself a snack and head over! All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. All items needed to begin will be supplied, please RSVP to Meredith Panayotopoulos at 408-849-9552 so we can be sure to have enough on hand. If you have expertise you are willing to share, please reach out as well!

AHEPA CRABFEED FUNDRAISER!

Our San Jose 2024 AHEPA Family Event is here! Don't miss it, buy your tickets now! Our annual Crab Feed Fundraiser is on Saturday, April 13th in the Community Center at St. Nicholas Church from 6pm to 10pm. We will be honoring our spiritual leader, Father James, and Presvytera Vasso.

Fresh crab with with drawn butter, salad, pasta, garlic bread and dessert; live music and dancing; raffle.

See the flyer in the Special Events section of the e-bulletin for more information. Adults $85; Youth $40 if 18 & under; early bird special: $5 off until 3/31/24. You can buy tickets at Sunday coffee hour or online at this site:

https://sites.google.com/view/ahepac251/home/annual-crab-feed-event-2024

Everyone is welcome! Hope to see you all there!

VOLUNTEERING AT SECOND HARVEST

Putting our Orthodox Faith into action! Join us at Second Harvest Food Bank the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6pm to 8pm, to prepare food for distribution in our Santa Clara County community. March sessions are full, so our next session is in April. One in five families in Santa Clara County faces food insecurity. Help us serve our community while enjoying the fellowship of our Parishioners! Advance registration is required; vaccination is suggested but not required; open to ages 12 and up.

We invite you to sign up in advance for Tuesday, April 23 2024 using the link: https://shfb.tfaforms.net/350?VSID=a0vQo000003V5hjIAC&_gl=1*1eschq6*_ga*NzU3NjMwNjE1LjE3MDk3NTE5MTc.*_ga_E3SL0CTS82*MTcwOTc1MTkxNi4xLjEuMTcwOTc1MjIxNS42MC4wLjA.

YOUTH BASKETBALL PRACTICES!

Youth Basketball practices continue THIS WEEK!

Elementary Boys (Grades 3,4,5): Tuesdays 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Elementary Girls (Grades 3,4,5): Wednesdays 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Middle School Boys (Grades 6, 7, 8): Thursdays 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Middle School Girls (Grades 6, 7, 8): TBD, please contact John Cocoles, jcocoles5@gmail.com if interested
High School Boys (Friday practices will begin after FDF)

Games begin Sunday, March 3rd. To be placed on the season roster, you MUST be registered at https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/63/responses/new.

Be sure your child wears basketball shoes! Thank you!

BAY AREA PROJECT MEXICO TRIP OPPORTUNITY THIS JUNE

We invite you to join parishioners from the Resurrection parish in Castro Valley who will journey to Mexico this summer on a mission trip to build homes for poor working families just south of the border. We will depart Castro Valley on June 25^th and return July 1st. For more details, visit projectmexico.org. In addition, you can view a video of our trip in 2019 to get an idea of what this mission trip involves. Click on this 2019 Project Mexico Mission Trip link or query "Project Mexico 2019" in Youtube.

For questions about this mission trip, please contact Mark Fridell (maark56@hotmail.com or Cell: 925-872-8111).

Special Events

Oratorical Festival at St. Nicholas, San Jose - April 7th

The Oratorical Festival will be held at the Saint Nicholas church on April 7th at 12:30pm. Students can participate in the Elementary Division (grades 5-6), Junior Division (grades 7-9) or Senior Division (grades 10-12). Top speakers from the Junior and Senior divisions move on to participate in the district festival. They will also present their speeches to the congregation after liturgy. An awards ceremony will be held at a later date where the top 3 speakers will be awarded first, second and third place, while all other participants will receive the honorable mention rank. All participants will receive a certificate of participation and a small gift in recognition of their hard work. For information on how to enter, please contact Maria Daltayanni at mariadal1@gmail.com, (951) 282-7259.

Ahepa Crab Feed Fundraiser at St. Nicholas San Jose - Apr 13th

Please see the attached flyer and read the exciting details in the Upcoming Events section of this e-bulletin.

Starting an Embroidery/Needlework Class - St. Nicholas San Jose

Join the Kentima Ministry this Lent as we meet during coffee hour to build new skills and fellowship. Beginning with embroidery basics the class will look to build up to traditional projects while exploring styles and designs from all over Greece. • Sundays, March 31st through April 21st in the Seniors Room at the front of the small hall. We will start about 10 minutes into coffee hour, grab yourself a snack and head over! • All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. • All items needed to begin will be supplied • RSVP to Meredith Panayotopoulos at 408-849-9552 so we can be sure to have enough on hand. • If you have expertise you are willing to share, please reach out!

Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult Lenten Retreat - St. Nicholas Ranch - Mar 22-24

Please see the attached flyer.

Annunciation Tea - Ben Lomond - Saturday, March 23rd

We are having our annual Annunciation Tea on Saturday, March 23, 9:00 am – noon. We will meet for tea and a light brunch in our parish hall, then see a live, online presentation of “Far Above Rubies: An Orthodox Understanding of Womanhood,” sponsored by Saint Emmelia Ministries and the Saint Macrina Lecture Series. All women and girls aged eight and up are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to this link: Annunciation Tea (google.com). We hope to see you there as we celebrate the Annunciation with like-minded women!

Double Feature Films - Amphilochios and Sacred Alaska - Castro Valley - March 26

Please see the attached flyer.

Bay Area Goya Lenten Retreat - Sausalito - March 29-31

The Church of the Holy Cross is planning the upcoming Lenten retreat for our Bay Area middle and high school students. It will take place during the third week of this upcoming Lent (March 29, 30, 31, 2024.) Like in previous years, the retreat will be held at the Nature Bridge, Golden Gate facility. See the flyer for details.

Elpida Youth Program To Host Multi-Parish Lenten Retreat! - San Francisco - March 30th

March 30, 2024 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, Grades TK-7th. This year our children will rotate through a series of hands-on stations including: * Koliva Making * Orthodox Church Construction * Orthodox Saints celebrated during Lent * Daffodil Planting * "Build-a Stuffie" Service Project for SFPD * Parent Workshop led by Vivian Tavernakis * Motor Movement and More!!! Please Use the following link to register: https://www.annunciation.org/lenten-retreat-form

Bay Area Project Mexico Trip Opportunity This June

We invite you to join parishioners from the Resurrection parish in Castro Valley who will journey to Mexico this summer on a mission trip to build homes for poor working families just south of the border. We will depart Castro Valley on June 25th and return July 1st. For more details, visit projectmexico.org. In addition, you can view a video of our trip in 2019 to get an idea of what this mission trip involves. Go to Youtube and query, "Project Mexico 2019". For questions about this mission trip, please contact Mark Fridell (maark56@hotmail.com or Cell: 925-872-8111).

National Young Adult Conference - San Diego - July 3-7

Save the date! For more information, please see: https://www.clergylaity.org/yalconference. With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM) is pleased to announce that plans are underway for the 2024 National YAL Conference. The Conference will be held July 3-7, 2024 at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter in picturesque San Diego, California, graciously hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the Metropolis of San Francisco. This year’s National YAL Conference will coincide with the Biennial Clergy Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Biennial Convention. Embracing the Clergy Laity Congress theme, "In Christ, We Are One" (Romans 12:4-5), the National YAL Conference has adopted the theme “UNIFY” - aiming to unite young adults from across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for a five-day experience centered on faith, fellowship, worship, service, and fun. It seeks to strengthen young adults' connections with the Church and each other as unified members of the Body of Christ.

Education Programs & Scholarships

ST. NICHOLAS SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS NEEDED

It’s that time again! The time when our St. Nicholas Sunday School Class of 2024 will be embarking on the world of college life. Our graduates will be attending trade schools, jr. colleges and universities. The years may change but the thing that is constant is the expense of attending. Tuitions, books, living expenses, all these plus more have risen greatly and we are looking once again to you for help.

If you are able to sponsor a St. Nicholas Sunday School Scholarship for our students please contact Laurie Sahines at 408-823-0111, laurie.sahines@gmail.com or come see me on any given Sunday in the Sunday School Office.

More information on deadline dates and requirements to follow shortly. We thank you in advance for helping us continue the success of our students in a meaningful way!

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES

Calendar for Sunday School:

March
Sunday School in session March 3, 10, 17, 31
Activity: March 10 Forgiveness Lesson and March 17 Forgiveness Sunday/Kites

April
Sunday School in session April 7, 14, 21, 28
Activity: April 7 Lenten Alms Project and Saturday, April 27 Lazarus Breakfast

May
Sunday School in session May 12 and 19
Activity: Friday, May 3 Good Friday Retreat
Activity: Sunday, May 19, Graduation and last day of Sunday School

Registration link for Sunday School: https://forms.gle/esUftdmLhEJH77Ap6

Classes will be weekly, with a few exceptions for special events and holidays. The Saint Nicholas website has the current and updated calendar: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

YOUTH SUMMER CAMP - ST. NICHOLAS RANCH

All Youth ages 8-18 from across our Metropolis are invited to attend our Metropolis Summer Camp this July at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, reunite with old friends, and learn more about our faith. Online camper registration is open, and spots are quickly filling up.

We at St. Nicholas are hoping to get a good group together for Session 3!

The Metropolis is also looking for dynamic and faithful young adults, ages 19 or older, to serve as part of the camp staff. They are also in need of medical and lifeguard staff, so please encourage anyone you know who would be an outstanding addition to the Metropolis Staff to apply.

CAMP WEBSITE: https://gosfyouth.org/summer-camp

2024 SUMMER CAMP DATES

Session 1: July 7 - 13

Session 2: July 14 - 20

Session 3: July 21 - 27 (St. Nicholas is hoping to get a group going at this session!)

CAMPER AGES

The youngest campers are 8 years old (or entering 3rd grade in Fall 2024) and the oldest are 18 years old (or will be graduating High School in Spring 2024).

SUMMER CAMP STAFF

We cannot put on summer camp without our incredible staff! We are looking for young adults who are 19 years of age or older. Applications are open until March 10. Please encourage young adults you'd like to see on staff to apply here: CLICK HERE

MEDICAL STAFF

We are always in need of medical staff while at camp. If you are a licensed medical professional or know someone who is, please encourage them to contact me directly at this email or apply on our website CLICK HERE. We especially love having MD's, NP's, and RN's!

AMAZON WISH LIST

Help us keep the cost of camp down and make a donation from our Amazon Wish List HERE.

For more information, please contact Johanna Duterte Carter, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Metropolis Camp Director, Cell: (408) 712-7658; Email: JDuterte@sanfran.goarch.org; Website: www.gosfyouth.org

REGISTRATION LINK FOR GREEK SCHOOL

Click here for the registration link with information about the dates of the program and tuition costs: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/73/responses/new

School Age Greek Language Classes (3-18 years old)

In-person classes are offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am - 11:45 am (pending registration numbers)

Zoom classes are time flex and are offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays.

In addition to the classes, several assemblies take place annually to celebrate Greek Independence Days (October 28th and March 25th), Christmas, and the end-of-the-school-year party. Parents and other family members participate while the students recite poems, skits, songs, and dances.

Adult Greek Language Classes (18 years and older)

New Testament Greek: Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Intermediate Conversational Greek: Thursdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Beginner Conversational Greek: Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 pm

For more up-to-date information in regards to the adult Greek classes kindly contact: Dr. Peter Nanopoulos at petern_grklang@yahoo.com

Ministries and Organizations

COFFEE HOUR TEAMS ARE COMING BACK!

We are excited to announce that with Father James' blessing, we will be discontinuing the majority of youth-ministry hosted coffee hours on Sundays and bringing back a team-led coffee hour. This way we hope each team will only be responsible for 2 coffee hours per year. If you haven't already been approached and are interested in having your own team or would like to be placed on a team, please send an email to: coffeehour@saintnicholas.org OR call Penny Pagonis at (408) 772-6229 or Nicole Perakis at (408) 250-0967.

CHOIR

The Choir is actively recruiting new members! If you are interested please contact Anthony Pappas at (408) 832-4271. Men are especially needed, so please consider joining! We have two options for practice, Sundays after services (with time allowed for the Coffee Hour) and Thursdays at 7:30pm. Thank you!

CANON OF FAITH - FEBRUARY 2024

Please read the Canon of Faith for February 2024 using the online link viewing:

https://indd.adobe.com/view/c1f383f0-3061-4b2e-8d69-3d94a80f9bc0

HOPE/JOY

We will plan on holding our meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month (directly after Greek School). Please mark your calendars.

We hope that all students in grades K-5th can join us! This year, Father Nebojsa has planned an exciting curriculum focusing on the Story of Creation. Each monthly lesson will be concentrated on a particular day of this journey. Each meeting will be scheduled for approximately one hour and will include a discussion with Father, an interactive activity and/or craft, refreshments and fellowship. We want to be inclusive of everyone so please feel free to reach out to Helene if you have any concerns: 209.324.4918.

For families with children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, please register your children for our JOY/HOPE ministry. The link to register is here:

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/67/responses/new

YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Sunday School

Greek Folk Dance

Information for our Dance program here: https://www.saintnicholas.org/greek-dance

Greek School

Our Greek School is up and running again this year with both in-person and online classes for all ages and levels.

Registration link: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/73/responses/new

Basketball

Information here: https://www.saintnicholas.org/basketball . Please contact Paul Papageorge at: paulpapa@mac.com for more information about spring season which begins March 5th!

Altar Servers:

Any young men over the age of 7 and interested in serving the altar are invited to join one of our Altar Groups for the next ecclesiastical year.

Please register here: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/76/responses/new Updated!

GOYA

GOYA is a ministry for children from 6th - 12th grades. We meet every 2nd Sunday of the month and have social events throughout the year, as well as sessions and retreats. For more information please visit our site: https://www.saintnicholas.org/goya

JOY/HOPE

JOY/HOPE is a ministry for children from Kindergarten to 5th Grade and open to all. We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the Month in the evening at 7:00pm. For more information visit our site: https://www.saintnicholas.org/joyhope

A HOME FOR ICONS

We are collecting unwanted paper icons, wooden icons, and palms that require disposing, please drop off in the baby room in the Church. There is a plastic bin located underneath the pew. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Julie via email: j_sarigiannides@yahoo.com.

Please contact the church office at 408-246-2770 if you plan to leave items outside the office or Community Center.

GREEK PASTRIES, KOLLYVA, ARTOKLASIA & PROSPHORA

If you wish to order kollyva, artoklasia, prosphora, paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, or other Greek pastries, please see the bakers listed below with their phone numbers to call. Payment is arranged with the bakers and not the church.

For kollyva: Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

For paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, and other Greek pastries: Maria Tsaboukos 408-723-5175 Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888 Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124.

For artoklasia: Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888 Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

For prosphora: Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

ALL SERVICES AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Saturday, March 9 - 1st Saturday of the Souls
8:30am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, March 10 - Judgement Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
8:15am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Monday, March 11
5:00pm - Paraklesis to the Panagia

Saturday, March 16 - 2nd Saturday of the Souls
8:30am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, March 17 - Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday)
8:15am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

ALL SERVICES ARE IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED AT:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

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

Online Links to the Text of Church Services:

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:

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.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.

Saints and Feasts

March 10

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

March 10

Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Corinth during the reign of the Emperor Valerian (253-260).

Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep

Remember, O Lord, as good, your servants, and forgive whatever sins in life they committed, for no one is without sin, except you the Mighty One; and grant rest to them who have been removed from among us.

Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."

Alexander Schmemann

Great Lent, 20th Century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).

St. Gregory Palamas

Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th century

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Special Services

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Apolytikion of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Mode

Stewardship and Donations

ST. NICHOLAS STEWARDSHIP 2024

LIGHT A CANDLE

DONATIONS VIA FACEBOOK

Special Announcements

SATURDAY OF THE SOULS

DAYLIGHT SAVING BEGINS

PARAKLESIS SERVICE AND ORTHODOXY 101 - MONDAYS

Upcoming Events

BASKETBALL LEAGUE GAMES

MAKARONADA WITH MIZITHRA

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL AT SAINT NICHOLAS

LENTEN ALMS PROJECT – ONE DAY OF FOOD FOR AN UNHOUSED PERSON

GOLDEN YEARS MEETING - POSTPONED

HOPE/JOY MEETING

GREEK FLAG RAISING

JOIN THE KENTIMA (NEEDLECRAFT) MINISTRY!

AHEPA CRABFEED FUNDRAISER!

VOLUNTEERING AT SECOND HARVEST

YOUTH BASKETBALL PRACTICES!

BAY AREA PROJECT MEXICO TRIP OPPORTUNITY THIS JUNE

Special Events

Education Programs & Scholarships

ST. NICHOLAS SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS NEEDED

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES

YOUTH SUMMER CAMP - ST. NICHOLAS RANCH

REGISTRATION LINK FOR GREEK SCHOOL

Ministries and Organizations

COFFEE HOUR TEAMS ARE COMING BACK!

CHOIR

CANON OF FAITH - FEBRUARY 2024

HOPE/JOY

YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION INFORMATION

A HOME FOR ICONS

GREEK PASTRIES, KOLLYVA, ARTOKLASIA & PROSPHORA

Schedule of Services

Saints and Feasts

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions

Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep

Wisdom of the Fathers