A Warm Welcome to Our Visitors

It is our hope that we will help you learn more about our parish and the Orthodox Christian faith that we confess. At St. Gregory of Nyssa, you will discover an ancient, yet dynamic faith, a warm Church family and even perhaps a spiritual home where you can grow roots and a deep relationship with Christ in the Holy Spirit. Please know that in the Holy Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is given only to those Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and recent Confession. You are welcome to come forward at the end of the Liturgy to be given the Blessed Bread(Antidoron), of which all are blessed to partake, & a blessing from the Priest.

Welcome to our Church Home! We would like to meet you! Please join us at Coffee Hour following the service.

Saints and Feasts

March 31

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.

March 31

Hieromartyr Hypatius

This Saint, who was from Cilicia of Asia Minor, became Bishop of Gangra, the capital of Paphlagonia. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council. Because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he was put to death by the Novatians, a sect which denied that sins committed after Baptism could be forgiven.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
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."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.

Apolytikion of Sun. of the Elevation of the Cross in the First Tone

Save O Lord, O Lord Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Grant victory to the faithful against the adversaries of the Faith, and protect your people through Your Holy Cross, Your Holy Cross!

Kontakion for the Church in the Third Tone

You were shown to have holy vigilance. And your piety was manifest in your teachings, O Hierarch Gregory. For the wisdom of your sacred dogmas gives joy to the fullness of the Church. Righteous Father, to Christ our God do intercede to grant our souls His great redeeming mercy.

Kontakion of the Sunday of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross in the Seventh Tone

No longer doth the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden, for a marvellous quenching is come upon it, even the Tree of the Cross. The sting hath been taken from death, and the victory from Hades. And Thou, my Saviour, hast appeared unto those in Hades, saying, "Enter ye again into Paradise!"

Kontakion to You Theotokos, O champion leader in the Eighth Tone

To You as champion unto victory invincible, Your City offers thanksgiving unto You. From our trials, Theotokos, have You redeemed us, for as You possess invincible might and power, from all dangers, Theotokos, deliver us. As we cry unto You, "Hail, O Bride unwedded!"

Prayer List

HEALTH & WELFARE:
Mari Hanna, James, Natalia, Marika, Rachel, Sylvia Casberg, Eva Angelos, Angela Stassinopolis, Patrick Thrift, Olga Stephens, Kevin Wallace, Joseph Eyad Zarror, Dr. Al Sarantinos, Augustine Ramirez, LaVonne Simonides, Kevin (Amanda's Grandpa), Louis Trantalis, Christine Tzathos and her new grand-babies, Michael Mourafetis, Stephen Awake, Nick, Fotini & Sophia Busarelos Family, Irene Cantos, Aggie Annis, Lydia Chaconas, Sarah Cronstedt, Fr. Dimitri Tsigas, Fr. Earl Cantos, Michael & the Piliaris Family, Nicholas Galaxidas, Mary Kladouras, Ralph Bradley, Rhonda, Abram Dominguez, Lisa Kotitsa, Evonne Zouris, Savannah injured in Las Vegas, Abducted Metropolitan Paul & Archbishop John, Garland, Pierre, Jethmark, Helen & the Eveland Family, Vernon & Kathern Rogers, Alex, Patty, Jimmy, Richie, Margie, Paul Lane, Alexi, Dr. Minerva, Sarah & her newborn, Michael, Stan, James, Dora, Julia, Alexandra, Sebastian, Kyriakos Queentina, Diana, Nico, Janet Burgess, Dionysios, Lillian Ana Grace, Sarah-Betsy's mother, MaryAnn, Gabrielle, Kiki, Michael, Father John Pilafas & family, Virginia, Corey & family, Adrienne & Josef in Thessaloniki, George, Maria Hazlaris, Sarah Oftedal & her family, Darin Williams, Marika Stantcheva, James, Dionisios & Eftixia Diakoumeas, Nicky, Michael & Cathy Jean Alexander, Gerontissa Markella & Sisters of Life-giving Spring Monastery. DEPARTED: Theophanis Brinias (Maria Gregg’s Father), Victor Nasser, Louis Trantalis, Victor Roick, Christ Fergis, Michael Kladouras, Costa Stephens , Georgia Swisher, Nick Paschalydis, John Manos Sr,, Peter Shenas Sr., Ken and Ruth Gilliland, Bonnie Corona, Angela Sarantinos, Jerry (Gerasimos) Howorth, Lin Judah, Paul James Aceves, Warren George Cormier, Judith Keep, George (Marc's Uncle), Samantha (Marc's friend), George Mastorakos, Carol Kinan, Athina Cavelaris, Andrew Kyriakides, George Speros, Nick Kosmas, Catherine Sullivan, Gigi Campbell, Carl Collard, Jerry (Gerasimos) Filaktu, Doris Holmes, Spyridon, Thomas Munteanu, Sam Mellos, Richard Nicholas Nabhan, Helen Gliptis, George Koulaxes, Bishop Antoun, Eric Nectarios Cochran, Nick Koucoumaris, Wendell Duncan, Stella Angeles, John Peters, Elizabeth Zogob, Nell Thornblad, Katherine Eveland, Carole, Steve Kosic, Effie Matsolis, George, Arety, Manny, Archimandrite Paul, Eleni (Kyriako's Sister), Gregory Galanis, Deacon Michael, George & Iris Pilafas, Manuel Dragan, Darla Gliptis, Fr. Theodore & Pres. Mary Phillips, Sophia Vourexis, Jason Hyde, Peter Kanelos, Mary Giana, Katherine Armatas, Lana Piliaris, William Piliaris, Katherine Kladouras, Heather Grinnell & Danny Ranglos. FOR OUR CHURCH LEADERS: Patriarch Bartholomew; Archbishop Demetrios; Metropolitan Gerasimos; Bishop Apostolos; Father Simeon Corona, Presbytera Joy & family; Chris Psillas & the members of the Parish Council; Olga Stephens & our Philoptochos; Pete Shenas & our Building Committee; Celeste Shenas & our Stewardship Committee; Pres. Joy and our Chanters; Myles & Barbara Lane; our Sunday School teachers; Mothers Victoria, Melania, & the Mothers & Sisters of St. Barbara's & Holy Assumption Monasteries; Frs. Dionisie & Neonil of Holy Resurrection Monastery in Temecula. If you would like our community to pray for you or a loved one or have a name removed, please call the Church office 619-593-0707.

Wisdom of the Fathers

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

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

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Calendar

Calendar

March 31 to April 7, 2019

Sunday, March 31

Holy Cross

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

6:00PM Penitential Vespers at St. Gregory's

Monday, April 1

11:00AM Office Hours 11am-3pm: Includes a Lenten 3rd/6th Hour Noontime Prayer

3:00PM Prayers at Carroll's Residential Care

6:30PM Building Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 2

Office Closed

Wednesday, April 3

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

6:00PM 9th Hour and Presanctified Liturgy

7:30PM Lenten Potluck

Thursday, April 4

6:30PM Evening Prayer and Bible Study

Friday, April 5

9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

6:30PM Salutations to the Theotokos AT Sts. Peter and Paul in El Centro

Saturday, April 6

10:00AM Mid-Lenten Liturgy at Sts. Peter and Paul in El Centro

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, April 7

St. John Climacus

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

6:00PM Penitential Vespers at St. George Antiochian

Tithes and Offerings

March Budget: $21,000

Monthly Offering to date: $17,954

Remaining Need (Budget minus offering to Date): $3,046

2019 Budget: $251,132

2019 Offerings: $56,208

2019 Remaining Need: $194,924

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

A Warm Welcome to Our Visitors

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of the Holy Cross

Hieromartyr Hypatius

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Apolytikion of Sun. of the Elevation of the Cross in the First Tone

Kontakion for the Church in the Third Tone

Kontakion of the Sunday of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross in the Seventh Tone

Kontakion to You Theotokos, O champion leader in the Eighth Tone

Prayer List

Wisdom of the Fathers

Join Us On Facebook

Calendar

Calendar

March 31 to April 7, 2019

Tithes and Offerings