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

October 13

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

October 13

Carpus, Papylus, Agathodorus, & Agathonica, the Martyrs of Pergamus

Saint Carpus was Bishop of the Church of Thyatira in Asia Minor and Papylus was his deacon, whom he had ordained. Seized as Christians and tormented in Thyatira, they were taken to Sardis, whither Agathodorus, their servant, followed them, and also confessed Christ, and was tormented with them. Together with Agathonica, the sister of Saint Papylus. they were all beheaded during the reign of Decius, in the year 250.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Eighth Tone

From on High did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Troparion for the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical council in the Eighth Tone

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee!

Kontakion for the Theotokos in the Second Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant; O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned, but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: "Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee!"

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Wisdom of the Fathers

For by seed here He means His doctrine, and by land, the souls of men, and by the sower, Himself .... For as the sower makes no distinction in the land submitted to him, but simply and indifferently casts his seed; so He Himself too makes no distinction of rich and poor, of wise and unwise, of slothful or diligent, of brave or cowardly; but He discourses unto all, fulfilling His part, although foreknowing the results.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 44 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

Tithes & Offerings

October Budget: $21,000

Monthly Offering to date: $3,749

Remaining Need (Budget minus offering to Date): $17,251

2019 Budget: $251,132

2019 Offerings: $194,771

2019 Remaining Need: $56,361

Prayer List

HEALTH & WELFARE:
Elizabeth Terris, Holly, Michael, Michael, Lily-Anna, Alexandra (Kyriako's Daughter), Betsy, Tabitha, Mother Susanna, Caliope, Robert, Stephanie and Bennet, Sharon, Tina Frankos, Jack and Tina Stavros, Freda Stavros, Magdalyn Grasser, Maria Del Soccoro, Kevin, Panagiotis, 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), Christine Tzathos, Stephen Awake, Nick, Fotini & Sophia Busarelos Family, Irene Cantos, Aggie Annis, Lydia Chaconas, Sarah Cronstedt, Fr. Dimitri Tsigas, Michael & the Piliaris Family, Nicholas Galaxidas, Mary Kladouras, Ralph Bradley, Rhonda, Lisa Kotitsa, Evonne Zouris, Garland, Pierre, Jethmark, Helen & the Eveland Family, Vernon & Kathern Rogers, Alex, Patty, Jimmy, Richie, Margie, Paul Lane, Alexi, Dr. Minerva, Sarah & Malichi, Stan, James, Dora, Julia, Alexandra, Sebastian, 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, Dionisios & Eftixia Diakoumeas, Nicky, Michael & Cathy Jean Alexander, Gerontissa Markella & Sisters of Life-giving Spring Monastery. DEPARTED: Senait, Abram Dominguez, Warren Cormier. Darla Gliptis, Laura Pantozoplus,George Mastorakos,Fr. Steven Kozler, Michael Surla, Jim (Dimitri) Costas, Zahwey, John Peters, Wendell Duncan,Theodora, Matushka Andrea, Jerry Costacos, Heidi Angelopulos, Athanasios Angelopulos, Pastor Orville Hiepler, Ioanna Melete (Anna’s sister), Catherine Sullivan, 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), Carol Kinan, Athina Cavelaris, Andrew Kyriakides, George Speros, Nick Kosmas, 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, Stella Angeles, Elizabeth Zogob, Nell Thornblad, Katherine Eveland, Carole, Steve Kosic, Effie Matsolis, George, Arety, Manny, Archimandrite Paul Doyle, 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; Jeff Simonides & Herb Barrack & 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.

Calendar

Parish Calendar

October 13 to October 20, 2019

Sunday, October 13

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, October 14

11:30AM Office Hours 11:30am-3pm

3:00PM Prayers at Carroll's Residential Care

6:30PM Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 15

Office Closed

Wednesday, October 16

3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

Thursday, October 17

Evening Liturgy for St. Luke the Evangelist

6:30PM Evening Prayer and Bible Study = Vesperal Liturgy for St. Luke

Saturday, October 19

Parenting Retreat AT Sts. C & H

9:00AM Parenting toward the Kingdom and how to be children of God: Dr. Philip Mamalakis

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, October 20

9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins