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St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-02-09
Bulletin Contents
A Warm Welcome to Our Visitors
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Tithes & Offerings
Prayer List
Calendar
Publphar
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St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 619-593-0707
  • Street Address:

  • 1454 Jamacha Rd.

  • El Cajon, CA 92019-3752

Contact Information

Parish Priest Father Simeon B. Corona
Presbyter

frsimeonb.corona@yahoo.com | 619-760-6373

Services Schedule

Saturday Vespers

5:00 PM

Sunday Liturgies

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

 

Follow Us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StGregoryGOC

Past Bulletins


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.

                                       

 

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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 09

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

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February 09

Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

Allsaint
February 09

Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephoros, repenting of his enmity, tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint Nicephoros learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephoros, hoping that Sapricius, at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness; but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now awaiting him, because he disdained the chief commandments of love and forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would sacrifice. Nicephoros immediately confessed Christ before them, and being himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.

Should the Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple fall on this day the service to Saint Nicephoros is chanted on the 8th.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Tone

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!

Apolytikion of the Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple in the First Tone

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.

Kontakion for the Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple in the First Tone

Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin's womb by Thy birth, and didst bless Symeon's hands as was meet, by anticipation hast even now saved us, O Christ God. But grant peace in the midst of wars unto Thy commonwealth and strengthen the hierarchs whom Thou hast loved, O only Friend of man.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.
St. John Chrysostom
CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

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Tithes & Offerings

Giving

February Budget:  $21,000

Monthly Offering to Date:   $5,932

Remaining Need (Budget minus offering to Date):  $ 15,068

2020 Budget: $ 269,778

2020 Offerings:  $20,229

2020 Remaining Need:  $249,549

 

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Prayer List

HEALTH & WELFARE:
Trevonia, Samantha, Christine Fanos, Cliff Earl Morn, Brad Summers, Brian, Connie, Ruby, Iris, Jo Cormier, Nikkie Hrountas, Katy Brown, Faith St. Thomas, Jimmy and Anna Vlachopoulos, John Vourexis, Linda Bhatia, Stephanie Navrides, 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, 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: Kosta Stephens, Archpriest Patrick, Elder Ephraim, Francis Manos, Nicholas Galaxidas, George Platis; Dimitra Biniaris, Leonidas Biniaris, William Lawrence (Larry) Everitt, Jr.,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 Elpidophoros; Metropolitan Gerasimos; 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; Linda Sacco & 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. 

 

 

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Calendar

  • Parish Calendar

    February 9 to February 16, 2020

    Sunday, February 9

    Publican and Pharisee - Triodion Begins!

    9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Pregnancy Care Center Presents

    12:30PM St. Haralambos Vespers after Coffee Hour

    Monday, February 10

    St. Haralambos

    Fast Free Week

    9:00AM Morning Prayers and Liturgy

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

    3:00PM Prayers at Carroll's Residential Care

    6:00PM Building Committee Meeting

    Tuesday, February 11

    Office Closed

    Wednesday, February 12

    He Heals!

    3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

    6:30PM Healing Service with Annointing

    Thursday, February 13

    2:00PM Prayers at Hillcrest

    6:30PM Evening Prayer and Bible Study

    Saturday, February 15

    3:00PM Mini Retreat - Finding Christ through Freedom

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, February 16

    Prodigal Son

    9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

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