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St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-08-02
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Stephen
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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




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

    The Following are the new Procedures authorized for our Church:
  • Essential Personnel Only:  For the time being, we are closing the sanctuary for essential Personnel only during all worship services. We will be live-streaming on Facebook as usual.
  • Taking Communion on the back patio:  At the end of Divine Liturgy, after turning off the Live-stream, I (Fr. Simeon and Altar Server) will be taking Communion out to the back Patio. There is very limited seating available on the Patio during Liturgy, so I would suggest that as the Live-stream ends (at approximately 11:15am), those who would like to receive should:
    • Enter from the northern gate, just to the right of the Church Hall.
    • Greeters will be stationed at this gate to welcome you as they have previously been at the Church front door during this time of the pandemic.
  • All the precautions that have been required will continue
    • Please Stay at home if:  you have a temperature, feel ill or possibly may have been exposed. 
    • Wear a mask: or accept one from our Greeters. 
    • Keep 6 feet of social distance:  Try to keep 6 feet of social distance from those that you have not been in quarantine with. 
    • Use hand sanitizer:  Use the hand sanitizer liberally.
  • We will be singing the Communion Hymn, offering the post Communion Prayers and asking for your patience as we take our time in order to offer Communion as safely as possible.
  • After Communion exit from the gate on the south side:  After Communion, we ask that you leave through the other gate on the south side of the Church. The Greeters are available to answer your questions and help usher you safely through our (hopefully temporary) alternate Communion location.  
 We thank you for your prayers, support and patience. If you need your Priest, I’m gratefully well and available: (619)760-6373, frsimeonbcorona@gmail.com

                                       

 

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Saints and Feasts

Stephen
August 02

Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr

After the First Martyr had been stoned to death (see Dec. 27), Gamaliel, his teacher, encouraged certain of the Christians to go by night and take up the Saint's body and bury it in his field, which was at a distance of some twenty miles from Jerusalem and was called by his name, "Kaphar-gamala," that is, "the field of Gamala," where Gamaliel himself was later buried. About the year 427, a certain pious man called Lucian, who was the parish priest of a church near to that field, received from God a revelation in a dream concerning the place where the First Martyr was buried. He immediately made this known to John, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Thus, coming to the place indicated, and digging there, they found a box with the word "Stephen" in Aramaic letters. On opening it, they took these most sacred relics and transferred them to Jerusalem with great honor and in the company of a very great multitude of the faithful.


Allsaint
August 02

Phocas the Martyr

Saint Phocas was a gardener in a small village on the south coast of the Black Sea. He lived a simple life, carrying out acts of piety and love for all around him, even serving the pagans of the village, some of who left their ways and followed Christ. The local governor heard of this and sent soldiers to kill him. The saint stumbled upon these very soldiers and, without disclosing his name, ministered to them by receiving them into his home, feeding them, and giving them rest. That night he dug a grave for himself in his garden and prepared for all his possessions to be given away after his death.

The next morning, Phocas disclosed to the soldiers that it was he whom they were seeking to kill. The soldiers were distraught, not wanting to kill the saint who had shown them so much kindness. Phocas insisted that they must carry out their mission as he willingly laid his head beneath the sword. They proceeded to execute him and then bury him in the grave he dug in his garden. The site later became a source of miracles, and eventually a Church was erected upon it. Saint Phocas is frequently invoked for those who travel by sea. His life was recorded by Saint Asterius of Amasia (see October 10th).


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Seventh Tone

By Your cross, O Lord, You shattered death; to the thief You opened paradise. You transformed the Myrrhbearers' lamentation, and commanded Your Apostles to proclaim that You arose, Christ our God, granting to the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Translation of the relics of Stephen in the Fourth Tone

O First of strivers among the Martyrs, thy head was crowned with a kingly crown, through the struggles that thou didst endure for the sake of Christ God; for thou didst reproach the folly of the Jews, and therefore, didst see thy Saviour on the right hand of the Father. Wherefore, to him continuously plead for our souls.

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.



Seasonal Kontakion in the Seventh Tone

Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

8th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:10-17

Brethren, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.


Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:14-22

At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

And another thing too we learn, the self-restraint of the disciples which they practised in necessary things, and how little they accounted of food.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 49 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

For being twelve, they had five loaves only and two fishes; so secondary to them were the things of the body: so did they cling to the things spiritual only. And not even that little did they hold fast, but gave up even it when asked.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 49 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

The miracle of the bread revealed the One through Whom the soil, when planted with seed, multiplies. What was done invisibly, once brought to light, proclaimed Who it is that always works invisibly. It was not only at that time that Jesus with five loaves does many great things. In the world He was not idle or inactive but was always at work feeding everyone and taking nothing for Himself. Because He was unknown, therefore, He came feeding, eating and feeding, so that through those things that are seen, He Who was unseen might appear.
Eusebius of Emesa
Homily 8.12. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: Matthew 14-28. Intervarsity Press, 2002, p. 9.

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Tithes & Offerings

Giving

July Budget:  $21,000

Monthly Offering to Date:   $11,662

Remaining Need (Budget minus offering to Date):  $9,338

2020 Budget: $ 269,778

2020 Offerings:  $112,206

2020 Remaining Need:  $157,572

 

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Prayer List

HEALTH & WELFARE:

All affected by the Pandemic, Christopher (Fr. John Pilafas’ nephew), Newborns Vera Wilman and Josiah Jenkins and their Families, Anna Vlachopoulos, Voula Parashos, Pam and the Morn Family, Bill, John and Marina Navrides and the Angeles Families, Kelly Lees and sons Orrin, Nolan, Galloway, the Lees Family, John, Alexander Sacco, Hetta, Wilma, Amy. Amber, Kyriaki, Dawn, Gordon, Spahe, Tessa, Brianna, Josiah,  Anne Stropes, Dr. Al Sarantinos, Ted Ionnides, Ivan Holmes, Leland, Jennifer, Kadee & Abigail Becker, Micailah, Angelo, and Michelle, Fidias, Andreas, Robby, Trevonia, Samantha, Christine Fanos, Brad Summers, Brian, Connie, Ruby, Iris, Jo Cormier, Katy Brown, Faith St. Thomas,  John Vourexis, Linda Bhatia, Elizabeth Terris, Holly, 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, Angela Stassinopolis, Patrick Thrift, Olga Stephens, Kevin Wallace, Joseph Eyad Zarror, Augustine Ramirez, LaVonne Simonides, Kevin (Amanda's Grandpa),, Stephen Awake, Nick, 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, Father John Pilafas & family, Virginia, Corey & family, Adrienne & Josef preparing for Sweden, 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:   Jimmy (Demetrios) Vlachopoulos, Peter (Panagiotis) Parashos, George Marinos, Eva Angelos (Stamatiades), Christine Tzathos, Cliff Earle Morn, Stephanie Navrides, Felipe. Daniel Lees (Jason's Brother), Scott, Fr. Paul Lazor, Fr. Elias Bitar, Fr. Jon Winfrey, Hanna, Helen, Mike Riskas, Zach, Photini (Nickie) Hrountas, Trenton Alexander, Eleni, Areti (Iris) and Georgios Pilafas, 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

    August 2 to August 9, 2020

    Sunday, August 2

    8:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Monday, August 3

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

    6:30PM Small Paraklesis

    Tuesday, August 4

    Office Closed

    6:30PM Great Paraklesis

    Wednesday, August 5

    3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

    6:30PM Great Festal Vespers for Holy Transfiguration

    Thursday, August 6

    Holy Transfiguration

    9:00AM Festal Morning Prayers and Liturgy

    Friday, August 7

    6:30PM Small Paraklesis

    Saturday, August 8

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    5:45PM CONFESSION and Prayers of Preparation

    Sunday, August 9

    8:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

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