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St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-25
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Palmsunday
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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

 

Parish Calendar:  http://www.stgregory.ca.goarch.org/parish-calendar 

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


Past Bulletins


A Warm Welcome to Our Visitors

Our parish is complying with the most current requirements and guidance from the State of California and San Diego County with the aim of protecting our congregation from exposure to the Coronavirus SARS CoV-2. The most recent guidance for Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) is available at: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/#worship


All parishioners attending services in person should be: (1) without any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 disease; (2) without increased risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease by reason of age or co-existing conditions (if in doubt, consult your personal physician); (3) enter the Church building or property only with a tightly fitting cloth or medical mask covering both mouth and nose at all times (except when receiving Communion); (4) maintain physical distancing requirements; and (5) use hand sanitizer. 


Face shields without also wearing a mask is not an effective or allowed protection against transmitting the virus.


The parish has implemented CDC recommended measures to improve ventilation to minimize the concentration of potentially infectious virus in the Church from persons who may not know that they are infected (which can be up to 50% of all infectious persons). These protective measures include: (1) natural ventilation augmented by a fan venting system; (2) MERV-13 ceiling air filters; (3) ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in the ventilation system; and (4) portable HEPA filter systems strategically located close to the chanters and Communion area. Additional technical information regarding these measures is available at: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/filtration-and-disinfection-faq


Public health authorities encourage all eligible persons to receive one of the three available COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Modern, Johnson & Johnson) as soon as their turn comes up. Vaccine eligibility in California can be determined by consulting: https://myturn.ca.gov/ or https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/vaccines/vax-schedule-appointment.html 

For those unable to use a computer or with limited internet access, COVID vaccination can be scheduled by calling 2-1-1.

 


 

 

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Saints and Feasts

Palmsunday
April 25

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.


25_mark2
April 25

Mark the Apostle and Evangelist

Mark was an idolater from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. Having come to the Faith of Christ through the Apostle Peter, he followed him to Rome. While there, at the prompting of Peter himself and at the request of the Christians living there, he wrote his Gospel in Greek, and it is second in order after Matthew's. Afterwards, travelling to Egypt, he preached the Gospel there and was the first to establish the Church in Alexandria. The idolaters, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he, cut to pieces on rocks, gave up his soul. It is said that he completed his life in martyrdom about the year 68. He is depicted in holy icons with a lion next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), and a symbol of Christ's royal office, as Saint Irenaeus of Lyons writes.

If April 25 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. Mark is translated to Bright Tuesday.


Allsaint
April 26

Justa the Nun


Allsaint
April 26

Glaphyra the Righteous


Allsaint
April 26

Basil the Holy Martyr Bishop of Amasea

This Saint was Bishop of Amasia in Pontus, in the days of Licinius (reigned 308-324), fellow Emperor and brother-in-law of Saint Constantine the Great. Licinius' wife Constantia, sister of Saint Constantine, had as handmaid a virgin named Glaphyra. When it became known that Licinius had conceived a sinful desire for her. Constantia secretly sent Glaphyra away to the East. Coming to Amasia, she took refuge with Saint Basileus. When Licinius learned of this, he furiously commanded that both be brought before him. When the soldiers came for them, however, Saint Glaphyra had already departed to the Lord; she is also commemorated this day. Saint Basileus was taken alone to Nicomedia, where he was beheaded. His body was cast into the sea, but through divine revelation was found again and brought back to Amasia.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Tone

O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone

As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Sixth Tone

Seated upon thy throne in heaven and upon a foal on earth, O Christ God, thou didst receive the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children: Blessed is he that cometh to recall Adam.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.


Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

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Tithes & Offerings

Giving

April 2021 Budget:  $21,000

Monthly Offering to Date:   $ 9,416

Remaining Need (Budget minus offering to Date):  $ 11,584

2021 Budget: $ 269,778

2021 Offerings:  $100,450

2021 Remaining Need: $169,328

              

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Prayer List

HEALTH & WELFARE:

All affected by the Pandemic, Basem and the Tarazi Family, Cyndy, Jana and the Mellis Family, Leilani, Elsa, Nicholas, Yvonne, Minerva and the Kelada Family,Robert and Britany Gardner, Newborn Styliani, Andy and Anna Popescu, Scott, Lydia Corona, Eric Grasser, Britney, Katherine, Michael George Stathorakis, Pres. Eleni ad the Tsigas Family, Matushka Natalia, Marvin Lidner, Juan Garcia, Matushka Natalia, Hetta and Wilma, the Sakkab Family, Michael, Lisa Kotitsa, Jan Manos, Carol, Kelly, Bill and Joy Cox, the Katsaras Family, Carol, Jason and the Lees Family,Katherine and the Limneos Family, Alex, Newborn Christopher (Kristo), Kodee, John, Gabriel, 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, Kenneth,-Martin, Alexandra, Stefan, Alina-Gabriela, Mara, Anna, Ana, Cecilia, John, Alexander Sacco, Amy. Amber, Kyriaki, Dawn, Gordon, Spahe, Tessa, Brianna, Josiah,  Anne Stropes, 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, Calliope, 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, Michael & the Piliaris Family, Mary Kladouras, Ralph Bradley, Rhonda,  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, 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, Kathy Jean Alexander, Gerontissa Markella & Sisters of Life-giving Spring Monastery. DEPARTED: Alexa, Fr. George Morelli, Paula Angelos, Ivan, Louis Trantalis, Fr. Tom Hopko and Thomas Munteaeu, Michael, Ansofe Hanna, Mary Jane (Herb’s Mom), Agape (Aunt Aggi) Annis, Sarah Kelada, Tina, Fr. Dimetri Tsigas, Bonnie Lucia Corona, Peter Shenas Sr., Dan Henry, Fr. Hanna Sakkab, Irina Itina, Helen Glyptis,Dennis, Paul, Ken and Ruth Gilliland,Daniel Katsaros, Charles “Robbie” Kelly (Jason’s Dad), John Limneos, Elizabeth Zogob, Stavroula Floros, Mary Gikas, Dr. Al (Evangelos) & Angela Sarantinos, Darla Gliptis, Jimmy (Demetrios) Vlachopoulos, Raeburn McInnes,  Dennis (Dionysius) Laskarus, Christopher (Fr. John Pilafas’ nephew), Peter (Panagiotis) Parashos, George Marinos, Eva Angelos (Stamatiades), Christine Tzathos, Cliff Earle Morn, Stephanie Navrides, Alexandru, Maria, Maria, Nichita, Costa, 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 (George) Cormier, 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, 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, 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, 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. 

 

 


 

  

 

 


 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Calendar

  • Weekly Calendar

    April 25 to May 2, 2021

    Sunday, April 25

    9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM 1st Bridegroom Matins

    Monday, April 26

    9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    6:30PM 2nd Bridegroom Matins

    Tuesday, April 27

    Office Closed

    9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    6:30PM 3rd Bridegroom Matins

    Wednesday, April 28

    9:00AM FINAL Presanctified Liturgy

    3:00PM Prayers for the Sick with Anointing

    3:00PM FOCUS God's Extended Hand Ministry

    6:30PM Holy Unction

    7:30PM FINAL Bridegroom Matins

    Thursday, April 29

    9:00AM Last Supper Vesperal Liturgy

    6:30PM The Passion Gospels Matins

    Friday, April 30

    9:00AM Great Hours

    3:00PM Vespers of the Taking Down from the Cross

    6:30PM Lamentations at the Tomb

    Saturday, May 1

    9:00AM Vesperal Liturgy of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

    10:00PM Rush, “Knocking at the Door”, Ressurection Matins and Liturgy

    Sunday, May 2

    12:00PM Agape Vespers AT CHURCH

    1:00PM Pascha Picnic at the Saccos - End with Hymn to St. George

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