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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-07-22
Bulletin Contents
Schedule of Services
Community Calendar
Prayer Requests
Special Services
News & Events
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Assembly of Bishops News
Hymns of the Day
Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Loavesfishes
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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 408.605.0621
  • Street Address:

  • 9th and Lincoln

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 5808 Carmel by the Sea

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Contact Information

Priest: Father Ion Coman


fatherion@gmail.com | 408.605.0621

Services Schedule

 

Weekend services: the weekend schedule is fixed for most of the year. The services take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea, at All Saints Church, lower level, 9th and Lincoln.

Saturdays: 5:00pm Vespers

Sundays:   8:30am Matins

                   9:30am Liturgy

Week-day services: during the week we may celebrate the major feast days of the Church either in Carmel or in Salinas. Please check the calendar! The schedule pattern is:

Wednesdays:  6:00pm Paraklesis

Eve of feasts: 6:00pm Vespers

Feast days:    8:30am Matins

                       9:30am Liturgy

Past Bulletins


Schedule of Services

Friday, July 20   Prophet Elias
    9:00am  Orthros + Liturgy + Reception in Santa Cruz
Saturday, July 21
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, July 22
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
Tuesday, July 24
    12:00pm  Akathist Service
    1:00pm  "The Theology of Illness" - book discussion over lunch
    6:00pm  Vespers
Wednesday, July 25   Dormition of Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Dinner, Lecture and Discussion Time
Thursday, July 26    Saint Paraskevi of Rome
    6:00pm  Vespers
Friday, July 27   Saint Panteleimon
    9:00am  Orthros + Liturgy
Saturday, July 28
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, July 29
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School
Tuesday, July 31
    12:00pm  Akathist Service
    1:00pm  "The Theology of Illness" - book discussion over lunch
Wednesday, August 1   Dormition Fast Begins
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Dinner, Lecture and Discussion Time
Saturday, August 4
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, August 5
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School
    6:00m Vespers

 

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Community Calendar

July 29 - Lunch with All Saints Church
August 18 - Work Day with All Saints
September 1-3 - Saint John's Greek Festival
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Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers the following who are in need.

"Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on your servant (first name)."

Alex and his parents Paul and Sasha, Sheila Doyle-Rickenbacker, Georgette Jabbour, Corkey Balcom, Christina and newborn baby Eleanor, Maria Kastros-Taubman, Tiffany Yant, Helen Saites, Sophie Britton, Jeanny Elliott, Nina and George Kadiev and their daughter Annie, Christina Pressas, Gus Moutos, Jonah and his parents Nick and Sarah Ledo and Father Mark Vinas.

and our catechumens Tim and Olga.

Father Ion is available for home visits. Please call him directly at 408.605.0621 if you would like to schedule one.

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Special Services

 
The memorial service this Sunday is for the servent of God Zlatan Drumev (1 year), husband of Olga.
  
May his memory be eternal! 
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News & Events

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR LULA MAHERAS

 

Greetings in the Lord!

With sadness I inform you about the falling asleep of Lula (Angeliki) Maheras. A long time member of our community, Lula peacefully reposed in the Lord the evening  of July 10 at her residence in Monterey surrounded by family and friends. She suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years. Loula would have been 90 years old on August 2.

The plans for Lula’s funeral are as follows:
Saturday, July 28 from 11am: Funeral at Saint John the Baptist Church at 9th Ave. and Lincoln St. in Carmel and then interment at San Carlos Cemetery, 792 Fremont St. in Monterey, CA.
The traditional Makaria meal will take place after the burial in the fellowship hall at Saint John's Church in Carmel.

May her memory be eternal!

May her memory be eternal!


CATECHISM CLASS

The Catechism Class will meet on Tuesday, July 24 from 6pm in Saint Nektarios Chapel.


FROM THE HOLY FATHERS TO CONTEMPORARY DOCTORS - THE THEOLOGY OF ILLNESS

We are reading and discussing "The Theology of Illness" book by Jean-Claude Larchet and we have input from the secular medical field: the group is blessed to have Dr. Michael Bachik, a retired cardiologist and Athanasios Vasby, a retired nurse. The book is available at our bookstore and from Amazon.com here. The text is packed with patristic and scriptural support and it is very enriching. Its three parts are: (1) The Origin of Illness, (2) The Spiritual Meaning of Illness and (3) Christian Paths towards Healing.

Our next Class will meet on Tuesday, July 24 after the Akathist service. Bring your own lunch and join us! Prepare Chapter 3: Christian Paths Toward Healing, pp79-101.


PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

We received a lovely note (seen below) from Connie Stauffer, Tiffany’s mother, thanking us for our part in helping to bring their family here for a visit with Tiffany.  Tiffany was released yesterday from CHOMP with a determined spirit.  Alex had the microwave procedure as a palliative effort and is at Stanford resting with his devoted family all around him.  Sasha and Paul remain grateful for all that we’ve done to support the family and Alex in the fight for his life.  Our sister Sheila had an outpatient procedure to help alleviate her pain and discomfort from a wound received in her car crash.  And for the lighter side… The Ehab family welcomes their new baby boy.  Na mas zisi!  May he live a long and blessed life.  While Father Ion shall celebrate his birthday this Sunday, please join us for cake during fellowship hour.
 
This is a difficult time for many within our community family, please let us all be supportive in our vigilant prayers and reach out to them whenever possible.  You can’t imagine how much your thoughtful visit, phone call, or even a text means to those in need. 
 
Thank you to our sister Simi for your service to the chapter, we will really miss your help with the note card ministry, Christina Pressas has stepped up to help with this. 
 
A reminder that Kids n Cancer | Camp Agape is looking for a few good people to help staff this year’s camp.  Please let me know if you’d like to become a volunteer, I guarantee you the most valuable and memorable experience taking part in this meaningful ministry.  I will be a volunteer two days, August 10 – 11th. 
The Philoptochos Million Meal Challenge is in full swing.  Our chapter’s 3rd quarter feed the poor event is coming up with sister Christina at the helm.  Please plan to help us make sandwiches, stuff bags, and deliver sometime in August (date to be determined).

“”Message from the Stauffer Family:  Words can’t express our heartfelt gratitude for the gracious outreach to our family. It was due to your gracious giving that we were able to spend Blessed moments with our daughter Tiffany, son in law Richard and grand daughter Savanna.  The moments spent together provided for Eternal Blessings for us all. We were able to share love, tears and sorrow at this most difficult time, as Tiffany’s health continues to decline.
 
Your gracious welcome to us at both church and the Kids with Cancer Barbeque brought us renewed strength. We felt your Love in Christ surround us with warmth, as you met us in heart and soul as extended family in Christ. You provided for the foundation that carried us through the difficult moments. It brought peace to our hearts to know that you are there for Tiffany, as we journeyed back to Colorado Springs. We are all so fortunate to be Blessed by you all.
 
May God continue to watch over and Bless all of you and your families.””
 
In the Love of Christ, Tom, Connie and Tami

Wishing you a blessed summer with fun adventures and travels.
 
Much Love,
Alexandra



SERVING THESE SUNDAYS

Serving this Sunday in church and at the fellowship hour following Liturgy:

July 22
   Parish Council: Corkey Balcom
   Welcoming: Mary Kanalakis
   Fellowship: Team Green – always 4th Sunday of the month.

July 29
   Parish Council: Fotis Papoulias
   Welcoming: Rania Zavitsanos
   Fellowship: Gratitude Luncheo with All Saints - All Teams – always 5th Sunday of the month.

This Sunday’s fellowship (July 22) will meet in the upper meeting room of All Saint’s at the top of the stairs.


GRATITUDE LUNCHEON WITH ALL SAINTS

Please join us in a special luncheon July 29 following Divine Liturgy. We welcome members of All Saints to dine with us and give us the opportunity to show our gratitude for their acceptance of our community by giving us a temporary home in which to worship.

FESTIVAL UPDATE

     It is a little more than seven weeks away from our 32nd Annual Greek Festival. As most of you know this is the biggest fundraiser for our church. In the next few days we will have a cooking schedule, and I would hope that as many of you that can, will come and help. Getting together for cooking has always been a wonderful time of fellowship within our small community; we get to work for our church while getting to know each other better. Also, in the next few days we will be sending out a sign-up sheet online. Please let us now when and where you will be able to help. Remember: “many hands make light work.”

Thimi Saites
Festival Chair  


SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School is enjoying the summer vacation time. We are looking forward to starting the new school year!


CONFESSIONS AT SAINT JOHN’S

Father Ion is available to hear confessions after services and also by appointment at other times. If you need to do confession, please contact him ahead of time.


WORK DAYS AND WISDOM DAYS

All Saints Church has lined up a cleaning contractor to take care of the kitchen and bathrooms every week. The hall will be cleaned every other week. Also, the ASC people will gather for prayer and cleaning once a month as listed below. We were invited to participate.

We at Saint John’s have offered help with larger projects that might need more man power or energetic people.

Work Days:  Begin with Morning Prayer in the Chapel, followed by 1.5 hours of working together on certain projects around the church.  (9am - 11am)

Wisdom Days:  In Silence.  Wisdom Days focus on contemplative prayer, lectio divina, and 1 to 1.5 hours of work in silence.  (9am - 1pm)

Saturdays:

August 18:  Wisdom Day
September 8:  Work Day
October 6:  Wisdom Day
November 10:  Work Day
December 8:  Wisdom Day


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Mary Magdalene in the 1st Mode

When Christ God had been born for our sakes from the Virgin, thou faithfully didst follow him, keeping His statutes and heeding His sacred laws, O august Mary Magdalene. Hence, as we today observe thy holy remembrance, we receive the loosing of our sins and transgressions through thy holy prayers for us.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, please reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.
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Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep

Remember, O Lord, as good, your servants, and forgive whatever sins in life they committed, for no one is without sin, except you the Mighty One; and grant rest to them who have been removed from among us.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

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

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Saints and Feasts

Loavesfishes
July 22

8th Sunday of Matthew

22_magdelene
July 22

Mary Magdalene, the Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal to the Apostles

Saint Mary was from Magdala in Galilee on the Sea of Tiberias, and for this was named Magdalene. When the Lord Jesus cast out seven demons from her, from which she had been suffering, she became His faithful and inseparable disciple, following Him and ministering unto Him even to the time of His crucifixion and burial. Then, returning to Jerusalem together with the rest of the Myrrh-bearers, she prepared the fragrant spices for anointing the body of the Lord. And on the Lord's day they came very early to the tomb, even before the Angels appeared declaring the Resurrection of the Lord. When Mary Magdalene saw the stone taken away from the tomb, she ran and proclaimed it to Peter and John. And returning immediately to the tomb and weeping outside, she was deemed worthy to be the first of the Myrrh-bearers to behold the Lord arisen from the dead, and when she fell at His feet, she heard Him say, "Touch Me not." After the Lord's Ascension, nothing certain is known concerning her. Some accounts say that she went to Rome and later returned to Jerusalem, and from there proceeded to Ephesus, where she ended her life, preaching Christ. Although it is sometimes said that Saint Mary Magdalene was the "sinful woman" of the Gospel, this is nowhere stated in the tradition of the Church, in the sacred hymnology, or in the Holy Gospels themselves, which say only that our Lord cast seven demons out of her, not that she was a fallen woman. "Madeleine" is a form of Magdalene.

Markella
July 22

Markella, the Virgin-martyr of Chios

Saint Markella was born in the 14th century on the island of Chios and was the daughter of the mayor of her town. She was raised in the Christian faith by pious parents, but lost her mother at a young age. This was especially difficult for her father who fell into depression. The young Markella was devoted to Christ and strove to preserve her virginity, fighting off numerous temptations from the Devil. Seeing he could make no progress with Markella, the Evil One turned his attention to her father, and enflamed within him an unnatural lust for his daughter.

One day he declared his desire for her at which she ran away in tears and fear. Arriving at the edge of the water and with nowhere to run, a rock opened up for Markella to enter so that her lower half could be enclosed within the rock. When her father arrived in pursuit of her, he was furious to have been deprived of his desire and beheaded his daughter there. The miraculous rock remains on Chios in the church dedicated to Saint Markella the Virgin-Martyr and is said to spring healing waters.

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