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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-10-07
Bulletin Contents
Schedule of Services
Community Calendar
Prayer Requests
News & Events
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Assembly of Bishops News
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Nainwidow
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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

Saturday, October 6   Thomas the Apostle
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, October 7
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School + Orthodoxy 301: Orthodox Spirituality Lecture
Tuesday, October 9
    12:00pm  Akathist Service
    1:00pm  Book Discussion: "The Struggle for Virtue"
Wednesday, October 10
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Dinner, Lecture and Discussion Time
Saturday, October 13
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, October 14
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School + Orthodoxy 301: Orthodox Spirituality Lecture
Tuesday, October 16
    12:00pm  Akathist Service
    1:00pm  Book Discussion: "The Struggle for Virtue"
Wednesday, October 17
    6:00pm  Vespers
    7:00pm  Dinner, Lecture and Discussion Time
Thursday, October 18   Saint Luke the Evangelist
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy In SALINAS
Friday, October 19
    6:00pm  Vespers
Saturday, October 20   Saint Gerasimos
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, October 21
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
    12:00pm  Sunday School + Orthodoxy 301: Orthodox Spirituality Lecture

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Community Calendar

 
October 6 - Non-violent Communication Workshop
October 13 - Philoptochos Fall General Meeting
October 28 - OXI Day
November 10 - Stewardship Appreciation Dinner
November 11 - Celebration of our Veterans
November 17 - ASC Arts and Crafts Fair
November 17, 18 - Philoptochos Bake Sale
November 18 - Parish Assembly and Parish Council Elections
November 30 - Angel Tree Decorating Family Night
December 2 - Philoptochos Advent Luncheon
December 15, 16 - Philoptochos Bake Sale
December 24 - Carols and Christmas Festal Dinner (potluck to break the fast after late liturgy)
December 30 - Lunch with ASC
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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)."

Martha Dakis, Sheila Doyle-Rickenbacker, 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, Sarah and Jonah Ledo and Father Mark Vinas.

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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News & Events

FEEL AND FILL THE GAP BEGAN OCTOBER 1

Watch the short movie here.

 

As we end our third quarter, we take a hard look at where we are in our Stewardship Ministry. Last year, in our excitement over the new ministries we developed and progress we’ve made, and eager to become sustainable, the Parish Assembly set a challenging Stewardship Goal of $130k. The good news is that we are ¾ through 2018 and we received over ¾ of that goal. Still we have a fewer number of stewards, and our pledges total $108k, which is only 83% of our goal. It is still possible with 70 stewards to hit or exceed the 100% mark by adjusting our pledges! It is still possible for additional parishioners to stand up and be counted as Stewards!  Considering the many blessing God has granted us, with thanksgiving, let us fill the gap!  Complete a “Fill the Gap” card or stewardship card. Or simply make a contribution and it will be counted toward stewardship. Help us reach our 2018 Stewardship goal.

 


NEW: ORTHODOXY 301 LECTURES

Orthodoxy 301 is a new class to complement our regular catechism training. It is structured as a short lecture given by various people from our community followed by discussion. The topic of Orthodox Spirituality has become more relevant in a world where many consider themselves "spiritual but not religious", finding refuge away from the Church. Open to all. Will use material from "Orthodox Spirituality - a brief Introduction" by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos. The book is available at our bookstore. The class will meet in Saint Nektarios Chapel.

Eight Lectures on Orthodox Spirituality

  1. Defining Orthodox Spirituality (10/7 by Julia Wheeler)
  2. The Difference between Orthodox Spirituality and other Traditions (10/14 by Greta Vasby)
  3. The Core of Orthodox Spirituality (10/21)
  4. Degrees of Spiritual Perfection (10/28 by Mary Kanalakis)
  5. Praxis and Theoria (11/4)
  6. Sacraments and Asceticism (11/11)
  7. Neptic and Social Theology (11/25)
  8. Monasticism and Married Life (12/2)

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Philoptochos Proudly Presents
Fall General Meeting
Enjoy warm fellowship, a wine & cheese reception, and live music
Learn about our dynamic chapter’s accomplishments and that which is yet to come!
 
Saturday, October 13th 2:00 to 4:00
Secombe Hall, Corner of Lincoln & 9th, Carmel by the Sea
 
Featuring our Guest Speaker Despina Kreatsoulas
Read below about Despina, the museum, and her presentation on…
Resistance & Relief:  Greece in World War II
 
We look forward to seeing you!
RSVP to this email or 619-518-2755
$15.00 Donation supports Philoptochos ministries

Upcoming Philoptochos Events & important dates:
- October 13th Fall General Meeting
- November 16th & 17th Greek Pastry Sale at Star Market
-November 18th Greek Pastry Salt at St. John’s


NEW: YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Our high school and college students and their friends are invited to join the Young Adult Group for weekly activities taking place every Monday evening from 6:30pm. Each month we will rotate four activities, one per session: lesson, fellowship, worship and an activity/ project. We will meet at people's homes and in Saint Nektarios Chapel. The theme for this coming school year is A Life of Offering. The month of October we are concerned with Offering Our Struggles to God. Our next meeting is on Monday October 8 (fellowship). Please join the Facebook Group or contact Father Ion for details.


THE STRUGGLE FOR VIRTUE - BOOK FORUM

We are reading and discussing "The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society" book by Archbishop Averky (Taushev).  The book is available at our bookstore and from Amazon.com. The text offers wisdom, scriptural support, practical directions and it is very enriching. It's a short book and we will be reading 3 chapters each week.

Our next group will meet on Tuesday, October 9 after the Akathist service (12 noon). Even if you haven't read the chapters, you are welcome to join in the discussion. Bring your own lunch and join us! Prepare Chapters 7 and 8.


SERVING THESE SUNDAYS

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

October 7
   Parish Council: Brian Balcom
   Welcoming: Anthony Zavitsanos
   Fellowship: Team Gold – always 1st Sunday of the month.

October 14
   Parish Council: Corkey Balcom
   Welcoming: Katherine Shaw
   Fellowship: Team Pink  – always 2nd  Sunday of the month.


SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School classes will be in session this Sunday after the fellowship time. The children should follow their instructors to class - Presbytera Ana and Carrie (preschool) and Jacob and Daniel (primary+secondary grades). Parents, have you registered your children yet? See our web site for registration.


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.


MONASTERY OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS, THE LIFE GIVING SPRING FUNDRAISER

SAVE THE DATE!! Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood invite you to a benefit dinner to support the Life Giving Spring Monastery on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Community Center, 1270 Davis Street, San Jose. More details to follow.


RETREAT AT ST. BASIL CHURCH IN SAN JOSE

When Good News Catches On – Contemporary Saints Who Helped Grow the Church is the theme for the retreat on Saturday, October 20th at St Basil Greek Orthodox Church: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Mark your calendars. We are blessed to have two speakers that day: Miho Ealy, a Japanese woman who grew up as an Orthodox Christian in Japan and Fr. Michael Oleksa, an expert on the history of Orthodox Christianity in Alaska.


SHOPPING ON AMAZON SMILE EARNS DONATIONS TO ST JOHN'S

if you already shop on Amazon, or if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, we invite you to shop at smile.amazon.com and choose Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel as your charity of choice and 0.5% of your purchase will be donated to Saint John’s. This is no cost to you. Below you can read about how to use Amazon Smile.

How Does it Work?

1. Visit smile.amazon.com.
The entire shopping experience is the same and most products available on amazon.com are available at Amazon Smile. Link to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-6136359.
2. Sign in and Choose Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel
The screen will look slightly different depending on whether you’re already signed into Amazon. If you’re already signed in, you’ll see a screen like the one below. Simply search for “Saint John the Baptist Church Carmel” and proceed to step 3.
3. Begin Shopping

 


CLEAN-UP DAYS WITH ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Our brethren from All Saints Church will gather for cleaning once a month as listed below. We were invited to participate and take care of the space that we use and offer support in other areas as needed. Let us join the effort with gratitude and joy on these following Saturdays from 10:30am: October 6 / November 10 /December 8.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus in the 4th Mode

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons' powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls.

Apolytikion of Saint John the Baptist in the 1st Mode

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner; for you have proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since you were granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, you did rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God has appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

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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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. 2nd Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 11:31-33; 12:1-9.

Brethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.

I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise --whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Gospel Reading

3rd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 7:11-16

At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"

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Wisdom of the Fathers

That dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. But there meets him Christ, the Life and Resurrection, for He is the destroyer of death and of corruption; He it is "in Whom we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28); He it is Who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was; and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 36.42, p. 153., 5th Century

The virgin's son met the widow's son. He became like a sponge for her tears and as life for the death of her son. Death turned about in its den and turned its back on the victorious one.
St. Ephrem the Syrian
Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron, 6.23. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. vol. 3: Luke, Intervarsity Press)

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Saints and Feasts

Nainwidow
October 07

3rd Sunday of Luke

Sergiusbaccos
October 07

Sergius & Bacchus the Great Martyrs of Syria

These holy Martyrs were Romans of high rank in the service of the Emperor Maximian, to whom it was reported that they did not take part in the festivals of the idols. When he called them into his presence, they confessed their Faith in the one God. He had them arrayed in women's clothes and paraded through the streets in mockery. They were afterwards scourged, from which Saint Bacchus died. This was about the year 296. Saint Sergius was then taken to Resapha in Syria, where he was tortured and beheaded. His tomb in Resapha became a very famous shrine, to which pilgrims came from as far away as Western Europe; Resapha was later renamed Sergiopolis in his honour.

Allsaint
October 09

The Righteous Patriarch Abraham and his nephew Lot

The holy Patriarch Abraham, born a pagan, ten generations after Noah, when the knowledge of God had perished from among men, became the beginning of God's dispensation for the universal renewal and salvation of man. He was called out of his country--the land of the Chaldees, that is, Mesopotamia--to the land of Canaan, and received the promise that through his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed; through his singular faith in the promises of God, he was justified before the giving of the Law and the coming of Grace; through his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, he portrayed the love wherewith God loved the world in sacrificing His only-begotten Son. The greatness of Abraham, and the trials that he and his righteous nephew Lot underwent, are set forth in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, chapters twelve through twenty-five. See also the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, December 11-17.

Philipap
October 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.

Symeonnewspious
October 12

Symeon the New Theologian

Saint Symeon became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became abbot. After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept today.

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