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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-09
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
Bowedwoman
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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, December 8
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, December 9
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
Tuesday, December 11
    11:00am  Congregational Chanting
    12:00pm  The 6th Hour Service
    12:30pm  Book Forum: "Concerning Frequent Communion" - Part II.
    6:00pm  Vespers
Wednesday, December 12   Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy
Saturday, December 15   Saint Eleutherios
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, December 16
    8:00am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:15am  Baptism of Matta Yohan Ehab
    10:00am  Liturgy
Monday, December 17   Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy
Tuesday, December 18
    11:00am  Congregational Chanting
    12:00pm  The 6th Hour Service
    12:30pm  Book Forum: "Concerning Frequent Communion" - Part III
Wednesday, December 19
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Dinner, Presentation: The Royal Hours
Saturday, December 22
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, December 23
    8:30am  Orthros (Matins)
    9:30am  Liturgy
Monday, December 24
    8:30am Royal Hours + Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
    6:00pm Nativity Vespers
Tuesday, December 25    NATIVITY OF CHRIST (Christmas Day)
    8:30am Nativity Orthros + Liturgy
11:00am Carols and Potluck Festal Luncheon (Breaking of the Fast)
Wednesday, December 26    Synaxis of the Theotokos
    8:30am Orthros+Liturgy
Thursday, December 27    St. Steven the First Martyr
    8:30am Orthros + Liturgy

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Community Calendar

December 9 - Angel Tree Decorating, Ginger Bread House decoration, Angle Tree gift collection
December 15, 16 - Philoptochos Bake Sale
December 25 - Carols and Christmas Festal Luncheon (potluck to break the fast after liturgy)
December 30 - Lunch with ASC
January 6 - Blessing of the ocean waters after Liturgy (weather permitting) followed by Saint John's Luncheon
January 7 - Feast day of Saint Johnt the Baptist, the protector of our community.
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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)."

Olga Drumev, Martha and Sam Dakis, Sophie Britton, Sheila Doyle-Rickenbacker, Maria Kastros-Taubman, Tiffany Yant, Helen Saites, Sophie Britton, Jeanny Elliott, Nina and George Kadiev and their daughter Annie, Christina Pressas, Gus Moutos and Father Mark Vinas. Also Dimitri and Presbytera Anastasia (at Prophet Elias).

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 UPDATE

As we reach the final month in this beautiful year, many take a realistic view of their Stewardship commitment.  Many have increased their pledge, while others facing challenging times are forced to reduce their pledge. Still others realize they need to step up and make a pledge, adding their name to our number.

Thank you to everyone responding to our Fill-the-Gap campaign to meet our 2018 Stewardship budget of $130,000. It is not too late to be a part of this glowing response of love for Christ our Lord, especially as His nativity approaches. We still need to finish our challenge to close that gap entirely.

Consider the many blessing God has granted us. Complete a “Fill the Gap” card or stewardship card. Or simply make a contribution and it will be counted toward stewardship. Feel the gap? Then let us fill it!


GIVE HIM FIVE!

This Sunday we complete the series of five-minute presentations to take place right after the Liturgy: Give Him Five! brought to us by the Stewardship Ministry, they are part of the FILL the GAP! campaign, pointing to the foundation of our life as stewards of God's creation and Church. The topics are as follows:

1. Prayers 

2. Alms giving- 11/11

3. Fasting - 11/18

4. Church attendance - 11/25

5. Mysteries - 12/9 - this Sunday

So, give to the Lord through these five ways and receive from Him in many more and much more!


ANGEL TREE DECORATING & GINGERBREAD HOUSE BUILDING

Philoptochos invites you:

Please bring in the Angel Gifts that you offered to purchase for children in need
on December 9.
They should be unwrapped and with the Angel Tag.
No gifts can be used after this date.
Thank you for you kindness!

Reserve your gingerbread house today
Potluck Lenten Luncheon

For more details on what to bring to the potluck ~ please contact Christina Pressas
831-917-5439 or email:  yasou-girl@comcast.net


SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School classes will be off this Sunday. The children are invited to work with their families on decorating the Christmas tree and the ginger bread houses.


ORTHODOXY 301 LECTURES TO RESUME IN JANUARY

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. We'll use material from "Orthodox Spirituality - a Brief Introduction" by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos. The book is available at our bookstore. The class will meet at noon every Sunday in Saint Nektarios Chapel.

Remaining Lectures on Orthodox Spirituality to be continued in January:

6. Sacraments and Asceticism (1/13/2019 by Kevin Wheeler)
7. Neptic and Social Theology (1/23/2019)
8. Monasticism and Married Life (1/30/2019)

ADVENT BOOK FORUM FOR DECEMBER

Join us for the Book Forum in December to read and discuss a most beneficial book by Saint Nikodemos of Mount Athos about Holy Communion. It is in line with our previous readings - based on a scriptural and patristic foundation - and it is meant to be part of our fasting/ ascetic labor of preparation for the Nativity of our Lord. The reading will change/ improve our understanding of participating in the Holy Eucharist and even of... the Lord's Prayer as part of the same mystery.

The book has three parts plus a nice Preface, a Prologue and two Appendices that are optional. The schedule is as follows:

December 4 - Part One: Explanation of the Lord's Prayer
December 11 - Part Two: Concerning Frequent Communion
December 18 - Part 3: Objections and Clarifications

Please note that the book can be found in both printed and electronic format. Please let Athanasios know your preference so he can order the books ASAP. The printed version is more suitable for prayerful reading and study.


SERVING THESE SUNDAYS

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

December 9
   Parish Council: Christina Pressas
   Welcoming: Anthony Zavitsanos
   Fellowship: Team Pink to lead the community potluck

December 16
   Parish Council: John Ehab
   Welcoming: Katherine Shaw
   Fellowship: Team Orange – always 3rd Sunday of the month.


PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

A wonderful time was shared by all that attended our annual Christmas luncheon, last Sunday at Epsilon.  It was a great time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  Many thanks to our hosts the Hix Family, Nick Fettis for sharing his beautiful Christmas Music, Father Ion for his prayer and message.  If you missed it, he encourages everyone to support Philoptochos.  You shall all have your chance to renew your membership in February at the 2018 Membership Gathering.  Until then this was a great opportunity to wish our Philoptochos family a blessed Nativity Season!

There are still several opportunities for you to get involved this year details below: 

  • Sunday, Dec 9th Tree Trimer & Angel Tags,
  • Gift Wrapping at Del Monte Center Friday, Dec 14th,
  • Bake Sale on Sunday, Dec 16th - Christmas Cookies & Tsourekia bread (taking pre-orders now). Purchase of the cookies ($15 per dozen) will help to meet the church Feel-the-Gap. While Tsourekia purchases of 1 lb loaves for $10 will help Philoptochos to assist those in need.
  • Sunday, Dec 23rd stuffing of the blessing bags for the homeless

BAPTISM OF MATTA YOHAN EHAB

With great joy we prepare for the baptism of the youngest Ehab family member: Matta Yohan. He will be baptized on Sunday, December 16 right before the Divine Liturgy. The godparents are Constantine and Alina Theodosion. We thank God for the great gift of His Church and we pray for our young families! The schedule for that day will be modified:

Sunday, December 16
     8:00am Orthros (Matins)
     9:15am Baptism of Matta Yohan Ehab
     10:00am Liturgy


CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

The festal luncheon on Christmas day will again be an international potluck celebration to break fast together and to sing carols. Last year we enjoyed delicious ethnic foods, some of them specific to Christmas. Plan to bring your favorite traditional dish, a bottle of wine and some fiends as well.


LUNCH WITH ASC

The last Sunday in December is the fifth one for the month. Therefore, we will be offering hospitality to the All Saints community as we did before. We will be blessed to host them again for lunch and to get to learn more about them, about their ministries and about their struggles. December 30 - all Fellowship teams to participate.


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 Father Ion ahead of time.


GIFT WRAPPING AT DEL MONTE CENTER

The Philoptochos invites you to joy in this very special fundraising activity. On Friday, Dec 14th 10 am to 4 pm you can participate in wrapping Christmas gifts for the busy shoppers in exchange of their thanks and donation to the Philoptochos. Located right next to Santa’s chair, this fun activity brings out your creativity, while boosting Christmas spirit to everyone you meet.

Please contact Sheila Rickenbacker, 831-521-6675, to sign up for a shift that fits your busy schedule.

Whether volunteering or not: Don’t forget to bring your own gifts from home to have them beautifully wrapped and support the needy at the same time.


YOUNG ADULT WINTER RETREAT

SAVE THE DATE for the 14th Annual Metropolis Young Adult Winter Retreat in Lake Tahoe, January 18-21, 2019!    Join us for this beautiful retreat, located on a private beach on the shore of Lake Tahoe with spectacular views, incredible food, and awesome accommodations! Not to mention, we have a weekend packed full of fun, faith, and fellowship with Orthodox young adults from all over the West Coast! This retreat will sell out with a max capacity of 60, so make sure to register beginning November 1, 2018!

DATE: January 18-21, 2019
LOCATION: Galilee Episcopal Camp & Retreat Center, South Lake Tahoe
ARRIVAL TIME: Friday beginning at 5:30pm
DEPARTURE TIME: Monday 9:30am
SPEAKER/THEME: Coming soon!
AGES: 18-30's
ONLINE REGISTRATION Opens: November 1, 2018 at www.gosfyouth.org
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1943883609026865/
RETREAT VIDEO from 2016: https://vimeo.com/153430756

COST: $260 includes 3 nights lodging (Fri, Sat, and Sun) and all meals except lunch Saturday & Sunday since we will be out exploring Lake Tahoe both afternoons. Price does not include lift ticket.


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Assembly of Bishops News

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America

12/05/2018

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2018/fast-questions-fast-answers-geography
Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America is the second essay in a group of mini-reports about Orthodox Church life in America. Surprising, stimulating, and, at the same time, important facts about the geographic distribution of Orthodox parishes and church members in America are discussed in this essay.
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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Conception of the Theotokos in the 4th Mode

Today the bonds of childlessness are broken. For hearing the prayers of Joachim and Anne, God promised that against all hope they would give birth to the Maiden of God. He, the Uncircumscribed, would be born of her, when He would become man, and by the Angel's example, He commands us to call to her: "Rejoice, Maiden full of the grace, the Lord is with you."

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

On this day the whole wide world is celebrating that Saint Anne conceived a child, which was a miracle of God. And she gave birth to the one who bore the divine Logos, in ways passing speech and thought.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17

At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

And yet here He speaks only; whereas elsewhere in many cases He heals by laying on of hands also. But nevertheless none of these things made them meek; rather, while the man was healed, they by his health became worse. For His desire indeed was to cure them before him, and He tried innumerable ways of healing, both by what He did in their presence, and by what He said: but since their malady after all was incurable, He proceeded to the work.
Saint John Chrysostom
Homily 40 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

It often happens that Satan will insidiously commune with you in your heart and say: 'Think of the evil you have done; your soul is full of lawlessness, you are weighed down by many grievous sins.' Do not let him deceive you when he does this and do not be led to despair on the pretext that you are being humble. After gaining admission through the fall evil has the power to commune at all times with the soul, as man to man, and so to suggest sinful actions to it. You should answer it: 'I have God's written assurance, for He says: "I desire, not the sinner's death, but that he should return through repentance and live" ' (cf. Ezek. 33:11). What was the purpose of His descent to earth except to save sinners, to bring light to those in darkness and life to the dead?
St. Makarios the Great
Homilies, VI: The Freedom of the Intellect no. 117, The Philokalia Vol. 3 Ed. Palmer, Sherrard, Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 337, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Bowedwoman
December 09

10th Sunday of Luke

Anna
December 09

The Conception by Saint Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8).

Spyridon
December 12

Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous

Spyridon, the God-bearing Father of the Church, the great defender of Corfu and the boast of all the Orthodox, had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wife's departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, and thus he became also a shepherd of rational sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, he also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the divine grace which dwelt in him, he wrought such great wonders that he received the surname 'Wonderworker." So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful.

About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint's sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year 1460. The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest's own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved. Truly wondrous is God in His Saints! (Ps. 67:3 5)

Hermanalaska
December 13

Herman the Wonderworker of Alaska & First Saint of America

Saint Herman (his name is a variant of Germanus) was born near Moscow in 1756. In his youth he became a monk, first at the Saint Sergius Hermitage near Saint Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland; while he dwelt there, the most holy Mother of God appeared to him, healing him of a grave malady. Afterwards he entered Valaam Monastery on Valiant Island in Lake Ladoga; he often withdrew into the wilderness to pray for days at a time. In 1794, answering a call for missionaries to preach the Gospel to the Aleuts, he came to the New World with the first Orthodox mission to Alaska. He settled on Spruce Island, which he called New Valaam, and here he persevered, even in the face of many grievous afflictions mostly at the hands of his own countrymen in the loving service of God and of his neighbour. Besides his many toils for the sake of the Aleuts, he subdued his flesh with great asceticism, wearing chains, sleeping little, fasting and praying much. He brought many people to Christ by the example of his life, his teaching, and his kindness and sanctity, and was granted the grace of working miracles and of prophetic insight. Since he was not a priest, Angels descended at Theophany to bless the waters in the bay; Saint Herman used this holy water to heal the sick. Because of his unwearying missionary labours, which were crowned by God with the salvation of countless souls, he is called the Enlightener of the Aleuts, and has likewise been renowned as a wonderworker since his repose in 1837.

Allsaint
December 13

Lucia the Virgin-martyr

Saint Lucia was from Syracuse in Sicily, a virgin betrothed to a certain pagan. Since her mother suffered from an issue of blood, she went with her to the shrine of Saint Agatha at Catania to seek healing (see Feb. 5). There Saint Agatha appeared to Lucia in a dream, assuring her of her mother's healing, and foretelling Lucia's martyrdom. When her mother had been healed, Lucia gladly distributed her goods to the poor, preparing herself for her coming confession of Christ. Betrayed as a Christian by her betrothed to Paschasius the Governor, she was put in a brothel to be abased, but was preserved in purity by the grace of God. Saint Lucia was beheaded in the year 304, during the reign of Diocletian.

Elefther
December 15

Eleutherios the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Illyricum, and his mother Anthia

This Saint had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus, or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded.

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