Publish-header
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-09-20
Bulletin Contents
Schedule of Services
Church Attendance
News & Events
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Prayer Requests
Saints and Feasts
Exaltation
Organization Icon
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, 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

                   9:45am 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

                       9:45am Liturgy

Past Bulletins


Schedule of Services

Note: our services our now open to attendance. We are also continuing posting all the services online via Zoom or Facebook. 

Friday, September 18
    9:00am  Matins
Saturday, September 19
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, September 20
    8:30am  Matins
    9:45am  Liturgy
Monday, September 21
    9:00am  Matins
Tuesday, September 22
    9:00am  Matins
    7:00pm  Trisagion for Gus Scourkes
Wednesday, September 23   Conception of Saint John the Baptist
    8:00am  Orthros + Liturgy
   10:00pm  Book Forum - Time and Despondency, Chapter 7
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
    7:00pm  Faith and Fellowship - Small Groups: The Epistle of Saint James
Thursday, September 24
    9:00am  Matins
Friday, September 25
    9:00am  Matins
    6:00pm  Vespers
Saturday, September 26   Falling Asleep of Saint John the Theologian
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, September 27
    8:30am  Matins
    9:45am Liturgy

 See the whole calendar at http://www.stjohn-monterey.org/parish-calendar

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Church Attendance

REMINDER OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AT CHURCH

We need, really need you to follow protocols at church, or we risk being prevented from having services, or we may have to revert to taking reservations and limiting who can attend.

Please: 

FOLLOW THE USHER'S DIRECTION FOR YOUR SEATING LOCATION - The ushers are trained to optimize the seating capacity and safety. If one or two sit in a row of four, that family of four no longer has a place to sit! So, listen to the ushers!

ONCE SEATED, STAY THERE -  If one moves, someone has to follow to wipe the chairs down. Stay where you are!

DON'T MOVE CHAIRS. Chairs have been carefully arranged to accommodate families, couples, and singles while keeping accepted spacing. 

IF IN DOUBT, ASK THE USHER. Can I do this? Can I do that? They will help you. Where can I sit? They will help you. Am I standing in front of the ZOOM camera, blocking the view of those watching from home? They will help you.

DON'T KISS THE ICONS - even if you are wearing a mask. It requires someone to follow you and wipe down the icons.

Christ asks us to love our brothers/neighbors. Be thoughtful in all that you do, setting a Christian example for others. Your love will ensure future liturgical services for all. God bless you.


ATTEND SERVICES IN PERSON

We continue to worship each Sunday and on major feast days on the Patio. Thank you to all for observing and practicing the safety protocols! Please wear the mask and maintain the 6 feet distance to non-members of your family.

Notice of Informed Consent:

We have been asked by our Metropolis to provide the following information for your information prior to attending the live services.

By voluntarily attending Saint John's services in person, you affirm that:

  • You are not currently ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • You agree to abide by the social distancing and safety guidelines as being practiced in our Parish.
  • You acknowledge, that while the recommended CDC, State and Local County safety measures are being taken by the Church, the parish cannot guarantee that there is no risk of infection for attendees.
  • If you are not able to agree with the above statements, we kindly ask that you remain at home to participate in the live-streaming of our services.

We look forward the day when EVERYONE returns home to worship God together!


PREPARE TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

Father Ion can have confessions at the church. Please contact him directly for an appointment.ar


ATTEND ONLINE

OUR SERVICES and MEETINGS ONLINE
  • Attend remotely:
    1. Zoom with video here.
    2. On our Facebook page, without the blessing fellowship after the service (only possible through Zoom).
    3. By phone dial - add the following string to your address book: +16699006833,,9475885646#,,1#,871732#
  • Liturgical texts at Ages Initiatives here. Select the date and the service of interest. Then, choose pdf if you want to print, or DCS for viewing on the screen (which also has a night mode).

LIGHTING CANDLES AT OUR SERVICES/ GIVING FOR VICTIMS OF THE FIRE

Lighting Candles is possible through our Light a Candle website.

Click this link: Light a Candle

The candles will be lit at the next service after the request was received. The names mentioned in the online order will also be remembered during that week at the Wednesday Paraklesis (the living only), at the next Sunday Liturgy and at any other liturgy that week (both the living and the departed).

This location also gives you an opportunity to help those in need: feeding the homeless, donating to help those impacted by fire evacuation or loss, donating to help those suffering impact of the Corona Virus. You may also wish to donate in Memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion, and even make a Stewardship payment.


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News & Events

NEW: FALL 2020 FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

The Faith and Fellowship Small Groups met this last Wednesday with a record number of participants in 6 groups under the leadership of Angela, Thimi, Rania, Paul, Mary and Paige (the newest member of our community).

The remaining dates are as follows (Wednesdays, 7pm):

        Sept. 23 >> Oct. 7 >> Oct. 21 >> Nov. 4 >> Nov. 18

Please sign up HERE!


NEW: CREATING A CULTURE OF TRUE STEWARDSHIP

The Stewardship Ministry of our Metropolis invites you to a five-part series to help you and your parish create a culture of true Christian stewardship. Through this process that will produce a more effective Stewardship ministry, you are able to elevate your parish to a deeper level of understanding of true Christian stewardship that leads to a transformative way of living your calling as a Greek Orthodox Christian. The next session is September 15 at 6:30, and continues every other Tuesday through October 27.

Bill Marianes from Stewardship Calling, will lead us on an inspirational journey filled with relevant information, best practices, and 15 empirically proven specific strategies.

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. (PST)

Session 1, September 1: watch the video recording here.

Session 2, September 15: watch the video recording here.

Session 3 • September 29, 2020
• Welcoming
• Thanking
• Youth Stewardship
• Small Groups

Session 4 • October 13, 2020
• Effective Messaging
• Campaigns – Stewardship, Capital and Planned Giving
• Transparency and Accountability
• Stewardship Team

Session 5 • October 27, 2020
• Questions and Answers

Registration
Participation is free, but we kindly request that you register in advance here.

 


POSTPONED: BAPTISMS AND CHRISMATIONS

We have now October 11 as the date for receiving in the Church the McCrone family: Paul, Sasha, Nicholas and Andrew. Until then, we continue to pray for all our catechumens:

Lord our God, Who dwells on high and watches over the humble, You sent forth Your only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human race. Look down upon Your servants, the catechumens, and grant them at a proper time the baptism of rebirth, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption. Unite them to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and number them among Your chosen flock.

Amen!


BOOK FORUM

"Time and Despondency: Regaining the Present in Faith and Life" by Nichole M. Roccas. This is a book with powerful messages addressing apathy, restlessness, procrastination - symptoms of what early Christian theologians called despondency (acedia), a spiritual sickness rooted in a lack of care or effort. 

Our Bookstore offers a few copies. You may also purchase this book online through Amazon or the Ancient Faith store.

The next Forum: Wednesday, September 23

  • Meeting time: from 10am, right after the service.
  • To prepare: Chapter 7, picking up at p. 136
  • Zoom in at the known link.

THE CHURCH UNIVERSITY: DAILY SERVICE, PRAYER and REFLECTIONS

The Church University continues the Zoom webcasting from Saint Nektarios Chapel with the abbreviated Matins Services. At the end of the service Father Ion offers a daily teaching on the readings and the saints of the day. Connect via Zoom to extend Matins with the study of the Scripture readings, great discussion and fellowship time.


PHILOPTOCHOS INVITATION

Please join us as we acknowledge the works of four outstanding women of our community for their devotion to our church, our community, and our chapter. Tune in to Just Fellowship via Zoom to hear about their lives of giving and caring. Wednesday, September 30th 7:00 PM Featuring Nick Fettis on Piano


CRISIS SUPPORT

If you, or anyone you know is in need of Philoptochos Covid support please contact us thru this email or call Alexandra at 619-518-2755.  Your Philoptochos with your support is always ready to help.


OUR AUDIO AND VIDEO ARCHIVES

  • Daily services, reflections and homilies video.
  • Sunday homilies audio.
  • Some Sunday homilies video and archives prior to June 1 2020 audio.

SUPPORT OUR PARISHIONERS BUSINESSES

Remember our parishioners and support them:

Toula Hubbard:  doTerra Essential Oils 
Lauren Poulos:  Poulos Property Management
George Pappas:  Pappas Family Farms 
George Cominos: Hand Made Horse Gear 
Faisal Nimri:  Dametra’s Café 
Munjed Haddad:  Flying Nuts & Gummies
Hix Family:  Epsilon Fine Dining Restaurant
Alexandra Mouzas:  Coldwell Banker Realtor
Anthony Zavitsanos:  A to Z Design/Architect
John Scourkes:  Architect
Jim Wagoner - Wagoner Management Consulting


BAKING GOODS FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS

Our sister Simi Georgalos is baking special Greek pastries for  the next few weeks. Platters of assorted Greek pastry for $25, cheese cakes, and other baked delicacies await your orders.  Contact Simi at: 831-229-3662.

 


FILLO-NTHROPY 2 - VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS!

Saints Peter and Paul Missions Ministry and FILI, Inc. are happy to invite you to another exciting virtual cooking demonstration: Fillo-nthropy 2 - Cooking with Fillo Dough, on Thursday September 24th at 6:00pm PST. 

Meet Sophia, the latest dynamic addition to the team of chefs!  Fillo-nthropy has another treat in store for you!  The holidays are coming and what better way can you prepare than with a make-ahead pumpkin/filo dish.  Join us and cook along with Sophia as she demonstrates the making of “kolokothopita”.  Get tips on how to make it savory as well as vegan.

To purchase tickets:  https://tinyurl.com/CookingWithFilloDough2on9-24 

A virtual Zoom link will be provided upon registration and you will receive the recipe and an ingredient list in advance of the presentation.  Enjoy!  Share! Thanks!

Can't make it but would like to help?  Go to https://www.fili-inc.com/donate. 

Your $15 fee is a tax deductible donation to support the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Orphange in Kolkatta, India.  Sophia Berg is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist of Instagram's @sophiaskouzina.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the 1st Mode

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions 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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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Prayer Requests

   For a rapid end to the fires, for comfort to the victims and their families, eternal rest to those who have perished, and strength to the firefighters and those who bring aid and relief, let us pray to the Lord.

And for the servants of God:

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

   Father Mark Vinas - to continue his recovery.

   Anne Scourkes - for comfort and peace at this time of mourning.

   Sheila (Despina) Doyle-Rickenbacker - for endurance during this time of tremendous suffering.

   Chris (Chrisanthi) Georgalos - for health and comfort when dealing with transition.    

   Mike Kanalakis - for strength and recovery.

   Sophie Britton - for strength and recovery.

   Nick Cominos - for patience and endurance.

   Marie Cominos - for recovery after surgery.

   Eleni Saites - for patience and endurance.

   Jeanny Elliott - for strength.

   Maria Kastros - for strength and endurance.

   Nina and George Kadiev, Nicholas and Annie - George going through many serious health trials.

   Kylie and her family - for health, faith and hope. 

   Bodie Aguirre - for protection during his military service abroad.

   Michael and Kristen - for spiritual strength and unity in Christ. 

For those who are in prisons: Constantine and Sergei.

And for our catechumens: Steven, Paul, Aleksandra, Nicholas, Andrew, Michael, Andrew and Angelina.

In case of emergency, 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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Saints and Feasts

Exaltation
September 20

Sunday after Holy Cross

Eustathi
September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.

Jonah2
September 21

Jonah the Prophet

The Prophet Jonah, the son of Amathi, of the town of Geth-hopher (IV Kings 14:25), was of the tribe of Zabulon; he prophesied during the years 838-810 before Christ. God commanded him to go to Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrians, and to proclaim that its destruction was nigh at hand because of the sins of its people. But he, as a Prophet who knew the great compassion of God, feared that at his preaching the Ninevites would repent; that God, accepting their repentance in His love for man, would not fulfill Jonah' threats; and that he would be branded a false prophet. So he disobeyed the divine command, and boarded a ship and departed elsewhere. Yet, the sudden and fearful sea-storm and the revelation of Jonah' disbedience caused the sailors to cast him into the sea. A great sea-monster appeared straightway by divine providence, and swallowed him up. For three days and nights he was found in its belly and he prayed, saying the words, "I cried aloud in my affliction unto the Lord my God..." (Jonah 2:3, the Sixth ode of the Holy Psalter). The sea-monster then vomited him up on dry land and he again heard God's command. Wherefore, he went and preached, saying, "In three days, Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people became terrified and all repented. The great, the small, babes at the breast, and even the irrational beasts themselves fasted, and thus, having found mercy from God, they were spared His wrath. Jonah' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters, and is placed fifth in order among the twelve minor Prophets. His three-day sojourn in the sea-monster's belly is an image of our Saviour's three-day burial and His life-bringing Resurrection (Matt. 12:39-40). His name means "dove."

Nativitybaptist
September 23

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).

Thecla
September 24

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.

Silouanathos
September 24

Silouan of Athos

Johntheo
September 26

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).

Allsaint
September 25

Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh

Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in Baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled with monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbour, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served with him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monks of Epiphanius, who knew him.

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