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
Note: With the exception of the Sunday Divilne Liturgy which takes place outside, all our services can be viewed online via Zoom or Facebook.
Saturday, September 26 Falling Asleep of Saint John the Theologian
5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, September 27
8:30am Matins
9:45am Liturgy
Monday, September 28
9:00am Matins
Tuesday, September 29 Saint Kyriakos of Palestine
8:30am Orthros + Liturgy
Wednesday, September 30
9:00am Matrins
10:00am Book Forum: Time and Despondency - Chapter 7
6:00pm Paraklesis
7:00pm Just Fellowship + Philoptochos Awards
Thursday, October 1
9:00am Matins
Friday, October 2
9:00am Matins
Saturday, October 3
5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, October 4
8:30am Matins
9:45am Liturgy (outside, on the patio)
See the whole calendar at http://www.stjohn-monterey.org/parish-calendar
Starting this Sunday, only the Matins service will be webcasted (from the chapel). The Doxology and the Divine Liturgy will take place outside, on the patio, without webcasting. We are so blessed to be able to worship together, to participate in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist and to have some fellowship time after the liturgy! The week-day services from the chapel, including the liturgies, will continue to be available online.
Please follow the church attendance protocols:
Thank you!
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!
Father Ion can have confessions at the church. Please contact him directly for an appointment.ar
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.
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. At the paraklesis service preceding the event, we will be praying for all the living Philoptochos members of our chapter.
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):
Oct. 7 >> Oct. 21 >> Nov. 4 >> Nov. 18
Please sign up HERE!
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)
Watch the previous sessions' recordings 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.
The High School children of our community and from anywhere under the sun are invited to join in reading and discussing books that edify and strengthen the Orthodox faith. The group and the discussions are led by Father Ion. The first book we will read is Crazy John by Dionysios Makris. The group meets on Tuesdays from 4 pm via Zoom. If interested, please sign up with Father Ion.
For Tuesday, September 29: read through page 32.
"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 30
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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 Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10.
Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
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.
These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.
This Saint was born in Corinth in 448. He went to Palestine to the Lavra of Euthymius the Great, but because of his youth was sent by Saint Euthymius to Saint Gerasimus; after the death of Saint Gerasimus he returned to the Lavra of Saint Euthymius. Later he took on a more rigorous life of asceticism in the wilderness of Natoufa, where there was nothing to eat except the exceedingly bitter wild herb called squills, which, however, through his prayers, God made sweet for him and his disciple. He lived 107 years and reposed in the year 555.
The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
In the Greek tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 28, while in the Slavic tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 1.
Saint Romanos flourished during the reign of Anastasius (491-518). He was from Emesa of Syria, and apparently was born of Jewish parents, for a hymn written in his honour in Greek says he was "of Hebrew stock," and it has furthermore been noted that he uses many Semitic idioms in his writings. He was baptized an Orthodox Christian, and at some time became a deacon in the Church of Beirut. He was the first composer of the kontakia, the foremost of which is that of the feast of Christ's Nativity, On this day the Virgin .... In composing many of his kontakia. Saint Romanos was inspired by the hymns of Saint Ephraim of Syria.
This Saint was from Athens, a learned man, and a member of the famous judicial court of Mars Hill (in Greek Aeros Pagos, hence the name Areopagite (see Acts 17:19-34). When Saint Paul preached in Athens, he was one of the first there to believe in Christ, and, according to some, became the first bishop of that city. Others say -- and this may be more probable--that he was the second Bishop of Athens, after Saint Hierotheus, whom Dionysios calls his friend and teacher "after Paul" (On the Divine Names, 3:2). With Saint Hierotheus he was also present at the Dormition of the most holy Theotokos; the Doxasticon of the Aposticha for the service of the Dormition is partly taken from a passage in Chapter III of On the Divine Names. According to ancient tradition, he received a martyr's end (according to some, in Athens itself) about the year 96.
Saint Justina who was from Damascus, lived in virginity for the sake of Christ. Saint Cyprian, who was from Antioch, began as an initiate of magic and worshipper of the demons. A certain foolish young man who had been smitten with Justina's beauty hired Cyprian to draw her to love him; when Cyprian had wed every demonic device he knew, and had failed, being repulsed by the power of Christ Whom Justina invoked, he understood the weakness of the demons and came to know the truth. Delivered from demonic delusion, he came to Christ and burned all his books of magic, was baptized, and later ascended the episcopal throne in his country. Later, he and Justina were arrested by the Count of Damascus, and having endured many torments at his hands, they were sent finally to Diocletian in Nicomedia, where they were beheaded about the year 304.