Schedule of Services

Note: all our services can be attended online via Zoom and, with the exception of Divine Liturgies and the matins preceding them, on Facebook as well. The Liturgies webcasting ends after the prayers for the catechumens (after the homily).

Friday, October 23 Saint James the Apostle
   8:30am Orthros + Liturgy
Saturday, October 24 Saint Sevastiani
    5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, October 25
    8:30am Matins on the patio
    9:45am Liturgy on the patio
6:00pm Vespers

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

Special Services

The 40-day Memorial Service this Sunday is for the servant of God Gus Scourkes (Constantine). May his memory be eternal!

Upcoming Name Days

This is a new section of our Bulletin. Please let Mary know if your name did not appear here at the time when you celebrate your name day. We would love to correct the unintentional error, should it occur. Also, please contact Father Ion ahead of time for attending the Vespers, Matins and Liturgy for your name day. Finally, if you can bake the Five Loaves for their blessing (Artoklasia), or if you would like to bake them and you do not know how, please contact Father Ion ahead of time.

This coming week, we have a few celebrating their name days:

Brian (Luke) Balcom - Saint Luke the Evangelist - this Sunday, October 18
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos - Saint Gerasimos of Cephalonia, October 20
Jamie Wojtal - Saint James the Apostle, October 23

Happy Name Day! Hronia Polla!

News & Events

THE 34th GREEK FESTIVAL GOES MINI-STYLE

Have you placed your order yet??

We will be having a small version of our Annual Greek Festival on Saturday, November 7. This "mini" festival will have food pickup on Lincoln Street between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Two plate options are offered as well as a la carte individual food items. Visit our website to order your choices and even set a pick up time. Order HERE and extend the invitation to your friends and family.

Save the date and your appetite!

RESCHEDULED PARISH ASSEMBLY

Our Tuesday, October 13, must be rescheduled. We had too few people attending when we needed to make an important decision that effects us all, the approval for the next three year course of our community. It didn't seem right for only a few to decide our whole community's future. We will find a new time when you can engage in sealing and rolling out of our new Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives.

NEW: FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP with a NEW LEADER

The Faith and Fellowship Small Groups ministry has now a new leader, Paige Benton. Paige is one of the newer members of our community. She will prepare and coordinate the meetings and also run one of the small groups.

The small groups will continue to meet every other Wednesday with participants in 6 groups led by Angela, Thimi, Rania, Paul, Mary and Paige.

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

Oct. 21 >> Nov. 4 >> Nov. 18

Please sign up HERE!

NEW: BOOK FORUM with NEW LEADERSHIP

The new Book Forum cycle started with a new ministry leader, Kathy Shaw. Kathy has been a constant participant in the reading group and we are blessed to have her lead.

The current book that the Book Forum discusses is

Icon - A Novel

by Georgia Briggs.

The story opens the reader's eyes to see Christianity in our modern world in a different light. Here is a brief review of this short reading that once started, one can not put down.

Forget your old name. Forget your parents. These are the things Euphrosyne s grandparents and counselor tell her. But if Orthodox Christianity is a lie, why did the icon so dramatically save her life? And what can she do to get the icon back? In a post-Christian America, where going to church, praying, or owning holy things means death, a twelve-year-old girl searches for the truth. Finding it may cost her everything.

Wednesdays, from 10am - right after the service.

The next meeting is October 21, prepare Chapter 2 & 3. Zoom in at the known link. Order your copy on Amazon.com here.

NEW: HIGH SCOOLERS' BOOK FORUM

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 are reading 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, October 20: read through page 42.

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.

UPCOMING BAPTISM

We are preparing with great anticipation and joy for the baptism of Steve Shaw on November 8. The service will take place before the Divine Liturgy and it will be a blessing for us to attend and participate in.

CREATING A CULTURE OF TRUE STEWARDSHIP

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

Watch the previous sessions' recordings here.

Session 5 • October 27, 2020, 6:30pm will consist of Questions and Answers

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.

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)."

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

Father Mark Vinas - to continue his recovery.

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

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

Sophie Britton - for strength and recovery.

Nick Cominos - for patience and endurance.

Marie Cominos - for strength and recovery.

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, Michael, 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.

Church Attendance

REMINDER OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AT CHURCH

Please follow the church attendance protocols:

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, please listen to the ushers.
ONCE SEATED, STAY THERE - If one moves, someone has to follow to wipe the chairs down. Please 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? Where should I sit to be in shade the whole service? They will help you.
PLEASE DON'T KISS THE ICONS - even if you are wearing a mask. It requires someone to follow you and wipe down the icons.

Thank 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 hear confessions at the church. Please contact him directly for an appointment.

HOW TO ATTEND ONLINE

Most of our services and meetings are available online.

Attend remotely:

Zoom with video here.
On our Facebook page, except for Divine Liturgies and the Matins that preceed them.
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.

Saints and Feasts

October 18

Saint Luke the Evangelist

This Apostle was an Antiochean, a physician by trade, and a disciple and companion of Paul. He wrote his Gospel in Greek after Matthew and Mark, after which he wrote the Acts of the Apostles, and dedicated both works to Theophilus, who, according to some, was Governor of Achaia. He lived some eighty-six years and died in Achaia, perhaps in Patras, the capital of this district. His emblem is the calf, the third symbolical beast mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), which is a symbol of Christ's sacrificial and priestly office, as Saint Irenaeus says.

October 19

Saint John of Rilas

Saint John of Rilas founded the renowned monastery of that name in Bulgaria in the tenth century. Over the centuries, great and wondrous healings have flowed from his holy relics.

October 19

Saint John the Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Saint John of Kronstadt was a married priest, who lived with his wife in virginity. Through his untiring labours in his priestly duties and love for the poor and sinners, he was granted by our Lord great gifts of clairvoyance and miracle-working, to such a degree that in the last years of his life miracles of healing--both of body and soul--were performed countless times each day through his prayers, often for people who had only written to him asking his help. During his lifetime he was known throughout Russia, as well as in the Western world. He has left us his diary My Life in Christ as a spiritual treasure for Christians of every age; simple in language, it expounds the deepest mysteries of our Faith with that wisdom which is given only to a heart purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Foreseeing as a true prophet the Revolution of 1917, he unsparingly rebuked the growing apostasy among the people; he foretold that the very name of Russia would be changed. As the darkness of unbelief grew thicker, he shone forth as a beacon of unquenchable piety, comforting the faithful through the many miracles that he worked and the fatherly love and simplicity with which he received all. Saint John reposed in peace in 1908.

October 20

Saint Gerasimus of Cephalonia

Saint Gerasimus was from the Peloponnesus, the son of Demetrius and Kale, of the family of Notaras. He was reared in piety by them and studied the Sacred writings. He left his country and went throughout various lands, and finally came to Cephalonia, where he restored a certain old church and built a convent around it, where it stands to this day at the place called Omala. He finished the course of his life there in asceticism in the year 1570. His sacred relics, which remain incorrupt, are kept there for the sanctification of the faithful.

October 23

Saint James (Iakovos) the Apostle, brother of Our Lord

According to some, this Saint was a son of Joseph the Betrothed, born of the wife that the latter had before he was betrothed to the Ever-virgin. Hence he was the brother of the Lord, Who was also thought to be the son of Joseph (Matt. 13: 55). But some say that he was a nephew of Joseph, and the son of his brother Cleopas, who was also called Alphaeus and Mary his wife, who was the first cousin of the Theotokos. But even according to this genealogy, he was still called, according to the idiom of the Scriptures, the Lord's brother because of their kinship.

This Iakovos is called the Less (Mark 15:40) by the Evangelists to distinguish him from Iakovos, the son of Zebedee, who was called the Great. He became the first Bishop of Jerusalem, elevated to this episcopal rank by the Apostles, according to Eusebius (Eccl. Hist., Book II: 23), and was called Obliah, that is, the Just, because of his great holiness and righteousness. Having ascended the crest of the Temple on the day of the Passover at the prompting of all, he bore testimony from there concerning his belief in Jesus, and he proclaimed with a great voice that Jesus sits at the right hand of the great power of God and shall come again upon the clouds of heaven. On hearing this testimony, many of those present cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David." But the Scribes and Pharisees cried, "So, even the just one hath been led astray," and at the command of Ananias the high priest, the Apostle was cast down headlong from thence, then was stoned, and while he prayed for his slayers, his head was crushed by the wooden club wielded by a certain scribe. The first of the Catholic (General) Epistles written to the Jews in the Diaspora who believed in Christ was written by this Iakovos.

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 Luke the Evangelist in the 3rd Mode

O holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses.

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.

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. Plagal 4th Mode. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18.

Brethren, conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. Tychicos will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimos, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place. Aristarchos my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions if he comes to you, receive him), and Jesus who is called Justos. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippos, "See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord." I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Luke the Evangelist
The Reading is from Luke 10:16-21

The Lord said to his disciples, "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will."

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