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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-10-25
Bulletin Contents
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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, CA 93921


Contact Information




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: 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.

Saturday, October 24
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, October 25
    8:30am  Matins on the patio
    9:45am  Liturgy on the patio
    6:00pm  Vespers
Monday, October 26  Saint Demetrios
    8:30am  Orthros + Liturgy
    9:00am  Matins
Tuesday, October 27
    9:00am  Matins
    6:00pm  Vespers
Wednesday, October 28  Protection of the Theotokos + OXI Day
    9:00am  Matins
    6:00pm  Paraklesis
Thursday, October 29
    9:00am  Matins
Friday, October 30
    9:00am  Matins
Saturday, October 31
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, November 1  Saints Cosmas and Damianos
    8:00am  Matins on the patio
    9:00am  Liturgy on the patio


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

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Special Services

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

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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:

  • Dimitrios Hoularis - Saint Dimitrios - this Monday, October 26
  • Jim Wagoner - Saint Dimitrios - this Monday, October 26
  • Jim Deamant - Saint Dimitrios - this Monday, October 26
  • Demetrius Kastros - Saint Dimitrios - this Monday, October 26
  • Dimitrios Kanavaris, now in Greece - Saint Dimitrios - this Monday, October 26

Happy Name Day! Hronia Polla!

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News & Events

THE 34th GREEK FESTIVAL GOES MINI-STYLE

Have you placed your order yet??

Orders have been pouring in. What a great way to enjoy a bountiful Greek Meal while also support Saint Johns. Don't be left out. 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. Get your order in NOW!.  

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
10 AM TO 4 PM
PICK UP ONLY - At All Saints Episcopal Church driveway (on Lincoln) near the corner of Lincoln and 9th, Carmel-by-the-Sea.
An attendant at street level will get your name and bring your order directly to your car. You can select a time for pick up at the web site below.  
All meals require heating. 
 
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO START YOUR FESTIVAL CULINARY EXPERIENCE! 

 Order HERE and extend the invitation to your friends and family.

Save the date and your appetite!



RESCHEDULED PARISH ASSEMBLY

NEW DATE......

Our Parish Assembly was rescheduled to accommodate as many people as possible. We had too few people attending the last attempt to vote on our new Mission and Vision - an important decision that effects us all. Our 5-year plan created, well, 5 years ago, is coming to an end and is no long adequate. We have moved, grown, changed in many ways. It is time for approving the next three year course of our community. And it didn't seem right for only a few to decide our whole community's future.

Parish Assembly Review of
Vision, Mission and Strategic Objections for
Saint John the Baptist Church
MONDAY, October, 26 at 7:00pm

Join us. Become engaged in your parish. Your voice is needed so that we can seal and roll out our new Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives


STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

It’s time to take a serious look at your Stewardship for 2020. Soon Donation Statements will be sent out, and you are encouraged to take a very hard look at it. Our total pledge commitment so far is $110,500. However, as of the end of September, in the final quarter of the year, only 61% of that pledged has been given. That means $43,090 still needs to be given to meet that pledged commitment. Worse it also means $61,407 is needed to reach our budgeted Stewardship Goal, which was $152,000. What’s even more problematic is that our Festival, which makes up the difference between the Stewardship Goal and meeting our annual costs has vanished. So we have, total, a $111,407 gap!!! And that is why the many recent request letters you received to donate to the “No Festival” fund.

If you made a pledge to God for 2020 Stewardship, thank you and God bless you. As Christians, we are directed to be good stewards. But how is that progressing? Will you be able to meet your pledged commitment by the end of the year? What if you could increase that pledge. If you need to talk about your commitment, please call Father Ion, or the Stewardship Chair or co-chair: Jacob Voyce or Mary Kanalakis.

If you give regularly to Saint John’s, thank you so much. Please think about the gifts God has given you in this life. Is it possible you would consider increasing that amount? It is not too late to make a pledge commitment for 2020.

We have heard there will be parishes that cannot sustain through this pandemic and will close their doors. But we are determined NOT to be one of them. Our faith is strong. Our ministries are engaging. Our God is great! There is much more we need to do, so let's continue God's work with our talents, actions, support, and prayers. 


MODIFIED SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Our schedule for Sunday, November 1 will be modified to allow All Saints Church to hold a special event outside for their feast day. Matins will begin at 8am sharp, and the Liturgy at 9am, to finish by 10:30am.

Also remember that Daylight Savings ends on November 1. Clocks will be moved back one hour.


FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

The Faith and Fellowship Small Groups ministry is being led by Paige Benton. Paige is one of the newer members of our community. She is preparing and coordinating the meetings and will 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):

Nov. 4 >> Nov. 18

Never too late to start! Please sign up HERE!


BOOK FORUM

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 28. Please prepare Chapter 4 and 5. 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 27: 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.

 


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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)."

   Nick Cominos - approaching end of life.

   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.

   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.

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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 some 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:
  1. Zoom with video here.
  2. On our Facebook page, except for Divine Liturgies and the Matins that preceed them.
  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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Saints and Feasts

Tabitha
October 25

Saint Tabitha, who was raised from the dead by Peter the Apostle


Demetrio
October 26

The Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer

Saint Demetrius was a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, aquaintance of Demetrius', came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetrius, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrius was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.


Agiaskepi
October 28

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

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.


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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 Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius 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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Kontakion for the Fallen Asleep

Remember, O Lord, as good, your servants, and forgive whatever sins in life they committed, for no one is without sin, except you the Mighty One; and grant rest to them who have been removed from among us.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 3rd Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.


Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:26-39

At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.


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