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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-08-22
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Calmstorm
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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: week-day services are posted on Zoom.   

Saturday, August 21
    5:00pm  Vespers - Zoom only
Sunday, August 22  -  9th Sunday of Matthew
    8:30am  Matins
    9:45am  Liturgy
Monday, August 23
    9:00am  Matins - Church University - Zoom only
Tuesday, August 24
    9:00am  Matins - Church University - Zoom only
Wednesday, August 25
    9:00am  Matins - Church University - Zoom only
    10:00am  Book Forum - Zoom only
    6:00pm  Paraklesis - Zoom only
Thursday, August 26
    9:00am  Matins - Church University - Zoom only
Friday, August 27
    8:30am  Festival Setup
    9:00am  Matins - Church University - Zoom only
Saturday, August 28
    5:00pm  Vespers
Sunday, August 29   Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
    8:30am  Matins
    9:45am  Liturgy

   12:00pm  Catechism Class

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

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Greek Festival News

FESTIVAL CANCELLATION

The Monterey Bay Greek Festival planned for August 28 & 29 has been cancelled. The significant attention placed on the Delta Virus has heightened concerns in many volunteers who make this Festival successful. We have reached a point where there are too few volunteers to accomplish all the many facets needed for this wonderful event. This includes early preparation, set up and take down, as well as staffing the many popular food venues. It is with reluctance we announce this cancellation.  

We are mindful of the great benefit the Festival offers in reaching out to the larger community and sharing our rich heritage, traditions and our bountiful, multi-cultural, and sacramental life.  

We are grateful of the many blessings God has provided us and continue to seek transformation in Jesus Christ and to bring others to Christ. 

 


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News & Events

WELCOME FATHER NICHOLAS AND PRESBYTERA DENA

This Sunday's Matins and Liturgy will be served by Father Nicholas Mueller who will be visiting with us from the Cathedral in Oakland. Father Nicholas and Presbytera Dena have a one-year old son, Symeon. Welcome to our parish! We are very thankful for coming down to Carmel!


AUGUST 29: THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

This year we are blessed to have the feast of the Beheading of the Forerunner on a Sunday - August 29. Commemorating the great atrocity of the beheading, we are always invited to observe the feast by means of fasting as much as we can, even though it will be on a Sunday.


NEW: FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP FALL 2021 SESSION

A ministry led by Paige Benton

The small groups Faith and Fellowship will resume in September. We will again be meeting from 7pm, after the Paraklesis, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month via Zoom and, for those who desire, in person as well.

Characters of the Old Testament

September 8 - God's Greatest Dream - Genesis 1
September 22 - Abraham Answers God's Call - Genesis 12
October 13 - Abraham's Great Test - Genesis 22
October 27 - Jacob, "The Deceiver" - Genesis 27
November 10 - Moses Seeks Justice - Exodus 2
November 17 - The Exodus from Egypt - Exodus 12

Please SIGN UP HERE:

Adult Education


NEW: BOOK FORUM: BIG IN HEAVEN

A ministry lead by Kathy Shaw

Our book forum is discussing Big in Heaven: A Collection of Stories About Life in an American Orthodox Parish.  There are still a few copies available at the bookstore.

These stories begin to paint a new kind of Icon, that of a truly American Orthodox Christian, of regular people simply trying to be or tragically rejecting being regular human beings, the kind of people perhaps never even imagined by most American readers. . . . The stories break the mold of what a religious or non-religious story ought to be. They are not moralistic, nor are they irreverent in their honest portrayal of the realities of life in the Church. Rather they are just good, honest stories, and in being this they are sacramental, conveying and holding together elements of life that are seemingly disparate. (from the Foreword) Sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes convicting, these stories of life in an inner-city immigrant Orthodox parish are guaranteed to shake your assumptions and make you see your life and faith in a new way. They are not for the faint of heart but they are very much for all who want to embrace the truth more fully.

Join the Book Forum on Wednesdays from 11am, right after the daily Matins service.

Our next meeting on Wednesday, AUGUST 25
Meeting time: from 10am, right after Matins/ Church University.
To prepare: Please read the pages 42-83.

  Zoom in at the known link.

Adult Education, Community


NEW: A JOURNEY TO FULLNESS BACK IN SEPTEMBER

A ministry led by Angela Wagoner

JOURNEY TO FULLNESS: An Introduction to the Fullness of the Original Christian Faith -

The Journey to Fullness presentations and small groups discussions will meet again starting September 13 to continue with Part 13 - Salvation as Participation.

Education


SUNDAY CATECHISM CLASSES

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The Catechism Class will take place on August 29 from 8pm via Zoom. The topic will be The Divine Liturgy - Part 1. Please pray for our catechumens: Angelina, Mikael, Jenel, Justin and Arthur.

Education


THE CHURCH UNIVERSITY: DAILY SERVICE, PRAYER and REFLECTIONS

A ministry led by Father Ion

Every weekday morning, the Church University will offer the daily Zoom webcasting from Saint Nektarios Chapel with the short Matins Services. At the end of the service Father Ion offers a reflection, 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.

Worship and Education


SERVING THESE SUNDAYS

A ministry led by Angelina Ruiz

We are thankful to Corkey for coordinating the Fellowship ministry for many years. Obviously, with moving out of the area, Corkey will not be able to serve as needed. However, we have been blessed to have Angelina step up and lead. Angelina will communicate with all of us regularly to enable us to serve in the Fellowship ministry, a pivotal part of our community.

Serving these coming Sundays in church and at the fellowship hour following Liturgy: 

August 22 
   Parish Council: Mary Kanalakis
   Welcoming: Angela Wagoner
   Fellowship Gratitude Luncheon: Team 4 (Green) 4th Sunday of the month

August 29
  Parish Council: Thimi Saites
  Welcoming: Mary Kanalakis

  Fellowship Gratitude Luncheon: All Teams contribute - the 5th Sunday and our feast day. A day of fasting, but oil and wine are allowed.

Community


ONLINE RESOURCES from THE COVID ERA

Most of our services and meetings are available online.
Witness remotely:
  1. Zoom with video here.
  2. By phone dial - add the following string to your address book: +16699006833,,9475885646#,,1#,April2020#
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).
• Please note that our Metropolis requests compliance with the CDC regulations. This means parishioners who are not vaccinated wear masks for their own protection. It is also recommended for those who are vaccinated. Please respect the comfort level of those around you by keeping reasonable distance.
• The fellowship hour will continue as usual both inside and outside.
Lighting Candles remotely is possible through our Light a Candle website. Click this link: Light a Candle


OUR AUDIO AND VIDEO ARCHIVES

The Audio/Video Ministry is led by Hussam Ibrahim

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

Organization and Leadership 


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Stewardship News

STEWARDS OF 2021

A Ministry Led by Mary Kanalakis

We are half way through the year. Please take a look at your Stewardship giving. It may need updating or improving as we move back into regular activities. Open your Stewardship account in Breeze here: BREEZE LOGIN

Many thanks to our 2021 Stewards.69 families or individuals are now stewards. And thank you to the 16 (23%) of these families who have committed to percent giving. It is such a blessing for these families to lead us on the path to becoming a tithing parish.

Our pledged total so far is $132,388, or 82% of our budget goal. We are four fifths of the way there.

If you have not yet completed a 2021 pledge card, please complete the Stewardship Card ONLINE!! Just Click: I WANT TO SIGN UP NOW!

Living the Gospel


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Prayer Requests

Lord, Bless, strengthen, and guard, by Your grace, all those who, with love for humankind and a spirit of sacrifice, care for the sick in their homes or in hospitals.

We pray for the servants of God:

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

   Michael Borgeson -   for health and quick recovery after surgery.

   Marlyn Anton - for comfort after losing her beloved husband, John.

   Chris (Chrisanthi) Georgalos for health, recovery, and endurance.

   Sheila (Despina) Doyle-Rickenbacher - for health, recovery, and endurance.  

   Sophie Britton - for strength and recovery.

   Eleni Saites - for patience and endurance.

   Maria Kastros - for strength and endurance.

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

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

For those who are in prisons: Constantine and Sergei.

And for our catechumens: Jenel, Mikael, Angelina, Arthur and Justin.

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

Calmstorm
August 22

9th Sunday of Matthew


Irenaeus
August 23

Our Holy Father Ireneaus, Bishop of Lyons

The Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor about the year 120, and in his youth was a disciple of Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Saint Irenaeus was sent to Lyons in Gaul, to be a fellow labourer of Pothinus, Bishop of Lyons (celebrated June 2), who had also been a disciple Saint Polycarp. After the martyrdom of Saint Pothinus, Saint Irenaeus succeeded him as Bishop of Lyons. Besides the assaults of paganism, Irenaeus found himself compelled to do battle with many Gnostic heresies, against which he wrote his greatest work, A Refutation and Overthrow of Knowledge Falsely So Called . He was also a peace-maker within the Church. When Victor, Bishop of Rome, was prepared to excommunicate the Christians of Asia Minor for following a different tradition celebrating Pascha, Irenaeus persuaded him to moderate his zeal, and mediated peace. He made Lyons an illustrious bastion of Orthodoxy and a school of piety, and sealed his confession with martyrdom about the year 202, during the reign of Septimius Severus. He is not to be confused with Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium, also celebrated today, who was beheaded and cast into a river in 304 under Diocletian.


Allsaint
August 26

Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir

In all probability, the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir was painted in Constantinople. In the twelfth century, Patriarch Luke Chrysoberges sent it to Kiev to Great Prince Yuri Dolgruky. The icon was kept in the convent at Vyshgorod, whence the holy Prince Andrew of Bogoliubovo brought it to Vladimir. The icon is one of the most venerated in Russia, having been carried by princes in military campaigns, prayed before by rulers for the welfare of the people, and flocked to by the faithful of all walks of life. At the election of the metropolitans and patriarchs, the names of the candidates were placed before this holy icon, and after prayer, the lot chosen; Patriarch Tikhon the Confessor was elected this way. The icon is celebrated also on June 23 and May 21, the last feast being established to commemorate the deliverance of Moscow in 1521 from the onslaught of the Tartar Khan Makhmet-Girei.


Allsaint
August 27

Pimen the Great

Saint Pimen was from Egypt and shone forth in the ascetical life in Scete in the fourth century; he was renowned for his discretion. Many of his sayings and deeds are preserved in the Paradise of the Fathers and the Sayings of the Fathers.


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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. Plagal 4th Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.


Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.


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