Friday, June 5, 2015
Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church – Pasadena, CA
5:30 p.m. Small Paraklesis Service

Saturday, June 6, 2015
Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church – Pasadena, CA
9:30 a.m. National Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

Sunday, June 7, 2015
Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church – Pasadena, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Sunday, June 14, 2015 
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – Sacramento, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
12:00 noon Ground-Breaking Service

Saturday, June 20 2015
Our Greek Village Summer Immersion Camp
Saint Nichols Ranch and Retreat Center – Dunlap, CA
 
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring – Dunlap, CA
6:30 a.m. Orthros
8:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Saint John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery – Goldendale, WA
6:00 p.m. Great Vespers

Wedsday, June 24, 2015
Saint John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery – Goldendale, WA
8:00 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist
 
Saturday, June27, 2015
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church – Las Vegas, CA
5:30 p.m. Great Vespers
7:00 p.m. Metropolis Church Music Federation Awards Banquet

Sunday, June 28, 2015
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church - Las Vegas, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 

Tuesday, June 30, 2015
City Hall – San Francisco, CA
7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies of AHEPA Supreme Convention

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35
 
It is very comforting to know and contemplate, in our hearts within our limited capabilities, how much our Lord loves us.  Having just completed the Paschal Season in May, we confirmed this immense and most generous love for us time and time again, that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has defeated death by His Death.  For we have proclaimed in the present tense: “Christ is Risen!  Truly He is Risen!” This love is, indeed, an ever-present reality!
 
I often find myself repeating in my sermons, in my own limited capabilities, the magnificence of His Love for all of humanity:  that in His Love He has condescended to take on our human flesh, to be baptized in the Jordan giving us the means for salvation, suffered and endured scourging, mocking and having been spat upon, dying on the Cross, descending into Hades freeing us from its bonds and ultimately defeating death, mankind’s worst enemy, through His Glorious Resurrection.  All these actions of love our Lord has done for our sake never cease to amaze and never grow old for me.
 
Besides all these attributes of the Lord we accept in faith, the Lord knows every human being that lives and who has lived on the earth throughout the ages, intimately and to the fullest extent.  Whenever I visit Japan and enter the massive train stations there, I get a glimpse and have time to reflect on this fact as I watch the masses of people passing by, each unique in his or her own special way.  I see the image of God in each of these people, and come to the realization that there are vast open fields of opportunities for souls to be touched by the love of Christ.
 
So how do we respond to this love that is so richly poured upon us all?  Our Lord Himself tells us how in the Gospel just quoted above.  The answer is to simply love one another in the same way the Lord loves us.  In other words, we are to imitate the Master Himself as our role model in that He is the Way, the Life and the Truth!  We are called to be Christ-bearers to the people around us by sharing His love that He so richly shows us.
 
We are challenged to incarnate and incorporate this type of love in our daily lives and impart it to those we encounter.  We are given innumerable opportunities to love others in imitation of our Lord at many different levels.  From the very basic level, we can simply show our love to others through small acts of kindness and mercy.  From the days of my youth, I experienced this type of love.  I specifically remember when I first came to Orthodoxy.  Having been a new comer to the Orthodox Church, I experienced the magnificence of the Church’s worship.  The authentic nature of the prayers in the services, which encompasses the experiences of all the senses of the body and soul, left lasting impressions on my life. 
 
Along with the beauty of the services, there were also the experiences in encountering the members of the Body of Christ, His Church.  The priest was an excellent example through his pastoral leadership, wisdom, love, sternness and guidance as a Spiritual Father.  The Faithful Christians of the community where I first experienced the Orthodox Christian Faith, showed their genuine love and warm hospitality to me and my family.  We were welcomed into their homes and into their lives as if we have always been part of their family.
 
As a Presbyter of the Church, my primary role and responsibility is to love my flock entrusted to me. To love my flock carries with it very heavy, broad responsibilities to guide and shepherd them.  It seems overwhelming so many times!  We as priests want to minister and serve our people most effectively, but face challenges most especially with our own shortcomings (I speak for myself most especially).  Our Metropolis of San Francisco is pioneering a tool to help us to love and minister to one another more effectively.  It is called “Parish Strategic Planning.” 
 
When I first heard of this program two years ago, I was overwhelmed with the immensity of it.  What…37 steps?!  But hearing about and looking at the plan, itself, over the course of the past year and this year and listening and joining in on a teleconference call, I am excited to say I am very optimistic about this and see so many benefits.  It enables us to ask ourselves many questions, such as:  Who are we as the Church?  What is our mission?  What is our vision?  Where do we want to go?  Do we have a plan?  What type of programs will benefit all our communities?  It also is a tool to help us work together in our parishes, entire Metropolis, Archdiocese and World-wide Orthodox Church as an organic whole.
 
I believe the Parish Strategic Planning will enable us, through the Grace of the Holy Spirit, to work effectively as members of the Body of Christ and to work in harmony and love to “commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.”  By our concerted efforts, by the Grace of God, we will know that we are, indeed, the Lord’s Disciples of His Love. 

Saturday, May 9, 2015
Metropolis Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, Dunlap, CA

Sunday, May 10, 2015
Saint George Greek Orthodox Church – Fresno, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Friday, May 15, 2015
Presidential Scholarship Dinner Honoring Reverend Nicholas C. Triantafilou
Hellenic College - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Brookline, MA

Saturday, May 16, 2015 
Commencement Ceremonies
Hellenic College - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Brookline, MA

Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church – Castro Valley, CA
6:00 p.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Leave-Taking of Pascha

Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral – Oakland, CA
6:00 p.m. Ninth Hour of Pascha
7:00 p.m. Great Vespers for the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Thursday, May 21, 2015
Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral – Oakland, CA
9:00 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Sunday, May 24, 2015
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church – Vallejo, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, May 27 – Friday, May 29, 2015
Archdiocesan Council Meeting
St. Francis Hotel – San Francisco, CA

Saturday, May 30, 2015
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church – Camarillo, CA
5:00 p.m. Great Vespers / Thyranoixia of Agape Center

Sunday, May 31, 2015
Feast of Pentecost
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church – Camarillo, CA
9:00 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy followed by Great Vespers of the Feast of Pentecost (Kneeling Service)

Christ is Risen!

The streets of Skid Row in Los Angeles would scarcely seem a likely place to get in touch with one’s humanity. Broken hearts and shattered dreams of once self-sufficient, perhaps even powerful, men and woman stare out through vacant eyes and blank expressions in the souls one encounters here. Listening to one man after the next relate the story of his “fall from grace” in matter-of-fact tones, as if merely telling the story of another, the fragility of status and position cuts much too close to home. “Surely, I could never end up in such a place as this?” is the thought that creeps in uninvited.

How then does one correlate this grim visage of beleaguered humanity with Prince Hamlet’s optimistic (albeit sarcastic!) assessment (Act 2, Scene 2) “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an Angel! In apprehension how like a god, the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!”

The 82nd Psalm would surely agree; “I have said that you are gods and all of you sons of the most high…” (if only the verse ended here, but it continues) “…nevertheless you will die like men and fall as one of the princes.” And it is into this pitiable state that the Son of God appeared to salvage even from the very dregs of human wretchedness our sin-battered image and to restore it to the glory He intended for us when He first made us.

The Feast of the Ascension of Christ generally passes little observed and virtually unremarked in parish life today. Few working men and women can afford the luxury of attending this Thursday morning service, and so by degrees the divine potency of the message of this feast loses its resonance within us; and this at a time when it is most urgently needed.

Not content “merely” to appear to wear our broken humanity; not content “merely” to live and move among us, to become “an object of our senses” as the great Athanasius would write; not content “merely” to pour out His life on the wood of the Cross, accepting the very worst form of torture and death then devised; and not content “merely” to harrow Hades, to lead captivity captive and to burst forth in His Resurrected Glory on the 3rd day, Jesus Christ does one more thing to seal His awesome victory!

He ascends into the Heavens still robed in our once-corrupted but now-glorified humanity to resume His place at the right hand of the Father. From the very precipice of the abyss of non-being, even from the mean streets of Skid Row, to the Throne of Glory, Christ has redeemed us! “You have left nothing undone until brought us to heaven and granted us your future Kingdom.”

Prince Hamlet spoils his assessment in the next line “and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust?” Thanks be to almighty God that He has raised us from the dust through His Son, Jesus Christ, whose glorious Ascension we venerate in this holy season!

1933 - 2015

It is with joyful sorrow that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Deacon Demetrios Diakos who fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, April 18, 2015. He had suffered from many health ailments over the years, but maintained his faith and always accepted these challenges with courage and love for Jesus Christ. Deacon Demetrios is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Diakonissa Aspasia, daughter Mary, son Paul, and grandchildren Alexandra and Demetrios.

“I will always remember Deacon Demetrios for his unwavering faith in the face of adversity, and for his kind and gentle spirit,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “While there were many obstacles placed before him in this worldly life, he remained strong and confident, always accepting the Lord’s will. Deacon Demetrios is now at peace with the Lord, and is at last free from the limitations of his earthly body.”

The early years in Deacon Demetrios’ life in Greece were turbulent. He was surrounded by war, crime, hunger, disease and suffering. He persevered through all of this and it contributed to his strong character which remained with him until his last breath. He never forgot his humble roots, and worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family so they would not carry these same burdens he did as a child. Following his service in the Greek Royal Air Force he immigrated to Canada where he met and married his wife, Aspasia. Following the birth of their daughter, Mary, they moved to New Jersey, which would become the beginning of their new life in the United States of America.

For both health and career reasons, Deacon Demetrios moved to California in 1964 and lived in the bay area, attending parishes in Belmont and San Jose. While living in San Mateo, their second child, a son Paul, was born. Deacon Demetrios’ primary employment was with National Semiconductor, from which he retired in 1997.

Throughout his life, Deacon Demetrios was always involved with church, teaching Greek School, leading Bible Studies, and attending services regularly with his family. Eager to help spread the Orthodox faith, Deacon Demetrios and his family worked to establish the Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose to serve the growing needs of the area. His zeal for the Lord brought him forth as a candidate for the Holy Diaconate to then-Bishop Anthony, of blessed memory, who ordained Deacon Demetrios to the Holy Diaconate in 1989. He faithfully served the communities of Saint Nicholas and Saint Basil in San Jose until 2007, at which time he retired due to his failing health, which included the amputation of both his legs.

Services for Deacon Demetrios Diakos will be held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA. The Trisagion service is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. On Friday, April 24, Orthros and Liturgy will begin at 7:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 9:00 a.m., presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, followed by the Makaria luncheon at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

We pray that the Lord will grant His servant, Deacon Demetrios, everlasting rest among the righteous. May his memory be eternal!

CLA 60-Day Notice 2015

CLA Registration Form 2015

CLA Agenda 2015

The clergy and lay leaders of the Metropolis of San Francisco will have the opportunity to come together at the 2015 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly to be held on April 27 – 28, 2015 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. The Assembly will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27 and will conclude by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28.

The theme for this year’s Clergy-Laity Assembly is “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3. Mr. Steve Tibbs and Mr. Gerry Kamilos, who have been serving as the Metropolis Strategic Plan Program Managers, will make a presentation on the current implementation phase of the plan. There will also be a special presentation by the Rev. Fr. Christopher Metropulos, Dmin, Pastor of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Network, (O.C.N.), entitled, “The Digital Media / The Great Commission: Can They Intersect for the Good of the Faithful?”  This year also marks the ten-year Anniversary of the falling asleep of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory. We shall honor his pioneering vision for the Metropolis of San Francisco and explain how his legacy is being carried on through the work of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the Strategic Plan.

All clergy, parish council presidents and delegates must register by Monday, April 20, at 5:00 p.m. Please visit www.sanfran.goarch.org/CLA to register now!

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

Dearly Beloved,

Today we rejoice because the Lord has set us free. In His Resurrection, death and its hold over mankind has been defeated. As we see in the icon of the Resurrection, Christ lifts Adam and Eve out of their tombs and through them lifts all of us from the bonds of corruption. The doors of Hades have been broken forever and death himself has been bound, rendered powerless before the omnipotent God. As Moses led the Hebrew people from slavery and death in Egypt to life in the Promised Land, Christ has led us from the tyranny of death and corruption into a new reality of life with God. As we hear in the praises of Pascha, “Paradise has been opened for us.”

We have labored throughout our Lenten journey to bring us to this point. We have observed the practices and ascetic disciplines of our Tradition so that we would be prepared physically, intellectually, and spirituality for this moment. We have spent Holy Week sharing in the Passion of the Lord so that we might enter that blessed and empty Tomb and bear witness to the reality that, “He is not here. He is risen” (Matthew 28.5).  To paraphrase St. Epiphanius of Cyprus, the sixth century father of our Church, we have descended with Him so that we may rejoice together.

And so, my beloved sisters and brothers, today, we can put our asceticism aside and celebrate. As we hear in the Paschal homily attributed to St. John Chrysostom, “O rich and poor … dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!”

Yet, not all are able to feast at the table as we do today. Not all are able to celebrate in freedom. The Christian community in the Middle East and Africa still yearn to be free from persecution, merely for calling themselves Christian. They long to be able to walk through the streets of their cities and share the Good News that Christ is risen and “in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15.22). But out of fear of persecution and martyrdom, the message of the Resurrection must only beat in their hearts. So, for them, let us chant the hymns of Pascha with greater strength and joy, proclaiming “God has put all things under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15.27). For them, let us raise our lit candles high because “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15.554). For them, let us share the Good News with our neighbors.

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

With Love in the Risen Lord,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco

We were expelled of old, O Lord, from the Garden of Eden, for wrongly eating from the tree. But, O my God and Savior, you once again have restored us through Your Cross and Your Passion. Thereby, 0Master, fortify and enable us purely to finish Lent and to worship Your holy resurrection, Pascha our saving Passover, by the prayers of Your Mother. 
Exapostelarion of the Feast of Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday. As this Holy Week unfolds, I shall be reflecting on the Lenten Season, not only for this year, butfor the past 82 years that have gone before me.  Why has the Lord granted me so many years?   Are there some things Istill must do?   While I await answers, I would like to share with you my hopes for the future of our world:

I have great HOPE in the Resurrection and the promise of life eternal!

I have great HOPE that many marvelous and positive events will yet take place in the world to benefit all ofmankind.

I have great HOPE that we fortunate individuals, who have enough food on our tables every day, will make everyeffort in our own communities to see that no child or elderly ever go to bed hungry. 
  
I have great HOPE that precious safe drinking water is made available to all people in our Third World countries.

I have great HOPE that all of us will clean out our closets of clothing that is not being used and bring it to one of themissions or shelters in our communities to clothe the poor.  

I have great HOPE that in cities and towns people will help develop and establish, with other community leaders, affordable housing for the poor and homeless.

I have great HOPE that not one person who is sick will be denied medical care, and that the ill are always comfortedfrom visits by family or members of their community. 

I have great HOPE that research scientists will find answers to the mysteries of cancer cells, AIDS, diabetes, and all other life-threatening diseases.
    
I have great HOPE that discrimination, bigotry, and intolerance will be replaced with respect, patience andunderstanding.

I have great HOPE that our Orthodox Christian Church will reach back into its vast history and bring forward to ourpresent day and age the ministry of PHILANTHROPIA.

I have great HOPE for peace and goodwill throughout the world among all people.

I have great HOPE that we can learn to forgive and love one another as God first loved us.

I have great HOPE that all of us will find it in our hearts the desire to implement just one of the above!

Saturday – April 4, 2015
St. John the Baptist - Las Vegas, NV
5:00 p.m. Great Vespers

Palm Sunday – April 5, 2015
St. John the Baptist - Las Vegas, NV
8:45 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m. Nymphios/Bridegroom Service

Holy Monday – April 6, 2015
St.  Anna Greek Orthodox Church – Roseville, CA
6:00 p.m. Nymphios/Bridegroom Service

Holy Tuesday – April 7, 2015
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church - Elk Grove, CA
7:00 p.m. Nymphios/Bridegroom Service

Holy Wednesday – April 8, 2015
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – Sacramento, CA
4:00 p.m. Sacrament of Holy Unction
7:00 p.m. Matins of Holy Thursday with Anointing

Holy Thursday – April 9, 2015
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church- Sacramento, CA
10:00 a.m. Vespers and Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - San Francisco, CA
7:00 p.m. Holy Passion of our Lord/Twelve Gospels

Holy Friday – April 10, 2015
Annunciation Cathedral - San Francisco, CA
10:00 a.m. Royal Hours
1:00 p.m. Apokathelosis
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - San Jose, CA
7:00 p.m. Epitaphios

Holy Saturday – April 11, 2015
Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church - San Jose, CA
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil, The First Resurrection
Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral – Oakland, CA
11:00 p.m. Paschal Vigil and Anastasis

Holy Pascha – April 12, 2015
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church – Belmont, CA
11:30 a.m. Agape Vespers

Dearly Beloved,

The Feast of the Annunciation is a celebration of freedom. It is a Feast of God's promise to deliver His people from the chains of mortality. When the angel Gabriel told the young Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah of the world, the angel said that her son would sit on the throne of David and rule forever (Luke 1:32-33).

Mary understood this to mean that Israel would be restored and that the people would be free from their captivity. She assented to the message, "let it be to me according to your word."(Luke 1:38), and the process of salvation of the world began.

As Christians, we see more in the Annunciation than political freedom for an oppressed people. In Christ's ministry, He proclaimed that the Messiah would bring liberty to captive people when He read from the scroll of Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4: 18-19).

Fifty years ago, on March 21, 1965, our beloved Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory marched with Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, demonstrating our Church's commitment to freedom and civil rights within American life. His participation in the march reflected a statement he made just a year earlier, that, "the church in America must place itself in the center of American life." But Archbishop Iakovos knew the Civil Rights Movement was more than just a "political move" for the Church for greater visibility. He knew that freedom and justice were core principles of the Gospel. He knew that the Greek people had proclaimed their freedom from oppression on March 25, 1821. He knew the pain of being denied basic human rights first hand from his life and experience in Turkey.

Fifty years later, freedom and human rights are still the challenges of our age, especially for our persecuted and martyred fellow Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East and parts of Africa. We who live in freedom must proclaim and become agents of freedom for those who live in captivity. This great Feast of the Annunciation, this feast of freedom, calls us to act on their behalf.

In that spirit, I invite you to begin every church meeting you attend from now on until Pentecost (May 31,2015) with a conversation around the question: "How shall what we are doing here now advance the cause of freedom in our world today?" Use a few minutes to study the issue of freedom, especially religious freedom, its philosophical and theological foundations, its consequences, and the challenges it poses to our attitudes and actions in the world. Hopefully, the discussion will bear long-term fruit, because the true measure of our efforts will be found in the months and years ahead. Use the Feast of the Annunciation-our feast of freedom from the bondage of death - as the springboard for beginning a new level of reflection and action.

Wishing you and your beloved families the blessings of God's Grace and Mercy, I remain

With Love in Christ,

+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco

As we once again find ourselves in the season of Great Lent, the 40 day journey to Holy Week and Pascha, we are reminded of another journey – one taken by a young man who had wandered far away from his homeland and who was returning there once again. I am speaking of the story told to us by Christ in the Gospel of Saint Luke, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This story is a beautiful one that holds layers of meaning. It is a story of repentance, return, and healing. 

At the crucial point in this story, the younger of the two sons finds himself destitute, hungry, and living as a beast among the beasts. He has left his father and travelled to a “far away country” where he has wasted his inheritance in licentious living, injuring himself through sin. When he finally “comes to himself”, and realizes that he is living a debased life with the pigs that he has been charged to feed, his heart laments for his former life – a life of dignity, stability, and love. It is in this moment that he makes a critical choice! Though he believes himself unworthy of full son-ship, he will return to his father as a penitent and ask to be taken on as a hired servant. As we can see, the heart of this young prodigal son has been humbled. He so desperately longs for his former life that he is willing to labor and to endure humiliation to gain it once again. His journey will be a long one, for he had gone to a faraway country, and he will toil along with the rest of the hired servants in order to be restored to the household.

We are familiar with the rest of this story: The Father, in His generous love for His son, runs to meet him on the road – not in order to scold, but to embrace, to heal, and to rejoice. The Prodigal Son is restored to his former life, not merely as a servant, but to the greater glory as a son.

This parable strikes a chord in our hearts as we travel through the journey of Great Lent. We can relate to the prodigal son, in that we have also strayed into a “far away country”, wasting the inheritance given to us by using our free will and powers of the soul to join ourselves to things unworthy of our dignity as human beings. Like the Prodigal Son, we find ourselves sometimes living as beasts among the beasts, feeding on inferior food rather than the medicine of eternal life, the Body and Blood of Christ.

Great Lent affords each of us the opportunity to make the journey back to the Father. It is toilsome, and it can seem long, but it is worth the effort! At the end of our journey awaits the joy of the Resurrection; At the end of our journey awaits true healing for our soul and body; At the end of our journey awaits God Himself, the loving Father Who seeks to remind us of our true worth as sons of daughters of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us embrace this journey of Great Lent, entering into its services, fasting, and prayers so that we can arrive with joy into the loving embrace of our Father and be restored to the dignity in which we were created. Amen!

June 1, 1927 – February 27, 2015

It is with great sadness the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Presbytera Sophia Thanos, who fell asleep in the Lord on February 27, 2015 in the comfort of her home. Presbytera Sophia was the wife of the Rev. Fr. Vasilios Thanos, who has served his entire priesthood at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, CA.

Presbytera Sophia Thanos was born to Konstantinos and Angeliki Kostopoulos on June 1, 1927 in the village of Paliohouni, Arcadia, Greece.  She was the fifth of ten children and came to the United States in 1955 where she lived with her uncle, George Phillips.  

In 1959, she went back to Greece to marry Vasilios Thanos.  Presbytera and Father Thanos returned to the United States and had two daughters, Niki and Connie. Presbytera Sophia spent the last 55 years of her life as a loving wife and mother, and faithful servant of God at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge.

Presbyter Sophia will lie in state at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge on Tuesday, March 3. Her viewing will begin at 6:00 p.m. and a Trisagion Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Divine Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4 at Saint Nicholas Church, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will preside at both the Trisagion and Funeral services, with area clergy assisting.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA 91325.

May her memory be eternal!

Sunday, March 1, 2015
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension – Oakland, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers
Protection of the Holy Virgin / St. Seraphim Orthodox Church – Santa Rosa, CA
5:00 p.m. Theological and practical discussion on the Fresco Program of the Church
6:00 p.m. Lenten Vespers with reception to follow

Friday, March 6, 2015
Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church – San Diego, CA
7:00 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos           

Saturday, March 7, 2015
Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church – San Diego, CA
10:30 a.m. Clergy Synaxis – Area Clergy
5:30 p.m. Vespers

Sunday, March 8, 2015
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church – Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Thursday, March 12, 2015 
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church – Belmont, CA
12:00 noon Clergy Synaxis 

Friday, March 13, 2015
Christ the Nativity Greek Orthodox Church – Novato, CA
6:00 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos
7:30 p.m. Dinner

Saturday, March 14, 2015
Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center – Dunlap, CA
Metropolis Young Adult Lenten Retreat

Sunday, March 15, 2015
Veneration of the Holy Cross
Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring – Dunlap, CA
7:00 a.m. Orthros
8:30 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Monday, March 16, 2015
Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center – Dunlap, CA
10:00 a.m.       Saint Nicholas Ranch Board Meeting

Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church – San Francisco, CA
10:00 a.m. Pre-sanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 20, 2015
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church – Northridge, CA
7:30 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 21, 2015
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church – Northridge, CA
11:30 p.m. Clergy Synaxis

Sunday, March 22, 2015
Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church – Pasadena, CA
8:45 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – Sacramento, CA
7:00 p.m. Great Vespers

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – Sacramento, CA
8:30 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Sacramento State Capital, CA
2:00 p.m. Greek Flag Raising Ceremony for Greek Independence Day

Friday, March 27, 2015
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church – Belmont, CA
7:00 p.m. Akathist Hymn

Dear Reverend Clergy and Esteemed Parish Council Members,

“Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” - Proverbs 16:3

This year the clergy and lay leaders of the Metropolis of San Francisco will have the opportunity to come together at the 2015 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly to be held on April 27 – 28, 2015 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. This annual gathering provides a forum for the leadership of all our communities to deliberate on important matters for our Metropolis and engage in dialogue and fellowship to enrich our common ministry. The Assembly will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27 and will conclude by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28.

The theme for this year’s Clergy-Laity Assembly is “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3. Those of you who attended last year’s Assembly learned the details of the Metropolis Strategic Plan and the work of our 11 Task Forces and 37 Strategic Objectives. This year Mr. Steve Tibbs and Mr. Gerry Kamilos, who have been serving as our Strategic Plan Program Managers, will make a presentation on the current implementation phase of the plan. Our Strategic Plan Coordinators will also make short presentations on the progress of their particular Task Force.

We will also have a special guest and presentation by the Rev. Fr. Christopher Metropulos, Dmin, Pastor of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Network, (O.C.N.). Fr. Chris will make a very engaging presentation entitled, “The Digital Media / The Great Commission: Can They Intersect for the Good of the Faithful?”  

As this year marks the ten-year Anniversary of the falling asleep of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory, will shall also honor his pioneering vision for the Metropolis of San Francisco and explain how his legacy is being carried on through the work of the Strategic Plan.      

It is important that we have full representation from each of our parishes which includes: 
-The Parish Priest
-The President of the Parish Council, and in his or her absence the Vice President, or in his or her absence any member of the Parish Council designated by it.
-Two members of the Parish elected by the Parish Assembly.

The agenda and registration materials are enclosed or you can register online at: www.sanfran.goarch.org/CLA. Your timely response is requested by April 14, 2015.  Please plan your schedules accordingly and plan to arrive promptly, coming with an open mind and heart, ready to learn and willing to share.

As we have entered Great and Holy Lent, I wish you every strength from above as we re-focus our attention on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our salvation in Him. 

With Love in Christ,

+Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

CLA Agenda Document    CLA Registration Form