St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2024-10-06
Bulletin Contents

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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (619) 297-4165
  • Fax:
  • (619) 297-4181
  • Street Address:

  • 3655 Park Boulevard

  • San Diego, CA 92103


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sunday Services

Orthros/Matins: 9:00am

Divine Liturgy: 10:00am


Past Bulletins


St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements

2024 National Church Musicians Sunday

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has designated the first Sunday of October as National Church Musicians Sunday! It is a time to honor and celebrate the Church Musicians throughout our Archdiocese. Today, we honor the contributions of our choirs, youth choirs, psaltes, and music educators who serve our church through the hymnology of our Orthodox Church. We thank every one of them for their dedication and hard work. In honor of this day, our Youth Choir will be singing the Divine Liturgy this Sunday.

Listen and enjoy the inspiring words of Archbishop Elpidophoros as he shares the value of our faith’s sacred music and the important role church musicians play in supporting worship and prayer in the parishes. https://churchmusic.goarch.org/events/churchmusicsunday

 

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

Join us for our Adult Sunday School class this Sunday, October 6th (taught by Dn. Michael Kallas, MA, MDiv). We will meet in the Lower Education Building after the Divine Liturgy to study the Sunday Lectionary Gospel readings. 

 

Online October 2024 Monthly Shepherd Newsletter 

https://www.theshepherdnews.com/

 

Tri-Parish Beach Day

This Sunday! 1pm - 4pmOur Metropolis is hosting a Tri-Parish Beach Day including families from St. Spyridon, Sts. Constantine and Helen, and St. Gregory! We will meet at Playa Pacifica, 1093 E Mission Bay Drive. We will have fun games, activities, and a chance to get to know families and friends from our other San Diego Orthodox Parishes. We will have carpools for our Greek Dance groups to get to the event after dance practice. For more information, contact Anna Teodosiadis[email protected]. To hop in the carpool, text Julie Dennis 619-618-5116.

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Young at Heart Seniors

Please keep your calendar free this Tuesday, October 8th, when our monthly gathering will include lunch and a movie! We plan to watch “Find Me Falling” starring singer/actor Harry Connick. The movie is a romantic comedy filmed in Cyprus and includes many Cypriot actors in the cast. Please let Cynthia Samarkos (619-582-4109) know you’re coming by Sunday, October 6th.

 

Fall See's Candy Fundraiser

Began October 1st. Sees Candy makes a great Thanksgiving and Christmas treat or gift! There are awesome options for Thanksgiving and Christmas treats and gifts! Proceeds from See’s Candy sales go to support the Dance and Choral School! Candy is shipped directly to your (or your recipient’s) home. Fundraiser ends December 6thOrder online: https://tinyurl.com/5n7cwxsf 

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Greek Dance and Choral School

Our St. Spyridon Greek Dance program has grown to four groups. Here is our schedule of classes for Sunday, October 6th: 

4 to 6 year olds: 12:30 to 1:00 - Lower Education room

8-18 year olds: Youth Choir Practice 12:30 to 1:15 - Church Choir Loft*

7 to 10 year olds: 12:30 to 1:15 - Youth Room

11 to 17 year olds: 1:30 to 3:00 - Youth Room *If you are not in choir, meet at 1:00 in the Youth Room for semi-private practice with dance directors. 

Young adults (college, 18 and over): 1:00 to 2:30 - Church Hall

Contact [email protected] for questions. 

Registration: https://forms.gle/mqH8xKeVTobXG9Ca8 

Tuition: https://tuition-dance-and-choral-school.square.site/

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section. 

 

Little Angels

Thanks to everyone who joined our first group! We will meet each week from 9:45 - 11am on Thursdays at St. Spyridon in the lower education room. Ms. Julie will lead the group with fun activities, singing, playing, crafts, Bible stories, and so much more! Once per month, we will have a fun field trip activity! If you have a baby and/or toddler, we hope that you will check out this group! Email Julie Dennis to get on the contact list: [email protected].

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section. 

 

AHEPA OXI Day Celebration - Saturday, October 26th

AHEPA Chapter 223 San Diego is excited to be sponsoring its 6th Annual OXI Day Celebration in the Church Hall at 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 26th, benefitting our Greek Language School. $65/person.  For reservations contact Christoforos Savvides at 619-709-6067 or email [email protected].
 
 
Coffee and Conversation for High School Juniors and Seniors
 
Sunday, Oct. 13th, 20th, 27th, and Nov. 3rd. from 12:10 - 1:00 pm. We will meet in the Lounge in the Hall and meet together for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, light lunch, and discussion. We will be working through the Relationship Project, an Orthodox Curriculum designed for teens to talk about hard topics such as Understanding Identity, Intimacy, and Mental Health. Register via email to [email protected]. 
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.
 
  

Trunk or Treat with St. Constantine and Helen

St. Spyridon has been invited to participate in the Trunk or Treat at St. Constantine and Helen on October 19th, 4pm - 6pm. GOYA is organizing this event for kids through 5th grade! We hope you will bring your children to have some fun with the GOYA teens! Sign up to decorate your car or a table or just come to enjoy the festivities that will include trick or treating, games, crafts, and pizza! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/DecorateTrunkTreat

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

Project Mexico 2025 Interest Meeting

October 14th at 6:30pm online. This interest meeting will discuss details of our summer homebuilding trip with Project Mexico. This trip is open to high school students, young adults, and adults in our Parish. If you are interested in making a difference in a family’s life by building their forever home (in just 3 days), join us to learn more about the trip. Meeting ID: meet.google.com/enh-eweg-xba

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

College Student Get-Together

All college-aged students are invited for a casual dinner on October 20th at 5PM. Meet other students at your school and build community. Contact Christina Frangos 858-220-0071 to RSVP or for more details. 

 

October Memorials

10/13 - Reveka Kotselas - 40 days

10/13 - James Mastorakos - 1 year

10/13 - George Mastorakos - 8 years

10/13 - Chris Stavros - 10 years 

10/13 - Ioannis Kotselas - 18 years

 

Women of the Word (WOW) Bible Study Group

We have resumed our Wednesday meetings at Noon in the lower education building.  Kay Harkins will be facilitating a discussion of the scriptures of the day in a very simple format.  All women are welcome.  If you have questions, please contact Kay at 619-227-2622, [email protected]. 

 

Philoptochos Decorated Icons

Commemorate a Feast Day by offering a decorated icon to be displayed in the Narthex for veneration. The suggested donation is $85 to: Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Call the church office at 619-297-4165 to reserve.

Icons available for decoration:

10/23 - James the Apostle

 

1st Annual Golf Tournament 

Saturday, October 26th at Kokopelli Golf Course in Gilbert, Arizona to benefit The Three Hierarchs Academy: A Greek Orthodox Christian School of Arizona. For information, sponsorship opportunities, donations, and more, call or text Alexandra Aram at 760-521-0472 or email: [email protected] 

 

Fellowship and Coffee Hour

Please consider sponsoring a Sunday Fellowship Hour with your friends and family by providing simple refreshments (donuts or bagels, fruit, and juice).  This is a beautiful way to honor family members or celebrate special occasions. See details below in the attached flyer and QR Code to sign up or contact Christina Frangos, 858-220-0071, [email protected].
 
With appreciation, 
 
Anthousa Chapter of Philoptochos

The following Sundays are currently available:

October 13th

November 3rd

November 17th

November 24th

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers Section below.

 

Agape Meals
 
Philoptochos provides meals to St. Spyridon community members in need following hospitalizations, the death of a family member, or the birth of a child. Please reach out to Marian Dougenis (619) 520-3660 if you or someone you know is in need.
 
 
Church Parking Lot
 
When you park your car in the church lot, please do not double-park, block any of the exits, or block anyone in. Only park in a marked parking spot.  Your fellow parishioners thank you for your cooperation.   
 
 
 
Your Legacy and Your Church  

...to whom much is given; from them much more is required (Luke 12:48).  

Please remember to include your Saint Spyridon parish in your estate plan and bequest. 

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Inserts and Flyers

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.


Gospel Reading

3rd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 7:11-16

At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"


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Wisdom of the Fathers

He who truly wishes to believe in God must be lifted above himself, his mind, and even the whole world. For this reason, the value of faith is considered higher than the value of man. It is even higher than the value of the whole world. Therefore, the reward of faith should be higher than all of man's possessions along with the glories of this world. The reward of faith is God.
Fr. Matthew the Poor
Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way, p. 74, 20th century

That dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. But there meets him Christ, the Life and Resurrection, for He is the destroyer of death and of corruption; He it is "in Whom we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28); He it is Who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was; and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 36.42, p. 153., 5th Century

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Archdiocese News

Hellenic College Holy Cross Celebrates Panegyri Event

10/03/2024

This past Saturday, September 28, 2024, Hellenic College Holy Cross was blessed with a Panegyri event that brought together students, faculty, and the entire HCHC community.


275 Youth Receive Camping Scholarships as Archdiocese Continues Financial Aid Efforts

10/03/2024

Last year, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America established the Archbishop Elpidophoros Camping Scholarship Fund in the fall of 2024 to provide need-based financial assistance for the youth summer camps offered by the Archdiocese, including both Ionian Village and Metropolis camps.


Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Honor St. Elpidophoros to be Held on November 2, 2024

10/02/2024

Please join us for a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in honor Saint Elpidophoros and the Ordination to the Holy Diaconate of Gregory Gounardes on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Hoy Trinity in New York City.


Second Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA

10/01/2024

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, following the 13th Assembly meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A., hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met in Atlanta, Georgia, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.


Assembly of Bishops XIII Concludes; Hierarchs Pray for Victims of Hurricane "Helene," Peace in the Middle East & Ukraine

10/01/2024

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America met for their 13th meeting from September 28 – October 1, 2024. The Atlanta Inter-Parish Association graciously hosted the 29 Hierarchs with customary southern hospitality.


Archbishop Elpidophoros Chairs 13th Annual Meeting of the Assembly of Bishops

09/30/2024

In Atlanta, Georgia, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened for its 13th Annual Meeting today, September 30, 2024.


His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Appoints the 2024-2026 Executive Board of the National Philoptochos Society, Inc.

09/30/2024

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and Chairman of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Debbie George as National Philoptochos President, as well as appointing the Executive Board Members for the 2024-2026 term.


Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Issues Statement on Hurricane Helene

09/30/2024

Today, September 30, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America issued a statement regarding Hurricane Helene and those affected by the disaster.


Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America's 13th Annual Meeting Begins in Atlanta, Georgia

09/29/2024

Hierarchs belonging to the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America arrived yesterday, September 28, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia for the Assembly's 13th Annual Meeting.


Center for Family Care's From Our Homes to Yours: Episode 9, "Wise as Serpents & Innocent as Doves"

09/27/2024

Join Fr. Alex, Presvytera Kerry, Presvytera Melanie and Mari for a conversations on striving for authentic Christian lives.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, and those guarding it became as dead. Mary stood at your grave seeking your pure body. But you stripped the power of Hades, yet were not touched by corruption. You met the virgin and granted her life. O Lord, who

Apolytikion for Apostle Thomas in the Third Mode

O Holy Apostle Thomas, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second 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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Saints and Feasts

October 06

Thomas the Apostle of the 12

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.


October 07

Sergius & Bacchus the Great Martyrs of Syria

These holy Martyrs were Romans of high rank in the service of the Emperor Maximian, to whom it was reported that they did not take part in the festivals of the idols. When he called them into his presence, they confessed their Faith in the one God. He had them arrayed in women's clothes and paraded through the streets in mockery. They were afterwards scourged, from which Saint Bacchus died. This was about the year 296. Saint Sergius was then taken to Resapha in Syria, where he was tortured and beheaded. His tomb in Resapha became a very famous shrine, to which pilgrims came from as far away as Western Europe; Resapha was later renamed Sergiopolis in his honour.


October 08

Pelagia the Righteous

This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (Saint Nonnus is commemorated Nov. 10), she departed for the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagia. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since.


October 09

Abraham the Righteous & his nephew Lot

The holy Patriarch Abraham, born a pagan, ten generations after Noah, when the knowledge of God had perished from among men, became the beginning of God's dispensation for the universal renewal and salvation of man. He was called out of his country--the land of the Chaldees, that is, Mesopotamia--to the land of Canaan, and received the promise that through his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed; through his singular faith in the promises of God, he was justified before the giving of the Law and the coming of Grace; through his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, he portrayed the love wherewith God loved the world in sacrificing His only-begotten Son. The greatness of Abraham, and the trials that he and his righteous nephew Lot underwent, are set forth in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, chapters twelve through twenty-five. See also the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, December 11-17.


October 10

Eulampios & Eulampia the Martyrs

The Martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia were from Nicomedia, and contested for Christ during the reign of Maximian, in the year 296.


October 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.


October 12

Symeon the New Theologian

Saint Symeon became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became abbot. After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept today.


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