St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2024-10-13
Bulletin Contents

Organization Icon
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

This Sunday's Memorials

Reveka Kotselas - 40 days

James Mastorakos - 1 year

George Mastorakos - 8 years

Christos Stavros - 10 years 

Ioannis Kotselas - 18 years

As a reminder: The pews on the front right side of the church as you walk in are reserved for the family/families who are having a Memorial Service for their loved ones. Thus, please allow one pew per Memorial family on any given Sunday. Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Greek Dance and Choral School

We had a great time performing at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Festival in Temecula this past weekend! Next performance will be at the AHEPA Oxi Dinner Dance on October 26th to benefit the Greek Language School.

Here is our practice schedule: 

Tonight, Friday, October 11th:

11 to 17 year olds: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm - Church Hall

Sunday, October 13th:

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): No practice this week

Contact [email protected] for questions. 

Registration: https://forms.gle/mqH8xKeVTobXG9Ca8 

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

 

November 2024 Monthly Shepherd Newsletter Deadline

This Monday, October 14th. Please email your submission to Soula at [email protected].

 

GOYA Rock Climbing

This Sunday3:30pm - RSVP and waiver required. Email Julie Dennis if your teen would like to be added to the list: [email protected]GOYA will be having a rock climbing adventure! Get ready for some fun in the heights at Mesa Rim rock climbing. Mesa Rim Climbing Gym, 405 Camino del Rio S., San Diego, CA 92108, $15 per person. 
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.
 
 
Philoptochos Munchies, Mimosas, and More
 
Save the date for our annual Munchies, Mimosas, and More Fellowship event! Sunday, October 20th in the church hall!
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section. 
 
 
Coffee and Conversation for High School Juniors and Seniors
 
Date Change! We will meet next week in the Hall Lounge from 12:10-1:00. Light lunch and coffee or hot chocolate provided! We are working in 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.
 
 
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].
 
 
Fall See's Candy Fundraiser

Began October 1st. See's 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.

 

 Project Mexico 2025 Interest Meeting

This Monday, 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.

 

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. 

  

Trunk or Treat with Sts. Constantine and Helen

St. Spyridon has been invited to participate in the Trunk or Treat at Sts. 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 or email [email protected]

See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.

 

College Student Get-Together

All college-aged students are invited for a casual dinner on Sunday, 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. 

 

Walk for Breast Cancer
 
Please join Team Anthousa for the 2024 KOMEN San Diego More Than Pink Walk on Sunday, November 3rd and show our unwavering support for breast cancer awareness.  We will walk for the people who can't, for those too weakened by treatment to join, for those who are suffering, for those we have lost, and for our survivors too!  Together we will fight back against breast cancer. Please feel free to reach out with any questions to Sofia Samouris[email protected] or 619.518.4537. Team Anthousa looks forward to your participation!  
 
Click the link to join our Team!
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.
 
 

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:

11/1 - Saints Cosmas and Damianos the Holy Healing Unmercenaries 

11/8 - The Synaxis of the Archangels

11/13 - St. John Chyrsostom

11/21 - The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

11/25 - St. Katherine the Great

11/30 - Andrew the First-Called 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:

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. 

BACK TO TOP

Inserts and Flyers

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [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. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."


BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

Since there are certain people who find great fault with us for adoring and honoring both the image of the Savior and that of our Lady, as well as those of the rest of the saints and servants of Christ, let them hear how from the beginning God made man to His own image. For what reason, then, do we adore one another, except because we have been made to the image of God? As the inspired Basil, who is deeply learned in theology, says: "the honor paid to the image conveys to the original.," and the original is the thing imaged from which the copy is made.
St. John of Damascus
The Orthodox Faith, 4.16. Catholic University of America Press in Washington D.C. Translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr. volume 37, page 370., 8th Century

BACK TO TOP

Archdiocese News

Archbishop Elpidophoros Offers Prayer of Safety from Hurricanes and Severe Weather

10/10/2024

On the afternoon of October 9th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with clergymen of the Archdiocese, gathered in the Chapel of Saint Paul to offered prayers of supplication for the safety of those who continue to be impacted by severe weather in the Gulf Coast especially hurricane, Milton, which is expected to make landfall the same evening.


As Part of 75th Anniversary, Newport News, Virginia Greek Orthodox Church Provides Meals to Local Community

10/09/2024

On the morning of October 5th, 2024, 85 members of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News, Virginia came together for a community service project to assemble and package 10,000 servings of food as part of the church’s 75th Anniversary.


Rutgers University to Host 3rd Annual Nikos Mouyiaris Memorial Lecture: "Cyprus Since 1974 - The Struggle Continues"

10/09/2024

The Elytis Chair Fund and the Modern Greek Studies Program at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, invites you to the 3rd Annual Nikos Mouyiaris Memorial Lecture at Rutgers University on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 6:30 PM.


Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Announces National Hurricane Relief Fund

10/08/2024

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has announced the establishment of the National Hurricane Relief Fund to raise funds for the immediate needs of those affected by the recent Hurricane Helene and who are now in the path of Hurricane Milton.


Metropolis of San Francisco Concludes Orthodox Parish Leadership (OPL) Ministry Webinar Series November 18

10/08/2024

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Orthodox Parish Leadership (OPL) Ministry continues this year’s special webinar series on November 18 at 6:30pm Pacific. Our next webinar will focus on the topics of “5P” Ministry Effectiveness and Welcome Teams.


Greetings to the Archdiocesan District Clergy Syndesmos

10/08/2024

I am proud of the attendance and contributions of this Syndesmos and the District as a whole at the recent Clergy-Laity Congress. It goes without saying that this is a very bright reflection on the Archdiocese – both in terms of the District, and in terms of the institution across the Park.


International Orthodox Christian Charities Provides Humanitarian Aid in Lebanon

10/07/2024

As conflict in Lebanon escalates, a humanitarian crisis has emerged as communities continue to flee their homes in search of safety. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is there on the ground, doing its part to support those who have been displaced. This week, mattresses, hot meals, and emergency first-aid kits were distributed to temporary shelters in north Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, and Beirut.


Metropolis of San Francisco's Greek Village Ministry Returns in 2025

10/07/2024

The Metropolis of San Francisco's Greek Village, the vibrant summer experience at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, is back for 2025, offering an immersive adventure that transports participants to the heart of Greece—without leaving California.


Metropolis of San Francisco Announces Workshop "Singing with Joy"

10/07/2024

If you love to sing and want to improve your voice and your musical offerings to the church, please join the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Ministry on November 16 for a one-day workshop: Singing with Joy!


Parishes in Southeastern States Provide Hurricane Helene Relief, Food Distribution

10/07/2024

As residents in the southeastern U.S. continue to be affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, parishes have begun addressing urgent needs of their communities. Over the last two weekends, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Asheville, North Carolina and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta, Georgia canceled their respective Greek festivals and instead prepared the food for distribution to those in need.


Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta Offers Guidance on Hurricane Helene Relief Funds

10/07/2024

On October 3, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta sent the following message to Metropolis faithful, offering prayers for affected communities and guidance on relief funds.


Center for Family Care's Fully Human Podcast: The Blind Psychologist: Helping Families Live Their Best Lives

10/07/2024

October is Blind Awareness Month in the U.S., and this conversation of the Center for Family Care's Fully Human podcast highlights the lived experience of Dr. Lauren Barron -- a licensed counselor, wife, and mother -- who humbly offers wise counsel for families experiencing diagnoses of disabilities and other life challenges. Blind herself, she found new insight regarding her disability when becoming Orthodox. Dr. Barron shares encouraging messages for families experiencing visual impairments, and tips for their seeing fellow parishioners. 


National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians Celebrates Church Music Sunday

10/07/2024

Yesterday, October 6, 2024, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the National Forum of Church Musicians celebrated Church Music Sunday. Each year the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians set aside the first Sunday of October as a day to celebrate our rich history of liturgical music.


The Orthodox Observer Interviews Kyra Limberakis, Chief Operating Officer of Orthodox Volunteer Corps

10/05/2024

This past week I sat down with Kyra Limberakis, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Orthodox Volunteer Corps, to talk about what inspired her to found the program, and the aspects of it that most excite her.


Director of FREEDOM Ministry Fr. Peter Spiro Meets with Executive Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) William Canny

10/04/2024

Fr. Peter Spiro, the Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese FREEDOM Ministry, recently met with Mr. William Canny, the Executive Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at their headquarters in Washington D.C.  


BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By your cross you destroyed death, and opened paradise to the thief. You transformed the sorrow of the Myrrh-bearers, and commanded the apostles to proclaim that you have risen from the dead, Christ our God, granting to the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You.

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.
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

October 13

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.


October 14

Kosmas the Hagiopolite

Saint Cosmas was from the Holy City, Jerusalem, and was a contemporary and peer of Saint John of Damascus (Dec. 4), with whom also he was reared when, because of his orphanhood he was adopted by Sergius, Saint John's father, and with whom he had the same instructor. About the year 743, he was elected Bishop of Maiuma, a coastal city of Palestine, aforetime under the jurisdiction of Gaza, with the name Port Gaza. During the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, it became a separate township and at that time was renamed Constantia, after Constantine, the son of the Emperor (see Sozomen, Eccl. Hist., V:3). Cosmas became an excellent hymnographer, from whence he is called "the Composer and Melodist," Among his many compositions are the Canon of the Cross (Sept. 14) and the Canon for the Nativity of Christ, "Christ is born, give ye glory."


October 15

Loukianos the Martyr of Antioch

This Saint was from Samosata, the son of pious parents. He established a catechetical school in Antioch, and taught the correct doctrines of the Faith and made clear the parts of the divine Scriptures that were difficult to understand. He edited the Old Testament translation from the Hebrew tongue, and published it in an excellent edition, free from every heretical corruption and interpolation. He travelled to Nicomedia to strengthen the faithful there in their contests for Christ, and was accused before Maximinus, with whom he conversed openly. When he had made a defence of the Christian Faith, he was condemned to imprisonment where, in 311, he died of hunger and thirst.


October 16

Longinos the Centurion

This Martyr was in the service of Pontius Pilate at the time of Christ our Saviour's Passion. While standing guard at the Cross and beholding the earthquake and all that came to pass, he cried out with fear, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matt. 27:54). After the Resurrection, he forsook the military and departed for Cappadocia, his homeland, where he preached Christ. By the agency of Pontius Pilate, Tiberius Caesar had him arrested and beheaded.


October 17

Hosea the Prophet

According to some, Hosea, whose name means "God is help," was from the tribe of Issachar, or more likely, from that of Reuben; he was the son of Beeri. He is the first in order of the twelve minor Prophets and the most ancient of all. He prophesied in the days of the divided Kingdom; the Lord told him to take a harlot to wife (Hosea 1:2), and then an adulteress (ibid., 3:1). The harlot, a known sinner, was a figure of the Kingdom of Israel in Samaria, which openly worshipped idols; the adulteress, lawfully married yet sinning secretly with her lovers, was a figure of the Kingdom of Judah in Jerusalem, which, while having the Temple, and the priesthood, and the divine worship according to the Law, stealthily served the idols also. The Prophet Hosea prophesied for sixty years, and lived for some ninety years, from 810 to 720 B.C. His book is divided into fourteen chapters.


October 18

Luke the Evangelist

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


October 19

Varys the Martyr

Saint Varys contested for the sake of Christ during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304. He was a soldier in the service of the Emperor Maximian, and held in honour for his courage. While in Egypt, he visited the Christians held in prison and comforted them. Among them, he visited seven monks imprisoned together; when one of them died from his torments, Saint Varys took his place. When this became known to the governor, Saint Varys was arrested and tortured to death.


BACK TO TOP