St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-23
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

The Divine Services for Saturday of Souls

This Saturday morning, February 22nd - The Orthros/Preparatory Service will begin at 9:00 am with the Divine Liturgy to follow.  

 

The Lenten Service Schedule for the Week of March 2nd

Monday, March 3rd - Great Compline w/the Reading from the Canon of St. Andrew - 6:00 pm

Wednesday morning, March 5th - The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts - 6:00 pm

Friday evening, March 7th - 1st Salutations to the holy Theotokos - 6:00 pm

 

GOYA Go-Karting at K1 Speedway

TomorrowFebruary 22nd, 10:40am-1pm. Races start at 11am. Only $25 per driver! This activity is for 6th grade-12th graders. RSVPs are required for this event. Text Julie at 619-618-5116 or respond to the Google calendar invite to RSVP

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

 

Greek Festival Kick-Off is This Sunday, February 23rd

Come enjoy a complimentary lunch and sign up to volunteer, donate, and participate in our biggest fundraiser of the year! We hope to see you there!

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

 

Ancient Wisdom & Modern Coffee

Join us for our Adult Sunday School class this Sunday, February 23rd (taught by Dn. Michael Kallas, MA, MDiv). We will meet in the Hellenic Cultural Society Room after the Divine Liturgy to study the Sunday Lectionary Gospel readings.

 

Greek Dance and Choral School

Sunday, 2/23 - Regularly scheduled dance classes for: 

Ta Spiridonakia: 12:30 to 1:00 Lower Education room 

Helios: 12:30 to 1:15 Youth Room upstairs 

Pelagos: no practice

 

Greek School Registration

Greek school enrollments for adults and children close on February 28th. A new adult class for beginners and intermediate students will focus on conversational Greek only. For more information, please visit our website www.sdgreekschool.org. Don’t miss the chance to register!

 

Annual Philoptochos Complimentary Membership Luncheon

Please join us next Saturday, March 1st at 11:00 am in the Cypress Room for our Annual Philoptochos Complimentary Membership Luncheon and Presentation: Body and Soul. The presentation panel is made up of our very own parishioners.  Make your reservations by this Sunday, February 23rd by calling the Church Office at 619-297-4165. You may leave a message on the voicemail.

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

 

Church Parking Lot

We kindly ask that you please follow these parking guidelines when using the church lot:

  • To ensure Emergency Vehicle access, please do not park in the exit driveway onto Indiana Street.
  • Double-parking must be avoided so as to not inconvenience other parishioners.
  • Please ensure that no exits are blocked and that no vehicles are blocked in.
  • Please park only in marked spaces to help us maintain a smooth flow of traffic when entering and exiting the lot.

Thank you for your consideration and for helping to keep our parking area safe and accessible for all parishioners.

 

Memorials for March

3/9 - Loula Simitizes Koutroulis - 3 years

3/9 - Maria Simitzes - 20 years

3/9 - James Simitzes - 29 years

3/9 - Panayiota (Pauline) Kallas - 23 years

3/23 - Eleftheria Koultourides - 3 years

3/23 - Odysseas Koultourides - 11 years

3/30 - Dimetrola Mourafetis - 6 months

3/30 - Basil Mourafetis - 1 year

 

Little Angels Playgroup

Meets Mondays from 9:45-11:00am for parents and kids ages 40 days old to 4 years old. Text Julie Dennis to get on the email list, 619-618-5116.

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

 

St. Nicholas Ranch Summer Camp

If your child or teen is registered for the first week of St. Nicholas Ranch, reserve your spot on the SoCal Bus! For more information contact Bill Navrides at 619-992-6775 or [email protected] or Julie Dennis at [email protected]

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

 

Parish Oratorical Festival - Students in Grades 3 - 12

On Sunday, March 2nd after Divine Liturgy, we will host our parish’s annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This event is open to St. Spyridon youth grades 3-12 and is divided into Elementary (exhibition), Junior (competition) and Senior (competition) levels. Prepare an original speech, based on topics selected by the Archdiocese who sponsors this event. All participants will receive a $20 gift certificate. Our Parish winners at the Junior and Senior levels will receive the George M. Platis Oratorical Scholarship Award, offered by Michael and Maria Platis in memory of their son George, who proudly participated in the parish Oratorical Festival. Those who advance from our parish level will compete at the regional competition and will then have a chance to advance to the Metropolis and beyond where they will qualify for more scholarships. 2025 Topics can be found here: https://sforatorical.net/topics/

For more information, reach out to Parish Oratorical Festival Chairperson, Timmy Paraskevopoulos at 714-931-2431 or [email protected].

 

Meraki

Next Service Project is on March 8th, 9:30-11am. More information to come. If you have an elementary school aged child, be sure to email [email protected] to get information!

 

2025 Festival Cooking & Baking Schedule

Please volunteer to help us prepare the delicious food and pastries for our Greek Festival! 
 
Sunday, March 9th after Divine Liturgy: Prep for Pastitsio
 
Monday, March 10th at 9 am: Assemble Pastitsio
 
Sunday, April 27th after Divine Liturgy: Prep for Dolmathes
 
Monday, April 28th at 9 am: Assemble the Dolmathes
 
Sunday, May 4th after Divine Liturgy: Prep for Galaktoboureko
 
Monday, May 5th at 9 am: Assemble the Galaktoboureko
 
Monday, May 19th at 9 am: Koulourakia & Paximathia
 
Tuesday, May 27th at 9 am: Kourambiethes & Melomakarona
 
Monday, June 2nd at 9 am: Baklava 
 
Contact Chairs for more information: Vicky Mellos 858-229-1254, Jenny Capetanakis 619-395-3315, Niki Dougenis 858-518-8096.
 
 
Save the Date - GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon 

Join us on Sunday, April 13th for the GOYA Palm Sunday Luncheon in the Church Hall following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Tickets will be sold in the Hall during Fellowship. $25 for Adults, and $10 for Children under 12. For more information, please contact Bill Navrides at 619-992-6775 or [email protected]. Thank you for always supporting the GOYA ministry at St. Spyridon GOC! 

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

 

Vacation Church School: July 14th - 18th, 9am - 12pm (aftercare available)

Registration is now open! This year’s theme is Super Saints - Heroes of Our Faith! Children in Preschool - 5th grade will explore the path to holiness through real heroes of Orthodoxy in a fun, engaging way! 6th - 12th grades can volunteer as Youth Leaders! VCS will include crafts, snacks, games, lessons, and songs! Registration for the entire week of Vacation Church School is only $40 before May 1st. After May 1st, prices go up to $45. Additional children are $20. Youth Leaders are free! Children of Volunteers are free! Register now to get the Early Bird Pricing! Aftercare options are available for only $10 extra per day. 

Register via on the Youth Ministries website: https://sites.google.com/stspyridon.org/stspyridonyouthministries

Email [email protected] or text Julie Dennis, 619-940-5167.

 

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:

3/2 - Forgiveness Sunday

3/7 - Holy Protection of the Theotokos

3/9 - Sunday of Orthodoxy

3/16 - St. Gregory Palamas

3/17 - St. Alexios, Man of God

3/23 - Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy Cross

3/25 - The Annunciation of the Theotokos

3/30 - Sunday of St. John Climacus

 

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
 
Available dates:

Sunday, March 9th

Sunday, June 1st

Sunday, June 8th

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

 

Agape Meals
 
Our Philoptochos Agape Meal program provides meals to our St. Spyridon community members who may need help with a meal(s) during a time of need. If you are interested in preparing a home-cooked meal for our parishioners, please reach out to Marian Dougenis at [email protected] or mobile 619-520-3660. Thank you.
 

Greek Village Staff Applications

Our Greek Village is returning in June 2025. We are seeking those who have a passion for Hellenic culture and Orthodox faith, a commitment to youth ministry, and a desire to make a lasting impact. Available positions include: Program Director, Greek Language Instructors, Counselors, Program Staff and Lifeguards. Information and applications are online at: www.ourgreekvillage.com/careers

 

Summer Camp Staff Applications

Do you want to make a positive difference in the lives of youth while gaining valuable leadership and teamwork experience? Apply to be part of the Summer Camp Staff team at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. We’re hiring for a variety of roles including: Cabin Counselors,
Program Staff, Photographers, Lifeguards, and Medical Staff. Visit www.gosfyouth.org for application and details.

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

 

OCF Southwest Regional Retreat
 
March 28-30th at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, CA. Our speaker will be Fr. John Mahfouz from St. Matthew Antiochian Church in Torrance, CA, who will be speaking on “Christ, the King of All: In Liturgy and Life.” This retreat is open to all college students and young adults (ages 18-25) and will be a wonderful weekend of fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth.
 
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.  
 
 
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

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).
St. Gregory Palamas
Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th century

For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God; and he who gives to the least gives to God--sacrifices spiritually to God an odour of a sweet smell.
St. Cyprian of Carthage
The Lord's Prayer, 33. B#41, p.102, 3rd century

. . .The day will come when we shall stand before God and be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming, as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ which is our vocation, judgment must be pronounced by ourselves.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

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Archdiocese News

34th Annual Leadership 100 Conference Underway in Orlando, Florida

02/20/2025

Yesterday, Wednesday, February 19, 2025, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the Executive and Board of Trustees meetings at the 34th Annual Leadership 100 Conference which is currently taking place in Orlando, Florida.


"Answers to Liturgical Questions" Talk at Maliotis Cultural Center on February 21, 2025

02/20/2025

Holy Cross Orthodox Press and Holy Cross Bookstore are sponsoring a book launch for the six-volume English translation, Answers to Liturgical Questions by Iōannēs Phountoulēs, at the Maliotis Cultural Center on the campus of Hellenic College/Holy Cross on February 21 at 2:30 pm.


Hellenic College, BC Woods College Forge Partnership for Academic Opportunities

02/20/2025

Hellenic College and Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies announce a partnership that provides Hellenic College students with access to new academic opportunities while allowing them to remain rooted in the vibrant Orthodox Christian community on the Hellenic College campus.


Department of Religious Education (DRE)’s Sunday Sermon Series: Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

02/20/2025

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about the Second Coming of Christ. How is Christ going to judge us? What do we expect in the Last Judgment? How does Jesus identify with each of us?


Metropolis of San Francisco Dance Groups Give Back

02/18/2025

At the Metropolis of San Francisco’s Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) each year, attendees participated in a Diakonia Project service activity jointly organized by FDF and the Metropolis’s Philoptochos. Ahead of the annual competition, dance groups are also encouraged to complete their own service project. Keep reading to find stories of how some of this year’s competitors gave back, originally shared in FDF’s 2025 Oli Mazi publication.


Homily for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son 48th Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival

02/16/2025

The theme of this wonderful Folk Dance Festival: Embrace – Empower – Elevate, is manifested in a truly wonderful way in the Parable we read for the Gospel today; perhaps the most famous that the Lord Jesus ever uttered. For today is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.


2025-2026 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships Available

02/14/2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships AvailablApplications and instructions for six (6) scholarships administered by the Office of the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are available for awards to be made for the 2024-2025 academic year.


West Coast Vibrance: Dancing and Diakonia at 2025 FDF Opening Ceremony

02/14/2025

Hundreds of Greek Orthodox faithful from across the West Coast and as far as Honolulu, Vancouver, and Kavala gathered in Anaheim, California on February 13, 2025, for the Metropolis of San Francisco’s 48th annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF).


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When you descended into death, O life immortal, you destroyed Hades with the splendor of your divinity, and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers shouted: O giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.
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Saints and Feasts

February 23

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.


February 24

First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour's Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa.


February 25

Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople

This Saint was the son of one of the foremost princes in Constantinople, and was originally a consul and first among the Emperor's private counselors. Then, in 784, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople by the Sovereigns Irene and her son Constantine Porphyrogenitus. He convoked the Seventh Ecumenical Council that upheld the holy icons, and became the boast of the Church and a light to the clergy. He reposed in 806.


February 26

Photini the Samaritan Woman & her martyred sisters: Anatole, Phota, Photis, Praskevi, & Kyriaki

Saint Photini lived in 1st century Palestine and was the woman that Christ met at Jacob's Well in Samaria as recorded in the Gospel according to John (4:4-26). After her encounter with Christ, she and her whole family were baptized by the Apostles and became evangelists of the early Church. Photini and her children eventually were summoned before the emperor Nero and instructed to renounce their faith in Christ. They refused to do so, accepting rather to suffer various tortures. After many efforts to force her to surrender to idolatry, the emperor ordered that she be thrown down a well. Photini gave up her life in the year 66.

St. Photini is commemorated on three occasions during the year: February 26 (Greek tradition), March 20 (Slavic tradition), and the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman on the 5th Sunday of Pascha.


February 27

Raphael of Brooklyn

Saint Raphael Hawaweeny was born on November 8, 1860 A.D., in Damascus, Syria, to pious Christian parents. He studied Arabic grammar and mathematics at the Antiochian Patriarchate parochial school where he was tonsured a reader in 1874. His strong academics served him well throughout his life, providing for him numerous opportunities to succeed and grow. He accepted a position in 1877 as an assistant teacher of Arabic and Turkish, which became full time in 1879. In 1879 he was tonsured a monk while working with Patriarch Hierotheos at the patriarchate, traveling with him on pastoral visits and serving as his personal assistant.

Longing to continue his theological studies, Raphael petitioned the Patriarch for permission to study at Halki Theological School, which was the only option for students of the Antiochian Patriarchate as the Balamand Seminary in Lebanon had been closed since 1840. After much persistence, Raphael received the blessing of the Patriarch and enrolled in Halki Seminary where he was ordained a deacon in 1885. After completing his degree at Halki, the young Deacon Raphael studied at the Kiev Theological Academy, working as a liaison between the Moscow and Antiochian patriarchates. Deacon Raphael was ordained to the holy priesthood in 1889 while in Kiev, continuing to serve that community for many years.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 led to the subsequent collapse of the silk industry in the Middle East, causing many Syrians and others to immigrate to the United States. These new citizens desired to have their religion present in their new homeland and sent letters to their mother churches for pastoral help. A few priests were sent, but none lasted, and so the people asked for Father Raphael Hawaweeny to come to America and serve. Both the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchs agreed to this idea, and Father Raphael left for America where the people greeted him with great love. Father Raphael then spent many years serving the Syrians in Brooklyn, New York, but he desired to scan the continent for Syrians and other Orthodox Christians who were without spiritual leadership. He traveled by train and carriage across the nation, finding Orthodox Christians, recording their location, and performing liturgies, baptisms, and weddings. Upon his return to Brooklyn, Father Raphael worked to find clergy to send to these dispersed communities, giving them a full time pastor to minister to their needs.

In 1909, by the hands of Bishops Tikhon and Innocent of the Moscow Patriarchate, he was the first bishop consecrated in the New World. The now Bishop Raphael continued his ministry to the Christians throughout America. Bishop Raphael worked tirelessly in Brooklyn to mediate disputes between the Orthodox Christians from Syria and Maronite Catholic Christians who often fought violently with one another. Despite numerous outbursts and setbacks, Bishop Raphael continued his ministry serving the Orthodox throughout his vast diocese. One such incident was when an influential leader of the Maronite group was killed and many people accused Bishop Raphael of ordering his murder. This led to many people attempting to harm the bishop, but he endured it all willingly. He was arrested under attempted murder charges, but was eventually cleared and let go after much time and money was spent in his defense.

Throughout his time in North America, Bishop Raphael founded 36 parishes to bring the Church to the faithful who were without a priest to guide them. Bishop Raphael truly lived out the Gospel in all aspects of his life, striving tirelessly for the people in his care, even to the point of sacrificing his own physical health in order to maintain the spiritual health of his people. Bishop Raphael died on February 27, 1915, at his home in Brooklyn. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including clergy from all ethnic backgrounds, illustrating his love for all of the people of God regardless of where they came from. The sacred relics of Saint Raphael, “the good shepherd of the lost sheep in North America,” were first interred in a crypt beneath the holy table at his Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn on March 7, 1915, before being moved to the Syrian section of Mount Olivet Cemetery in Brooklyn on April 2, 1922. They were finally translated to the Holy Resurrection Cemetery at the Antiochian Village near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, on August 15, 1988. His sanctity was officially proclaimed by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America on March 29, 2000, and his glorification was celebrated on May 29 of that year at the Monastery of Saint Tikhon in Pennsylvania.


February 28

Basil the Confessor

Saints Procopius and Basil, fellow ascetics, lived about the middle of the eighth century, during the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741), from whom they suffered many things for the sake of the veneration of the holy icons. They ended their lives in the ascetical discipline.


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