St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Christian Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-02
Bulletin Contents
St. Spyridon Parish News, Events, Activities and Announcements
Inserts and Flyers
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Archdiocese News
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts

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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

Parish Priest Fr. Andrew S.

[email protected] | 619-297-4165

Parish Office For General Office Information


[email protected] | 619-297-4165

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 Memorial

Eleni Panayiotou - 33 years

 

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 evening, 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

 

Greek Dance and Choral School

Friday, 2/28 at 7:00 pm: Pelagos FDF costume return and dinner/dance party in upstairs Youth Room. Dancers and families from all groups are welcome to attend! Please RSVP to [email protected] by noon today (if you haven't already).

Sunday, 3/2 - 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: TBD. Will discuss on Friday at the party

*This Sunday will be our final dance practices as Great and Holy Lent begins on Monday. We will be taking a hiatus until Pascha. Kali Sarakosti (Blessed Lent)!

  

Annual Philoptochos Complimentary Membership Luncheon

Please join us tomorrow, 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.  

 

Greek Independence Day Celebration

Want an unforgettable event filled with culture, tradition, and pride, showcasing the spirit of Hellenism? Join us for our annual Greek Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, after the Divine Liturgy, as the Greek School presents a wonderful program and luncheon to honor our students and commemorate our Greek Independence! Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12, with no sales at the door, so be sure to secure yours in advance! Get your tickets now from Christoforos Savvides at 619-709-6067 or online at https://sdgreekschool.square.site/. Don’t miss this opportunity! 

 

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:

3/7 - Holy Protection of the Theotokos for the Salutations Services

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

 

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

3/30 - Theodora Gerontakis - 2 years

3/30 - George Mourafetis - 26 years

 

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.

 

Young at Heart Seniors

Mark your calendars for our lunch gathering on Tuesday, March 11th. Following lunch, we’ll be entertained with Bouzouki music performed by Costas Kotinopoulos. If you plan to attend please contact Cynthia Samarkos (619-582-4109) by Sunday, March 9th. If you haven’t had a chance to attend our monthly fellowship, we welcome you to attend and join Young at Heart Seniors. Annual dues are $20. 

 

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

*New Date* March 16th 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!

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

 

Sunday of Orthodoxy Book Reading

On March 9th, during Sunday School, author and comedian, Ellen Karis, will be reading her children’s book, “Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith.” Parishioners will have a chance to meet the author and purchase this wonderful book during Fellowship! 

 

High School Sunday School Class Field Trip

March 9th, 1pm-3pm. Join us on a trip to the Humane Society. We will have a quick lunch after Divine Liturgy and carpool to the Humane Society. We will be taking a tour and making toys for the animals. Email Dr. Marcella to sign up for the field trip: [email protected]

 

GOYA Service Project

March 16th, 12:30pm, 6th grade - 12th grade. Garden Boxes for St. Spyridon! GOYA will be building garden boxes on our Parish Campus and planting helpful herbs and veggies. We will have a quick lunch and then get to work! Contact Julie Dennis for more information: [email protected]  

  

Great and Holy Week Youth Retreats Registration Open

High School Holy Monday Retreat, April 14th 6:30pm-9:00pm, Middle School Holy Tuesday Retreat, April 15th 6:30pm-9:00pm, Preschool - 5th grade (and youth leaders) Holy Friday Retreat 9:00-3:00pm. Register on the Youth Ministries website for our Great and Holy Week Retreats. https://sites.google.com/stspyridon.org/stspyridonyouthministries/home

See the attached flyers in the Inserts & Flyers section.

  

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.
 
 
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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.  Register here: https://orthodoxchristianfellowship.regfox.com/southwest-spring-regional-retreat
 
 
 
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

Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. After this He appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table and He upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Epistle Reading

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

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of his reign. He has conquered death by death and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades and has granted the world great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
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Saints and Feasts

March 02

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

March 03

Eutropios, Kleonikos, Vasiliskos, Zenos, & Zoilis the Martyrs

The Martyrs, who were from Amasia, were fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore the Tyro (see Feb. 17). They were betrayed to the Governor Asclepiodotus as Christians, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). After many torments, Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified; Basiliscus was not slain together with them, but was shut up in prison, in the hope that with time he might change his mind and sacrifice to the idols. He was beheaded on May 22; see also the account on that day.

March 04

Gerasimos the Righteous of Jordan

This Saint, who was from Lycia in Asia Minor, lived there for many years as a hermit, and then went to Palestine. There he built the great Lavra by the Jordan River, where a lion served him with great obedience and devotion. One day the lion came looking for Gerasimus that he might feed him, but his disciples took the lion to the place where they had buried the Saint shortly before. The lion fell at the Saint's grave and, after roaring with grief, died at that very place. Saint Gerasimus reposed in 475.

March 05

Konon the Gardener

This saint lived during the reign of emperor Decius in 251. He came from the town of Nazareth. He left his hometown and went to the city of Mandron, in the province of Pamphylia. There he stayed at a place called Karmela or Karmena cultivating a garden which he used to water and plant with various vegetables. From this garden he obtained what is necessary for life. He had such an upright and simple mind that, when he met those who wished to arrest him and saw that they greeted him, he also greeted in return from the bottom of his soul and heart. When they told him that governor Publius called the saint to go to him, the saint answered with simplicity: "What does the governor need me, since I am a Christian? Let him call those who think the way he does and have the same religion with him." So, the blessed man was tied and brought to the governor, who tried to move him to sacrifice to the idols. But the saint sighed from the bottom of his heart, cursed the tyrant and confirmed his faith in Christ with his confession, saying that it is not possible to be moved from it even though he might be tortured cruelly. So, for this reason they nailed his feet and made the saint run in front of the governor's coach. But the saint fainted in the street. Having fallen on his knees, he prayed and, thus, he commended his holy soul to the hands of God.

March 06

42 Martyrs of Amorion in Phrygia

These Martyrs, men of high rank in the Roman (Byzantine) army, were taken captive when the city of Amorion in Phrygia fell to the Moslem Arabs in 838, during the reign of Theophilus the Iconoclast. Among them were Aetius and Melissenus, the generals; Theodore, the chief of the imperial ceremonial bodyguard; Craterus, the eunuch; Callistus, Constantine, Bassoes, and Theophilius, who were military officials; and certain others who held important positions. Because of their experience in war and their virtue, the Moslems did not slay them, but tried by all means to convert them to Islam and have them to fight in their own campaigns. They kept the holy Martyrs shut up in a dark dungeon in the city of Samarra in Syria, threatening and abusing them, making promises of glorious rank and magnificent riches, keeping them in hunger, oppression, and darkness, not for a few weeks, or a few months, but for seven full years. Finally, unable to break the courage and faith of their captives, they beheaded them in the year 845.
March 07

The 7 Hieromartyrs of Cherson

These holy Bishops were sent to Cherson on the Black Sea by Hermon, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the days of Diocletian, about the year 300, to preach the Gospel. Ephraim and Basileus were sent first. Basileus raised to life the dead son of a local ruler, because of which many were baptized. Those who remained in their unbelief, however, dragged him through the streets until he died. Ephraim, refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, was beheaded. After them, Euguene, Agathodorus, Capito, and Elpitius were sent by the Bishop of Jerusalem as heralds of the Faith, but they also were slain by the ungodly. Last of all, the Bishop of Jerusalem sent Aetherius; he was drowned during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great.

March 08

Theophylaktos, Bishop of Nicomedea

Theophylact was from the East; his native city is unknown. In Constantinople he became a close friend of Tarsius, who afterwards became Patriarch of Constantinople (see Feb. 25).Theophylact was made Bishop of Nicomedia. After the death of Saint Tarsius, his successor Nicephorus (see June 2) called together a number of Bishops to help him in fighting the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who reigned from 813-820. Among them was Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis (celebrated Dec. 26), who had attended the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 - he was exiled three times for the sake of the holy icons, and for defying the Emperor Theophilus' command to renounce the veneration of the icons, was scourged from head to foot until his whole body was one great wound, from which he died eight days later, about the year 830; Joseph of Thessalonica (see July 14); Michael of Synnada (see May 23); Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus (see Aug. 8); and Saint Theophylact, who boldly rebuked Leo to his face, telling him that because he despised the long-suffering of God, utter destruction was about to overtake him, and there would be none to deliver him. For this, Theophylact was exiled to the fortress of Strobilus in Karia of Asia Minor, where, after 30 years of imprisonment and hardship, he gave up his holy soul about the year 845. Leo the Armenian, according to the Saint's prophecy, was slain in church on the eve of our Lord's Nativity, in 820.

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