This Sunday's Memorials
Efrosini Mangel - 20 years
Mary Hanson - 15 years
Great and Holy Week Divine Service Schedule
Saturday of Lazarus - Saturday morning, April 12th
Orthros/Preparatory Service followed by the Divine Liturgy with the tying of the Palms to follow in the fellowship hall – 9:00 am
Palm Sunday - Sunday evening, April 13th
The Bridegroom Service w/ Procession of the Bridegroom Icon – 6:00 pm
Great and Holy Monday evening, April 14th
The Bridegroom Service – 6:00 pm
Great and Holy Tuesday evening, April 15th
The Bridegroom Service – 6:00 pm with the Hymn of Kassiani
Great and Holy Wednesday, April 16th
The Sacrament of Holy Unction with the Anointing of Holy Oil – 3:00 pm
Orthros for Great & Holy Thursday morning, with the Procession of the Mystical Supper Icon w/ the Anointing of the faithful to follow – 6:00 pm
Great and Holy Thursday, April 17th
The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great – 10:00 am
The Reading of the Twelve Gospels and the Procession of the Cross of Christ – 6:00 pm
Great and Holy Friday, April 18th
The Reading of the Royal Hours (“Holding Vigil”) – 10:00 am
The Descent from the Cross/The Un-nailing Vespers – 3:00 pm
The Lamentations before the Kouvouklion of Christ with the procession around the church grounds to follow – 6:00 pm
Great and Holy Saturday, April 19th
The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great with the throwing of the bay leaf (Arise O God!) – 10:00 am
The Chanting of the Canon in anticipation of the Resurrection - 11:00 pm
The Resurrection/ Anastasi Service w/ the receiving of the Light - 12:00 am
The Resurrectional / Paschal Divine Liturgy- 12:30 am
*After receiving the Light we pray that everyone will stay until the conclusion of the Diving Liturgy that follows, which celebrates the receiving of that Light.
Great and Holy Pascha, Sunday, April 20th
The Agape Service at Flinn Springs County Park - 11:00 am **
followed by the Community Pascha Picnic; the cost of parking is included!
(14787 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon, CA 92021 – Area 1)
** During the Agape Service, the Gospel will be read in several different languages. If you know a foreign language and want to read, please contact Fr. Andrew beforehand.
For your convenience, see the attached schedule in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Philoptochos Decorated Great and Holy Week Icons
Commemorate Great and Holy Week 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 your decorated icon.
Icons available for decoration:
Saturday, April 12th - The Saturday of Lazarus
Sunday, April 13th - Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 13th - Icon of the Bridegroom (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings)
Thursday, April 17th - The Mystical Supper
Thursday, April 17th - The Crucifixion of Christ
Friday, April 18th - The Descent of Christ from the Cross
Saturday, April 19th - Holy Pascha / The Resurrection
Philoptochos Pascha Bake Sale
There are just a couple more days left to pre-order tsourekia and koulourakia - beautifully baked and packaged by our Ladies of Philoptochos - and ready for pickup on Palm Sunday. Place your orders online at www.anthousa.net ( click "Our Store") or in the church hall this Sunday. The ordering deadline is Sunday, April 6th.
Kalo Pascha!
The Ladies of Philoptochos - Anthousa Chapter
See the attached order form in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Young at Heart Seniors
This Tuesday, April 8th, our Seniors' group (Young at Heart) will have a Lenten lunch, which will include a special “Show and Tell” program. We hope you’ll participate by bringing a special heirloom, a prized possession or a favorite keepsake to present and talk about. Also, Eleni will lead us in another session of gentle stretching. If you plan to attend, please contact Cynthia Samarkos (619-582-4109) by Sunday, April 6th. New members are always welcome!
The annual offering is $20.
Orthodox Christian Missions Center Cash and Coin Drive - March 9th - April 12th
Donation buckets are in each Sunday School room, the Narthex, and the Fellowship Hall. One of our fundamental aims during Great and Holy Lent is charity toward others. Please consider donating your extra change each week to help us reach our donation goal of $500! For questions or to make a direct donation, email [email protected].
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.
Great and Holy Friday Youth Retreat - Call for Volunteers on April 18th
Multiple Volunteer slots are available - set-up, clean-up, group leaders, station leaders! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/kKg3BxtGsTb7e3Vx6 or on the Youth Ministries website, volunteer tab: https://sites.google.com/stspyridon.org/stspyridonyouthministries/volunteer
Great and Holy Week Youth Retreats - Registration Open
High School Great and Holy Monday Retreat, April 14th, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm, Middle School Great and Holy Tuesday Retreat, April 15th, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm, Preschool - 5th grade (and youth leaders) Great and Holy Friday Retreat, April 18th, 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Register on the Youth Ministries website for our Great and Holy Week Retreats. https://sites.google.com/stspyridon.org/stspyridonyouthministries/home
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section.
Meraki
The next Service Project is on Saturday, April 12th, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. We will be setting up the annual Pancakes and Palms Breakfast. We will set up the Palm Folding stations, prep food, fold Palms, and teach others how to fold. If you have an elementary school-aged child, be sure to email [email protected] to get on our contact list!
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Pancakes and Palms - Saturday, April 12th
Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the Saturday of Lazarus, April 12th, we hope you will join us for a Lenten Pancake Brunch in the Fellowship Hall. Since many hands make light work, we hope you will stay after brunch to help fold the Palm Crosses given to the faithful on Palm Sunday. For more information, contact Julie Dennis at [email protected]
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Pascha Picnic Lunch Fundraiser
Exhausted by the thought of cooking and schlepping food to the park for the Pascha picnic? Leave the cooking to us! For the third year in a row, you can have lunch cooked for you in the park. Tickets are on sale now for the Pascha Picnic Lunch sponsored by the Greek Dance and Choral School. Your choice of succulent roasted lamb or ham with a side of oven roasted potatoes, seasoned fresh vegetables, fresh bread roll, traditional romaine and dill salad, feta and olives. Still just $35. Bring your own beverage and dessert and your meal is complete. Visit https://pascha-picnic-lunch.square.site/ to purchase tickets!
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
AHEPA Scholarships
AHEPA Chapter 223 San Diego is now accepting applications for our annual scholarships.
Please contact local leadership at [email protected] or 619-709-6067 for eligibility information and an application. The deadline is May 31, 2025.
Philoptochos Presents "A Night in the Plateia" on Saturday, May 3rd
Come enjoy an evening of fellowship and fun, featuring Comedian Angelo Tsarouchas! Buy your tickets online at www.anthousa.net/tsarouchas, or in the fellowship hall on Sundays.
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Agape Celebration of Love to benefit our Kids ‘n’ Cancer Ministry
The mission of the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Kids ‘n’ Cancer/Camp Agape Ministry is dedicated to providing support for children afflicted with cancer and their families. This beloved ministry offers a compassionate and caring environment, exemplary of Christ’s unconditional love, along with an opportunity to shape meaningful friendships and create precious memories.
Give your heart to a child. The Kids ‘n’ Cancer – Agape Celebration of Love is a yearly event held to bring awareness to the ministry by providing a beautiful, fun-filled afternoon, giving those in attendance the opportunity to participate in fundraising, meet Camp Agape families, and fellowship together.
Please join us this year for an exhilarating afternoon, Sunday, April 27th at 2:00 pm at the Newport Beach Country Club (One Clubhouse Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660). RSVP by April 20th. The cost is $100 per person.
Register here: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/events/landing/51814?
Donate here: https://donate.onecause.com/kids-n-cancer-camp-agape-2025/home
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
The Upstairs Youth Room is Unavailable
The Youth Room upgrade/renovation is in progress. The room will be unavailable for use until further notice. If you need to access the room, please contact Julie Dennis, [email protected].
Little Angels Playgroup
Little Angels Playgroup will resume during Bright Week on Monday, April 21st.
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center - A Visit from the Executive Director
Stefan Metrakos, the Executive Director of St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center, will be joining us on Sunday, May 25th to discuss the ministry’s new strategic plan and program offerings. This beautiful ministry has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Orthodox Christians since 1979. Nestled in a beautiful valley in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just outside of Sequoia National Park, the Ranch is a central gathering place for our Metropolis. Many of our faithful have spent summers at St. Nicholas Ranch and have developed lifelong friendships. Now, some of their children are building their own memories at the Ranch by attending summer camp. With anything else that has been around for almost 50 years, the Ranch needs our love and attention now more than ever. Please join your fellow parishioners and Stefan Metrakos for lunch sponsored by Bill Navrides in honor of what would have been his 28th wedding anniversary and see how you can help the Ranch and make a difference in the lives of so many.
Festival General Committee Meeting
All are welcome to join the meeting on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall.
2025 Greek Festival Volunteer News
Plans are underway for this year’s annual Greek Festival, and we need everyone’s help! You can sign up now to help set up, serve food, drinks, sell tickets - there’s lots of ways to help all while being with friends, having fun and helping our St. Spyridon community! To learn more please contact Stella Weil 858-442-2830 or Hitomi Shue at 858-789-6495 or go online to sign up for as many shifts as you can at: www.sdgreekfestival.com/volunteer. Thank you and see you at the Festival on June 14th and 15th!
2025 Festival Cooking & Baking Schedule
Please mark your calendars and plan to volunteer and help us prepare the delicious food and pastries to be served at our Greek Festival!
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.
See the attached schedule in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Leadership 100 is Seeking a New Executive Director
Our beloved Executive Director, Paulette Poulos, has decided to retire after 60 years of dedicated and invaluable service to our Archdiocese.
Leadership 100 would like to find the best possible candidate to fill her position. Please see the attached Job Description for the required qualifications if you are interested.
See the attached job description in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Lend a Loving Hand – Volunteer at Casa Cuna
We need faithful Orthodox Christians to commit to six months, one year, or two years to love these orphaned babies. Whether you're soothing a fussy baby, helping with diaper changes, or simply offering a warm presence, your time and care will make an incredible difference.
If you feel called to serve, please join us. Come witness the beauty of Christ’s love in the smallest among us. Reach out today and become part of this life-changing mission!
If you or anyone you know is interested, contact Presbytera Merilynn.
In Christ,
Julia Paresenios
Casa Cuna Caregiver
Project Mexico and St Innocent Orphanage
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.