Your employer could be offering Matching Gifts Programs as an easy and structured way for them to support good work in the community. Please ASK your employer if they offer some type of philanthropic program in which a company may financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they will request the matching gift from their employer to the specific nonprofit organization. In order to assist our Saint Nicholas Community, we are kindly asking that you learn more about Company Matching Donations at work by inquiring with your Company's Human Resources Department if it offers a similar program. Please note that Saint Nicholas Church would be identified in a Company Matching Program as "Greek Orthodox Community of Santa Clara County". 

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a 501©3 Corporation and our tax ID is 94-1578745. 

Stewardship 2025 as of March 20, 2025

Goal: $605,000 (Approved 2025 Budget)
Pledged: $287,816
Pledges Paid: $157,176
Average Pledge: $1,246
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $130,640
Number of Stewards Pledging: 231

Stewardship 2024 on March 21, 2024 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $277,561
Pledges Paid: $152,061
Average Pledge: $1,234
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $125,500
Number of Stewards Pledging: 225

Please continue to keep our Saint Nicholas Church in your thoughts and prayers throughout 2025. 

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas.  Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2025 commitment pledge. 

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas?  Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2025 Stewardship Commitment Card.  You may also submit your commitment either online or by mailing it to the Church Office.

To give by mail: Stewardship 

                        St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
                        986 Chapman Street
                        San Jose, CA 95126

To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship:  https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate#stewardship

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donate

Company Matching Donations: many companies offer some type of philanthropic program in which a company may financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they will request the matching gift from their employer to the specific nonprofit organization. If you are interested to learn more about Company Matching Donations at work, please inquire with your Company's Human Resources Department if it offers a similar program. Please note that Saint Nicholas Church would be identified in a Company Matching Program as "Greek Orthodox Community of Santa Clara County". 

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a 501©3 Corporation and our tax ID is 94-1578745. 

In our Light A Candle program, vigil candle(s) are lit along with an opportunity to submit names to be prayed for at the Prothesis (Preparation) for forty days. Only Orthodox Christian first names (baptismal names) should be submitted.  It is important to separate the names of the living and the reposed.  When lit, the vigil candles last for one week.  Please see the online form on our website or use the link below.  

Donate online here: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle 

If you would prefer to mail in your request, please write the name(s) for whom the candle(s) will be lit and send to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Light a Candle, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 9126.  For more information, please call the church office.

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:  https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by Athena Frangides, Polyxene Kokinos, Niko Kolliopoulos, Koula Kouretas, Anthony Pappas, and Maria Pappas in the Community Center.  We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for March 30, 2025: The Center of Hellenic Education

In honor of Sunday of the Holy Cross on Sunday, March 23rd, St. Anna Philoptochos will have a tray available at dismissal with all proceeds going to Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.  Please make checks payable to St. Anna's Philoptochos, and put in the memo HCHC.  Thank you.

Saint Nicholas will have our annual Anastasi Luminaries.  The Luminaries will be placed and lit at dusk on Holy Saturday evening and remain illuminated throughout the Anastasi Service, creating a path of loving memory of those who have left us, and for hope for those living whom we wish to give strength and love. 

An invitation is extended to all to participate by providing the names and contributions either online (see below), by email at [email protected]  or by phone at 408-246-2770.  

To place your request online, please click on the link: https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate and include your name, contact phone number, the number of luminaries AND the names of loved ones you would like to honor - both living and/or deceased in the "Additional Comments" section.  Include the words 'Anastasis Luminaries' in the comments field as well.  

Suggested donation $10 per luminary.  Please note all contributions will benefit Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. 

Please also reference the flyer in the Special Events section of this e-bulletin.

In preparation for Pascha, we will be doing some light cleaning of the church sanctuary on Tuesday, April 1st beginning at 9:00am. Everyone is welcome to come and help including families!  Cleaning supplies provided.  For more information, please call the church office 408-246-2770.

Our spring semester of Orthodoxy 101 will be a journey looking at Old Testament prophesies, alliterations, precursors, and foreshadowing of the passion and resurrection of Christ. 

Join Fr. Nebojsa Pantic via Zoom on Mondays in February, and HYBRID on Mondays during Great Lent, and following Pascha.  

During Lent the class will be followed by Great Compline at 7pm.  After Pascha, the class will continue as a Hybrid class.  We will go until the end of the Sunday School year.

The next class will be Monday, March 31st at 6:15pm to 7pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7084362224 

For more information please contact [email protected] 

At the Agape Vespers, celebrated the Sunday of Pascha morning at 11:00am, we will have the Gospel reading in many different languages. This is the only case within the year that lay-people, men and women of all ages, are allowed to read the Gospel reading in the church.  If you are able to read the Gospel reading in any other language, besides English and Greek, such as Latin, French, German, or Spanish, please contact Fr. James at the church office at 408-246-2770 or email [email protected].  First come first served.  We need to know ahead of time who is reading for the Agape Service, so we can prepare the order of the Gospel readings and the position for each of the readers in the church. 

Please note that the office will have limited hours on Monday, March 24th and closed for the Archdiocesan observance of the Annunication of the Theotokos on Tuesday, March 25th. 

However, if you have a pastoral emergency and you need to reach a priest, please call 408-246-2781.

The annual Greek Flag Raising, in recognition of Greek Independence Day, will be held on Friday, March 21st 5:00pm at the San Jose City Hall Plaza, 200 E Santa Clara Street. Facilitated by AHEPA Silicon Valley Chapter 251and Daughters of Penelope Daphne #29, the ceremony will be hosted by Councilmember Pam Foley.  

There will also be a reception on the City Hall Tower 17th floor immediately following the ceremony compliments of the Order of AHEPA & Daughters of Penelope San Jose Chapters.

Please note that in order to get validated parking, you need to be in the City Hall Garage before 5 pm. After 5pm, it’s locked and you can only exit the parking structure. The garage is located off of 6th Street at 45 S Sixth St., San Jose, 95113.

The 2025 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is just around the corner! Hosted by the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, this festival is a fantastic opportunity for our youth to express their faith, share their thoughts, and shine on stage.

The Oratorical Festival is on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Saint Nicholas Church at noon.  On this special day, all our participating children will present their speeches here at Saint Nicholas.  Let's fill the room with support and encouragement for our outstanding youth. Your presence means the world to them; together, we can make it a day to remember! 

Please join us for our second annual Lock In event scheduled for Friday, March 28th.  Please arrive for the Salutations Service at 7:00pm.  A Lenten dinner will be served after church.  The Lock-In ends on Saturday, March 29th at 10:00am following breakfast.  Plan for faith, fun and fellowship!

Parent advisors will be in attendance at all times.  Please reach out to Eva Vathis at [email protected] with any questions regarding the event. Please RSVP by Monday, March 24th to [email protected].  Thank you!

The Greek School (CHE) warmly invites you to join us in honoring the historic Greek Independence Day (March 25, 1821) and the Annunciation of the Theotokos. Our celebration will take place at the Community Hall on Sunday, March 30, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

Enjoy a delightful coffee hour featuring a spread of desserts and fresh fruit. Additionally, delicious vegetarian moussaka, traditional phyllo pies, and the famous Luigi spaghetti marinara with bread and salad will be available for purchase.  All proceeds will support our Greek School.

The event will begin with the singing of the national anthems, followed by a special program where our students will present plays, songs, poems, and readings to honor the heroes of Greek Independence.  We will also proudly present Greek Language Exam diplomas to our participating students.

We look forward to celebrating together—your presence will make this event even more special!

ΖΗΤΩ ΤΟ 1821! ΖΗΤΩ Η ΕΛΛΑΣ!  

After the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday, March 26th at 6:30pm at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, San Jose, we'll be gathering for a lenten potluck and spiritual talk.   

This event is open to everyone—don't miss out on this opportunity for an evening of delicious food, engaging fellowship, and learning about our faith.  Please bring a lenten dish to share.  We'd love to see you there! 

Special note: we will be celebrating Presanctified Liturgy and Potluck on alternating Wednesdays with St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church.

All St. Nicholas families and community welcome! Join Presbytera Vasso and Presbytera Stephanie as we come together with love, gratitude, and faith to make 1000 palm crosses for our Palm Sunday Services. 

Date: Friday, April 11th

Time:  6:00 PM

Location:  Small Hall

Please bring a Lenten dish to share! Drinks, coffee, and Lenten desserts will be provided.

With much joy, the Saint Nicholas Parish Council invites you to a Palm Sunday Luncheon in the Community Center with a traditional fish meal (fish, salad, orzo, vegetables, bread, dessert, coffee, water, and wine) following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 13th.  Adults $25, Kids $10 (a table of 8 for $140).  Children's menu: Pasta or fish.

Tickets will be available during coffee hour. Please rsvp by March 30th.  

RSVP Link:   https://forms.gle/gh7DAXgYZSkB3XX56

For any questions or to rsvp, please contact: Vicki Ryan 408-858-4774 or [email protected].

A great weekend as our three boys teams all won last weekend.  All five teams are in action this weekend in Oakland and Castro Valley.

This week is Sunday Mar 23rd

Girls Elementary Last week:  bye   This week: vs Ascension @ Oakland, 2pm  Next week: bye

Girls Middle School Last week:  bye   This week: vs Ascension @ Oakland, 3pm  Next week: bye

Boys Elementary Last week: St. Nick 31 - Ascension2 19, breakout game for Yianni P and Dimitri P; tough rebounding from William K

This week: vs Holy Cross @ Castro Valley,2pm    Next week: vs Resurrection @ Oakland, 5pm

Boys Middle School Last week : St. Nick 41 - Annunciation 34, down early the team rallied and pulled away

This week: vs St. Gregory @ Ascension, 5pm    Next week: bye

Boys High School Last week: St. Nick 38 - Annunciation 34; Giorgio and Dionysis lead again, Cameron with a big late basket

This week: Annunciation @ Castro Valley, 4pm   Next week: vs Holy Cross @ Belmont, 4pm

*Games subject to change.  Official practice and game schedule will be kept up-to-date on the TeamSnap app.  Parents/Players, make sure you are inputting your game availability into the TeamSnap app.

Adult Open Gym continues on Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm and Saturday mornings 10am-12pm.  There is an annual fee of $175 to participate, liability waiver required.  Register for Adult Open Gym here https://www.saintnicholas.org/basketball to get added to the WhatsApp group and participate.

Join us in an entertaining night with a well-known live standup comedian, Angelo Tsarouchas, on Friday, May 2nd in the Community Center.  Doors open at 7:00pm and show starts at 8:30am.  There will be tasty appetizers, no host bar, and music and dancing to DJ Alex Vital Sounds following the show.

Buy tickets, $85 per person, using the link below or using the flyer QR-code in the Special Events section in this e-bulletin.  Tickets also available at coffee hour on Sundays.  

For tickets:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-and-opa-night-featuring-angelo-tsarouchas-tickets-1259181789629?aff=oddtdtcreator

All proceeds benefit our AHEPA and DOP Chapters and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. A portion also supports the National AHEPA Project "Journey to Greece". 

The AHEPA Journey to Greece program, a cultural immersion initiative, supports and enables high school seniors and college undergraduates to earn up to six college course credits.  Originally initiated in 1968, the program transported a youthful generation of Greek American youths to explore their ancestral culture and land.  It was revitalized in 2006 in collaboration with Webster University.

Since its establishment, AHEPA, the largest and oldest Greek American Organization in the U.S., has consistently dedicated itself to advancing education for the upcoming generations. 

For questions, contact Jacqui Argyres at [email protected]  or Vassilis Zarifis at [email protected].

Join the Kentima Ministry on Sunday, March 23rd as we meet during coffee hour in the Senior Room to build new skills and fellowship.  We began last year with embroidery basics and will continue building new skills with cross stitch as the focus this season.  We will start about 10 minutes into coffee hour, grab yourself a snack and head over!  All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Basic supplies will be provided.

Our schedule this season will be Sundays, March 9th, 16th, & 23rd and Sunday, April 6th.  If you have needlecraft expertise you are willing to share or supplies you’d like to donate, please reach out Meredith Panayotopoulos at 408-849-9552.

Please mark your calendars for the 2025 Saint Nicholas San Jose College Ministry event dates!

Compline at 6:00pm, followed by food and fellowship in the Office Conference Room.

Wed. April 9, 2025

Wed. May 14, 2025

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Fr. Nebojsa or [email protected] 

Please consider contributing a special donation towards Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha as well as a Wish List item for our Community Center, to offset church expenses, by selecting to sponsor towards an item from the list below.  Please make your checks payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and put the item name in the memo or comments section. Any amount is appreciated!  To give online, click here:  https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate.  Thank you and Kali Sarakosti!

It is with pleasure that we announce the scholarship applications for both St. Nicholas Sunday School and St. Anna Philoptochos are available in the Sunday School office as well as the Church Office.  The cutoff date for both scholarships is Friday, May 2nd no later than 5:00pm.

Qualifications are listed on both applications, and recipients will be announced on Sunday, May 18, 2025 following the Divine Liturgy.

Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Laurie Sahines at 408-823-0111 or via email:  [email protected].

The Greek American Professional Women’s Society is proud to support and mentor young women who work towards advancing their education and becoming successful members of their communities.​The Society announces a scholarship award to be offered to a female college student of Hellenic heritage in 2025. ​Eligible applicants must be residents of California, full-time, degree-seeking college students (undergraduate) at an accredited college or university in the United States.  A minimum GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) is required. ​The 2025 GAPWS scholarship recipient will receive $2,000. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2025.  To apply go to www.gapws.org.

You can register your children here: Sunday School—Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  We look forward to a beautiful year of growth, learning, and community.  Please see our calendar of events for the first half below.

March
23 - Sunday School and Oratorical Festival
30 - Family Divine Liturgy and Greek Independence Day

April
6 - Sunday School
11 - FRIDAY: PALM MAKING CROSSES AND POTLUCK
13- Sunday School and Palm Sunday
18 - FRIDAY: GOOD FRIDAY RETREAT 1030AM - 230PM
20- No Sunday School - Pascha
27- Family Divine Liturgy - No Sunday School

May
4 - Sunday School
11 - Sunday School and Mother's Day
18 - Sunday School - Graduation

CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition in a deep and meaningful way. There are four CrossRoad sessions to choose from. Apply early to secure your preferred location – Boston, New York, or Southern California. Session details: today at www.CrossRoadInstitute.org.  

New from the Department of Religious Education of our Archdiocese!  Take a look:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/religioused/didyouknow

Please read the Canon of Faith for March 2025 using the online link viewing:      

https://indd.adobe.com/view/d8c02862-6292-4ead-a4a9-5b681b6921fa

Online engagement plays a key part in helping the San Jose Greek Festival be successful.  Please follow our social media accounts on any platforms you are active on and always like, share, and comment on the posts made. It is the easiest way to help people learn about the Festival and make it successful. 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sjgreekfestival

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjgreekfestival/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJGREEKFESTIVAL

Invite all your local friends and family to attend the San Jose Greek Festival on our official Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1348067079885866 

The San Jose Greek Festival is also on Yelp!: https://www.yelp.com/biz/san-jose-greek-festival-san-jose 

It only takes seconds of your time to like, comment on, or share a post made by the San Jose Greek Festival. Please consider doing so the next time you see a post on any of our accounts! 

**St. Nicholas is trying to get a group together to attend Session 3**

This July, the Metropolis invites youth ages 8-18 to join us for the Metropolis Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This exciting experience offers a chance to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and deepen your faith. Online camper registration opens on February 1, and spots will fill up quickly!

METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP WEBSITE: https://gosfyouth.org/summer-camp

2025 SUMMER CAMP DATES

Session 1: July 6 - 12

Session 2: July 13 - 19

Session 3: July 20 - 26

Adult Open Gym Basketball is every Wednesday at 7:30pm and some Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon in the Community Center.  All parishioners (including guests) must sign up first before participating; online sign up form is at the link below.  All communications will be handled through WhatsApp where there will be live updates on the day of the event; link down below to join.

Adult Open Gym sign up form: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/95/responses/new

Adult Open Gym guidelines: 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1Pqh-9ytke7trggbRvI-t0IW4sHL22Re4/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword

Adult Open Gym WhatsApp group chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ExKTcpbEo7oBPOR3Ssfi1P

The Choir is actively recruiting new members!  If you are interested please contact Anthony Pappas at (408) 832-4271 for practice times.  On Sundays, the Choir performs at the Divine Liturgy.  Join the fun!

We are embarking on a new ministry opportunity for families living along the 101 corridor, south of San Jose! 

Any families or individuals who would like to join us for a once a month ministry opportunity for fellowship and faith based lessons for the whole family, can contact Fr. Nebojsa for more information at [email protected].  

To RSVP and receive a location address please contact Fr. Nebojsa due to limited space for this first gathering.  We hope to provide new locations and ministry activities every month. 

If you have lost an item and suspect you have left it on church grounds, please check the spot you may have left it the next time you are at church.  You can also call the Church Office at 408-246-2770 to see if it was turned in.  Lost items will be released to the person claiming to be the owner that has provided details to identify the item.  Items brought to the Church Office will be kept for 60 calendar days and then discarded or donated if not claimed.  Thank you!

We are collecting unwanted paper icons, wooden icons, and palms that require disposing, please drop off in the baby room in the Church.  There is a plastic bin located underneath the pew.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Julie via email: [email protected].

Please contact the church office at 408-246-2770 if you plan to leave items outside the office or Community Center.

If you wish to order kollyva, artoklasia, prosphora, paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, or other Greek pastries, please see the bakers listed below with their phone numbers to call.  Payment is arranged with the bakers and not the church.

For kollyva:   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124  

For paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, and other Greek pastries:   Maria Tsaboukos  408-723-5175      Antonia Komianos  408-472-3888     Marcella Fotis  408-723-4124.

For artoklasia:  Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124   

For prosphora:  Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124