Special Services

SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

DEAN PAGANELIS (40 DAYS), son of Rita Paganelis, brother of George Paganelis

FATHER DEACON DEMETRIOS DIAKOS (10 YRS), father of Mary Lawson and Paul Diakos, grandfather of Alexandra and Demetrios

May their memory be eternal.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by Maggie Andoniadou, Sofia Kotsiri, Christina Matheou, Penny Pagonis, Helene Panos, Nicole Perakis, Anthipe Pries, and Eva Vathis in the Small Hall with support from families with memorial services. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for May 18, 2025: Ahepa/DOP

**Please note: Printed Sunday scripture readings are available in the Narthex**

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.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:12-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν, καί αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν. Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες, καὶ ἐστὲ σκυθρωποί; Ἀποκριθείς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ· ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου, καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν· ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ. Ἀλλά γε οὖν σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον, ἀφ' οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. Ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὂρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. Καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον· αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. Καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ Προφῆται. Οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; Καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο ποῤῥωτέρω πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτόν, λέγοντες· Μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν, λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. Αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ' αὐτῶν. Καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς Γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως, καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. Καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 3rd Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. 3rd Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1.
Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.
Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 9:32-42.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδαν. Εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα Αἰνέαν ὀνόματι, ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ κραββάτῳ, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος, Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ἰησοῦς ὁ Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. Καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδαν καὶ τὸν Ἀσσάρωνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον. Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβηθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἀγαθῶν ἔργων καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ αὐτὴν ἔθηκαν ἐν ὑπερῴῳ. Ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδης τῇ Ἰόππῃ, οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ, ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτόν, παρακαλοῦντες μὴ ὀκνῆσαι διελθεῖν ἕως αὐτῶν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετʼ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς. Ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο· καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα, εἶπεν, Ταβηθά, ἀνάστηθι. Ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς· καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον, ἀνεκάθισεν. Δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα, ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν· φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας, παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν. Γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθʼ ὅλης τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Sunday of the Paralytic
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 5:1-15

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀνέβη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἔστι δὲ ἐν τοῖς ῾Ιεροσολύμοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα, ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσδά, πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα. ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο πλῆθος πολὺ τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν, ξηρῶν, ἐκδεχομένων τὴν τοῦ ὕδατος κίνησιν. ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ κολυμβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐταράσσετο τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος ἐμβὰς μετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο ᾧ δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήματι. ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ. τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς κατακείμενον, καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει, λέγει αὐτῷ· θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν· Κύριε, ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω, ἵνα ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ, βάλῃ με εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν· ἐν ᾧ δὲ ἔρχομαι ἐγώ, ἄλλος πρὸ ἐμοῦ καταβαίνει. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἔγειρε, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἦρε τὸν κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι τῷ τεθεραπευμένῳ· σάββατόν ἐστιν· οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι ἆραι τὸν κράβαττον. ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· ὁ ποιήσας με ὑγιῆ, ἐκεῖνός μοι εἶπεν· ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. ἠρώτησαν οὖν αὐτόν· τίς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ εἰπών σοι, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ὁ δὲ ἰαθεὶς οὐκ ᾔδει τίς ἐστιν· ὁ γὰρ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξένευσεν ὄχλου ὄντος ἐν τῷ τόπῳ. μετὰ ταῦτα εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἴδε ὑγιὴς γέγονας· μηκέτι ἁμάρτανε, ἵνα μὴ χεῖρόν σοί τι γένηται. ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τοῖς ᾿Ιουδαίοις ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.

Stewardship and Donations

ST. NICHOLAS STEWARDSHIP 2025

Stewardship 2025 as of May 8, 2025

Goal: $593,000 (Approved 2025 Budget)
Pledged: $336,524
Pledges Paid: $217,269
Median Pledge $700; Average Pledge: $1,185
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $119,255
Number of Stewards Pledging: 284

Stewardship 2024 on May 9, 2024 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $340,643
Pledges Paid: $218,818
Average Pledge: $1,191
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $121,825
Number of Stewards Pledging: 286

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.

DOES YOUR EMPLOYER OFFER MATCHING DONATIONS?

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.

LIGHT A CANDLE

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.

DONATIONS VIA FACEBOOK

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/

Special Announcements

FESTIVAL DONATION NEEDS

Dear Parishioners,

As we prepare for our highly anticipated festival, the Festival Committee has encountered higher costs this year affecting all supply purchases and labor expenses. To help offset these increases, we welcome any support from our generous community. Below, you will find opportunities to contribute to the festival’s needs. You can sponsor an entire item on the list or a partial amount. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference!

If you would like to help, please contact Nick Pagonis at [email protected], or Nektarios Matheou at [email protected].

We are deeply grateful for all parishioners willing to contribute, and we sincerely thank you for being an essential part of our festival’s success.

Food Items	Total Cost	Donated Amount	Amount Remaining
Whole Lamb (2)	$400	$400	$0
1,200lbs of Flour	$500		$500
Greek Coffee	$700		$700
Olives	$900	$900	$0
Eggs	$1,000	$1,000	$0
1,300lbs of Sugar	$1,100		$1,100
3 pallets of water	$1,200		$1,200
Frappe	$1,300		$1,300
Olive Oil	$1,500	$1,500	$0
Soft Drinks	$1,500		$1,500
Coke/Soft Drinks	$1,500		$1,500
Loux	$1,800		$1,800
Feta	$2,000		$2,000
Filo	$2,000		$2,000
Pita	$2,000		$2,000
60 cases of French fries	$2,000		$2,000
Ground Meat	$4,000		$4,000
Calamari	$4,200		$4,200
Butter	$5,400		$5,400
Gyro Meat	$6,000		$6,000
Beer	$5,000		$5,000
Wine	$10,000		$10,000
Lamp Chops	$29,000		$29,000

Festival Operating Costs	Total Cost	Amount Donated	Amount Remaining
Security
Pastry Displays (6 new ones)
Point of Sale Terminals
Shuttles
Advertisement
Labor
Tent Rentals
Operating Cost Donations	$102,600	$1,000	$101,600

PICK UP FESTIVAL FLYERS AND ENTRANCE COUPONS!

Please pick up festival entrance tickets and flyers from the Narthex, both halls, or the church office to distribute around or post. Thank you!

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS!

The Festival is right around the corner, and we need volunteers! To volunteer please hit this link https://www.saintnicholas.org/festival-volunteer. Note you can volunteer for each day. If you have any questions, please contact Anthony Pappas at 408-832-4271.

ALL GRADUATING SENIORS - HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR TRADE SCHOOL

Graduation is an important event for you and your child, and it is equally important to us. We want to honor and congratulate the Class of 2025 by recognizing them in the June Canon of Faith. Please submit the following information by Thursday, May 15th:

1. Student’s name.
2. Parents'/guardian names.
3. Student’s high school/college/trade school name of which graduating from.
4. Name of college or university student planning to attend.
5. Desired or actual major.
6. If a college degree was earned, please add if a BS, BA, Masters, or PhD
7. Phone number in case we have questions

8. For high school graduates only: please inlcude 2 photos: a baby photo and a recent photo for the collage in the Canon.

Deadline: Thursday, May 15th. All content needs to be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 408-246-2770

ORTHODOXY 101: PRELUDE TO PASCHA - CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

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, May 12th at 6:00pm to 7pm: htt ps://us02web.zoom.us/j/7084362224 or in-person in the office

For more information please contact [email protected]

LEMONS NEEDED FOR FESTIVAL

If you have any extra lemons and rosemary sprigs/branches, please bring them to the Community Center kitchen by Wednesday, May 28th for use during the festival. You can also drop them off at coffee hour in the Small Hall. Thank you.

Upcoming Events

COLLEGE STUDENT MINISTRY

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. May 14, 2025

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

KOULOURAKIA FOR FESTIVAL - FRIDAY, MAY 16TH

Please come on Friday, May 16th to the Community Center to help with making Koulourakia for the festival. Assembly begins daily at 9:00am and finishes around 2pm. Come and join the fun and camaraderie as we cook for the festival! If you can come for the whole day or only a few hours, your help will be very much needed and appreciated. For more information, please call the church office at 408-246-2770. See you there!

2025 FESTIVAL PROGRAM BOOKLET - BUY ADVERTISEMENT SPACE!

As in years past, to assist in offsetting our costs we are soliciting advertising from businesses and our own parishioners. These ads are seen by as many as 20,000 Festival attendees, which is great visibility for your business, as well as helping to make our Greek Festival a success! If you wish, as an individual, to give a shout-out to the festival, you can do that too!

Prices for all color ads:

Interior Full page.......................................$800

Half Page...................................................$500

Please call or email Elias Papas at [email protected] (408-497-4522) or Sofia Kotsiri at [email protected] (919-696-7398) to reserve your ad.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2025.

FESTIVAL COOKING SCHEDULE

Please come and help with cooking and assembling of food for the festival. Cooking begins daily at 9:00am and finishes around 2pm. Come and join the fun and camaraderie! If you can come for the whole day or only a few hours, your help will be very much appreciated. For more information, please call the church office at 408-246-2770. Here is the schedule:

May 16, Fri - Koulourakia CC Roula Demertzis 408-268-7645, Maria Tsaboukos 408-723-5175

May 22, Thur - Melomakarona CC - Laurie Sahines

May 26, Mon - Souvlakia/Loukanika/Calamari CC - John, Pete, Kosta Niktas 408-605-4949

May 28, Wed - Tzatziki CC Roula Demertzis - 408-268-7645

Yemista Prep - Nicki Poulos

May 29, Thurs - Yemista CC Nicki Poulos - 408-723-2613

ST. NICHOLAS BASKETBALL - TEAMS FINISH REGULAR SEASON STRONG: ALL IN PLAYOFFS THIS WEEKEND

The five teams finished the regular season strong this weekend with four of them getting victories. The teams achieved a combined record of 20-12. All five will participate this playoff weekend. The boys have semi-final games Saturday to qualify for Championship Games on Sunday in San Jose. The two girls teams have already qualified for Championship Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day to all our dedicated basketball Moms!

This week is May 10th/11th

Girls Elementary Last week: San Jose 19 – Ascension 14 ; Dina, Eleni, Maria lead scoring

This week: vs Ascension Sunday @ San Jose, 2pm (Championship)

Girls Middle School Last week: San Jose 26 – Ascension 34

This week: vs Ascension Sunday @ San Jose, 3pm (Championship)

Boys Elementary Last week: San Jose 31 – Ascension1 17; Alecco, Gio and Dimitri help clinch 3^rdplace regular season

This week: vs Holy Cross Saturday @ Belmont, 1pm (semi-final); if win, Sunday @ San Jose, 4pm (Championship)

Boys Middle School Last week: San Jose 37 – Annunciation 35; Xeno leads scorers with 18 to clinch tie for 1st regular season

This week: vs Annunciation @ Belmont, 12pm (semi-final); if win, Sunday @ San Jose, 5pm (Championship)

Boys High School Last week: San Jose 68 – Holy Cross 48; Everyone scores, Niko breaks out with 14 to csecure 2nd place regular season

This week: vs Annunciation @ Oakland, 12pm (semi-final); if win, Sunday @ San Jose, 6pm (Championship)

End of Season BBQ/Potluck: Thursday May 15th skills competition, 3x3, 3-pt contest, email coming soon with more info

*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.

PHILOPTOCHOS ELECTIONS

St Anna Philoptochos elections will take place on Sunday, May 25th in the Senior Room of the Small Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

Special Events

San Jose Greek Festival! May 30 & 31, June 1st

Please share our Greek Festival flyer!

Festival Donation Drive

As we prepare for our highly anticipated San Jose Greek Festival, the Festival Committee has encountered higher costs this year affecting all supply purchases and labor expenses. To help offset these increases, we welcome any support from our generous community. In the flyer, you will find opportunities to contribute to the festival’s needs. You can sponsor an entire item on the list or a partial amount. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference! If you would like to help, please contact Nick Pagonis at [email protected], or Nektarios Matheou at [email protected]. We are deeply grateful for all parishioners willing to contribute, and we sincerely thank you for being an essential part of our festival’s success.

Golden Years End of Year Lunch - Offsite - May 13th

Please see the enclosed flyer and rsvp by May 8, 2025.

Greek Food Faire Pop Up - Santa Cruz - Friday, May 16 - Saturday, May 17th

Authentic Greek Food and Live Music in Downtown Santa Cruz! See the attached flyer.

Short Course on Theology - Virtual - Begins April 30th

Adult theology course: A Very Short Basic Course in Orthodox Theology with Dr. Paraskeve (Eve) Tibbs beginning Wednesday, April 30, 2025 and continuing for 5 weeks (• April 30 • May 7 • May 14 • May 21 • May 28) @ 5:00-6:50 pm | Zoom only. Registration is Required: https://orthodoxyou.com/register

Greek Village Immersion! St. Nicholas Ranch - June 15 - 21

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience where faith, culture, and adventure come together for a summer you’ll never forget at Our Greek Village immersion camp. Set against the beautiful backdrop of St. Nicholas Ranch, Greek Village is where campers immerse themselves in our Orthodox faith, explore Greek heritage, and build lifelong friendships. Celebrate culture and language, live your faith. Register today: www.ourgreekvillage.com

Education and Scholarships

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATES

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.

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

CROSSROAD 2025 APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

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

Ministries and Organizations

THANK YOU FROM TEAM KOURAMBIETHES

A grateful thank you goes out to all who came to to help with the assembly and baking of festival Kourambiethes. So many hands and smiles were greatly appreciated!

CANON OF FAITH - MAY 2025

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

https://indd.adobe.com/view/983a8e6b-3c6c-4c64-89b4-b1fc29ff63a7

FESTIVAL - SOCIAL MEDIA

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!

METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP 2025

**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

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

CHOIR

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!

GILROY FAMILY FELLOWSHIP

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.

LOST AND FOUND

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!

YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Sunday School

Greek Folk Dance

Information and registration for our Dance program here: https://www.saintnicholas.org/greek-dance

Greek School

Our Greek School is up and running again this year with both in-person and online classes for all ages and levels.

Registration link: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/98/responses/new (updated!)

Basketball

Information and registration here: https://www.saintnicholas.org/basketball (updated!)

Altar Servers:

Any young men over the age of 7 and interested in serving the altar are invited to join one of our Altar Groups for the next ecclesiastical year.

Please register here: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/112/responses/new (updated!)

GOYA

GOYA is a ministry for children from 6th - 12th grades. We meet every 2nd Sunday of the month and have social events throughout the year, as well as sessions and retreats. For more information please visit our site: https://www.saintnicholas.org/goya

JOY/HOPE

JOY/HOPE is a ministry for children from Kindergarten to 5th Grade and open to all. We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the Month in the evening at 7:00pm. For more information visit our site: https://www.saintnicholas.org/joyhope

A HOME FOR ICONS

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.

GREEK PASTRIES, KOLLYVA, ARTOKLASIA & PROSPHORA

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

Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/

Sunday, May 11 - Sunday of the Paralytic
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Wednesday, May 14 - Mid-Pentecost
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, May 18 - Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

LIGHT A CANDLE: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle

Online Links to the Text of Church Services:

At our parish we use an online tool for all of our Liturgical services called Ages Initiatives. Please know that we always encourage participation through the praying of the services, and this online resource is the primary resource we use at the chant stand and the Altar. To access services, please check out the daily calendar available on Ages:

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html

Also, there is an Application that you can use and download on the Apple platform:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/digital-chant-stand/id891132857

Please also note that you can use this resource for the services we have in our church, and that we will be using this resource as well.

Saints and Feasts

May 11

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.