Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-10-15
Bulletin Contents
Special Services
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Stewardship and Donations
Special Announcements
Upcoming Events
Metropolis and Other Special Events
Ministries and Organizations
Education Programs
Schedule of Services
Saints and Feasts
Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep
Wisdom of the Fathers
Liturgical Calendar

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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (408) 246-2770
  • Fax:
  • (408) 246-0143
  • Street Address:

  • 1260 Davis Street

  • San Jose, CA 95126
  • Mailing Address:

  • 986 Chapman Street

  • San Jose, CA 95126

Contact Information

Proistamenos: Rev. Fr. James Kumarelas


[email protected]

Assistant Priest: Rev. Fr. Nebojsa Pantic


[email protected]

Services Schedule

Sundays: 

Orthros at 8:15am followed by Divine Liturgy 9:30am
Church School 9:30 a.m.

Weekdays: Orthros at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.

Feast Days: see embedded Calendar on website: www.saintnicholas.org

Confessions: Please call Office.

Past Bulletins


Special Services

SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

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

ATHENA MASTORA (40 DAYS), mother of Jerry (Fely) Mastora and Stephanie Mastora Morris, grandmother of Peter (Melissa), Nicholas (Tia), Jeremy Morris, Allyson (Eric) Morris Jones, nine great grandchildren

STAMATIOS FOTIS (9 YRS), son of Gust and Marcella Fotis, father of Gust Fotis, brother of George Fotis

STAMATIOS AND EVANGELIA NIKTAS (ANNUAL), parents of Marcella Fotis

STAMATIOS AND ANGELIKI FOTIS (ANNUAL), parents of Gust Fotis

IOANNIS KOUGERLIS (ANNUAL), brother-in-law of Marcella Fotis

MARCELLA AND STYLIANOS XENIAS (ANNUAL) AND GIORGIOS AND MARIA NIKTAS (ANNUAL), grandparents of Marcella Fotis

KOSTAS AND IRINI FOTIS (ANNUAL) AND IOANNIS AND MARIANTHE STATHIS (ANNUAL), grandparents of Gust Fotis

IRINI SHEAFER (ANNUAL), sister of Gust Fotis 

May their memory be eternal. 

 

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope (DOP) in the Small Hall with support from parish families with memorial services.  We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία εἱστήκει πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον κλαίουσα ἔξω· ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ, καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὅτι ᾖραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν· καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾒδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρὸς ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ αὐτὸν ἔθηκας, κᾀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μαρία· στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· Ῥαββουνί· ὃ λέγεται Διδάσκαλε· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Μή μου ἃπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου, καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· Ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν· ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον· καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Προκείμενον. 4th Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8-15.

Τέκνον Τίτε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις · μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι. αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ᾽ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 8:5-15

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν ὃ μὲν ἔπεσε παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ κατεπατήθη, καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατέφαγεν αὐτό· καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν, καὶ φυὲν ἐξηράνθη διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ἰκμάδα· καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκανθῶν, καὶ συμφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό. καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, καὶ φυὲν ἐποίησε καρπὸν κατονταπλασίονα. ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει· ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω. ᾿Επηρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· τίς εἴη ἡ παραβολὴ αὕτη; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐν παραβολαῖς, ἵνα βλέποντες μὴ βλέπωσι καὶ ἀκούοντες μὴ συνιῶσιν. ἔστι δὲ αὕτη ἡ παραβολή· ὁ σπόρος ἐστὶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ· οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν. οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας οἳ ὅταν ἀκούσωσι, μετὰ χαρᾶς δέχονται τὸν λόγον, καὶ οὗτοι ῥίζαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, οἳ πρὸς καιρὸν πιστεύουσι καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ ἀφίστανται. τὸ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας πεσόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, καὶ ὑπὸ μεριμνῶν καὶ πλούτου καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καὶ οὐ τελεσφοροῦσι. τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ καλῇ γῇ, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἵτινες ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον κατέχουσι καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ. ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει· ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal 4th Mode

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.
Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας· πολυεύσπλαγχνε, δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Stewardship and Donations

ST. NICHOLAS STEWARDSHIP 2023

Stewardship 2023 as of October 12, 2023:

Goal: $500,000 ($3000 per Stewardship Family, as an average)
Pledged: $441,623
Pledges Paid: $375,169
Average Pledge: $1,280
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $66,454
Number of Stewards Pledging: 345

Stewardship 2022 on October 12, 2022 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $425,000 ($3000 per Stewardship Family, as an average)
Pledged: $445,248
Pledges Paid: $366,750
Average Pledge: $1,237
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $78,498
Number of Stewards Pledging: 360

Please continue to keep our Saint Nicholas Church in your thoughts and prayers throughout 2023. 

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas.  Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2023 commitment pledge. 

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas?  Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2023 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 link: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/70/responses/new

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. 


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).  When lit, the vigil candles last for one week.  Please see the online form on our website or use the link below.  When filling out the online form, please note that only first names are needed, preferably the baptized names, and it's helpful to designate if prayers will be for health or for repose.

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/


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Special Announcements

GIVE A WARM WELCOME - FATHER JAMES AND PRESBYTERA VASSO

We are pleased to announce that our future Proistamenos, Father James and Presbytera Vasso Kumarelas, will be joining Saint Nicholas this coming Sunday, October 15, 2023, for liturgical services. Please join us in giving Father and Presbytera a warm and enthusiastic welcome.


ORTHODOXY 101: A SURVEY COURSE OF ORTHODOX SERVICES - MONDAYS!

Join us on Monday nights from 6:15pm -7:00pm as we take an overall look at the liturgical services as well as prayer services most often used in the life of the Church.  We will begin the course with a general overview of the Divine Services that can happen daily, weekly, and year around. Then we will take a look at the services in the Small Evhologion (prayer book) that is commonly used by priests, so we will have a birds-eye view of what services are available to Orthodox Christians. 

Please note the schedule below and please use the following Zoom information:

Topic: Orthodoxy 101 - Services of the Church (a Survey Course) 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7084362224

Meeting ID: 708 436 2224


COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD - FORM IS ONLINE!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we come upon the Christmas holidays, it is time to start planning for our parish’s joyous tradition of greeting one another through the mailing of our Community Christmas Card. 

Paper forms have already been mailed out, and you can mail back the paper form to the church office with the names spelled clearly as you would like them to appear on the card, OR you can submit your entry online today by clicking on the link below:

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/77/responses/new

The deadline for submitting names for the Christmas Card is Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

Please prayerfully consider including a contribution towards the cost of making our card possible.

For any questions, please call the church office at 408-246-2770.

With love in Christ,
Father Christopher Metropulos


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Upcoming Events

GOYA MEETING

GOYA welcomes you back to another year!  We plan to meet on the third Sunday of each month after Church School from 11:30-12:30 in Room 11.  Please join us for our first meeting Sunday, October 15th.  From there we will plan events and activities for the year. For questions, please contact Eva Vathis at 916-956-0985 or [email protected]. 


HOPE/JOY MEETING

 Thank you to those who were able to join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 for our first JOY/HOPE meeting of the year.  The kids had a great time!  Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023.  Following Greek School, we will meet at 7 p.m. in the Small Hall.  We hope that all students in grades K-5th can join us!  Please feel free to reach out to Helene Panos if you have any questions: 209.324.4918.    


OXI DAY CELEBRATION - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22ND

Dear Parents, Families, and Supporters of the Center of Hellenic Education of the Saint Nicholas Community,

The Greek School (CHE) is very pleased to invite you on Sunday October 22nd, after the Divine Liturgy, in the Community Center for a patriotic program to honor and remember the historic OXI of 1940 and the events of the WWII.

This is also a fundraising lunch event to support the evergrowing needs of our Greek School.  You can make your table reservations for lunch using the link below or by email to [email protected].

Link to online table reservations: 2023 OXI Day Table Reservation — Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

The lunch offered is a gyro meal (which includes salad and chips), french fries, mousakas, pastitsio and dolmades. There will be meals available for purchase a la carte for $15.00 a piece and wine by the glass ($5.00), soft drinks ($1.00). RSVP deadline and payment is by Friday, October 20th.

Please see the flyer in the Other Events section of this e-bulletin for more information about the celebration.

With respect,
Maggie Antoniadou - Gibbons
CHE Director


GOLDEN YEARS RENO TRIP - ALL INVITED

We will be leaving from St. Nicholas at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 23rd and returning on Tuesday evening, October 24th with an overnight stay at the Nugget. 

Players will receive a $5 slot play and $5 food coupon at the Nugget and, on the way home at Boomtown, a $10.00 slot play.

Below is pricing for transportation including resort fees and taxes, but excludes gratuity for bus driver which is $10.00 per person.

$149 per person (doubles in hotel);  $199 per person (single room)

Deadline for reservations for our trip is Friday, October 20th, 2023.  For more information or to RSVP, please contact Laurie Sahines, (408) 823-0111 or email at [email protected] or Dora Kouretas, (408) 406-0598 or email [email protected].


VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

The 18th annual St. Nicholas Volleyball Tournament - October 27-29, 2023

Please join us in welcoming visiting volleyball participants from our sister parishes throughout the Metropolis.   Games will begin promptly on Saturday, October 28th at 8:00am to 4:00pm at City Beach, 4020 Technology Pl, Fremont, CA and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the St. Nicholas Community Center.  

All of the visiting school age children are welcome to join us for Sunday School on Sunday morning.

This year is going to be one of our best years yet!  Our committee has been working diligently on putting together an exciting tournament for the benefit of all players and non-players alike!!

Big announcement! On behalf of our Volleyball Committee, we are happy and excited to announce that we have secured Los Angeles Greek singing sensation, Evangelia, to perform for us on Saturday night at our Glendi. The flyer is attached in the Special Events section of the is e-bulletin (scroll down to view it).  It will certainly be a night to remember!

Please note: if you are a registered volleyball player participating in the Tournament, you will gain automatic entry into the Glendi for the Evangelia show.  However, if you are not a player and wish to come to the Glendi, you can purchase your tickets at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saint-nicholas-volleyball-tournament-greek-night-tickets-705060784787?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete

Glendi tickets can also be purchased during Sunday coffee hour beginning on Sunday, October 8th.

Please purchase Glendi tickets in advance; limited seating; no tickets will be sold at the door.

Follow us on social media for updates! Instagram: @stnicholasvolleyball

Any questions, feel free to contact George Spilios, Tournament Chairman, [email protected], 408.806.1699.

Come and watch, cheer the teams, enjoy the glendi, and support this exciting event!


VOLUNTEERING AT SECOND HARVEST

Putting our Orthodox Faith into action! Join us at Second Harvest Food Bank the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6pm to 8pm, to prepare food for distribution in our Santa Clara County community.  One in five families in Santa Clara County faces food insecurity.  Help us serve our community while enjoying the fellowship of our Parishioners!  Advance registration is required; vaccination is suggested but not required; open to ages 12 and up. 

This coming Tuesday, September 26, 2023, our Second Harvest St. Nicholas at Night Volunteer shift is full.  However, on nights when all positions are filled, there are always a couple of “No Shows” so space can become available but not guaranteed.

We invite you to sign up in advance for Tuesday, October 24, 2023 using the October link!  https://www.shfb.org/give-help/volunteer/volcalendar-general/?shift_id=a0v8W00000WBbUhQAL


WARM COAT DRIVE

For the month of October, St. Anna Philoptochos and the St. Nicholas GOYA will be collecting warm coats of all sizes to be distributed to the San Jose Family Center.  All items donated must be cleaned before given to us.  Bins will be located in the foyer of the Community Center and in the Small Hall until Sunday, October 29th.


MONASTERY OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS, THE LIFE GIVING SPRING FUNDRAISER

Please save the date! Sunday, November 5th! - Monastery Fundraiser Dinner

Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood joyfully, with hope and thanksgiving for your constant support and many years of commitment, invite you to join us again for a Benefit Dinner.  The Monastery of the Theotokos of the Life Giving Spring Fundraising Dinner will be on Sunday, November 5th at the St. Nicholas Community Center at 5:00pm.  Donation for tickets for adults $75, children 12 and under $35.  All proceeds go to Monastery for essential support to the operation of the Monastery facility.  

For details or to RSVP, please contact Evagelia at: (408)499-3939, email at [email protected].


PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

It is that time of year again!  Our Philoptochos Christmas luncheon is on!  Save the date: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at the Saratoga Country Club.  Tickets will be sold beginning Sunday, October 8th at Sunday coffee hour.


VOLLEYBALL PRACTICES

Volleyball practices for our 18th Annual St Nicholas Volleyball Tournament continue in the Community Center.  Please join us!

Tuesday Nights
7:00 pm - Young Adult & Adult Practices

Thursday Nights
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Junior High
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - High School 

Sunday Nights
7:00pm - Open Gym practices for High School, Young Adult and Adult

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chairman George Spilios (408) 806-1699 or Head Coach Elias Papas (408) 497-4522.

Come join the fun!  The Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for the weekend of October 27-29th.


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Metropolis and Other Special Events

    OXI Day Celebration - Sun, Oct. 22nd - St. Nicholas

    OXI Day Celebration - Sun, Oct. 22nd - St. Nicholas

    Please see the detailed entry in the Upcoming Events section of this e-bulletin and the attached flyer about the celebration at St. Nicholas.

    St. Nicholas Volleyball Greek Night - Community Center - Sat, Oct. 28th

    St. Nicholas Volleyball Greek Night - Community Center - Sat, Oct. 28th

    Please see the detailed entry in the Upcoming Events section of this e-bulletin and the attached flyer about Volleyball Tournament and Glendi at St. Nicholas.

    Monastery Fundraiser Dinner - St. Nicholas - Sun, Nov 5th

    Monastery Fundraiser Dinner - St. Nicholas - Sun, Nov 5th

    See attached RSVP form and e-bulletin entry for the MONASTERY FUNDRAISER DINNER on Sunday November 5th 2023, 5:00pm, at the St Nicholas Community Center. For more details, to RSVP by phone or email, or with any questions, please call Evagelia at (408)-499-3939 or email at [email protected].

    Adult Greek Language Classes - St. Nicholas San Jose

    Adult Greek Language Classes - St. Nicholas San Jose

    The Adult Education Program (AEP) is comprised of three tracks, Modern Greek, New Testament Greek and Ancient Greek. Courses within each track have been developed to meet the needs of adult Greek language learners as they enter their journey of Greek Language Acquisition at the Beginner basic literacy stage, moving forward to the Intermediate Level, then seeking to achieve fluency at the Advanced Level, and finally reaching complete communicative Proficiency. Please read the attached flyer for more information on the offerings of our Adult Greek Language classes at St. Nicholas.

    St. Nicholas Seeking Greek School Teachers

    St. Nicholas Seeking Greek School Teachers

    Please see the attached flyer.

    Metropolis Gala - Saturday Oct. 28th - San Francisco

    Metropolis Gala - Saturday Oct. 28th - San Francisco

    The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco celebrates over 100 years of ministry on the west coast with a magnificent black-tie Gala held at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA on Saturday, October 28, 2023. The Gala honors its fourteen ministries, the extraordinary leadership of the Hierarchs who have served the Metropolis over the past century, and the presentation of the 2023 Theofanis Economidis Award to His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. For information on tickets, sponsorships and donations, please visit: www.sanfran.goarch.org/Gala

    Virtual Fall Parenting Series on Zoom - Nov. 8th

    Virtual Fall Parenting Series on Zoom - Nov. 8th

    Join George Papageorge, Metropolis Director of the Family Wellness Ministry (FWM) for the along with the entire Family Wellness Ministry team, for the launch of the Fall 2023 two-part parenting series on Zoom integrating solid psychological research and wisdom from Orthodox Christian teaching providing insightful and practical content with opportunities for interactive discussion. These sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, October 11 and Wednesday, November 8 and will share about cultivating stable emotional connection, communication skills, parenting styles and integration of authentic faith in Christ. Sign up today at www.familywellnessministry.org

    IOCC Food and Wine Tour

    IOCC Food and Wine Tour

    Please support IOCC by attending our annual fall fundraiser! This annual fundraiser is among the top 5 in the country and IOCC relies on the support of the SF Bay Area community to be able to fulfill its mission. This year it will be graciously hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of The Holy Cross in Belmont on Sunday, November 5th. Additional details are included below and can also be found here: International Orthodox Christian Charities (iocc.org) IOCC is the official humanitarian relief and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. It represents the American Orthodox Church’s humanitarian “first responders” when an emergency happens anywhere in the world, including here in the United States. Its mission is to provide “emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthen the capacity of the Orthodox Church to respond” to emergencies. Ninety two percent of donations goes directly to program services. IOCC is able to achieve this efficiency by partnering with local Orthodox parishes on the ground in the countries they work in. IOCC then provides the operational expertise and support to help these parishes direct resources where they can be most effective.

    Deacons Retreat 2023 - Irvine - Nov 3-5th

    Deacons Retreat 2023 - Irvine - Nov 3-5th

    The Metropolis Clergy Continuing Education Ministry is hosting a retreat for Clergy, Deacons and Diaconal candidates (current and potential) from November 3 – 5, 2023 at Saint Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA. The retreat will feature guest presenter Fr. Seraphim Aldea, founder of the Orthodox Monastery of All Celtic Saints on the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides. The retreat is also open to all interested faithful, who will have the opportunity to benefit from the insightful presentations being offered by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and Fr. Seraphim Aldea. For more information, please visit: www.sanfran.goarch.org/events.

    Fr. Rousakis' 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood - New York

    Fr. Rousakis' 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood - New York

    Please see the attached flyer.

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Ministries and Organizations

MOVIE AND MEZZE NIGHT UPDATE - KENYA FUNDRAISER

The Missions ministry team humbly thanks you for attending our Movie and Mezze night.  It was a success!! We heard about the region of Kenya where the funds will be sent and about Bishop Neophytos’ project to spread Christianity to Eldoret.  Food was abundant and the movie was cute.  Thank you for bringing your families to enjoy and support this worthy cause. 

With your generosity, we were able to raise $3,620 towards building the community/ diocese center and wells for the people of Eldoret, Kenya.  If you would still like to contribute, we will be accepting donations until October 16th. Please contact Maria Aji at [email protected] or by text (408) 425-6967.


CANON OF FAITH - OCTOBER 2023

Please read the Canon of Faith for October 2023 using the online link below: 

https://indd.adobe.com/view/05dafe26-bfaa-4580-be53-4158736fc9f3


ST. ANNA PHILOPTOCHOS - SECTION 8 HOUSING

The Philoptochos and the church sometimes receives inquiries from parishioners who are searching for low income or section 8 housing.  If you are a landlord or know of anyone who provides section 8 housing, please email Connie Chrysoglou at [email protected] and we will place you or your contact on a list of potential providers.  We will then give the provider list to any parishioner who is needing assistance.  If you are interested in being a section 8 housing provider, you will need to contact your local housing authority to make an application and to find out more about the process and decide if this is something that you would want to pursue.  The church will only be providing the list to people inquiring about this and will not intercede in any way or become involved in the vetting process. It will be up to the landlord to determine if there is a match.  Section 8 housing rental reimbursement to landlords begins from $1740 for a one-bedroom house/apartment up to $3696 for a four-bedroom unit.


HOPE/JOY

We will plan on holding our meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month (directly after Greek School).  Please mark your calendars.  

We hope that all students in grades K-5th can join us! This year, Father Nebojsa has planned an exciting curriculum focusing on the Story of Creation.  Each monthly lesson will be concentrated on a particular day of this journey.  Each meeting will be scheduled for approximately one hour and will include a discussion with Father, an interactive activity and/or craft, refreshments and fellowship.  We want to be inclusive of everyone so please feel free to reach out to Helene if you have any concerns: 209.324.4918.    

For families with children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, please register your children for our JOY/HOPE ministry.  The link to register is here:

https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/67/responses/new  


YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Sunday School

Register here for the new year: https://forms.gle/8MCKKQMs8Mn5vhRZ6 (Updated link! - Register now!)

Greek Folk Dance

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

Register here for the new year:  Dance Registration 2023-2024  (updated!)

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/73/responses/new

Basketball 

Information here:   https://www.saintnicholas.org/basketball .  Please contact Paul Papageorge at [email protected]  for more information about spring season which begins March 5th!

Register here:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/63/responses/new 

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/76/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

Register here:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/66/responses/new

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  

Register here:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/67/responses/new


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


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Education Programs

REGISTRATION LINK FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School registration has started!  To register for Sunday School please use the link:  https://forms.gle/esUftdmLhEJH77Ap6 

Classes will be weekly, with a few exceptions for special events and holidays.  The Saint Nicholas website has the current and updated calendar: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

We will continue to have ongoing communication to introduce specific events and curriculum details.

Upcoming Calendar (October):*

Sunday, October 15 – Sunday School in session

Sunday, October 22 – No Sunday School OXI Day

Sunday, October 29 – Sunday School in session

We look forward to seeing all our families this coming Sunday!

*Calendar invites will be sent as reminders 


REGISTRATION LINK FOR GREEK SCHOOL

Click here for the registration link with information about the dates of the program and tuition costs: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/73/responses/new

School Age Greek Language Classes (3-18 years old)

In-person classes are offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am - 11:45 am (pending registration numbers)

Zoom classes are time flex and are offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays.

In addition to the classes, several assemblies take place annually to celebrate Greek Independence Days (October 28th and March 25th), Christmas, and the end-of-the-school-year party. Parents and other family members participate while the students recite poems, skits, songs, and dances.

Adult Greek Language Classes (18 years and older)

New Testament Greek: Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Intermediate Conversational Greek: Thursdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Beginner Conversational Greek: Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 pm

For more up-to-date information in regards to the adult Greek classes kindly contact: Dr. Peter Nanopoulos at [email protected]


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Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

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

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

Sunday, October 15 - Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
8:15am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, October 18 - St. Luke the Evangelist
8:30am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy

Friday, October 20 - St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia
8:30am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy

Sunday, October 22 - 6th Sunday of Luke
8:15am - Orthros
9:30am - Divine Liturgy

ALL SERVICES ARE IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED AT:

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

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 ALL of the services we have in our church, and that we will be using this resource as well. 

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Saints and Feasts

October 15

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

October 15

Lucian the Martyr of Antioch

This Saint was from Samosata, the son of pious parents. He established a catechetical school in Antioch, and taught the correct doctrines of the Faith and made clear the parts of the divine Scriptures that were difficult to understand. He edited the Old Testament translation from the Hebrew tongue, and published it in an excellent edition, free from every heretical corruption and interpolation. He travelled to Nicomedia to strengthen the faithful there in their contests for Christ, and was accused before Maximinus, with whom he conversed openly. When he had made a defence of the Christian Faith, he was condemned to imprisonment where, in 311, he died of hunger and thirst.

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Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep

Remember, O Lord, as good, your servants, and forgive whatever sins in life they committed, for no one is without sin, except you the Mighty One; and grant rest to them who have been removed from among us.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

Since there are certain people who find great fault with us for adoring and honoring both the image of the Savior and that of our Lady, as well as those of the rest of the saints and servants of Christ, let them hear how from the beginning God made man to His own image. For what reason, then, do we adore one another, except because we have been made to the image of God? As the inspired Basil, who is deeply learned in theology, says: "the honor paid to the image conveys to the original.," and the original is the thing imaged from which the copy is made.
St. John of Damascus
The Orthodox Faith, 4.16. Catholic University of America Press in Washington D.C. Translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr. volume 37, page 370., 8th Century

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