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 27, 2025

Goal: $605,000 (Approved 2025 Budget)
Pledged: $292,451
Pledges Paid: $164,306
Average Pledge: $1,229
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $128,145
Number of Stewards Pledging: 238

Stewardship 2024 on March 28, 2024 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $283,631
Pledges Paid: $163,006
Average Pledge: $1,228
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $120,625
Number of Stewards Pledging: 231

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/

Please save the date to attend our Parish Assembly in the Small Hall following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 27th.  The agenda and supplemental documents will be forthcoming.

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.

Appointments for the Sacrament of Confession are available with either Fr. James or Fr. Nebojsa from Monday, April 7th through Friday, April 11th in typically 30 minute increments before or after services during that week. 

For access to specific time slots and to schedule an appointment please contact the church office at 408-246-2770.  

The Festival Team would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who have contributed time to the annual Greek Festival already.  Our humble festival could not do it without the countless hours and dedication of our parishioners, especially during this Lenten time of continued prayer, sacrifice, and giving.  It always is an incredible feeling when people ask, "What's next to prepare, when is the next cooking day?  We can't wait to come back!"  To say we are blessed to have you all is an understatement.  A special additional thank you to the chairpeople of the various foods already prepared:

Eleni Matheou and Nicki Poulos for chairing moussaka and pastitsio

Eleni and Ted Matheou for chairing spanakopites

Nicole Perakis and Penny Pries for chairing tiropites

The willingness of all the volunteers who offer their time to the San Jose Greek Festival does not go unrecognized and we appreciate the time contributed to helping make the Greek Festival a success.  To cook with such love and joy was a beautiful sight to behold, and always will be.  Thank you, to our volunteers again.

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.

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] 

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

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. 

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, April 2nd at 6:30pm at St. Nicholas 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.

Please come! We need to make 1000 palm crosses!

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].

Dear Parents of 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade,

We are delighted to invite all young girls (grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th) to participate in our Holy Friday night services as Myrrh Bearers. The Myrrh Bearers hold a significant place in the Greek Orthodox faith, exemplifying unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ and being among the first to witness His Resurrection.

To prepare for this special role, we will host a unique Sunday School lesson on April 6th, following Holy Communion. This session, led by Eva Vathis and Laurie Sahines, will delve into the significance of the Myrrh Bearers and their inspiring contributions to our faith.

If your daughter(s) would like to participate, please respond to the email below indicating their first and last name. Holy Friday will be observed on April 18th, and we will be sure to share more details about attire and service times as the date approaches.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and encouraging your daughters to engage in this meaningful tradition.

Email here:  [email protected]

We got three wins over the weekend including the Elementary Girls holding off Ascension for their first win.  Two road games this weekend.  Four games in SJ next weekend.

This week is March 30th

Girls Elementary Last week:  St. Nick 12 – Ascencion 8, Maria M leading scorer, Eleni M with the clinching bucket

This week: bye  Next week: vs Ascension, @ San Jose, 2pm

Girls Middle School Last week:  St. Nick 11 – Ascencion 31, Georgia P solid two-way play

This week: bye  Next week: vs Ascension @ San Jose, 3pm

Boys Elementary Last week: St. Nick 19 – Holy Cross 37, Alecco P with tough D and a couple of buckets

This week: vs Resurrection @ Oakland, 5pm   Next week: vs Ascension1 @ San Jose, 4pm

Boys Middle School Last week : St. Nick 36 – St. Gregory 32, undefeated season preserved with OT win

This week: bye    Next week: vs. Holy Cross @ Belmont, 3pm

Boys High School Last week: St. Nick 36 - Annunciation 23; Boys cruise to victory in Belmont

This week: vs Holy Cross @ Belmont, 2pm   Next week: vs St. Gregory2 @ San Jose, 5pm

*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 the Kentima Ministry on Sunday, April 6th 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.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8th at 11:30am in the Small Hall.   Please contact Christina Kouvaris at 408-306-8007 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Please come help assemble Dolmades for the festival on Saturday, April 26th beginning at 9:00am in the Community Center.  Come and join in the fellowship and fun of baking for the festival!  We are grateful for any amount of time you can give.  For more information, please call Nick Tsolis at 408-921-4029.  Thank you!!

So many of you have donated your time in helping with festival cooking and we could NOT do it without your help.  

Coming up on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 we will be baking kourambiethes.   Hoping to get your helping hands to assist in this wonderful endeavour!  We will begin at 9:00am in the Community Center. 

Lunch and breakfast snacks will be provided!  Any questions or concerns please let us know: 408-823-0111/[email protected].  Thank you!

Laurie Sahines and Maria Matheou

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].

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
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