Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2026-10-11
Bulletin Contents

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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






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

NIKITAS (NICKY) MASTERS (40 DAYS), son of Mina Masters, brother of Fr. George (Presv. Georgette) Masters and John (Lilia) Masters

KONSTANTINOS KOUSISIS (1 YR), AND EVANGELOS KOUSISIS (3 YRS), brothers of Roula Demertzis (John)

JOSEPH DURANTE (3 YRS), husband of Mimi Karas Durante

MARIA AND EUSTATHIOS KARAS (ANNUAL), parents of Mimi Karas Durante

PANAGIOTIS SARAKINIS (7 YRS), husband of Olga, father of Kosta (Anna), Bobby (Anna), Yanno (Zoe), and Theoni, and grandchildren 

HARALAMBOS MAROUDAS (ANNUAL), husband of Theoni, father of Olga, Soula (Yiannis), and Danny

KONSTANTINOS AND MAYRA SARAKINIS (ANNUAL), parents of Panagiotis (Olga)

STAMATIOS FOTIS (12 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

IRINI FOTIS (ANNUAL) sister of Gust Fotis

May their memory be eternal.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by Eleni Foster, Nadia Georghiou, Georgia Golfinopoulos, Presvytera Vasso Kumarelas, Presvytera Stephanie Pantic, Anastasia Russell,  and Eleni Veloudis 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 October 18th: Keli Demertzis, Anna K. Sarakinis, Anna P. Sarakinis, and Zoe Sarakinis 

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



Announcements

FALL FUN SOCIAL - SATURDAY, OCT 10TH - HONORED GUEST - METROPOLITAN NEOPHYTOS OF KENYA

Please join us this Saturday, October 10th for the Fall Fun Social hosted by the Missions Ministry for a special opportunity to support the mission work of Sister Nektaria and the Theotokos Orthodox Orphanage in India and to greet Metropolitan Neophytos of Kenya, our honored guest.  

We will celebrate Great Vespers at 4:30pm followed by the Fall Fun Social at 5:30pm in the Small Hall featuring a presentation by Metropolitan Neophytos on his ministry in Africa.

Family fun activities will include pumpkin decorating with real succulents, creating a living and beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.  Enjoy a warm, festive dinner, wine, and a friendly game of tavli.   Children’s activities include coloring books, word games and puzzles, and a pizza dinner.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come celebrate the season together as a parish community while supporting a worthy cause.  Open donations appreciated.

For questions and to RSVP for this event, please contact Maria Aji at 408-425-6967.

See the flyer in our website:  https://saintnicholas.org/events


GOYA MEETING

Our next meeting will be on Sunday, October 11th from 11:30am - 12:15pm in GOYA Room 11 where we will vote for our officers for the year.

Please reach out to Eva Vathis at [email protected] with any questions.


GOLDEN YEARS MEETING - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH

The next Golden Years meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13th at 11:30am in the Small Hall.  The featured guest speaker will be from the San Jose Police Department on the topic of fraud.  Please contact Christina Kouvaris at 408-306-8007 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.


OXI DAY CELEBRATION - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH!

Please join us on Sunday, October 18th, at 11:30 a.m. in the Community Center for our Center of Hellenic Education's OXI Day celebration!

This year, we’ll share a special tribute to the women of Epirus, the brave Ηπειρώτισσες who said “OXI” in their own way with courage, strength, and love for Greece.

A fundraising lunch to benefit the Greek School will be served following the divine liturgy at 11:30am featuring savory pies, makaronia me kima, Greek salad, garlic bread and galaktoboureko available for purchase.

Following lunch, around noon, our students will joyfully share the songs and poems they have been preparing with their teachers and families.

We hope you can come support our students, enjoy a meal and celebrate together!

Warmly,

The Center of Hellenic Education


COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD - FORM IS ONLINE!

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: https://saintnicholas.org/christmas_card

The deadline for submitting names for the Christmas Card is Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

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.


EPISTLE READERS WANTED

We are inviting any Middle to High Schoolers who are interested, in helping us on Sundays with Epistle readings in either Greek or English.  

This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to lend their voices to our liturgical services, and proclaim the Good News of the Apostles.  For a full calendar and more details please contact Fr. Nebojsa at [email protected].


NEW DANCE GROUP FORMING!

Kindergarten Parents and Children! A new dance group is forming this year named Aνά Zωή at Saint Nicholas! If your child is 5 years old as of September 20th and also enrolled in Kindergarten, please contact Georgia Tassos, [email protected] with your name and contact information stating your interest! Information about practice and enrollment will be provided! Please, no T-K or children under the age of 5. 


SEEKING A SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Love working with children and sharing our Orthodox faith? Saint Nicholas is seeking a Sunday School Director to help guide our 100+ student program. You'll receive full training and ongoing support from our priests, current director, and the Sunday School Board. Our newly updated Archdiocese of America Sunday School curriculum is simple, engaging, and ready to implement. Serve just 3-5 hours a month and help strengthen this vital ministry. If interested, please speak with Father James or Father Nebojsa. 


TREK4MISSIONS 2026

The Missions Ministry is joining OCMC's Trek4Missions again this year, a fitness challenge that turns miles walked, run, or biked into support for Orthodox missionaries around the world. Every step helps fund the training and sending of missionaries who bring the Gospel to those who haven't yet heard it.

Join our team, set your own activity goal, and help us reach ours — whether you walk a mile a day or ride the whole distance, every contribution counts.

👉 Join our team here: https://give.ocmc.org/team/846337

Thank you for supporting missions with your feet and your faith! God bless!


VOLLEYBALL PRACTICES & TOURNAMENT

Volleyball practices for our 21st Annual St Nicholas Volleyball Tournament have started, taking place in the Community Center.  Please join us!

Monday Nights
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Junior High
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - High School 

Thursday Nights
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Adults 

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.

Come join the fun!  The Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for the weekend of October 23rd-25th and features So-Tiri from New York and our own DJ Kanakis for the Volleyball Dinner entertainment.  Tickets available at coffee hour or call 408-806-1699.


CHURCH OFFICE

Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday, October 12th in the Archdiocesan observance of Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day.

However, if you have a pastoral emergency and you need to reach a priest, please call the church office at 408-246-2770 and listen to the prompts.


QUICK TIP - ADD ST. NICHOLAS WEBSITE TO YOUR PHONE'S HOME SCREEN!

For quicker and easier access, you can add our website right to your phone’s home screen, just like an app. It only takes a few seconds. Once added, simply tap the icon for instant access to our schedule, bulletins, events, posts and more. 

Follow the steps on https://saintnicholas.org/phone_app_shortcut








Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

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

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

Saturday, October 10 
4:30 p.m. Great Vespers with His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Northern Kenya and Eldoret

Sunday, October 11 -  Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, October 18 —  Luke the Evangelist
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

 



Education Programs

ONLINE GREEK LANGUAGE EDUCATION CLASSES FOR ADULTS 2026-2027

We are pleased to announce that online Greek Language classes for adults have started for the new 2026-2027 academic year! 

 

In the schedule of classes outlined below, each course is listed by title, cohort, period (in PST time), and fluency level.

Modern Greek-1. Beginner – Cohort 1A: Monday, Sept. 7, 7:00 PM (A1-A2)

Modern Greek-2. Beginner – Cohort 1B: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7:00 PM (A1-A2)

Modern Greek-3. Intermediate – Cohort 1: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 7:00 PM (B1-B2)

Modern Greek-4. Intermediate – Cohort 2: Sunday, Sept. 6, 9:00 AM (B1-B2)

Modern Greek-5. Intermediate – Cohort 3: Saturday, Sept. 5, 4:00 PM (B1-B2)

Modern Greek-6. Upper Intermediate/Advanced: Saturday, Sept. 5, 9:00 AM (B2/C1)

New Testament Greek: Friday, Sept. 4, 7:00 PM (A1-A2)

Ancient Greek: Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:00 PM (A1-A2)

For further information, please contact Dr. Peter Nanopoulos by email ([email protected]) or by phone (408-646-7308).


ORTHODOXY 101 - SAINTS, MIRACLES, AND PILGRIMAGE

**Next class is on Wednesday, October 14th**

Please join Fr. Nebojsa Pantic as he shares with us his experience on his recent sabbatical.  We will find out about pilgrimage locations and have a brief introduction to the history of pilgrimage.  We will also discuss saints and miracles that were experienced by Father Nebojsa and his family.  

Wednesday Nights 

6:15 pm - 6:50 pm 

This will be a hybrid class.  For in-person please meet in the Conference Room of the Office.  For online, please use the same link we always have:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82339647563?pwd=giuEACpHVK2bZybba75QB5G6yANeKd.1 

For more information please contact [email protected] 


SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Sunday School registration is now open as we have started the school year on Sunday, September 20, 2026.  We’ve transitioned to the CCB registration form, and each child in grades K–12 must register using this link:  Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

We are also seeking volunteers who feel called to share their love for our children and their faith.  All materials and support will be provided—your presence and willingness are the greatest gifts.  Please email: [email protected]

Thank you for helping us begin a wonderful year together.


GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION

This is a friendly reminder that registration for the 2026–2027 school year is open and the link is attached below. If you plan on joining us as a new student or return this fall, please take a few minutes to complete your registration so we can begin preparing class rosters and materials for the new year.  Please note that the annual tuition for school-age students includes all textbooks and classroom materials.

Registration Link:  https://saintnicholas.org/greek_school

We are excited for another year of learning, laughter, friendships, and celebrating our Greek language and culture together.

Thank you for being part of our Greek School family and we are so happy to have everyone back! Classes have begun for school-aged students. 

Additional information for our adult program, which follows a different calendar, will be shared separately.


MAIDS OF ATHENA

Have a daughter between the ages of 14-28?  Consider having her join the Maids of Athena! It's a wonderful opportunity for her to connect with her Greek heritage, learn more about her culture and traditions, build lifelong friendships, and become part of a supportive community.

  • Learn more about getting involved with the Maids of Athena!
  • Become a member of our Ahepa family!

The Maids take great pride in:

  • Sponsorship and support of philanthropic activities
  • Leadership conferences
  • Scholarship programs
  • Travel opportunities
  • Multiple social functions

For details, please contact Maria Pries-Chalioris at [email protected] or call 408-963-9649.


ST. NICHOLAS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS - AVAILABLE NOW

Scholarships are available now to help our youth and young adults experience Orthodox retreats, conferences, summer camps, GOYA, and Young Adult League (YAL) programs.

We are blessed to offer scholarships for youth and young adults in our St. Nicholas community.  Whether you are already registered or still planning to attend, scholarship support applies to ALL.

Why apply?  

  • Makes retreats, special programs, conferencesm or camps accessible for every family
  • Supports faith, fellowship, and spiritual growth
  • Encourages our youth and young adults to build lifelong friendships
  • Ensures no child or young adult misses out due to financial barriers

Apply here!  Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church




Stewardship and Donations

ONE-CLICK GIVING!

Our church website has upgraded to Pushpay for all online donations, tithes, and a number of other transactions - making giving simpler, faster, and more secure. 

Key Benefits for you:

  • One-Click Giving: Set up recurring tithes in seconds or make one-time gifts with ease.
  • Safe & Secure: Bank-level encryption protects your information.
  • Text-to-Give: Simply text “GIVE” to (833) 921-7035 to donate instantly.
  • Track Your Giving: View your donation history and print tax statements anytime.
  • Give from Anywhere: Use your phone, tablet, or computer. 

 Visit https://saintnicholas.org/donate to donate and set up your account. 

 Your generosity fuels our ministries, outreach, and mission to love God and serve others.


STEWARDSHIP

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

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






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.




Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Mode

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory 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.


Saints and Feasts

October 11

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 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.




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.



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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