The 21st annual St. Nicholas Volleyball Tournament - October 23-25, 2026

Please join us in welcoming visiting volleyball participants from our sister parishes throughout the Metropolis.   Games will begin promptly Saturday at 8:00am to 4:00pm at City Beach, 4020 Technology Pl, Fremont, CA 94538 and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the St Nicholas Community Center.  

Tickets for the Volleyball Dinner Dance and featured entertainer, So-Tiri from New York and our own DJ Kanakis, are still available  by calling 408-806-1699.  Tickets may be available at the door.

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

With the new California State law on mandated reporting for all youth staff workers/volunteers, Saint Nicholas is required to comply with background checks, training (annually) and fingerprinting.   We are happy that many of our youth staff workers/volunteers have already complied with the mandate.

However, for those who have not yet completed the process, Saint Nicholas is graciously offering another fingerprinting service on Sunday, October 25th from 11:30am - 12:30pm in the church office conference room - enter by the side door.   Important: All who are Youth Ministry Volunteers, PC and staff who have not completed their Livescan Fingerprinting are encouraged to attend.  Please have your account set up and try to complete all tasks on the platform prior to coming on Sunday Oct 25^th using the link: https://youthsafetyplatform.goarch.org.  Any questions please call or email Angie Markolefas 408-891-4314 or [email protected] or [email protected].

We encourage all youth staff workers/volunteers, who have not already done so, to comply with these legal requirements. 

St. Nicholas Goya and St. Anna Philoptochos will once more be having a warm coat drive.  We will have containers in the Small Hall and in the Community Center for your most welcomed and needed donations.   

The Drive will begin on October 18th and end on November 7th and it will benefit the San Jose Family Center.

We thank you for your help in this very worthy need.  Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact:  Laurie Sahines [email protected] or Eva Vathis  [email protected].

Join us for this year’s Parish Oratorical Contest this March at St. Nicholas Church! Exact date to be announced.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to speak about their faith, grow their public speaking skills, and compete for exciting scholarships and prizes of up to $5,000 at the higher levels!

There are three divisions based on grade level.  Check out the topics for each division below and start preparing your speech!

📚 Elementary: Grades 4-6 Topics
🎙️ Junior: Grades 7-9 Topics
🌟 Senior: Grades 10-12 Topics

For more information or to sign up, contact Maria Daltayanni,  [email protected] or 951-282-7259.

Sts. Cosmas and Damianos are the patron saints of Philoptochos.  In honor of their feastday on November 1st, St. Anna Philoptochos will pass a tray on Sunday, November 1, 2026 with all proceeds going to the Patriarchate in Constantinople.  Please make checks payable to St. Anna's Philoptochos, and put in the memo for the Patriarchate.  Thank you.

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.

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!

     Young Adult Fall Retreat on October 22-25: Enjoy a weekend of hiking, prayer, and fellowship. Young adults from all Orthodox traditions are welcome at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA with two registration options available: 

·     ADVENTURE PACKAGE: Arrive Thursday evening, October 22, and join us Friday morning, October 23, for a full-day hiking trip to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks before the retreat officially begins. 

·     REGULAR WEEKEND PACKAGE: Beginning Friday evening, October 23, we’ll gather at St. Nicholas Ranch for a weekend of discussion, fellowship, and prayer. We’ll also visit the Sisters at the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring to assist with a meaningful work project and church services, along with other engaging activities throughout the weekend.  

·     WEBSITE & MORE INFO: https://gosfyouth.org/youngadults#/young-adult-fall-retreat

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].

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. 

(All listed dates fall on a Sunday unless otherwise noted.)

October 25 – Sunday School in session  

November 1 – Sunday School in session – *Christmas Pageant Sign‑Ups Begin*  
November 8 – Sunday School in session  
November 15 – Sunday School in session  
November 22 – Sunday School in session – *Christmas Pageant Rehearsal*  
November 29 – Family Divine Liturgy – *Thanksgiving Holiday*  

December 6 – Sunday School in session – *Christmas Pageant Rehearsal*  
December 13 – Sunday School in session – *Christmas Pageant Rehearsal*  
Saturday, December 19 – **Christmas Pageant at Saint Nicholas Church**  
December 20 – Family Divine Liturgy  
December 27 – Family Divine Liturgy – *Christmas Holiday*

The online Greek Language classes for adults is in session for the 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).

**Next class is on Wednesday, November 4th**

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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