Schedule of Services

Note: Our services are posted on Zoom unless specified otherwise.

Friday, September 6
    6:00pm Evangelism Season: Akathist to Saints Peter and Paul
    8:00pm Orthodoxy 101: Journey to Fullness (online)
Saturday, September 7
    5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos, Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross
    8:30am Matins
    9:45am Liturgy + Blessing of the Five Loaves
Monday, September 9 Saints Joachim & Anna
    9:00am Matins + Liturgy
    5:30pm Mission and Evangelism Metropolis Meeting
Tuesday, September 10
    9:00am Food Bank Distribution - Community Service
    9:00am Church University: Prayers and Bible Study (online)
    7:00pm Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 11
    9:00am Church University: Prayers and Bible Study (online)
    10:00am Book Forum: Father Arseny
    6:00pm Paraklesis
    6:45pm Marriage Class: Enduring Love
Thursday, September 12
    9:00am Church University: Prayers and Bible Study (online)
Friday, September 13
    9:00am Church University: Prayers and Bible Study (online)
    5:15pm Evangelsim Season: Akathist to Saints Peter and Paul
    6:00pm Vespers
    8:00pm Orthodoxy 101: Journey to Fullness
Saturday, September 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross
    8:30am Matins + Procession with the Cross + Liturgy
    5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, September 15   Sunday After the Elevation of the Corss Saint Nikitas / Saint Visarion
    8:30am Matins
    9:45am Liturgy

Zoom with video here.

For more information, go to //www.stjohn-monterey.org/parish-calendar

Special Services

1. The Akathist to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul will be prayed on Friday evenings (6pm) beginning today. We will be turning to these missionary saints for their help with our Evangelism Season. The names that were collected on the prayer cards in church will be prayed for at these services. Our collective prayer at work!

The Memorial Service this Sunday is for the servants of God:

Kent (Michael) Mitchell, uncle of Mike Kanalakis (4 years),
George Elliott (7 years),
Helen Saites (1 year),
Peter Moutos, son of Gus and Lanette who perished in NY on 9/11 2001.

May their memory be eternal!

2. The Nativity of the Theotokos Blessing of the Five Loaves will be on her birthday this Sunday, after the Memorial Service, at the end of the liturgy. The breads will be offered by Georgia Filice. God bless her and her family!

3. Witnesses in Christ: at the end of the liturgy we will be addressed by one of our community members who have recently became Orthodox - this Sunday: Edward. We will also distribute the second round of Prayer Cards part of the Evangelism Season. Write down only the names of the non-Orthodox Christians and of those enstranged from the Church whom you wish to find Christ and become Orthodox.

4. The Lord's grandparents, Saints Joachim and Ana, will be remembered with Matins and Liturgy this Monday morning. We turn to them in prayer for help to our married couples and their families.

5. The Elevation of the Holy Cross, one of the royal feast days of the Church, will be celebrated Saturday, September 14 with Vespers on the eve. The Precious Cross will decorated and brought out of the altar in procession at the end of Matins. It will be available for veneration during the service. September 14 is always a fasting day, regardless of the day of the week. The Sundays before and after the Elevation of the Cross are dedicated to this event as well.

News & Events

SIGN UP FOR SMS/TEXTING COMMUNICATION

We are introducing communication by SMS/ texting. Please signup for this service. Simply text #yes# to 22300.

NEW: THE EVANGELISM SEASON

This Sunday begins the second week of our Evangelism Season, when we turn to God on behalf of those who are not in His House (the one, holy and apostolic Church) yet. We will be distributing Prayer Cards to those who have not received them last week.

Living the Gospel

ORTHODOXY 101 TONIGHT

A ministry led by Angela Wagoner

JOURNEY TO FULLNESS: An Introduction to the Fullness of the Original Christian Faith

Fridays, 8pm. All classes on Zoom only.

Adult Education

CHURCH UNIVERSITY: EXODUS

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The Church University brings to light the beautiful, yet complex sides of Orthodoxy through prayer and the study of Scriptures, hymnography of the Church, lives of the saints and the writings of the Holy Fathers.

This Monday we will begin the study of the book of Exodus.

On week days without morning liturgies, 9am via Zoom.

Worship, Education, Community

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Ministries led by Despina Hatton

FOOD BANK: Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 10 9:00 -10:30am @St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Seaside.

LADIES I-HELP: Tuesday,OCTOBER 1, OCTOBER 31. Cooking - 4-5pm, Dinner with the ladies - 5-6pm. Plan to stay for prayers in the chapel after dinner.

Community

THE BOOK FORUM: FATHER ARSENY

A Ministry led by Kathy Shaw

We will continue meeting on Wednesday at 10:00am.

Education, Community

ENDURING LOVE - A MARRIAGE CLASS

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 4..

Enduring Love #7

Roles and Responsibilities

Wednesday, 6:45pm (after Paraklesis)

Outline:

1. God's design for Marriage
2. Love and Expectations
3. Friendship and Goals
4. Communication and Conflict
5. Sex and Romance
6. Children and Parenting
7. Roles and Responsibilities
8. Finances
9. Spiritual Life
10. Enduring to the End

Living the Gospel

WELCOMING AND HOSPITALITY: SERVING THIS SUNDAY

Ministry led by Angelina Taylor

Thank you for your effort and participation in bringing a dish to share for our Agape Meal. If you cannot participate when it is your turn, kindly let Angelina know in advance so she can make other arrangements.

Sunday, September 8:
   Parish Council: Mary Kanalakis
   Greeter: Anthony Zavitsanos
   Agape Meal: ORANGE TEAM - Thank you to Melanie, Mimi, Mary, Jeré, and Marissa.

Sunday, September 15:
Parish Council: Euthimios Saites
Greeter: Nadia Zajicek
Agape Meal: GOLD TEAM – Thank you to Ita, Christine T, Presbytera Ana, Miriam, and Angelina

Community

ONLINE RESOURCES

Most of our services and some ministry meetings are available online.

Witness remotely:

Zoom with video here.
By phone dial - add the following string to your address book: 16699006833,,9475885646#,,,,*871732#

Liturgical texts at Ages Initiatives here. Select the date and the service of interest. Then, choose pdf if you want to print, or DCS for viewing on the screen (which also has a night mode).

Lighting Candles remotely is possible through our Light a Candle website. Click this link: Light a Candle

You are Invited

Eight Dates Marriage Program Offered This Fall – Register Today!

The Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries invite all couples to participate in the upcoming "Eight Dates" marriage program. Presented for the fourth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.

Any couple wanting to improve their communication and connection can benefit from this lively and evidence-based program, where the Family Wellness Ministry team integrates the riches of our Orthodox Faith into each presentation. Couples will meet online every other Thursday and are encouraged to connect on their “8 Dates,” engaging in essential conversations during the following weeks.

Register by September 11: www.familywellnessministry.org/eight-dates
Sessions begin: Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) via Zoom

Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your relationship!

Saints and Feasts

September 08

Sunday before Holy Cross

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Reading is from Luke 1:39-49, 56

In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

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