Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-13
Bulletin Contents

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Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 408.605.0621
  • Street Address:

  • 9th and Lincoln

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 5808

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921


Contact Information




Services Schedule

 

Weekend services: the weekend schedule is fixed for most of the year. The services take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea, at All Saints Church, lower level, 9th and Lincoln.

Saturdays: 5:00pm Vespers

Sundays:   8:30am Matins

                   9:45am Liturgy

Week-day services: during the week we may celebrate the major feast days of the Church either in Carmel or in Salinas. Please check the calendar! The schedule pattern is:

Wednesdays:  6:00pm Paraklesis

Eve of feasts: 6:00pm Vespers

Feast days:    8:30am Matins

                       9:45am Liturgy


Past Bulletins


Schedule of Services

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

Friday, July 11 Saints Euphemia, Olga, and Sophrony of Essex 
    6pm Vespers + Akathist to Saint Paisios + Liturgy + Pizza on the patio
    8pm Basics of Orthodoxy for Explorers - CANCELLED
Saturday, July 12 Saint Paisios the Athonite
    5pm Vespers
Sunday, July 13
    8:30am Matins
    9:45am Liturgy
    12:30pm Catechism Class
Monday , July 14
    7pm Preverve, Prosper, Ensure (PPE) Meeting
Tuesday, July 15
    7pm Parish Council (PC) Meeting
Wednesday, July 16
    9:30am Book Forum: Everyday Saints
    6pm Paraklesis
    6:45pm Marriage Class: Enduring Love
Thursday, July 17 Saint Marina
Friday, July 18
    6pm Men's Night Out
    8pm Basics of Orthodoxy for Explorers
Saturday, July 19
    5pm Vespers
    6:30pm Vespers and Reception in Santa Cruz
Sunday, July 20 Prophet Elias
    8:30am Matins
    9:45am Liturgy
    12:30pm Catechism Class

Receive schedule reminders and updates by text: Simply text #yes# to 22300. Note: You must be already enrolled for phone calls from the church in order to extend to text messaging. Let Father Ion know if you would like to sign up for both services.

Zoom with video here.  For more information, go to  //www.stjohn-monterey.org/parish-calendar

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Stewardship News

THE GIFT OF STEWARDSHIP

A ministry led by Mary Kanalakis

Do you follow Father Barnabas Powell from Faith Encouraged?  If not, I highly recommend it. Today, Father talked about “Keep only what you give away”!  What?!?

Again, quoting: “It’s a bit of a paradox, but the truth is, Faith and Joy are gifts that can only be possessed by giving them away! Strange, isn’t it? But think about it. Joy and faith are always the casualties of inattentiveness.”

It is also a reminder of our Stewardship to our church, the attention we give God’s House, a holy place, and our Vision. Being a Steward certainly brings joy to you and others. It is one way we live our vision: to seek transformation in Jesus Christ and to bring people to Christ.

You may sign up or increase your stewardship contribution any time online: HERE.

Living the Gospel


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You are invited

Hike
All invited for a hike in Del Monte Forest
through Pebble Beach.
Saturday, July 12, 6:30 am
Bring water, hiking boots and sunscreen.
Expect an easy, but a bit long hike.
Bring a friend!
Meeting Point: Parking lot on Hwy. 68, uphill from PG. Map here.
 
Men's Night Out
Men will go out for fellowship on
Friday, July 18, 6 pm
RSVP to Ali at [email protected]
 
Celebration of Prophet Elias in Santa Cruz
All invited for the feast day of our sister parish
Services presided by Metropolitan Gerasimos
Vespers - Saturday, July 19, 6:30 pm
Matins and Liturgy - Sunday, July 20, 8:30am
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News & Events

NEW: MARRIAGE CLASS

A ministry led by Ali Castañeda

We will dive in the material by looking at God's desin for marriage.  The targeted audience ranges from young adults to couples who have been married for decades. The classes will take place right after the Wednesday Paraklesis service from 6:45pm. They are also an opportunity to build community.

See the bookstore for the required textbook ($30).

About the leader: Ali is a licensed marriage and family therapist, working in the field for 5 years. He holds a bachelors degree in psychology, a masters degree in counselingand advanced training with couples. Ali was received into the Orthodox Church in 2024. He and his wife Marissa are married since 2022 and they are expecting their first child this year.

Enduring Love #1: God's Design for Marriage

This 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, Community


BASICS of ORTHODOXY CANCELLED TONIGHT

A Ministry led by Edward Mar

The class is a pre-requisite for those who pursue the path towards becoming catechumens. It is meeting online in order to offer to those who inquire and explore the Orthodox faith the space to learn and find answers to their many questions. The class meets on Fridays from 8pm via Zoom.

The next class: Friday, July 18, 8pm:

Basics of Orthodoxy:

#7. The Holy Trinity

Education, Living the Gospel


ADULT SUNDAY EDUCATION/ CATECHISM

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The class will meet after the Agape meal in Saint Nektarios chapel.

Living the Gospel

 


BOOK FORUM

A Ministry led by Kathy Shaw

We continue to meet on Wednesdays, from 9:30am and we are now reading Everyday Saints and Other Stories, by Archmandrite Tikhon (Shrevkunov). It can be purchased HERE.

 Education, Community


WELCOMING AND HOSPITALITY: SERVING THIS SUNDAY

A Ministry led by Miriam Aguilar

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 make other arrangements for someone to cover for you and let your team leader know.

Sunday, July 13
   Parish Council Representative: Ali Castaneda
   Greeter: Marissa Castaneda
   Agape Meal: PINK TEAM - Thank you to Nadia, Maria, Rania, and Christine D

Sunday, July20
  Parish Council Representative: George Georgalis
  Greeter: Rania Zavitsanos
  Agape Meal: GOLD TEAM – Thank you to Christine T, Presbytera Ana, Mary, and Eleni

Community


OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Ministries led by Despina Hatton

LADIES I-HELP

  • Thursday, July 31. Cooking: 4pm. Dinner with the ladies: 5:30pm.
  • Tuesday, August 5. Cooking: 4pm. Dinner with the ladies: 5:30pm.
  •  

FOOD BANK:

  • Tuesday,August 12.  9:00 -10:30am @St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Seaside.

Community


ONLINE RESOURCES

Most of our services and some ministry meetings are available online. Zoom with video here. Liturgical texts at Ages Initiatives here.


PHONE AND TEXT MESSAGING?

Have you been receiving communication from the church via text? If not, it is because you have not signed up yet. It is brief, fast and simple. Simply text #yes# to 22300. Note: You must be already enrolled for phone calls from the church in order to extend to text messaging. Let Father Ion know if you would like to sign up for both services.


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Saints and Feasts

July 13

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches.

In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.


July 13

Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel

It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.


July 13

Saint Stephen of Mar Sabbas Monastery

According to some, the Saint Stephen celebrated today was a nephew of Saint John of Damascus, different from the one celebrated on October 28, who later also became a Bishop.


July 17

Saint Marina the Great Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr lived during the reign of Claudius II (268-270). She was from Pisidia of Cilicia and was the only daughter of a certain priest of the idols. On being orphaned by her mother, she was handed over to a certain woman who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. When she was fifteen years old, she was apprehended by the ruler of Olmbrius, and when asked her name, homeland, and faith, she answered: "My name is Marina; I am the offspring of the Pisidia; I call upon the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ." Because of this she endured bonds, imprisonment, and many whippings, and was finally beheaded in the year 270. Saint Marina is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 31.11,1.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

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.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."


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